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When an Asparagus Cake Just Makes Good Sense

October 23, 2010 - 96 Comments

*May 2011 update: I have just recently recreated this cake in an 8-layer version! You can view it here: For the Love of Fondant Asparagus (and 8-Layer Cakes).

NEW! How to Make a Fondant Asparagus Cake {a Tutorial}

Funny thing happened on the way to designing my sister-in-law, Mary’s cake for her post-figure-competition celebration: my pink and frilly cake idea got hijacked by this sudden idea that I had to create a hyperrealistic vegetable confection. It was an “Aha!” moment, and I knew right then and there that there was no turning back. Thing is, while training for the IDFA competition, she was so disciplined, so regimented, and so ridiculously sick of eating asparagus. The week before her show, during a text conversation we were having, in response to “How are you doing?” she replied, “I’m loathing asparagus!” So, like any self-respecting sister-in-law and friend would do, I decided to to torment her with a green and spear-filled asparagus cake. See, there’s something you should know: Mary is a foodie, and like me, lives for dessert. This makes her pre-show determination and diet that much more torturous remarkable.

Mary and I talked about the post-show celebration for the weeks leading up to it, and what she really wanted to eat–the girl deserved to eat whatever she wanted, and I was determined to make that happen for her. As for dessert, she knew she wanted rich chocolate cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream and fondant, so that was the starting point. Once I had the cake baked, filled, and coated, I covered it in a nice bright leafy green fondant. I then started on the asparagus. Working from a real bundle of asparagus for reference, I rolled out about 150 full-size green fondant spears, a dozen at a time, snipped them to look as realistic as possible, and then let them dry. I also dyed, rolled out, trimmed, and snipped  about 400 asaparagus tips and set them aside to dry. Once they were dry, I dusted them with several shades of green edible dusting powder (that I typically use for dusting sugar flowers and leaves), and small touches of red. Once they were all dusted and looking particularly asparagus-ish, I started to assemble it all. I wasn’t sure how it was all going to come together, but I loved making this cake, and, in the end, I was kind of proud of it!

I’m not sure, but when Mary first saw her cake, I think she may have wondered if they were actually real asparagus. Sure, we were all eager to try (especially my little Reese) a big yummy piece of the cake, but I think, even more so, we were so excited to watch Mary eat hers!

Yay–cake consumption! Reese was so proud to be taking the first bites with Auntie Mary. And, yep, that is a trophy you see–turns out that all of that hard work and discipline pays off! I have to say, Mary’s victory just made the cake that much sweeter, for all of us. Now that she’s competing in the Canadian Natural Physique Championships in April, I think I better kick it up a notch for the next post-show confection…a 3-tier version, perhaps?

Thanks for stopping by! xo

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Filed Under: Fondant Cakes Tagged With: asparagus, cake, chocolate, fondant

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Comments

  1. Paula says

    October 25, 2010 at 7:59 am

    Your cake is so unique and you did such a good job making the asparagus that I’m sure everyone who saw it did a double-take. A lot of work making all those spears but I’m sure it was deliciously appreciated. Your blog is beautiful and your Woodland theme birthday (earlier post) is absolutely amazing.

    Reply
  2. Joy @ The Herbed Kitchen says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:04 am

    You are so devilishly sweet and determined! I’d think the next version should feature another vegetable, just to wow us all a little more. Carrots? A mix of beets?

    Reply
  3. Mary Lou Kinsella says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:34 am

    Terrific Rosie! I am one of your biggest fans. Am so proud of you- not an easy feat with two little ones to care for!
    Amazing photos. Look forward to a daily read! xox

    Reply
  4. Becki D. says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:43 am

    This is awesome!! I can’t get over how realistic that asparagus is….you did a great, GREAT job!

    Reply
  5. Regan says

    October 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Rosie, I LOVE IT!! Im so glad that you have this up. Now I can show everyone here out west how talented my friends from back east are!! WOW your amazing with what you can do with deserts. It makes eating them not feel so guilty!!! Now if only you could ship some out west!! Great job!

    Reply
  6. Jacqueline says

    October 25, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Hi Rosie! SOOO happy to finally see your blog up! It’s beautiful, and I love the post about your stunning asparagus cake! Wow! So wonderful to connect with you, and I can’t wait to see what else you will be creating!

    Reply
  7. Laura Lee says

    October 25, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    Fabulous Rosie…and I expected nothing less :)

    Reply
  8. Aimee @ Simple Bites says

    October 25, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    This is truly amazing, Rosie, and shows a lot of talent and dedication. I love the story behind it, too. Great job! I’m thrilled to have found your blog; can’t wait to see what’s up next!

    Reply
  9. Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says

    October 25, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    This is INSANE! Just found this through TasteSpotting and am impressed beyond words. Great job!

