Everything doesn't always go as planned and sometimes what you think is a great idea, turns out to be a terrible idea.  So I put together a blog of my very own baking fails!  I thought it might be fun for you to see some of the not so great things and to show that no matter how long you've been doing something or how far you've come, things still fail from time to time.

,Let's start with my Monster Energy cake from back before I owned Steph's Sweet Treats (2012)  On the outside this probably looks like a baking success....but open it up and it's a whole other story. Don't worry I would never made this cake now because I follow copyright laws-this was just a cake for my boyfriend (now husband).  By "open it up" I mean eat it.  Since Aaron loved Monster at the time I thought it would be a lovely idea to make him this awesome cake by using not only the Monster logo....but Monster in the actual cake.  Result=not a pleasant tasting cake!   It was super fun to make and Aaron really loved how it looked, but this is a baking fail because it shows you cannot just throw anything you want into a cake batter...especially not an energy drink!

Next up: my nieces cupcake cake from a few years ago.  Again, this might not seem  like a fail from the photo (and again is something I cannot make/sell to anyone due to copyright laws.  But it was for my niece, not for sale).  In theory this Tangled themed cupcake cake was great and I was super excited when I took this photo.....then I realized I had to get it to the party...  If I was thinking ahead I would have just assembled it at her party.  But I wasn't, and for the party this cake made an appearance without the "tower" and the "hair" merely draped over the cupcakes.  Not my proudest moment!  At least I know they tasted good!

Looking at these "cupcakes" I cannot stop laughing.  I mean....what in the world was I thinking??  In my defense these are from 2010 back when I just spent every weekend experimenting in the kitchen and making flavors.  So while they probably tasted good....this is clearly not a good look for cupcakes. FAIL!

Below is my very own baby shower cake.  Why is it a fail?  Well I wouldn't exactly say it is, but boy oh boy did I struggle with that darn fox topper!  I knew what I wanted on my cake and I can usually figure it out, but for some reason I could not make a fox face out of fondant to save my life!  I tried over and over and over and right when I was about to say screw it and consider it a total fail , I made this one.  Not what I had envisioned to start with, but it worked!

And finally two other fails I can think of.  First, my attempt at a savory cupcake.  I came up with it for the first year I was going to be selling at the Grilled Cheese Championship. Naturally, I thought I should have a cupcake with cheese in it!  I tested a cornbread cheddar cheese cupcake with whipped honey frosting.  I think that sounds good...but it was not!  However, I am confident I could redo this cupcake now and make it taste delicious!  

And most recently would be the first gingerbread house I have ever made.  Now you may be thinking "what are you talking about? I saw your gingerbread house and you sold gingerbread house kits and they were great!."  But that was actually my second attempt that created all those photos and went on my snapchat feed!  My first go-around was an icing disaster with sliding roofs and tipping over walls.  It turns out you need patience for gingerbread houses!  One wall at a time....wait for it to set...and then move on.  DO NOT attempt to slap it all together and look completely puzzled when it keeps falling over and making a mess.  Very happy I did not give up on that one and redid it to have the result I ended up with!

I hope you enjoyed this look at my fails or got a good laugh.  Thanks for another week of orders!

 I don't really have a problem thinking of topics to write/blog about...but they wouldn't necessarily be related to the bakery!  Sooo I thought I'd check in with the readers and ask you-what do you like seeing and reading on the blog??

I've done everything from behind the scenes on orders, wedding recaps, personal vacations, an opinion piece or two, and stuff about my personal life.  What do you like to see most?  Is there something you want me to write about that I haven't?  Want to see more of something or a certain topic?  Now's your chance-let me know!!  Take the survey below or comment on the Facebook post.

This is a little bitty blog post asking for your opinion.  But before I sign off....check out the Valentine's Day open day event on Facebook, follow me on snapchat for even more behind the scenes (stephsweetreats) and as always...thanks for another week of orders!
​

They say time flies when you're having fun...and man oh man is it true!  I cannot believe it has been three years since I opened the doors to Steph's Sweet Treats.  If feels like just yesterday that I bit the bullet and started transforming my building and forming this very "untraditional" style bakery of mine.  I'm sure a lot of people thought I was crazy (I know I could name at least a few)...but I did it anyways...and now it's been three years!  It's definitely a dream come true and I never want it to end; so keep those orders coming!!  I thought it would be fun to take a look back on things and see how Steph's Sweet Treats has changed in a few short years.

The biggest changes in the last three years are probably the personal ones.  I've gotten married, had a baby, and have a forever home...to say it's been a crazy three years is an understatement!  But to say they have been the best three years, is also an understatement.  

But the professional changes have also been major.  The number of weddings per year has almost tripled; I no longer have a second job-the bakery and being mommy to Wyatt are my jobs (so techinally I do have two!); and my skills  continue to develop as customers want bigger, better, and more creative things all the time!  Oh...and I now have over 175 cupcake flavors!  Did I mention I made over 30,000 cupcakes last year?!  Sooo let's look at a few of my very first orders....thank you so much to everyone for their faith in my business and the flavor of the goodies...because let's face it, my decorating skills have come a LONG way! (At least I like to think so)

Besides a whole lot of cupcake flavors, I've also added specialty pre-design cakes, macarons, decorated cookies, and all kinds of other specialty items.  I look forward to all the new challenges that come with my line of work and to coming up with more goodies.  Here's a look at some particulary fun challenges I've had over the last three years:

Each and every year brings new and exciting things.  So what's in store for Steph's Sweet Treats??? Hopefully years and yers of baking for everyone!  I hope to land a few "corporate" deals or businesses that order regularly.  So if you know of one or work/own one hook me up!  I am working to organize/improve my space because I REALLY do not want to move. I have definitely outgrown my itty bitty building, but hate moving and love my location-so my talented uncle is giving it a major facelift!

A major change for customers has probably been that I am no longer as easily accessible.  With a baby I take a bit longer  respond, can't always answer the phone or take on those last minute orders- but I'm doing my best and will at least shoot off a text or quick message to let you know I will get back to you ASAP!

i will continue to great new products,do my open days (even though they are a little shorter and have less after baby-I'll get back there someday).  Right now I'm balancing the best of both worlds...being a mom and owning the bakery of my dreams; and thanks to you guys it's possible.  Thanks for another week (and year) of orders!