I'm sure you've all seen memes before.  If you aren't sure, you probably have.  They are the little pictures all over social media with sayings on them, and they are usually funny.  There is a series of them that I have come across called "caker problems."  Since it's easy to become frustrated or irritated, I try to laugh things off instead.  Seeing these baking memes is a great reminder that I am not the only one feeling or experiencing some of these business things...so it makes laughing it off a lot easier.  So I thought I would share some of them with you since I find them highly relatable!  

This group of memes all have the same theme and I love them all because it is such a common issue for small business owners...money!  I have done a blog post in the past talking about how the cost of a product is sooo much more than the butter, sugar, and flour that goes into it...so I'll try not to turn this into a rant.  

Problem #7 is so true when it comes to doing a cake you've never done before.  I love, love, love getting the chances to do new designs or something more elaborate that I normally don't get the chance to do....but they do come at a price (to me).  Doing something you've never done before always takes longer, can take more supplies, may even require more than one shot at doing part of it...which means you don't make money on it.  But some of the best experiences and cakes do come from these situations.  

Problem #26- Ahhh yes.....if I got paid for every inquiry, question, quote, time I spent figuring things out I would have a lot more money right now!  But the truth of the matter is, not every quote leads to an order, and sometimes I have to put a lot of time and effort into orders before the orders ever get placed (if they get placed).  But again, most of the time it is completely worth it.  For the times it's not....well, I guess I just have to laugh, right?  (Sometimes a little frustrated UGH! is called for)  I put a lot of time and effort into making sure I give the customer what they are looking for and I hope everyone can see that.

Problem #11-This is kind of the same thing as the others.  There's a lot that goes into running a business-it's not just throwing ingredients into a bowl and abracadabra a cake and profits pop out.  

Problem #17-  Always a bummer!  I'll get an order that is super exciting or sounds extra fun to create...only to get the bomb dropped on me that I can't possibly do the order for the amount of money the person wants to spend.  I am not a big box store and cannot survive as a business if I try competing with their prices.  I just can't do it; sorry!

  Problem #14 Oh I love this one so much!  I try my very best to fit in last minute orders, but it's not always possible and is becoming more difficult as time goes on...especially if I want to keep my sanity.  It is especially not possible when the last minute order is for a tiered cake.  Tiered cakes take a lot more time and material than a regular cake.  People may think....well it's just three cakes put together, what's the big deal?  Wrong!  Tiered cakes take a lot longer due to structure, assembly, and decorating.  And one thing customers often don't know about (cake or tiered cake-applies to both) is that a cake needs to rest.  I can't just bake a cake and frost it in an hour.  There are many hours in between the baking and decorating that need to take place to ensure proper settling.

Another one of my favorites is...."I just need something small...like three tiers"  or "I want something like this three tiered cake....it's a small party; only need to feed 24 people."   A three tiered cake is by no means small...it is a full blown wedding cake.  In fact, it's the biggest cake size I do.  I hardly ever have people wanting wedding cakes anymore, (almost all cupcake weddings) so I don't invest in everything it takes to do larger than three tiers (more pans, supports, boxes, etc).    So being that a three tiered cake is essentially a wedding cake... you are for sure going to feed more than 24 people...which means you have to pay to feed more than 24 people.  Thankfully, I do have a solution for the people who want the look of big cake with a smaller serving size (and price).  Fake cake!  Fake cakes are actually very fun and can add some wow to a party (or wedding) without the cost.  I can make some (or all) of a cake out of styrofoam tiers and either do one tier to serve guests, cut for a wedding, and/or feed guests with the cheaper option (cupcakes).

Problem #32- Not much to say about this one besides....ugh!!! Yes!!  It never fails.  This always happens to me on my open days.  I'll be in the back, exhausted from the open day cupcakes, filling the weekend orders and I'll get to finishing the last order.....and run out of frosting.  So then the process starts all over again...make frosting...do dishes...finish order.  So frustrating when you are on a decorating roll or have had a long day and are oh so close to finishing!

