Essence of Cake UK

10/06/2026

Want your gold details to look richer, smoother and more professional? ✨

As part of celebrating 9 years of Essence of Cake, I'm sharing some of the most useful cake decorating tips I've learned along the way.

Today's tip is all about painting with gold (and silver too!).

One simple trick can help you achieve a more even, vibrant finish while using less product and saving valuable decorating time.

The secret? It's all about what you paint underneath first.

For gold, start with a yellow base.
For silver, use a grey base.

It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference to the final result, helping you achieve a cleaner, more refined metallic finish.

Watch the video to see exactly how it works.

And if you're enjoying these tips, take a look through my page where you'll find more decorating hacks, client creations, cake inspiration and plenty of cake magic from the last 9 years. 🎂

08/06/2026

The future of baking is in very good hands!

Last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming Phoebe to Essence of Cake for her college work experience placement, and what a fantastic week it has been! Here's what she had to say...

"Hi, my name is Phoebe and this week I have had the amazing opportunity of joining Tracey for my college work experience week. Tracey has shown me how to pipe different buttercream techniques which I then used to get creative and design my own 6 cupcakes.

I also got to finish 140 cupcakes by putting the toppers on them and even deliver them to the client all the way in London! I love all things baking and creating and being with Tracey has helped me understand what it is like to run your own business as well as help me develop my decorating techniques and ideas.

On my final day I was able to cover a cake in buttercream and decorate it independently, and I couldn't be more proud.
Tracey has really inspired me to push myself and try to create some more detailed designs in the future. Thank you so much Tracey!"

Seeing Phoebe's confidence grow throughout the week, hearing her ideas, and watching her challenge herself creatively has been incredibly rewarding.

Thank you, Phoebe, for your hard work, positivity and willingness to learn. I'm delighted that your time at Essence of Cake has inspired you to push your creativity even further, and I can't wait to see what you create in the future.

The baking industry needs passionate, talented young people, and Phoebe certainly has a bright future ahead of her.

04/06/2026

🎉 9 years ago, Essence of Cake was born. 🎂

And what a journey it has been.

Like many small businesses, there have been highs, lows, lessons learned, challenges overcome and plenty of moments where I wondered what was coming next. But through it all, one thing has remained constant...

The incredible support of my clients. 💛

To those who return year after year to celebrate life's milestones with me, thank you.

To those who recommend me to friends, family and colleagues, thank you.

To those who have shared photos, reviews and kind words, thank you.

You have all played a part in helping Essence of Cake reach this milestone.

This past year and a half has been particularly special. Moving to Hampshire meant rebuilding connections, establishing myself in a new area and stepping outside my comfort zone. Networking has played a huge role in that journey. The relationships I've built, the collaborations I've been part of and the friendships I've made have helped my business grow in ways I couldn't have imagined.

Nine years in business is something I'm incredibly proud of, but I know I haven't achieved it alone.

So today, I'm celebrating not just Essence of Cake, but every customer, supporter, networking contact and cheerleader who has been part of the journey.

Here's to the next chapter. 🥂

And of course... because everyone deserves cake.

01/06/2026

🎉 It's Small Business Week – and I'm asking for your support. 🎉

Like many small business owners, I wear a lot of hats. Baker, designer, marketer, delivery driver, customer service representative and occasionally chief tea maker!

I'm incredibly proud of what we've built at Essence of Cake and the role we play in helping people celebrate life's biggest milestones and everyday moments.
The reality is that every order, recommendation, share, comment and referral helps a small business like mine continue to grow.

So this Small Business Week, I'm inviting you to support local and support small.

One delicious way to do that is with our Luxury Cake Slice Boxes, delivered straight to your door.
Perfect for:
🎂 Treating yourself
🎁 Sending as a gift
💼 Thanking a client or colleague
❤️ Showing appreciation to friends, family or staff

As a thank you to our wonderful customers, we're offering 10% off with the code until the 7th June:

THANKYOU10 at https://zurl.co/IU3A0

Because supporting a small business doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes it can be as simple as enjoying a slice of cake.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Essence of Cake so far. Every order really does make a difference.

BNI Hampshire UK BNI Compass BNI Premier Southampton BNI

31/05/2026

🔥 How far would you travel to make sure a wedding cake arrives perfectly? 🚗🎂☀️

For a stunning 3-tier buttercream wedding cake, the answer was simple… however far it takes.

With temperatures forecast to hit the mid-30s last Tuesday, I knew this delivery needed military-level planning. Buttercream and extreme heat are definitely not best friends!

So, I was on the road by 7:30am to avoid the worst of the heat and make sure the cake arrived looking exactly as it should. What should have been a 2.5 hour drive quickly became a 3 hour journey, but when it comes to protecting someone’s wedding cake, every extra mile is worth it.

People often only see the finished cake photos, but behind every delivery is preparation, logistics, temperature checks, careful driving and a whole lot of care. Because creating the cake is only part of the job, delivering it safely is just as important.

