Sunday Sweets: Wonderland Treats

Ever wish that real life wasn't so ... real-lifey?  

Me, too.  

So let's take a little break from boring ol' reality today with an imaginary vacation down the rabbit hole, to a magical place called ...

(By Vsem Tort)

... Wonderland!

A place full of tea parties and roses and magic mushrooms:

(By Uta Alma Hornemann)

Why, it sounds like a party already!

And this cake is a party for my eyeballs; check out those edible ink illustrations pulled straight from the book! Fantastic.

But Lewis Carroll's classic, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland has inspired all kinds of wonderlands, should you feel suddenly inspired to create your own wonder-cake. There's also Tim Burton's interpretation:

(By Fatma Ozmen Metinel)

Tweedledee and Tweedledum! (Way way waaaaay cuter here in fondant - sorry, Tim.) And could that Queen of Hearts BE any more Helena Bonham Carter? So much detail. I love that the platter goes along with the theme, too; kinda would have ruined the effect to plunk this masterpiece down on a Chinet.

Then, of course, there's the 1951 Disney version:

(Submitted by Melissa G. and made by Jacques Fine European Pastries)

How dead-on is the door knob?! (And is it weird that he was always my favorite character?)

But no one ever said you can't mix them all up; it is Wonderland after all. Here are Tim Burton's Alice and Queen of Hearts sharing space with the Disney cast of characters:

(By Cake Studio Roma)

Sheer madness!  But the best cakes usually are.

Oh me, oh my, are we done already?

(By Cakes by Shelli)

 No, don't worry your little pink nose, we still have much more muchness to see. 

  Like this classic take on The White Rabbit:

(Submitted by Lauren B. and made by Nevie-Pie Cakes)

 ... looking dapper in his party finery on this hand-painted cookie, which sounds exactly like something you'd eat at a Wonderland tea party.

 But be careful. Wonderland can also be a dangerous place ...

(By Ron-Ben Israel Cakes)

 You just might lose your head.

Or get in big trouble for painting the roses red ...

(By Design Cakes)

Still, it's a beautiful effect on a cake!  Amiright, or amiright, Your Majesty?

(By Sweet Ruby Cakes)

Ooookay. Nevermind. Love the dress, by the way! That collar is killer.

Well, the clock's a-ticking; it's almost time to go ...

(By Tiffany's Baking Co.; pic courtesy of Torrence Photography)

... but not without taking a minute to give a hand to this baker and his/her subtly stunning cake. Teacups and mushrooms and pocket watches, oh my! Just wonder-full!

And speaking of, I don't think you could stuff any more wonder into this last cake; it's chock full of wonderment, right down to the props on the table:

(Submitted by Sierra & made by Karen Portaleo of The Highland Bakery)

I love the bottom layer, with the Mad Hatter peeking out from under his hat, as if to say one last goodbye. [sniffle]

 Aww, I'm not ready to leave!

Do you think we can go to to Neverland next?

[Note from Jen: Heck yeah! It's going on the list!]

Happy Sunday!

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot:

Wild Wreckdom

On the remote island of St. Kawkapuey lives the mysterious Cacapillar.

Often mistaken by tourists as monkey droppings, these sweet-smelling carnivorous insects are most often found in local baseball fields:

...and outdoor cooking grills:

A highly adaptable creature, the Cacapillar has learned to subsist on the island's most readily available diet: stale Funyuns and leftover Whiskey:

[Fun Fact: The population of St. Kawkapuey has the world's highest concentration of Karoake bars per person, and once declared a national "Hangover Day" to celebrate the season finale of Dancing With the Stars.]

Though outsiders find the cacapillar off-putting, locals consider it good luck to find one in their home. They also celebrate the warmer summer months, when the island's cacapillars encase themselves in shimmering golden cocoons:

...and then emerge, transformed, as the island's national mascot:

The Majestic All-Seeing Flutterturd

Which can grow to weigh as much as a whopping 25 pounds:

After cavorting in traffic and laying siege to local liqueur stores, the Flutterturds eventually complete their life cycles by dive-bombing into area vegetable gardens en masse:

There they provide excellent fertilizer, though locals admit the smell of whiskey can take several months to dissipate.

Thanks to Laura N., Michelle V., Chris W., Anony M., Holly L., Kimberly S., Kiana R., & Caprice A. for that giant piece of... information.

*****

P.S. I see you enjoy learning things. Might I interest you in this additional educational resource?

Farty Facts: An Illustrated Guide To The Science, History, And Art Of Farting

Yes it's a real book, I can't believe I have to clarify that. A worthy gift for all students of life, or for anyone who has a butt.

******

And from my other blog, Epbot: