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Painting with buttercream has become one of Sweet Heather Anne's signature techniques, offering a freeing way to transform cakes into edible canvases without the precision of fondant. This post showcases favorite painted buttercream creations from over the years, including the viral table runner cake, while exploring how this versatile technique continues to evolve. Plus, details about the Painting with Buttercream Online Course, currently on sale through October 31.

Master the trending table runner cake with our comprehensive guide! From our experience creating a 100-foot anniversary cake to perfecting wedding-sized versions, we're sharing everything we've learned about sizing, sourcing materials, baking techniques, and flawless delivery. Discover professional tips for creating seamless long cakes, including our favorite cake board alternatives, decorating strategies that work with seams, and storage solutions. Whether you're tackling your first 6-foot painted buttercream masterpiece or planning something even more ambitious, this step-by-step tutorial covers all seven essential elements for success. Perfect for professional cake artists ready to add this stunning trend to their repertoire while putting their own creative spin on the technique.

From Michigan's spring violets to summer's vibrant zinnias - our resident expert Sarah shares her comprehensive edible flower foraging guide for cake artists. Learn which blooms press beautifully, essential safety practices for professional kitchens, trusted local sourcing alternatives, and how nature-inspired exploration elevates your cake artistry and business.

Bringing together cake designers from diverse backgrounds—hobbyists to industry veterans—created magic beyond what I could teach alone. The energy of sharing techniques in person, troubleshooting challenges together, and celebrating each other's unique approaches reminded me why community matters so much in our craft. There's something special about being surrounded by people who truly understand the satisfaction of pushing creative boundaries.

Recent years have seen significant changes in cake design, and I embrace these trends! I predict that 2025 will feature several captivating styles ranging from minimalist designs with subtle textures to bold colors on playful statement cakes and personalized cakes that will push cake artistry forward.

Transitioning from wedding season to the holiday rush can feel overwhelming, but finding ways to stay inspired is essential. I keep creativity flowing by exploring new techniques, collaborating with friends, and setting boundaries, like offering a curated holiday menu and planning workshops on our own terms. And when I need a reset, a quick walk or a great audiobook always does the trick.

After 15 years of cake decorating, I’ve learned that having the right tools can make all the difference. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite go-to tools for everything from design and decorating to delivery. These aren’t miracle gadgets, but better versions of tools you may already use that help make the process easier and more enjoyable. Check out my top picks along with links to where you can find them!

The turning point for us came from prioritizing the work that we wanted to make and charging appropriately for that work. When I set out to create online tutorials, I wanted to give others the tools to make this shift for themselves.

Master the art of handling last-minute cake orders with our semi-custom options that boosted our online sales by 94%. Discover the joy of efficiently executed designs that simplify training and delight customers, all while maintaining your sanity. Perfect your online cake shop with our essential tips for success.

There have been some pretty big shifts in cake design in the last few years, and I have to say that I’m here for it! As a professional cake designer and educator, these I’m predicting we’ll see more of these cake styles in 2024.

There was a point a few years into starting Sweet Heather Anne, however, where I almost threw in the towel. We were successfully booking up each week but the work was no longer inspiring and we were struggling to keep up. That’s when we started to shift the business towards making the work that we wanted to make and charging appropriately for that work.

I know that giving yourself a consistent weekend seems like a simple thing, but hear me out. When I first started my cake decorating business, I felt like I could never get ahead. Now instead of feeling guilty when I’m with my family, I congratulate myself for any extra work done on my days off or even treat myself for working on weekends.

We found the perfect solution for mixing perfectly smooth buttercream, even if you just need a small batch to cover a one or two-tier cake! This genius little mixer has become a staple in our studio kitchen, because it gives us that ultra-smooth and bubble-free whip we love!

If you’ve been in this business long, you know that our most common inquiries are small, last minute cakes. As cake designers, we often grow to dread these requests, but semi-custom cakes completely changed the game for us.

Years ago, a creative friend encouraged me to build in creative time to experiment for myself and my team to create space for breakthroughs that I could then use for client work. This not only helped me to sell more interesting ideas to clients, it also nourishes my creativity and keeps me excited about my work.

Does your fondant get dry and crack before you can get that perfect sharp edge? An mix of fondant/modeling chocolate stays pliable longer so you can achieve an incredibly crisp corner. The full recipe (and a printer-friendly downloadable version!) are available here.

After 12 years in business, we recently redesigned a brand new cake studio. After about a month of working in the new space, I realized the newly organized workspace has a huge impact on my daily satisfaction at work. It’s honestly a treat to work in this kitchen!

If you’ve been in this business long, you know that our most common inquiries are small, last minute cakes. As cake designers, we often grow to dread these requests, but semi-custom cakes completely changed the game for us.

Passionflower Sue + Sweet Heather Anne are working on a new collaborative course on decorating cakes with fresh floral designs!

I am so excited to welcome you to our Ann Arbor Cake Studio in 2023! There are currently 🎉 THREE WORKSHOPS 🎉 open for reservation.

Learning to ice a flawlessly smooth cake is a labor of love, but it helps if you have the right tools to set you up for success. We like to use a variety of scrapers, depending on the size of the cake.

Have you been struggling to fit making reels into your already busy schedule? I avoided them forever until I found a way to make them fast, easy and actually reach my audience.

My delivery day necessities have been shaped over years of experience and range from to-go kit packing lists to the questions I ask upon booking. With our delivery details attached, our cake deliveries go smoothly!

My packing list has been perfected over years of experience and range from cardboard cutouts for leveling tables in a pinch to the exact spatulas I bring along.

With our to-go kit packed, we can keep our calm and cool composure knowing we’re ready for just about anything.

Molded elements have been featured in quite a few of our recent cakes, and luckily we have this efficient and effective trick to using molds. If you’ve sworn off molds because the fondant always sticks and you have to use an exacto knife to clean up the edges, then this month’s tip is for you!