2025 began quite nice for my business because I already two orders for this month. Unlike last 2024 where I had none.
The customer inquired about two weeks ago about the jelly drawing and if I can do it good because her daughter is kind of meticulous/picky. She also mentioned that her daughter belongs to the generation alpha. So, are all gen alpha meticulous and picky?
The design chosen for the cake was the birthday cake I made for LiSA last June 2024. I'm lowkey happy that someone finally appreciated my design. Making the cake will be easier this time because I already have a reference. However, my only problem is the customized letters. Since the letters are smaller and thinner than the usual Ietters I use, I have trouble keeping them in shape. Sometimes, some letters bend when I pour the agar and ithe result wouldn't look so aesthetic.
Since it has customized letters, I have to let the agar cool down a little so it doesn't melt the letters. But the agar started to set while I was pouring the last scoops of the agar causing one part of the edge to have a crack. I'm afraid the crack goes all the way to the bottom but thank goodness it was only shallow and eventually binded with whole cake.
After having the cake set overnight, I started making the floral design. It usually takes me an hour to make the floral design. The tricky part of making jelly cakes is that you can't see how the actual look of the cake until you unmold it, unless you are using a mold with transparent bottom. You also can't remove and redo the design you have injected which is why it is important to do it right the first time because there are no second chances.
Next I did was the drawing. I am now more confident making the drawing because I already got the technique to avoid broken lines. The only problem left for me is to find a better food color that doesn't fade too easily.
Then finally placing the drawing into the cake. I have to set the cake for a few hours again before unmolding the cake.
And the result...
As you can see here, the color of the skin has already faded and the lip's color have already bleeded. Customers may not see it as a big deal but for us jelly artist, it's among the first things we notice and wish to resolve.
Also, another problem I encountered making this cake was the unexpected crack on the agar. Can you see it?
It's quite big, about two inches. I'm guessing the agar quickly set while I was pouring it, causing the crack. It was filled with the flower solution when I unmold it so I have to carefully remove so the crack becomes less noticeable. I wish I can redo it but the customer only finalized her order a day before she picks up the cake. I consider it as a rush order, actually.
I'm just hoping the crack on the cake isn't an issue for the daughter. This is my first time to make a cake with a crack on top. Ugh.
This is how the cake looks like on the side. People call it a 3D jelly cake because you can see the flowers' shape like they are real flowers trapped inside the agar.
After making sure the cake is good to go, I began wrapping it with ribbon then tying the tag and adding the free candle and topper. I don't usually include a topper but I still have a few left so I decided to just include it. I use two plastic bags to carry the cake to make sure it doesn't tear .
Pick up time was at 6 P.M. but the customer arrived at 6:30. It was alright because I only took the cake out from the chiller when the customer arrived.
I really wish the daughter was happy with her surprise cake. The mother (customer) also told me that they're bringing the cake at her daughter's school early morning the next day, so hopefully more people get to appreciate the cake and get persuaded to order too in the future.
Thanks for reading! 💚
