I’m not sure that Disneyland was the highlight of Leyna’s weekend in California. That honor might go to Duff’s Cakemix and Charm City Cakes West.
You know Charm City Cakes, right? Home to Ace of Cakes’ Duff Goldman? My 5 year old daughter is obsessed with Duff… in that she binge watches all his shows and is actively prepping to become the next Kids Baking Champion.
That tongue means serious business, you guys. She. Is. Ready.
Before we left for LA, I reached out to Charm City Cakes West to ask if we could make an appointment just to peek inside their bakery, and I explained what a HUGE fan Leyna is. The staff was so nice, and pointed out that in addition to checking out Charm City Cakes West, we could actually decorate our very own cakes right next door at Duff’s Cakemix.
So we took Delilah, Morgan’s daughter, with us, and the girls made magical, fondant covered creations.
Yup, in addition to a few colors of buttercream frosting (complete with piping bags), and a couple candy toppings, they got to choose two colors of fondant. I can not begin to explain how that word has haunted me the last few months- FONDANT.
Leyna is obsessed with the idea of decorating cakes with fondant. I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO FROST THEM WITH BETTY CROCKER VANILLA FROSTING. She was born to the wrong mother. (But she does come from a long line of bakers and cake decorators on her dad’s side so we can blame them.)
I’m telling you, as soon as I saw online that fondant was provided, along with all the tools needed and professionals to help, I was sold. YES, this was a thing we would do in LA, for sure.
Plus, gotta love a place where you make a huge mess there and then someone else cleans it up for you. After they airbrush your cake pearlescent pink.
Of course we splurged ($2) for the Disco Dust. She is so legit now, y’all.
And then?! The fun wasn’t over because we got to pop in next door and check out the bakery!
The girls promised to be VERY good and not touch anything, so they got a little up close with a real-life Charm City Cakes creation, inspired by Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs.
Mark, the manager, was incredibly gracious, and I’m so thankful for the time he took to talk to the girls and show them around. I mean, you can’t really tell here, but they were super happy.
And shortly after that, Leyna and I took her cake (boxed and bagged) through LAX security and onto the plane. It safely made it home to Dallas, and we’ve all had a piece (or three).