Is it early morning as you read this? Afternoon? Late in the evening? Because I can’t think of a time it won’t be appetizing.

If it’s late, and your eyes are tired, do read the title Let Them Eat Cake…Violet Cakes, carefully.

I don’t want you fretting about VIOLENT cakes and the implications.

Pay me no mind. I’m famished, running on empty, and have been mindfully eating* clean, healthy, cake-less meals for weeks.

Ask my sister Jo about me and cake.

She’ll say, “…pie brings out the worst in her.”

But cake!

Violet Cakes by Claire Ptak

You’re gazing at Claire Ptak’s lovely creations and may recall a notable one known as Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding cake. Her cakes also showed up in the glorious A Floral Affair by Rachel Ashwell.

Claire has a way about her when it comes to showcasing blooms on buttercream.

BTW. All four of us in the family read a lot, but I am the only one who rarely reads fiction.

My three men enjoy discussing whatever fictional series they happen to be devouring.

Not me.

Give Me Nonfiction (and Cake)

I’m a nonfiction girl with a fondness for shelter magazines (Milieu!), design and picture books. spirituality and contemplative Christianity titles, and COOKBOOKS.

Yes, ma’am. Especially books about baking.

They engage the senses, and since I am a serial baker, they influence my baking.

In fact, before I ever read a design blog, my guilty pleasure was cupcake blogs. I think it may still be a thing.

Let Them Eat Cake…Violet Cakes

So when I wanted to learn more about baker/writer/stylist Claire Ptak of Violet Bakery fame, I stumbled upon the cake menus for her East London bakery, Violet.

Heavens to Buttercream. Sweet cozy Moses on a naked cake with espresso.

This is JUST the sort of lick-the-bowl literature in which I adore getting lost:

“Three layers of moist vanilla sponge filled with tart raspberry jam and Madagascan vanilla buttercream. The top is generously adorned with Madagascan vanilla buttercream while the sides are left with a thin, almost sheer ‘naked’ covering of buttercream. “

(Vanilla Jam Naked Cake)

The only thing more blissful than reading the descriptions of layered cakes at Violet?

Seeing images of them with Claire’s signature undone, noncontrived, unusual styling.

Gorgeous Food Styling

What I admire about Claire’s cake styling is the imperfection, romance, and old fashioned embellishment.

They look timeless and as if they were lovingly made at home by a great grandmother who has yet to invest in a clothes dryer and hangs her linens on the line. Her name is Esther. She mixes her batters in vintage bowls purchased from Woolworth’s in the early 60’s, delights in her garden roses, and sets the table with a handmade lace tablecloth for Sunday dinners.

Creations from Violet set my mind at ease and transport it to a simpler time in childhood when in summer we joyfully munched on rhubarb (or clover!) plucked directly from the earth and played kick the can or sardines when the sun went down.

To a season before grocery store bakeries sprayed neon art or photos upon birthday cakes, when strident efforts were still made to spell celebratory messages correctly.

My Cake Style

I love to bake cakes but am too lazy with no talent for have little interest in: meticulous cake embellishment, gravity defying towers, fondant art, or complex cake decor.

My style is more granny-bundt-happy than cake-boss-couture, and I like to ice my cakes liberally yet simply, allowing the balance of delicious flavors to be the WOW.

In other words.

My buttercream brings all the boys to the yard.

Let’s be inspired and transported to LOVELYLAND with a parade of Claire Ptak’s uncommonly lovely creations from Violet.

(Pssst. I had never seen this image of Violet’s berry topped cake before decorating the flourless chocolate cake I made for my gluten-free husband RIGHT HERE, but it’s very similar, yes?)

Claire Ptak’s Violet Cakes

Beautiful Styling by Claire Ptak

Let Them Eat Cake: Violet Cakes by Claire Ptak

Baking Lovely from a Cake Lover, Not a Boss

Just a reminder. The easiest way to show appreciation for this blog? If you have anything at all in your cart on Amazon (doesn’t have to be stuff from this site) USE THIS LINK before you checkout to buy what you already intended to buy…it won’t cost a dime extra yet may earn Hello Lovely a few pennies!!!

The easiest way I know how to bake someone happy:

I use these for cinnamon rolls, deep dish pizza, and sometimes CAKE…

Mine get used all of the time, and this is what I use for a gooey butter cake and Special K bars:

This saves on cleanup…

I don’t like weeping over broken or chipped mixing bowls…

Here’s the exact cake pedestal I have:

Guys. This simple pedestal can display a range of lovely baked goods or fruit or tea sandwiches or…do people make tea sandwiches? I’m just saying I use mine all the time.

If you’re kind of a Betty Basketcase in the kitchen and want to transform your batter making (and smoothie making!), this will surely rise to the occasion…take it from a girl who hates machines, I find this model super easy to use.

If ever you’re in East London, swing by

Violet Bakery:

47 Wilton Way, E8 3ED, London

Monday to Friday 8:00–6:00

Saturday and Sunday 9:30-6:00

SHOULD YOU SUDDENLY BE IN THE MOOD FOR MARIE ANTOINETTE…

Marie Antoinette For No Good Reason

And further…

for my flourless cake recipe, SEE THIS. Visit here for my Sugar Cookie Truffles recipe (you can make ’em GF or with regular cookies).

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.