    Reply
  10. Rebekah says

    October 25, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    AMAZING! It looks so realistic…..and delicious on the inside as well. Congrats on a beautiful and creative cake!

    Reply
  11. Jenny says

    October 25, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Your cake just blew my mind!
    What a great way to reward all of her hard work!
    Well done.

    Reply
  12. Mary says

    October 25, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    amazing, incredible, awesome and fantastic!! love the website and blog (and all the sweet things that go with it!)

    Reply
  13. Akila says

    October 25, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    Wow! What a gorgeous and creative cake.

    Reply
  14. Laura Flowers says

    October 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    Coolest cake ever. I’ll never forget this one!

    Laura

    Reply
  15. Chez Us says

    October 25, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    This is an amazing cake. I am always amazed at how creative people are you and you took it up a notch with this!

    Reply
  16. Kelly says

    October 25, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    Hi Rosie! First and foremost I must tell you that Mary and I are good friends and I watched her eat asparagus after asparagus while training and this cake made total sense!!! It is hard to believe that it isn’t real asparagus! Wow!! – You have an extraordinary talent! Love the blog and can’t wait to see your next creation! :)

    Reply
  17. Bakeolicious says

    October 25, 2010 at 5:57 pm

    What an amazing cake. I truly thought it was asparagus at first. You are very talented!!

    I’d love for you to submit one of your beautiful photos, and a link to your post, to my new food photo gallery showcasing beautiful baking and desserts.

    Reply
  18. Lexie says

    October 25, 2010 at 6:35 pm

    Outrageously cool!!!!

    Reply
  19. A Bowl Of Mush says

    October 25, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    Absolutely amazing! It really plays with your mind!? Looks incredibly delicious! :)

    Reply
  20. Tricia @{every}nothing wonderful says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    Holy stinking amazing! This is so creative! So fun! Such a great idea and sense of humor! Love everything about it!

    Reply
  21. Gina @ Skinnytaste says

    October 25, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Bravo!! Amazing and beautifully done.

    Reply
  22. leslie says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    This is the most amazing cake I have ever seen. I can completely appreciate all the time and patience you put into this cake!

    Reply
  23. Susan says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    What a fab cake! Beautiful!

    Reply
  24. Lauren says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    What a cool idea! I love the creativity, and it looks so realistic! Love.

    Reply
  25. Maytina says

    October 25, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    Love it!! What a great idea. One of my best friends does these competitions as well and we always throw her a ‘Yay! Food time!’ party after.

    Reply
  26. Sarah says

    October 25, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    This cake is unbelievably beautiful and inspiring! You have totally made my life and make me want to try more exciting ventures in the kitchen. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  27. Chef Evan says

    October 25, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    This is such a cute idea, I love it!!

    Reply
  28. Elizabeth says

    October 26, 2010 at 10:16 am

    The colours on this cake! Absolutely beautiful! Although an odd choice, I think asparagus really works here, especially with the chocolate. Just such an awesome idea!

    Reply
  29. Chi Chi says

    October 26, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    So are you saying that if I eat asparagus I will look like your sister in-law? : )

    This is BEAUTIFUL!

    Reply
  30. JaniceMarie says

    October 27, 2010 at 8:13 am

    Wow! that is just incredible!!
    I’m sure everyone thought it was real at first! Congratulations on such a fine job.

    Reply
  31. CarolineAdobo says

    October 28, 2010 at 2:33 am

    WOW, an awesome cake! Thinking this would make a great cake for April Fool’s Day as well.

    Reply
  32. baobabs says

    October 28, 2010 at 4:54 am

    this is beautiful!! and it never crossed my mind about putting cake and asparagus together!

    Reply
  33. Amnah says

    October 28, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    And proud you should be!! This cake is awesome. Congratulations to you for creating such an incredible cake and to your sister-in-law for taking home the trophy.

    Reply
  34. Sarah says

    October 28, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    One of the most striking and beautiful cakes I’ve ever seen. Eating veggies has never been this awesome. Keep up the great posts! I have subscribed to your blog and eagerly await new posts…

    Reply
  35. Anais says

    October 28, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    This is blowing my mind, it looks so lovely and realistic!

    Reply
  36. Sweetapolia (Rosie) says

    October 28, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    Thank you so much, everyone! So glad you all like it, and now, more than ever, I think there must be an Asparagus Cake Part II!

    Reply
  37. HolleyV says

    October 29, 2010 at 9:46 am

    No way! That is too cool! I saw it at first and thought “ew.” but when I read that the asparagus was fondant I was AMAZED!

    Reply
  38. June says

    October 30, 2010 at 9:18 am

    I actually thought it was real asparagus when I first saw it on tastespotting. It’s really amazing!