Problem #20-  This one is very hard for me.  Of course it would be nice to give everyone discounts, but I just can't.  If I gave all family members, friends, and acquaintances discounts, Steph's Sweet Treats would go under in a hurry.  I'm sorry, but unless you are my immediate family (mom, dad, in-laws, godson) I have to charge you like every other customer.  If this offends you, or makes you mad, then please do not ever feel obligated to order from me just because you know me or because you are a family member.  Expecting a discount is not a way to get on my good side.  At the same time, if I am invited to a baby shower or something, I am more than happy to make my gift be the dessert (within reason).  And I will ALWAYS have my nieces, nephews, and godson's birthday presents include cake/cupcakes.  This is something I love doing and has become special to me.  But again, just because they are family does not mean I expect them to ask me to bake something (I promise not to be offended if I don't get asked!) -just like I wouldn't want someone to expect a discount out of me. 

Problem #46-  Bummer!  This seems to happen when I am the most excited about something...or just completed a cake I've never done before and are so excited about the turnout you can barely contain yourself.  Since I am excited, I want the customer to jump up and down just like I am....but instead their reaction is "thanks" or "looks good."  Sure sometimes this is over an email or text so they could truly be more excited and it's just not translating through the message...but still...such a bummer! I like when I get the ALL CAPS and exclamation marks...or literal jumping up and down and clapping is good too! 

I hope these made you giggle!  It's good to relate to situations and know you are not alone.  I'm sure there are similar situation that apply to every occupations.  Some specific ones I know there are for sure memes for include: teacher, nurse, and stay-at-home moms.  If you are one of these and want to release your frustrations or get a good giggle, Google them!

​Thanks for another week of orders!!

Last bump update!  I can't believe the time is here (well....almost- the two week countdown starts Sunday).  Now that my pregnancy is nearing the end, I wanted to post a little about how baking in the third trimester was for me, what will happen now, and what will happen after baby.

Baking in the third trimester wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Sure....bending over is getting to be quite the challenge (trying to remember to squat instead) and sometimes when you drop something you really contemplate whether or not it's worth picking up.  I did develop carpal tunnel syndrome due to pregnancy which has made things a bit painful and difficult, but knowing that it will eventually go away has made me just push through it.  Overall, I've been very lucky to have good energy and been able to power through the last few months while still filling orders.

Don't get me wrong....by back and feet will ache like no other after a long day, but I have been able to get through it.  I was worried about the last open day because they really wipe me out.  It takes long hours to get everything ready and the day of I'm up at 3am filling the weekend orders (and I had A LOT of them this time), while my husband gets everything organized and out for the customers.  I reduced the amount of cupcakes I did, and thankfully my husband has gotten so good at running the front that I was able to focus on getting weekend orders done most of the day and only jump out front when a line built up.

I just did my last wedding before baby last weekend-which is so strange to think about!  Weddings start up again for me August 20th so things will be getting very crazy around here soon.  Which brings me to "time off."  I've been getting a lot of questions about how much time I will taking off and when I will be taking orders (understandably so).  And my answer is....I don't have an answer!  

I don't have a scheduled leave.  I currently still have orders coming in up until my due date-all these people are aware that if I go to the hospital their orders won't get filled.  After I get home from the hospital, my plan is to take in inquiries and fill them based on how I feel.  So I'm basically taking it day by day and order by order.  If someone needs something and I am feeling up to it and have the availability, I'll fill the order!   If I'm having a rough couple of days and don't feel up to it, then I will pass.  Obviously I have the weddings to do regardless...I'm just going to "buck up" for those....so depending on when I go into labor and all of that, it will really depend on when I go back into things full boar.  So I am telling people to not be afraid to ask; I will fill whatever orders I can!

Now I'm sure a lot of you are thinking "girl...you don't know what's about to hit you...your crazy if you think you can deal with a newborn and bake/run this business right away."  I've gotten a lot of blank stares and somewhat sarcastic "good lucks" from people when I try to explain my plan to people.  But guess what?  Steph's Sweet Treats is my business....I'm the ONLY baker (and yes I like it this way and plan on keeping it this way).  If I don't continue to fill orders-people will go elsewhere.  I know it happens.  But the more I turn away, the more potential customers and returning customers I could lose.  And it's not free to run a bakery!  I still have upkeep to pay for, bills to pay...not to mention my own livelihood to account for.

