Volunteering with Cake 4 Kids
The last two years have been challenging for all, but one of the biggest blessings of 2021 was being introduced to the volunteer organization Cake 4 Kids. Cake 4 Kids is an organization that recruits volunteers to bake celebration cakes for youth who may not receive one otherwise. The majority of the cakes are birthday cakes, but other celebrations include adoptions and graduations. Additionally, there are requests for other treats such as brownies, cookies, and bars. Volunteering with Cake 4 Kids has been a fulfilling and heartwarming way to give back, while allowing me to indulge my cake creativity.
There is no minimum commitment for how often you volunteer with Cake 4 Kids. All requests appear in a Baker’s Portal. One of the most important factors in selecting a request is the delivery time. All cakes must be delivered during a specific window of time so you need to be sure you (or a friend/family member) can deliver the cake. I check the portal often. There are many of us volunteers wanting to bake cakes so many requests are filled very quickly (which is a great thing that many people want to volunteer).
Once I have selected a cake request the first order of business is to settle on a cake design. My number one resource for cake inspiration is Instagram. I always look up a hashtag of the cake theme such as #pariscake or #gamercake (which is always stated in the request) and I am flooded with many ideas. I like to find a design that is a mix of approachable ( I know I can likely do it) and fun (trying a new technique or design). Additionally, I will utilize Google, Youtube, Facebook (I will plug the theme request+ cake in the search bar) for ideas. Amazon is my go-to for cake toppers or decorations.
By a mile the most commonly requested cake flavor request for the cakes I baked was Marble Cake. I used the Joy of Baking conversion chart to scale my favorite marble cake recipe to fill three 8-inch pans. My absolute favorite Marble Cake recipe is this recipe which is originally baked in a 10 inch Bundt Pan. I frosted many cakes in buttercream and my absolute favorite was this Chelsweets Chocolate American Buttercream recipe. It was silky, smooth, not cloyingly sweet, and rich in chocolate flavor. She also has a delicious Vanilla Buttercream recipe which you can find here. Some cakes were only frosted, while some cakes I would additionally cover in fondant. Frosted cakes allow for more flexibility if you make an error, and fondant covered cakes allow for additional decorating techniques.
I am happy with how each one of these custom celebration cakes turned out and am filled with joy that it brightened up a youth’s birthday. I am proud of each of them, but love how the gamer cake turned out. Chocolate decoration tends to be a reliable way to add flair to a cake and those controllers were glossy and perfect. The Paris themed cake cake closest to my original vision and I loved the delicateness of the design. The U.S. Army cake was enveloped in a homemade (!!!) chocolate collar which was plain fun to make. I surprise myself by how much I loved the elegant simplicity of the striped cake.
2021 was a challenging year for most, but baking these celebration cakes was a highlight for me. I can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store.
Happy baking. Happy cooking. Stay well!
Mike