    Reply
  39. Nat says

    October 30, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Very impressive, those perfect asparagus must have taken you forever to make! It’s gorgeous!

    Reply
  40. Jean says

    October 30, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Found your cake on Tastespotting and I CANNOT stop looking at it. Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies so I’m just a little partial to this confection you made. Beautiful–and so is the rest of your blog. :-)

    Reply
  41. Hailey says

    October 30, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    This cake is amazing!!! I would love to know how you made the asparagus?! Seriously, this cake looks too beautiful to eat! Well done!

    Reply
  42. Jenn@eatcakefordinner says

    October 31, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    Wow, you had me fooled. It seriously looks like real asparagus!

    Reply
  43. Rosie says

    November 1, 2010 at 9:14 pm

    Thanks, everyone!

    Reply
  44. Megan says

    November 2, 2010 at 2:55 am

    WOW… I can’t believe that is a cake!! AWESOME JOB!!!

    Reply
  45. Karen says

    November 2, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    That is such an amazing cake! Before reading the post, I honestly thought you stuck real asparagus on the cake (which was pretty darn creative to begin with). Then I read your post and found out it’s fondant asparagus and now I’m just thinking…that is super duper creative!

    Reply
  46. Jane Ko says

    November 4, 2010 at 4:47 am

    I’m speechless. The asparagus looks 110% real. At first I thought you use real asparagus but those are made out of fondant??!!
    Amazing, just amazing.

    Reply
  47. lyndsay says

    November 4, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    unbelievably awesome!! edible petal dust is just sooo amazing for creating shading and beautiful colours. love this crazy cake, totally and completely.

    i had to google IDFA… that is some serious commitment your sis-in-law did and it paid off, hooray! (the trophy is so great too!)

    ^_^

    Reply
  48. olivia says

    November 16, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    I love this so much! well done I say, well done!

    Reply
  49. tricia says

    November 18, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    This is the most amazing cake I have ever seen. I just keep scrolling back and forth through the photos trying to convince my brain that this is icing and not asparagus!!

    Reply
  50. Dad says

    November 19, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    SO my wifey shows me this then when I say WOW you have to make me that she says no… not that talented. I am settling for a cake with sprinkles now!!

    Anyways this was a cool cake and I liked it….and so did the wifey… you will have to teach her I guess. :)

    Reply
  51. Cookie and Kate says

    November 20, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    That cake is unreal! So funny, so impressive!

    Reply
  52. TidyMom says

    November 29, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    OMG this is GREAT!!!!!

    Reply
  53. Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen says

    December 8, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    OMG! I am in awe! I just discovered your blog, and CANNOT get over this! Amazing!

    Reply
  54. marla {family fresh cooking} says

    December 24, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    This is an amazing cake. I would have dived into it head first after training for a competition like that!

    Reply
  55. Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

    January 4, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Thank you! xo

    Reply
  56. Shauna Younge says

    January 6, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    This is phenomenal! I’ll be sharing it on my blog tomorrow. I hope you’ll come by and check out the post.

    Reply
  57. Sandi says

    January 7, 2011 at 10:14 am

    This is incredible! I really thought it was asparagus!

    Reply
  58. G says

    January 19, 2011 at 1:44 am

    I just have to say – this cake is ridiculous. I gasped when I saw the end result and I KNEW IT WAS A CAKE

    nice work :P

    Reply
  59. ina says

    February 3, 2011 at 4:25 am

    I´m in awe – that is one SPECTACULAR cake – wow!!!!!
    Just love it!!!

    Reply
  60. Sue says

    March 5, 2011 at 12:11 am

    I’m speechless(almost)! This cake is crazy-incredible!!!

    Reply
  61. sweetsugarbelle says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    This is awesome!!! And another gorgeous gal! You ARE surrounded bu beauty….I’m in see of your asparagus sculpting :-)

    Reply
  62. sweetsugarbelle says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Hubs thought it is pretty awesome too!

    Reply
  63. Anita Menon says

    March 14, 2011 at 5:11 am

    You knocked my socks off with this one. I thought it was the real asparagus. I could easily be your biggest fan. You just play with my mind with every post of yours.

    CongratS!!!

    Reply
  64. Jacque says

    April 6, 2011 at 10:21 am

    You completely had me fooled! I really thought it was asparagus!!! Very unique and creative!!
    Hats off to you!!

    Reply
  65. Kulsum at JourneyKitchen says

    April 6, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Incredible. I swear I thought the first picture was for real asparagus!

    Reply
  66. MelangellAK says

    April 13, 2011 at 9:10 am

    Absolutely STUNNING! I can’t believe how gorgeous that is! Congrats to both Mary AND YOU for your amazing work!!

