Delicious Dozen bite 10 – The Launch of Auburn Cakes

Hi guys, so I’m afraid to say I have slightly abandoned the Delicious Dozen challenge in September but it’s all for a good cause... CAKE (what better reason is there than that?)! 

I have reverted back to baking because...drum roll please... I have launched my own cake business!

I am very excited to introduce Auburn Cakes.

After finishing my contract with Glasgow 2014 I have not been very good at taking it easy, I really am rubbish at doing nothing! So in one of my long days of funemployment I decided to contact a local cafe which I knew sold cakes from home bakers. I met up with Linda from Cafe La Ronda, showed her this blog and she kindly asked me to become one of her bakers. So now I supply this lovely cafe in Linlithgow with my tasty treats and people actually pay for them!!! Eeeeekkkkk it is so exciting!!!!

Naughty chocolate fudge cake and lemon drizzle loaf

As round cakes seem to be the best sellers I have been making reliable favourites like Vicky sponge, lemon drizzle cake and chocolate cakes to delight the population of the town. Baking for other people and getting paid for it has changed my baking experience somewhat. I have had to think a lot more about the price and quality of ingredients. My lovely friend Karlie took me along to Costco on a fact finding mission. She patiently waited while I got my calculator out in every aisle  to decide if it was worth buying sugar and butter in bulk (just FYI, it is worth it to buy sugar but not butter!).

I know it is still early days but I don’t think I will be making my millions from Auburn Cakes - but it has been fun learning about setting up my own business.  Between registering with the Environmental Health department, to insurance (I know, who thought you could buy cake insurance?), to income and expenses spread sheets (thanks to my father-in-law Phil for sharing his wisdom on this topic) and food hygiene courses I have learnt loads! I have my eye on a logo design and some new bits of equipment but at this rate I will never actually make any money!! I don’t mind really, it's fun and keeps me busy so I’m happy with that!

 

Snazzy new flour tins... they had my name on them so I HAD to buy them

Being back on the baking bandwagon has also given me the time to get back into making cakes for Free Cakes for Kids. This month I did a Frozen cake for 3 year old Ella and a handbag/shoe cake for 16 year old Zohra. 

I was very lucky to have some brilliant baking companions for the Frozen cake, Lizzie, Chloe and Sam came along and I think we made a fantastic baking team. They were great at rolling and cutting out the fondant and Sam and Lizzie made a fab looking Olaf. Olaf really is such a cheery character isn’t he?

Fab baking team! Thanks for all your help guys x

Hello Olaf!

Handbags and shoes

I hope you will forgive me for straying away from the challenge but this has been an exciting first month of my very first business venture.  For those of you who don’t know I have also started training to become a massage therapist so hopefully when I qualify next year I can expand to Auburn Cakes and Pains... a pain-relieving massage followed by a good brew and a tasty cake, what do you think??? Haha...

As I am still enjoying the delights of funemployment I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate October to meals on a budget.

Have a great month xx Kisses and cake xx Linds xx 

P.S I went to a place called Cuckoo's Bakery in Edinburgh last week and I had to tell you about this cupcake... it was chocolate salted caramel with Italian meringue on top... one word: OMG! Whoever thought of putting meringue on the top of a cupcake is a genius!