I don't think it's going to be a cake walk (no pun intended); and I never said it would be easy; I know I will be exhausted and it will be harder than I can ever imagine....but it's my business and my family and it's how I want to do things.  I hope everyone can respect that.  Thankfully, I will have help with the baby and I can hopefully work my schedule around the baby and the baking.  And don't you worry, I will take in every second I get with my baby-so please don't think I will be pushing aside my child for my business, because that is NOT what I am saying.

It will be a learning curve, but I am up for the challenge.  Opening a small local business as a female in my early 20's wasn't easy and still isn't easy.  Maybe I just like a good challenge?  Or maybe I'm insane...either way, I'm up for it and will face this head on and keep up my confidence in myself, even if others think I"m crazy for it.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and this business.  A crazy whirlwind of excitement (and exhaustion) is about to blow through and I can't wait!  Thank you for another week of orders!  

This blog post has little to nothing to do with the bakery, but does deal with my life so I hope you still enjoy it!  As most of you know by now, I'm nine months pregnant and ready to pop (due August 7).  Time has flown these last few months....now when someone asks me when I'm due their reaction is usually "Oh!  So any day now?!"  Which I know and get, but also sets me into panic mode....like there's more things I need to get done before then.  In reality, I'm pretty set, packed, and all that, but there's nothing like labor dreams and strangers reactions and questions to get me panicking that I'm forgetting to do something!

  
One thing I have been doing for the past month, and wanted to share with others, is stocking my freezer with meals!  When my sister-in-laws had babies I brought them a weeks worth of freezer meals as a gift to them and hopefully as a way to relieve them of one more task in their day.  I think giving freezer meals to friends, family, and co-workers when they are expecting is an amazing gift and one that isn't often thought of.  So I made sure to do it for myself....because I didn't just want a few meals....I wanted a fully loaded freezer (my husband can eat a lot!....which you probably can't tell by looking at him! But he's not very handy in the kitchen.)

Why do I need so many meals??  Well I may be a tad of an over planner...but also because I don't have an actual "time off" date for post baby.  If someone contacts me for an order and I feel up to filling it, I want to be able to fill it.  So not having to worry about grocery shopping and figuring out meals opens up more time and energy to fill orders!  Plus, my grocery bills will be a little lower since I have some meals already covered.  What's not to love about that?

Below is a compiled list of what I have in my stand up freezer and how I froze/changed them to make them freezable.  If you have friends, family, co-workers, are expecting yourself, or just want to stock your freezer for some busy weeks in the future, check them out! It can be intimidating to think of filling your freezer with meals.  I like to cook, but most people dread the thought of just making supper.  So break it up.  If the meals were going to be going in the crockpot (didn't need any cooking ahead of time)  I would throw a few of them together on a Sunday.  If they were full meals that were done up until the point of going in the oven, or fully done, I would schedule them to be a supper one night...and then just double the recipe and freeze half/one.  (This is how I did the majority of the meals).  Each meals has a sticker on top saying what is is, how to finish it...in case my husband has to attempt to do it....and when it was made.  

Stock up on "freezer ware" before starting.  I got foil pans and lids in a larger quantity from Sams and used freezer friendly tupperware and bags for the rest.

What I stocked my freezer with:

Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers- These can certainly be assembled up until the point of baking, or even fully cooked (thaw and heat to eat), but of course when I made them for supper and went to freeze the extras....I ran out of pie crust.  So in my freezer I just have the filling waiting to be put in pie dough and baked.

Taco Chicken Enchiladas-  I like to have something "tacoey" -not a word, I know- almost every week so this is a great addition to my freezer meals.  I assembled the dish in a foil pan with a lid, wrapped it in plastic and topped with a foil lid.  All that has to be done is to finish the baking process.

Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Soup-  This is one of my husbands favorites!  I fully made this soup and all that has to be done is for it to thaw and be reheated.  We eat with Fritos on top....so good!

Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini-  For this one I just froze the meat portion.  To finish it up all I need to do is add tortellini (which cooks in only 3 minutes) and cheese once the meat thaws!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole-  This recipe was already in "freezer form" so all I did was follow the instructions on the website.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Tacos-  I know...another taco based dish...told you I liked them!  I also add taco seasoning to this recipe.  All I did was throw all of this in a freezer bag (uncooked).  When I want the meal I can either thaw it or just pry it out of the bag frozen and plop it into the slow cooker.

Crockpot Minestrone Soup-  Another one of my husband's favorites.  Just like with the other soup, I fully made the soup so all that has to be done is to thaw and reheat....well..and add spinach in my case....I forgot to buy it when I made this meals, so I'll need to add it when I reheat the soup.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken-  This website link doesn't seem to be working right now, but it's not too complicated.  It's pretty much (all tossed in a freezer bag)..chicken breasts, black beans, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning.  Then when you go to eat it, cook it in the slow cooker and make tacos....yes...tacos again!

Eggrolls- I like to throw a lot of things into eggrolls and bake them.  It's healthier and they are cheap! For these ones I skip the shrimp and teriyaki (not my thing) and just do seasoned pork, coleslaw mix, and cheese...and bake them for 10-15 minutes instead of frying.  I assembled these and they are just waiting to be cooked.  Other things I like to put in eggrolls: taco seasoned beef or chicken (go figure!); ground beef, bacon, and cheese-or make cheese sauce for dipping; chicken, onions and green peppers; ground beef, green peppers, onion, and mushrooms, with cheese or white cheese dipping sauce; scrambled eggs and sausage, or make sausage and gravy dipping sauce.  I may add some of these versions to my freezer if I get time...or if I can find space in the freezer....

Cowboy Casserole (aka tater tot casserole)-  My version of this is a little different (I use cream of mushroom soup, condensed cheese soup, and combine corn and green beans).   I made this, again in a foil pan, up until the point of baking.  So it's ready to be thawed and baked or baked, for longer, from the frozen state.

Ham and Cheese Tortellini- I fully made this dish; all that needs to be done is thaw it, heat it, and top with cheese.

Slow Cooker Cheesy BBQ Bacon Chicken Sandwiches-  again..this website is down at the moment...but I just threw chicken breasts, crumbled cooked bacon, and BBQ sauce in a freezer bag.  To eat: cook in slow cooker and shred for sandwiches; top with cheese (and more bacon if you want)

Pizza Casserole- If you have a big family or just like leftovers, this recipe is for you!  It makes a lot of food!  I made this dish up until the point of baking (in a foil pan).  It just needs to be topped with cheese and baked off.  It's also great because you can customize the "pizza toppings" to whatever you or your family likes.

Breakfast Corn Dogs-  Warning...this one takes awhile!  We LOVE these..I make the for supper (with scrambled eggs), not breakfast...but they take some time to make.  So I made a huge double batch one night (one to eat, one to freeze) and stood over the stove frying corn dogs for what felt like hours....but they are so worth it!  I fully made and froze them; just need to be reheated.

Cream of Mushroom Soup-  This isn't a meal, but an ingredient.  I made a couple of batches of both cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup.  I hate, hate, hate using pre-made condensed soups...but they sure are quick, easy, and in a lot of recipes! It literally only takes minutes to make them from scratch...but who wants to add that one more step to a recipe when they are trying to get dinner on the table at the end of the day??  So make them ahead of time-cheap, easy, and way better for you.

Ground Beef Pot Pie- Like chicken pot pie, but with beef.  I made this recipe up until the point of baking, wrapped it all up and froze it so it just has to be baked off.

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs- For this recipe I used pre-made meatballs, but homemade sloppy joe sauce.  I just mixed everything together and froze the meatballs in the sauce so I just have to reheat them and assemble into subs.  I also froze my sloppy joe meat.  (So my version of sloppy joe sauce with ground beef-froze and ready to be thawed and heated up for sandwiches)

Chili and Rice Casserole-  This recipe was set up as a freezer meal already, so I just made and froze it as is.

