Mandy Merriman - Cake Confidence

2019 Mandy Merriman

All rights reserved.

All images were taken by Mandy Merriman, except for those on , which were taken by Bethany Hillary.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, whether by graphic, visual, electronic, film, microfilm, tape recording, or any other means, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief passages embodied in critical reviews and articles.

The opinions and views expressed herein belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of Cedar Fort, Inc. Permission for the use of sources, graphics, and photos is also solely the responsibility of the authors.

ISBN 13: 978-1-4621-2260-8

Published by Front Table Books, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.

2373 W. 700 S., Springville, UT 84663

Distributed by Cedar Fort, Inc., www.cedarfort.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Merriman, Mandy, 1987- author.

Title: Cake confidence / Mandy Merriman.

Description: Springville, Utah : Front Table Books, An imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc., [2019]

Identifiers: LCCN 2018051066 (print) | LCCN 2018053330 (ebook) | ISBN 9781462129959 (epub, pdf, mobi) | ISBN 9781462122608 (perfect bound : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Cake. | LCGFT: Cookbooks.

Classification: LCC TX771 (ebook) | LCC TX771 .M3933 2019 (print) | DDC 641.86/53--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018051066

Cover and page design by Shawnda T. Craig

Cover design 2019 Cedar Fort, Inc.

Edited by Kaitlin Barwick

For my Ryan and his unfailing love and support in anything my heart desires.

He is my everything.

For my boys for always being my willing and anxious taste testers.

For my parents, who raised me to believe that the skys the limit.

For Grandma June, who was sweetest of them all.

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Working on this book was a long process and a heartfelt labor of love. I wouldnt have found my own cake confidence if it werent for a number of people who have supported me in fulfilling this dream of mine in one way or another.

To my readers on Baking with Blondie for your endless support and encouraging comments, for making my cakes for your treasured families, and for always coming back for more. I started this journey in the kitchen so long ago and shifted to all things cake within the past couple years. And whether you have been with me this entire time, started following me when I started this venture into cake land, or are just picking up this cookbook for the first time, this book is ours together. We will always have this space to bake and decorate with one another. Whether youre physically in my kitchen taking a cake class or baking my recipes from across the globe, you are my kindred cake-loving friends, and Im so grateful for your support.

To my family and extended family for supporting me in whatever Im pursuing. Whether it was having to eat yet another cake brought by me to a family gathering, gifting me the coolest kitchen gadgets or camera lenses for Christmas, watching the boys for me so I could work on this cookbook, helping me laugh through the unfriendly internet comments Id received that day, or always believing in your shortest sister in the family, you guys are amazing, thank you.

To my mom for being one of my biggest cheerleaders. You have been a constant strength throughout this journey and have built me up with your words of love and positivity when I felt like I was losing my mind. You are one of the strongest women Ive ever known. You have been through so much, and you still make time every day to listen to me. You taught me to push through, look for the good, do it with grace, and do it with a smile (and that perhaps a little caffeine doesnt hurt). Grandma June would be so giddy in her pink lipstick and kitchen apron right now, and she would be so proud of the both of us. I carry you and her in my heart always.

To my little blondie boys, I love you to the moon and back again. To my sweet blue-eyed Jake for letting me be very busy the last few years with this cookbook and loving me anyway. Your never-ending determination and thirst for improvement and growth in whatever you put your mind to inspired me to keep doing better and to try, try again. To my little mischievous Liam for your buttercream-stealing ways, your squishy little-boy hugs, and for telling me This is deee-licious, Mommy! with a mouthful of cake every time. You boys are my world.

And most importantly, to my husband, Ryan. You have a heart of gold and have been my everything throughout this process. It was you who originally told me I could do this and that I should do this and who has seen me through every moment when Ive felt like I couldnt or shouldnt. Your endearing support, strengthening pep talks, endless encouragement, and lawyerly powers of editing my writing have been my rock, and I know this book wouldnt have happened without you. You are the best part of my life, and I love you.

WHY CAKE?

At the center of almost every celebration and many other types of gatherings in life is something weve all come to know and love: those sweet soft layers of cake smothered in mouthwatering buttercream.

We start off our first birthday with family members smiling around us, singing, and fawning over our squishy little baby cheeks, which are covered in buttercream from our first clumsy bite of cake. We continue this celebration every year as we grow older with yet another birthday cake and wishes as we blow out the candles.

The oven flips on for a cake we will bake for loved ones who may be in need of some cheering up after sleepless nights with a newborn, a recent loss, a difficult trial, or perhaps simply for a family dinner gathering. Cake may be on the dessert table to celebrate a well-worked-for graduation, a hard-earned retirement, or a long-awaited job promotion.

Hundreds of family members and close friends gather together to celebrate the true love of a couple as they slice their wedding cake together. All eyes are on them (and the cake) as they begin their new life together. And cake will often be part of subsequent milestones in their relationshipten, twenty-five, and fifty year anniversaries. Cake is a huge part of all our lives, and I believe theres no better way to celebrate than with a cant-put-your-fork-down delicious cake on the table to share with those you love most.