    Reply
  67. NR says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:51 am

    HOLY CRAP – that is amazing!

    xxx, from Beijing

    Reply
  68. FattyBoobaLatty says

    April 20, 2011 at 11:21 am

    That cake is amazing! You are one heck of a Sister-in-Law!!

    Reply
  69. Jane says

    May 9, 2011 at 11:08 am

    This is the second best cake i’ve ever seen. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  70. Kasie says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Creative genius!

    Reply
  71. TREVOR says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    this cake rocks! seriously rocks!

    Reply
  72. rica says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    just saw the one and only, Peewee Herman the Great, tweeted this!

    Reply
  73. Lynn says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    That is an awesome looking cake!!!

    Reply
  74. Oh, Sugar! Events says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    This cake is pure amaze-balls! And the only way I could ever get my husband to eat asparagus! Another upside – no asparagus stinky-pee-pee-itis! Great work!

    Reply
  75. angie says

    May 11, 2011 at 1:17 am

    You are so bookmarked. I love it.

    Reply
  76. ladybug says

    May 11, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    OMG…I want that

    Reply
  77. Beverly Blankenship says

    May 22, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    How amazing! I love the creativity! The cake looks awesome!

    Reply
  78. Mommy2 says

    May 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    This looks amazing! I am going to make this for Memorial Day. I can’t wait to see what everyone says when they see it. I am not very good with fondant but I will take the time to make the asparagus just to see what everyone’s reaction is! Thanks for the very clear photos – they will serve as my guide as I try to replicate your masterpiece !

    Reply
  79. whole food health says

    June 9, 2011 at 7:15 am

    Asparagus Cake ,what a amazing idea!
    Its look fabulous and hope yum too!

    Reply
  80. Lindsey says

    June 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I’ve been so enamored with this cake, that I had to try it myself! While my attempt didn’t quite capture the elegance of yours, it was a lot of fun. I wrote about it on my blog, Sweet Athena: http://sweetathena.blogspot.com/2011/06/asparagus-cake.html. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

    Reply
  81. momwhats4dinner says

    July 9, 2011 at 10:00 am

    WOW! That is an amazing cake! It looks like the real thing! Great job!

    Reply
  82. Allison says

    August 18, 2011 at 11:30 am

    Hahaha this is my life!!! I am two days away from my first fitness contest and HATING asparagus right now. My day has been made. I’m going to have to link this pic to my blog.

    Reply
  83. OriginalPsyn says

    August 18, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    Absolutely amazing.

    Reply
  84. Kim Meier says

    August 18, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    That’s amazing. You’re incredible!

    Reply
  85. Seanna Lea says

    August 19, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    I can make a tasty cake, but even my best decorations do not look as awesome as this! Wonderful job!

    Reply
  86. Noah says

    August 25, 2011 at 3:59 am

    The asparagus is a lie!

    Reply
    • Sierra says

      August 30, 2011 at 3:37 pm

      It’s a take on a common meme/catchphrase from the Portal video games – “The cake is a lie.” Not an insult at all, but a joke and a compliment. Your cake actually showed up on a meme website recently, and I suspect that Noah came here because of it. :)

      Reply
      • Rosie @ Sweetapolita says

        August 30, 2011 at 4:00 pm

        Oh, okay! Thanks for telling me, Sierra. I was wondering!

        Reply
  87. Aquascoop says

    October 15, 2011 at 6:55 am

    I’m sure everyone who saw it did a double-take. A lot of work making all those spears but I’m sure it was deliciously appreciated. Your blog is beautiful and your Woodland theme birthday is absolutely amazing.

    Reply
  88. DessertForTwo says

    January 25, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    How wonderful is this! It should be a wedding cake!! :)

    Reply
  89. Liz says

    August 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Hey Rosie! Love your blog and love this cake. I stumbled upon this online and thought I’d share in case you hadn’t seen it yet:
    http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/254912_419476211451790_502222252_n.jpg

    I saw it and was like “I know that cake!”

    Reply
  90. Amanda says

    March 21, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    This cake has been such an inspiration for me! I saw this cake when you first posted it a couple years ago and have always wanted to work with fondant well enough to do something like this. I keep coming back to this page to look at the cake because I can’t believe how great it is!! While I still haven’t worked with fondant I do try to bake things that look special. Again, this cake is amazing!

    Reply
  91. ash says

    April 21, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    Hi! Dear Admin, I was looking a very delicious and attractive cake for my birthday.. is it right cake for birthday?? Although it also looking delicious and very tasty :P

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Rosie! Welcome to the new (and even sweeter) version of the Sweetapolita blog! You will now find frequent new recipes + so, so much more: lifestyle posts themed around my life as a baker, mom-preneur, sprinkle-tosser, lover of travel, photography, fashion and all things happy!
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