And seeing it set up beautifully at the venue made the early start completely worthwhile.

30/05/2026

From seaside inspiration to a little bit of magic… 🎩♠️♥️

One of the things I love most about living and creating in Southsea is that no two days, or cakes, are ever the same. One moment it’s bright florals and Caribbean sunshine vibes… and the next it’s edible magic tricks and illusion cakes!

This magician-themed creation was such a fun one to make. From the floating cards to the magician’s hat and gloves, every detail helped bring the magic to life for Lenka’s celebration.

That’s the beauty of what I do, every cake tells a completely different story, and I get to turn people’s passions, hobbies and personalities into something unforgettable (and delicious!).

And honestly… watching people try to work out “how did you do that?” never gets old.

29/05/2026

Southsea sunshine, sea air and a little bit of cake magic!

Living in Southsea means being surrounded by inspiration every single day. From the beautiful seafront to the vibrant local community, there’s something about this place that encourages creativity, confidence and colour, and this picture captures all of that perfectly.

Whether I’m creating celebration cakes in the kitchen or delivering leadership workshops in the boardroom, one thing remains the same… bringing joy to people is at the heart of everything I do. 💕

Southsea has become more than just where I live, it’s become part of my story, my business journey and my inspiration. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

28/05/2026

If summer was a cake, this would be it…

With the sunshine finally making an appearance, this vibrant floral beauty feels like the perfect celebration of the season.

The bright blooms, gold details and fresh clean finish absolutely beam summer happiness, but the real surprise is inside… 👀

The bottom tier was a rich Caribbean rum cake, packed with flavour, warmth and a little taste of the islands. 🇯🇲

We love creating cakes that not only look stunning but also tell a story through flavour, colour and personality. And this one definitely brought all the sunshine vibes.

26/05/2026

Celebration looks different for everyone… and that’s why I love this job.

Some cakes are for huge events with hundreds of guests.
Others are for quiet moments shared with a few loved ones.

But they all have one thing in common, someone decided the moment mattered enough to celebrate.

“Celebrating life is your business… making cakes for it is mine.”

And honestly, being part of those moments never gets old 💛

24/05/2026

Celebrating life is your business… making cakes for it is mine.” 💍

Weddings are full of moments people remember forever.

The dress.
The vows.
The first dance.
And yes… the cake table too!

I love creating cakes that don’t just fit the room, but fit the couple, their style, their story, their personalities.

Because the best wedding cakes don’t just look beautiful… they feel personal.

22/05/2026

You bring the celebration… I’ll bring the cake 🎉🎂

Honestly, it’s the perfect arrangement, right!

You:
✨ Plan the party
✨ Gather the people
✨ Create the memories

Me:
🎂 Stress over smooth buttercream
🎨 Obsess over tiny details
✨ Turn your ideas into edible art

Celebrating life is your business… making cakes for it is mine.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way!

20/05/2026

Celebrating life is your business… making cakes for it is mine.

One thing I’ve learned through cake design is this:

People rarely order cake “just because.”

There’s almost always a story behind it. A milestone. A memory. A person being celebrated.

That’s why I believe cake is never 'just' cake.

It’s part of how we mark moments that matter.

And being trusted with that? That’s a responsibility I genuinely value.

18/05/2026

Celebrating life is your business… making cakes for it is mine.

No other words are truer to us. Birthdays. Weddings. Baby showers. Anniversaries, and of course the big milestones and the quiet moments in between.

Life gives us so many reasons to gather, connect and celebrate the people we love.

And while you focus on making the memories… I get the privilege of creating the cake that becomes part of them.

That’s the part I never take for granted!

15/05/2026

From cake deliveries… to centre pitch ⚽

One minute I was dropping a cake in Brighton, the next I was standing pitch-side at the Hampshire FA U13 Girls Final… and what a day it turned out to be.

I’m incredibly proud that Essence of Cake is now a partner of Hampshire FA, and being able to sponsor and attend the final on 18th April was something really special.

What I didn’t expect?
Shaking hands with the finalists on the pitch 🤝
Choosing Player of the Match ⭐
Handing out awards and medals 🏅

Moments like that stay with you.

But the best part?
Having my children there to see it all.

To see me giving back, supporting young talent, and being part of something that has nothing to do with cake… but everything to do with community, opportunity and showing what’s possible.

That meant more than anything.

12/05/2026

From sunshine to snowflakes… we really do cover it all ❄️☀️

One minute we’re creating bright, summery designs… the next, we’re bringing winter to life in cake form.

This one was all about snowy adventures, from the detailed personalised figure (our client could not believe the likeness to her husband!) to the penguins nestled in their frosty scene. Every element designed to tell his story and capture a moment.

That’s what we love most about what we do… no two cakes and no two days are ever the same.

And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way!