Buttermilk Pancakes-  This isn't the recipes I use for pancakes (mine is in my head) but I made a triple batch of pancakes, cooled them, wrapped them in three's, and froze them.  I love pancakes and I guess I eat them three at a time according to how I packed them....so they are ready to be thawed and heated!

Chili-  Also not my recipe (again mine is in my head), but everyone has their version of chili; just make it and freeze it in freezer tupperware or a freezer bag so it can be thawed and heated.

Meatloaf-  Once again, not my recipe (in my head), but just use this recipe or whatever your version of meatloaf is.  Mix it up, put it in tinfoil loaves, wrap it up and freeze it for cooking.  You could also bake it off ahead of time.

Pork and Onion Hand Pies-  These too could be done with different meats.  I made them up until the point of baking, but they could be finished so they just need to be heated.

Other recipes that aren't currently in my freezer, but  are on my list for this week or this weekend: 

Tater Tot Taco Bake-  A taco version of tater tot casserole....so good! Make up until baking, freeze-then thaw to cook and top with whatever you like (lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc).

BBQ Chicken Chili-  In addition to taco stuff, I also love BBQ.  I am tossing these ingredients into a freezer bag so be finished in the slow cooker.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup-  this one is pretty much finished when you assemble it, just needs to "develop flavor" in the slow cooker.  So I will put it all into a freezer bag to be slowed cooked at a later date.  

Pot Roast-  This goes against my dislike for prepackaged items, but it is really the best pot roast ever....so it's worth it.  I'm just tossing everything in a freezer bag again for it to be tossed in the slow cooker later.  

So that's what is in my freezer for after baby!  Plus whatever else I can fit in before then! I hope you can find the recipes useful in your life as well.  Thanks for another week of orders!!

Summer is flying by!  I saw that "back to school" displays are already out in stores this week....sorry teachers!  With another June in the books, I'll show you the weddings that took place!

First up was a June 4th wedding at Wisconsin Riverside Resort.  It was 248 cupcakes: ​chocolate chip cookie dough, raspberry cheesecake, reverse red velvet, caramel apple, vanilla and chocolate chocolate; all displayed on one of my tiered cake stands.  I loved leaving these flavors as they naturally appear.  I think it really added visual appeal to the display.  

​On June 18th I had a 100 cupcake wedding (white chocolate mocha and vanilla raspberry) at a private location.  The cupcakes were displayed on my wooden crates and the cutting cake incorporated a sunflower to fit their theme.  This wedding delivery was a little unique because I was in plain site during delivery!  I usually try to come and go before guests arrive, but due to the venue being outdoors and it being hot outside, the couple preferred that I come right before dinner was served.  The environment was very laid back and since the couple wanted non-melted cupcakes I had no problem with delivering with the guests out and about.  Bonus:  I wasn't trying to be sneaky, but we didn't manage to get in and out without the bride ever seeing us!

Next was a double wedding weekend on the 25th.  I apologize for the photos in advance- I failed to ask for the lights to be turned on so my photos of this wedding are very dark and blurry.  (The couple was getting married in the same building so my main priority was to just get in and out of there!)  Good news though!  I have been in contact with the photographer from the wedding and they will be sending me what they have.  I will post those on the Facebook page as soon as I get them!

This wedding was 100 cupcakes at University of Wisconsin-Platteville: chocolate strawberry and key lime with abstract chocolate toppers.  The display was made up of my white wooden stairs and silver spiral holders.  This wedding had a fun wedding cake topper featuring a kitty cat, painted silver touches on their cutting cake, and some fun chocolate toppers to add interest to the cupcakes.

The second wedding from the 25th was picked up by a friend of the couple.  I don't yet have any pictures of wedding, but I hope to have some very soon!  They will be posted as soon as possible.  There were 200 cupcakes: cookies n cream, marble, chocolate peanut butter craving and raspberry cheesecake.

Now there is only one wedding left before I'm due!  2017 is booking up fast so I am trying to squeeze in as many wedding tastings as I can.  Contact me as soon as you can if you need to do one! Thanks for another week of orders and I hope to see you at Friday's open day!!