Cake Design and Consultations
Not all cakes require a consultation, most of our cake designs can be handled over the phone and e-mail. However, for the exceptional occasions where a lot of detail is needed on the cake, as well as wedding cakes a consultation is essential.
To ensure that we have the same vision of what you would like your cake to look like, all our cakes start as a detailed sketch following a consultation and tasting appointment. As a design concept, you may wish to incorporate a theme, or in the case of a wedding cake, the look and style of the fabric from your wedding dress, or perhaps your invitation. A design appointment allows you the time to explore your vision and the flavour you would like the cake to be.
The inside of a cake is as important as the outside. All my cakes are made with the freshest and best ingredients. I use traditional baking techniques to ensure that you and your guests will enjoy a moist, mouth-wateringly rich flavoured cake.
With tiered cakes, you can mix things up a little or a lot by having different flavoured cakes and fillings in each tier. We can accommodate all sorts of shapes, sizes and fillings. All cakes are covered in a layer of rich chocolate ganache before I apply the final layer of the best quality Swiss fondant.
Please note that we require at least a minimum four week notice period when placing an celebration cake order, eight weeks for wedding cakes. However, at times I am able to create cakes at shorter notice but this is subject to other cake commitments. Summer wedding time is always a busy period so please book early to avoid disappointment. I only accept one wedding or large celebration cake in a week, to give my full attention to your creation.
For gluten-free, vegan cakes or allergy considerations
Please note, I cannot guarantee these cakes can be 100% free of the regular products I use for preparing cakes as they are prepared in the same kitchen where I use wheat flour, eggs and nuts on a regular basis as well as the same baking pans.
The Planning of Bespoke Cakes
The inspiration for this cake was the van. A retro film director who has has long career in the industry and worked on many block busters in achieving some wonderful retro looks to the movies he worked on.
Sketches , ideas and swatches are all needed to bring the perfect wedding cake into being. In this case the wedding invitation was the inspiration.
The brief for this cake was from a song by Busted called The Year 3000. The second inspiration was a visit to an exhibition called Wake the Tiger in Bristol. It was a phone consultation and with a brief sketch, it was confirmed and the cake made for the occasion
Flavours and Fillings
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Cake Flavours
Vanilla Bean
Rich Chocolate or Choc Chip
Coconut
Chocolate Mint (Chocolate cake with mint buttercream)
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Lemon drizzle
Cookies and Cream
Funfetti (Vanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles)
Coffee and Walnut
Tiramisu
Pistachio and cardamom
Rich moist carrot cake
Moist fruit cake
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Preserves and Curds
Cherry
Strawberry
Apricot
Raspberry
Lemon
Lime
Orange
Blood Orange
Grapefruit
Plum
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Fillings
American or Swiss Buttercream in various flavours: Vanilla, Chocolate, Mocha, Orange, Chocolate Orange. lemon, mango, pina colada or lime
Whipped Chocolate ganache: White , Milk . Dark chocolate , mint, coffee, cardomom, lemon, strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit and mango
Prices
All cakes at The Pink Hedgehog are made to order and on an individual basis. Cakes vary in price depending on the size, flavour and the number of hours needed for crafting. All elements are made by hand and priced according to complexity. Therefore it is not possible to give a guideline price, should you like my work and feel I may be able to help then please get in touch and we can either discuss your requirements over the phone or set up an appointment for more complex cakes for a design consultation.
Caring for your cake
After delivery or collecting your cake from us, with the right handling it will stay looking beautiful until its served.
How do I transport my cake?
Essential to keep the cake box/s vertical, if the cake overturns the chances are it will be damaged. We generally suggest you transport the cake/s in the foot well of the car. If they are transported in the boot you will need to secure the cake so that it doesn’t slide around. Be aware of taking corners and speed humps.
What temperature should I store my cakes at?
Room temperature is the ideal for your cakes. If the weather or room is hot, store in the refrigerator and then bring the cake up to room temperature before serving, the cold air can affect the flavour of the cake. Anything containing cream, custard or mousse must be stored in a fridge and served cold and returned to the fridge immediately after being cut.
How long can I keep my cake?
Cupcakes are best eaten within 24 hours of purchase, they tend to dry out. All cake leftovers need to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or in a cool room. Again, anything with cream, custard and mousse must be eaten as soon as possible, cake will last a few days longer but tends to dry out a little.
Please note we do not accept any responsibility for damage to cakes after they have left our studio or after a delivery has been signed for.
The table below is an reasonable accurate measure as to how much cake you will need for your occasion. A 2x2 portion is a very generous amount of cake. Most people go for either a 2x1 or 1x1 portion. If the cake is boing served as a part of a dessert then 1x1 portion are usually enough. A 2x1 portion as a stand alone dessert can be served together with icecream.