11/05/2026

There’s something special about a wedding by the sea…

This beautiful cake took pride of place at a wedding held at Southsea Castle, the perfect backdrop for a day full of love, history and stunning coastal views.

Soft pastel tones, delicate florals and a design that felt effortlessly elegant… this cake was all about complementing the setting while still making its own statement.

From the texture to the tiny handcrafted details, every element was designed to reflect the couple’s style and the atmosphere of the day.

And let’s be honest… a cake like this in a venue like that? A perfect match!

07/05/2026

A week later… and we’re still smiling about this one 💚💖

It’s amazing how quickly time flies.

Just last week we were delivering cupcakes to the Cash for Kids music quiz at The Portsmouth Distillery, and what a night it was.

14 teams. 64 people. And thousands raised for an incredible cause.

We had so much fun working on this one, especially the colour matching. Seeing the Cash for Kids team arrive in their lime green and fuchsia t-shirts and realising we nailed it? That was a moment 😄

Events like this are about more than just cake.

They’re about community, generosity and being part of something bigger.
Since moving to Hampshire, this is our second charity event, and it definitely won’t be the last.

06/05/2026

Not all wedding cakes are soft and romantic… some come with a story ⚔️🌿

This design was all about blending elegance with a little edge — delicate piping, soft tones… and then that statement piece.

A dagger wrapped in vines, sitting proudly at the top.

If you know… you know 👀

So go on — which movie do you think inspired this cake?

30/04/2026

Two celebrations, one box of cupcakes… and a very happy client!

Hearing what our client had to say… Let’s just say, safe to say they were thrilled.

Moments like this remind us that it’s not just about how things look, it’s how they make people feel.

29/04/2026

Why have one celebration… when you can have two?

This set was all about doubling the joy, a Hen Do and a Baby Shower in one!

Two themes, two vibes… but brought together in a way that still felt cohesive and fun. And let’s be honest, you can definitely tell which is which 😉.

We love creating designs like this, especially when we can add those extra personal touches:

- A keepsake element to make it memorable
- Colour-matching to the bridesmaid dresses (because details matter!)
- Designs that reflect each moment perfectly

It’s those thoughtful details that turn cupcakes into part of the celebration, not just something sweet on the table.

26/04/2026

This is what baking is really about… more than just cake 🎂

https://zurl.co/fkEnF

Watching this back reminds me just how powerful this event is.

The Fair Ways Bake Off isn’t just about baking, it’s about confidence, creativity and giving young people the opportunity to shine.

From the ideas, to the effort, to standing up and presenting their work… every part of it matters.

And I’m so excited (and honoured!) to say that I’ve been asked to be a judge next year.

After seeing the level of talent and heart that goes into this, I already know it’s going to be a tough job.

But what a privilege to be part of something that celebrates growth, courage and creativity in such a meaningful way.

Roll on next year… 🎉

9 likes. "Fair Ways Bake Off 2025: The Finals"

25/04/2026

“It’s not on your website… but can you make it?” 🤔🍩

Honestly… we love those requests.

Because our clients know one thing — if we say yes, we’re going all in 💯

So when we were asked to make vegan donuts, it definitely made us pause…
The last time we made donuts was over 7 years ago when we had our shop!

But say no? Not really our style.

We took on the challenge, opted for baked donuts… and wow, soft, fluffy, full of flavour… and completely vegan.

Safe to say, we surprised ourselves a little with this one.

Now the big question is…

Do vegan donuts earn a permanent spot on the menu? What do you think?

23/04/2026

When a cake tells a story… it hits differently

This one was a little more personal.
A 80th birthday cake inspired by a favourite song — White Swan by Frogmorton.

We’ve created vinyl-style cakes before… but this time, we took it a step further.
Adding swans in flight along the side brought the whole design to life.

Paired with bold black piping, the cake really found its own identity, elegant, meaningful, and completely unique.

And the best part?
A thrilled client and another special order already in the diary 🙌

22/04/2026

From concept to cake… this is why visuals matter

We showed you the models… the ideas… the vision. And now here it is, the final design brought to life.

From personalised details to those meaningful little touches (yes, even the pets), this cake is exactly why we take the time to plan, design and refine before a single layer is baked.

Because when you can see it first…you can truly feel it when it arrives

And honestly? Seeing it all come together never gets old.

20/04/2026

Looking for something to do with the family this summer? ☀️

This is one for the diary…

Join us at the Community & Family Day at Camber Docks, Old Portsmouth on Saturday 20th June 2026 (12–4pm), a day all about bringing people together and celebrating community.

There’s something for everyone:
⚓ Sports & games
🎨 Arts & crafts with local artists
🍔 Food & drink
⛵ Opportunities to step onboard with local sailing charities
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Activities for children across the city

Essence of Cake is so pleased to be involved in this amazing event and to be part of something that brings the community together.

If you’re a food trader and would like to be part of the day, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

It’s all about connection, fun and showing just how strong our community can be when we come together.

Together We Are Stronger!