Welcome to April’s edition of Bake & Bloom!

With spring finally in the air, this month is all about fresh inspiration, soft seasonal colours, and bringing a little extra beauty into your baking. Spring offers such a beautiful palette to work with—think GARDEN party with blush pinks, soft lilacs, buttery yellows, fresh greens, and even hints of lavender. These colours can instantly transform your bakes into something light, dainty, and elegant.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate these colours into your baking is through buttercream. Try using pastel shades for smooth finishes and ombre effects. You can also bring spring into your treats with piped florals, decorated sugar cookies, or delicate touches like pastel sprinkles, edible flowers, and lightly tinted cake layers for a beautiful surprise inside.

As we head into party season—especially children’s birthdays—we’re also focusing on something many of us are looking for: ways to save money without sacrificing that “wow” factor. This month, I’ll be sharing simple, practical tips on how to create beautiful birthday cakes/ treats on a budget by using techniques like cake cut-outs, easy DIY decorating ideas, and affordable decorating kits you can make yourself or purchase.

I’ll also be including ideas for DIY treats—like Rice Krispie treats, donut station, and cupcakes—that can be styled to look professionally made for a fraction of the cost, helping you create a full, beautiful dessert table without overspending.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a special celebration, I hope this month’s ideas inspire you to get creative, play with colour, and truly embrace the beauty of spring in every detail.

0ur inspiration projects for this month :

Birthday cake using cutouts

What to Use (Simple DIY Supplies)

• Cardstock (heavy weight – matte or glossy)
• Printer (set to high quality)
• Scissors or Cricut/Silhouette (optional)
• Glue stick or double-sided tape
• Toothpicks / lollipop sticks / skewers
• Foam dots (for dimension – optional)
• Clear contact paper or laminating sheets (optional for durability)

How to Create the Cutouts (Clean “Sticker” Style)

• Print your image sheet Use cardstock (not regular paper)
• Print at 100% (no scaling)
• Cut each piece individually Leave a small white border (offset) around each ballerina, shoes, dress, and number 1
• This gives that professional bakery topper look
• Optional: Make them sturdier Glue each cutout onto another piece of cardstock and cut again

How to Turn Them Into Cake Toppers

For Topper Picks (go on top of cake)

1. Tape or glue a toothpick/skewer to the back
2. Cover the back with another cutout (sandwich method) for a clean finish
3. Let dry flat

Use for:

• Ballerinas (place standing on top)
• Number “1” (centerpiece topper)

For Side Decorations (like the number on the front)

1. Skip the stick
2. Add a small dab of buttercream
3. Gently press onto cake

Perfect for:

• The “1” on the front
• Ballet shoes or extra accents

Pro Bakery Tips (Your style!)

• Add a tiny bow embellishment (fondant or paper) to the “1”
• Lightly brush with edible shimmer dust if placing directly on cake
• Keep colors soft pastel to match your brand

sample of cutouts found online

Find DIY cut outs on Pinterest or google ideas........ Don't want to DIY, look for pre made cut outs on Amazon or Etsy ( fairly reasonably priced). This is an example of a cut out option , you can find so many different cut out themes .

Our spring cake inspiration: A beautiful but simple design using a pastel buttercream colour for a spring feel with a small bunch of fresh lavender placed on the front of the cake.

Feel free to let your creativity flow here. Use any complimentary buttercream colour, perhaps a pastel yellow to compliment the lavender colour of the flowers?

Technique-A semi naked cake with a small amount of lavender coloured buttercream added back and smoothed out .

Tutorial : https://share.google/PvXqK76KfWGRtWK2z

Using food safe string, and working on a chilled cake, attach your bundle of fresh lavender. This is such a classy yet simple spring looking cake and easy enough for a beginner to master.

Spring themed cupcakes- you can match your cupcakes to the cake theme buy adding fresh lavender on top of the buttercream or try adding fresh pansies for a fresh and unique look , again a very simple but elegant look that shouts SPRING!

https://foodytexas.com/ https://www.barleyandsage.com/

How to get that nice buttercream design ? We showcased this in an earlier edition but here is the tutorial again;

https://youtu.be/IU_yv3U98P8?si=h2xNS8GWXg2iHZfl

Vegan recipe of the month : Best Ever Vegan Brownies

Recipe

https://www.noracooks.com/wprm_print/best-ever-vegan-brownies-recipe

Fudgy and gooey - easy to make and easy to cut.

