Today’s post is a all about the women behind the gorgeous cake in that feature, Nicki McRae of Nicki’s Cakes.   Nicki grew up in South Africa and moved to the States in 1985.  She’s a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and has lived in Wilmington with her hubby for the last 15 years.  She was gracious enough to entertain a few questions which I hope will be helpful to all you planning brides-to-be out there still looking for a baker.  But first, a look at these beautiful cakes!

How did you get started baking?  Was it always something you loved to do?
Nicki:  “I started decorating cakes after taking a cake class at Michael’s craft store.  I loved it and ran out and bought books on cake decorating.  I would practice all the time.  I started making simple cakes for friends and slowly started working my way into wedding cakes.  My love of decorating came first and then the baking.”

And how long have you been in business?
Nicki:  “I’ve been in business for 5 years now.”

How many cakes, on average, are you doing a week?
Nicki:  “I do one or two wedding cakes per week during wedding season and  I work out of my home so I can spend time with my children after school.”

Do you have some favorite flavors that get requested again and again?
Nicki:  “My most popular flavors are plain vanilla pound cake and my chocolate fudge cake.  My chocolate icing is really good- it has ganache and Godiva liqueur in it and folks just love it.”

Lastly, I have to know…with all these cakes, do you have a favorite that stands out?  One you thought, “wow, I can’t believe how good that looks?” or a really fun request?
Nicki:  “I think for my most ‘fun’ cake request, I would say the surf board cake.  It was for a very cute couple who loved surfing and wanted to reflect that in a more original wedding cake.  I made a woody car toting surfboards and surrounded it with surfboard crowned cupcakes.  They loved it!”

And for your “favorite” cake?
Nicki:  “That would probably be my white chocolate ‘plastic’ cake.  It’s not really plastic of course!  It’s rolled out strips of white chocolate that I hand ruffle in layer upon layer upon layer to achieve this totally decadent and over the top look.”

OMG, all that chocolate!  That has to take forever!  Have you had any requests to make it again?
Nicki:  “Yes!  I’ve done it 4 times since the first one.  I think brides love that not only does it look unique and very special, but of course it tastes divine.”

Mmmm…and isn’t that just the holy grail of wedding cake aspirations?  I hate when a pretty cake tastes like cardboard…what a let down!

Thank you so much Nicki for sharing some time with White Thread!  I am absolutely in LOVE with the modern, minimalistic aesthetic that Nicki favors on many of her cakes.  They’re gorgeous without being gaudy, “about to crash under the weight of sugar flowers” creations.  And I also love that she’s still a small shop, giving personal attention to each bride and really focusing on every cake that goes out that door personally.  That kind of attention to detail is so wonderful to have.  One of those “must consider” things when picking vendors!

…and now, I’m starving!

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Post Tags: cakes, Nicki's Cakes, Wilmington
Post Categories: Cakes & Catering, Inspiring Eye Candy

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Post Tags: DIY
Post Categories: Cakes & Catering, DIY, Flowers & Decor, Inspiring Eye Candy

Seriously…more edible houndstooth?  What did I do to deserve such a day? From Amber’s Etsy shop:

My Orange Vanilla Spice Cookies are about 3-1/2″ in diameter. They are made from a basic sugar cookie recipe, which is then flavored with fresh orange zest, vanilla beans, and a hint of cardamom. The royal icing has a dash of vanilla extract to bring together the wonderful flavors of the cookie.

I have to say I consider myself a bit of a pastry connoisseur.  I’ve been known to drag my poor husband around a city in an effort to satisfy a sweet tooth (trips to Paris with me are really fun).  But I have truly never seen anything like that painted frosting flower petal design.  That is some serious pastry tip skills!

So lovely and best of all cookie artist extraordinaire Amber can customize the design to be just perfect for your wedding.  Her blog is one jaw-dropping cookie after another.  You’ll get lost in it, don’t say I didn’t warn you!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to her Etsy shop to order those embroidered flower petal cookies…they will be mine!

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Post Tags: cookies, Etsy, SweetAmbs
Post Categories: Cakes & Catering, Inspiring Eye Candy

{Photo credit:  New York Weddings}

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Post Tags: sylvia weinstock, wedding cake
Post Categories: Cakes & Catering, Inspiring Eye Candy