• Tips for making great vegan brownies;

. Don’t overmix.

• Stir just until the flour disappears; overmixing activates gluten and makes brownies tough.

Bake slightly under.

• Vegan brownies set as they cool. Check around 20–25 minutes: edges should be firm, center still a bit soft.

Cool before cutting.

• Let them rest fully before slicing — otherwise they’ll fall apart. Refrigerating for an hour makes clean cuts and fudgier texture.

Kids Birthday bashes and ideas for DIY to save money !

With the rising cost of everything from groceries to party supplies, many families are feeling the pressure when it comes to planning big kids’ celebrations.

Beautiful, themed parties are still just as meaningful—but more and more parents are looking for creative ways to stay within budget, especially when it comes to cakes and sweet treats.

The good news? You can still create a magical dessert table without overspending. A few thoughtful DIY touches can go a long way!

Here are some simple additional ways to save while keeping things sweet and special:

• Mix DIY with custom – Order a smaller feature cake or make it yourself , (simply plain ice your cake - see above ideas for cake saving costs using cutouts and the semi naked pattern.

• Decorate store-bought treats – Dress up plain cupcakes or cookies with colored buttercream, sprinkles, or themed toppers for a personalized look.

• Create a cupcake pull-apart cake – Arrange cupcakes into a fun shape or number and ice them together—it’s easier and more budget-friendly

.

• Keep the design simple – Soft pastel swirls, rosettes, or a sprinkle finish can look just as beautiful as elaborate designs.

• DIY Treats - prepare simple treats that can be jazzed up that kids and adults will enjoy such as Rice Krispie treats cut into squares with a sucker stick, popsicle or straw inserted, complete with a ribbon for a professional look, or cutting out your rice Krispy's using a cookie cutter shape . Either can be dipped in chocolate .

These are so easy to make, cut out your Rice Krispies as a square shape or use a cookie cutter design.

Tutorial: https://www.tiktok.com/@xosimplysweeet/video/7294810658288225578?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Make your own Rice Krispy treats or purchase pre made from the dollar store .

Recipe:

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/rice-krispie-treats/

Donut Decorating Station

• Buy plain or glazed donuts
• Set up a DIY decorating table with:
• Melted chocolate
• Sprinkles
• Crushed cookies

Kids LOVE this—and it doubles as an activity

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to have a great party—DIY cake and treats can look just as beautiful and taste just as good as expensive bakery items. With simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can create a full dessert table that feels special and looks impressive.

Homemade treats show that it’s not about how much money you spend, but how you present it. Cupcakes, treats, and simple cakes decorated with sprinkles, cutouts , buttercream, or candy can still create that “wow” factor without the high cost.

Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts - Sally's Baking

Baked donuts are a lighter, healthier twist on a classic favorite—perfect for enjoying that sweet, comforting flavor without the extra oil from frying. Made right in the oven, they’re lower in fat, less messy, and much easier to make, especially for home bakers. With a soft, cake-like texture and endless flavor possibilities—from cinnamon sugar to glazed or filled—baked donuts are a simple, feel-good treat that comes together quickly with everyday ingredients.

Build your flavours before baking!

Good bakers don't just mix, they layer flavour.

1. Brown your butter for cookies or cakes - this provides instant depth with a slight nutty taste.
2. Add a pinch of salt to sweet recipes ( even buttercream unless you used salted butter) to enhance flavour
3. Let batters rest ( especially cookie dough) for 12-24 hours to develop the flavour

Looking Ahead to May – Mother’s Day Magic

May is one of the most heartfelt and meaningful months, and we’re celebrating with all things soft, elegant, and made with love.

Inside May’s newsletter, you’ll find:

• A stunning Mother’s Day floral cake design

• Gift-worthy cupcakes and sweet treats

• Simple recipes perfect for baking from the heart

• A beautifully curated treat box idea

This month is all about turning love into something you can share, gift, and enjoy.

Stay tuned…

Kerry