Tiger Cake

Avalon Cakes posted a blog about this amazing tiger cake a while ago and I wanted to share it with you.

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Such amazing details! It manages to be cute, furry, and fierce all at the same time. The cake is edible, and it contained around 30 servings.

Avalon Cakes posted pictures of the cake through the process of making it.

Here it is after the details have been sculpted into and out of the fondant, which provide the 3D fur effect and lifelike eyes:
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Then the stripes were added with a dry dusting technique:
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After that the orange fur color was added along with all the rest of the details in the face and eyes:
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Truly a work of art, this cake is simply fantastic! If you ever need a realistic, beautiful, or whimsical cake in the areas around Denver Colorado, contact Avalon Cakes!

– Fizz

*All photos from Avalon Cakes*

Panda Cupcakes

Here is a fun way to decorate cupcakes to look like panda bears, courtesy of Bakerella.

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(Bakerella)

Ingredients to make mini cupcakes:
1. cupcake mix – for as many cupcakes as you want or need.
chocolate flavor creates a complete look, but you can do any flavor.
2. chocolate chips – to make the ears, nose, and eye base. Ghiradelli brand has better diameter for this purpose, or another of comparable size.
3. white frosting –  enough for all your cupcakes.
4. white sanding sugar – to give the texture of fur.
5. Jimmies – chocolate or black to make mouth lines.
6. white pastel confetti sprinkles – for the white of the eye.
7. black edible ink pen – to draw pupils on the white sprinkles.

Note: If you wanted to make larger panda cupcakes just tweak the ingredients to use chocolate drops or large chocolate chips (which you might have to cut in half for the nose), larger or more sprinkles for the mouths, and use premade candy eyes or get creative with a circle of icing or fondant with a black sphere sprinkle or black edible ink circle for pupils. The process of putting them together would be the same.

Instructions:
1. Make your cupcakes according to your favorite recipe or the box in a mini cupcake pan (hey sometimes we all need to save a little time). Allow to cool.

2. Frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. A decorator bag with Ateco tip #807 will help to pipe a small mound of frosting on top of the cupcake. You do not need to cover the whole top because you will be pressing them in to the sanding sugar which will force the mound out to cover the whole top.

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(Bakerella)

3. Press the frosted cupcakes into the sanding sugar to spread the frosting and create a fur like texture.

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(Bakerella)

4. Press chocolate chips into the frosting to create the face. One should go sideways, point facing downward, towards the bottom of the face to create the nose. Two should go point down into the frosting above that to make the base for the eyes.  And two should go into the sides of the frosting, point down, to create ears.

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(Bakerella)

5. Press the Jimmies into the frosting to create any type of mouth you want.

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(Bakerella)

6. Finish the eyes by drawing circles on the confetti sprinkles and then attach them to the chocolate chip base with a bit of frosting. Or use frosting to make the eyes, or attach premade candy eyes.

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(Bakerella)

7. Make sure each face is how you would like them. Having the sanding sugar over the frosting also allows you to reshape the frosting to get your desired look.

8. Serve and enjoy!

This design is really cute and allows you to do your own take on just how a panda should look. Great for kids parties or just because!

– Fizz

You can see more pictures and get Bakerella’s cupcake and frosting recipes here.

Penguin Ice Cream Bars

Looking for a way to have some fun with your kids? Or if you just love penguins, here is an easy way to make a regular ice cream bar even more fun! Not that ice cream really needs any help…

Penguin Ice Cream Bars from Handmade Charlotte

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(HandmadeCharlotte)

Ingredients:
Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars (as many as you would like to make, those with a curved top make a more convincing penguin but any bar would work)
Candy Eyes (two for each bar)
Orange Slice Candy (only a couple should work out for quite few depending on how you cut them)
Oreos – cookie halves removed (each whole oreo makes wings for two bars)
White Candy Melts (one bag should be enough unless you are making a lot)

Instructions:
1. Wait to remove the ice cream bars from your freezer until you have everything prepared.

2. Take the oreos and remove the cream center. Cut each cookie half down the center with a knife to make the wings for your penguin.
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(HandmadeCharlotte)

3. Make beaks for your penguins by cutting the Orange Slice into triangles with kitchen scissors.
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(HandmadeCharlotte)

4. Melt 6 ounces of the candy melts in a microwave safe dish, and put into a small piping bag or squeeze bottle.

5. Remove ice cream bars from freezer and remove from individual packaging.

6. Using the candy melt draw a large oval on the front lower portion of the bar to be the penguins tummy.

7. Use the candy melt to attach the wings, eyes and beak by dabbing on the back of each and then pressing lightly onto the bar.
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(HandmadeCharlotte)

8. Place the bars back into the freezer to set up before serving.

9. Enjoy!

These are super cute, great for parties or just because!

-Fizz

Eating Out With Stuffed Animals?

Japan has a culture that supports all things cute! The Moomin Cafe lets solo diners sit with large stuffed animals at their tables to keep them company!

Our owner does not go out to eat by herself that often, but this must make the experience more fun! Definitely something to talk about later and take pictures of when a solo meal would have been otherwise uneventful.

Take a look:
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(RocketNews/Twitter)

Moomin Cafe is a themed restaurant, based on a Finnish book series about hippopotamus like creatures, also known as Moomin, by author Tove Jansson. Some of the main characters:
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(Screengrab/RocketNews)

There are nine books total in the series. The main character of the Moomin series of books and comic strips is Moomintroll, who lives with his father (moominpappa) and mother (moominmamma). There is also a host of other characters. The books and comics have inspired different tv series including one popular in Japan, animated movies, and a children’s theme park called Moomin World.

Diners have been flocking to the restaurant and many pictures have been posted online of patrons with their stuffed animal friends, and often just the stuffed animals themselves.

Here are tables with stuffed animals awaiting new human freinds:
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(RocketNews/Twitter)

A diner’s picture of their stuffed animal enjoying some dessert:
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(Instagram)

A stuffed friend across the table with themed table covering:
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(Twitter/RocketNews)

The walls are covered in drawings from the series, so too are the table cloths. Even the food is themed to fit with the book series:
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(Twitter/RocketNews)

Love this idea (but it needs more guinea pigs)! This is a unique restaurant concept, and with a theme more easy to relate to (Disney etc) it could work in the US. It is interesting and family friendly. The restaurant could even have a way to buy the large stuffed animals as well.

– Cola and Fizz

All photos from the Business Insider

The Butter End Cakery

I recently saw a few of the The Butter End Cakery’s creations and wanted to feature the business in a post!

The Butter End creates amazing unique cakes and chocolate sculptures (plus a lot more)! You may have heard of this bakery before, they have done a couple high profile cakes for celebrities. The company specializes in high end cakes and desserts, using only the finest ingredients like cage free eggs and real vanilla bean extract. Cake flavors range from Vanilla to Blueberry Walnut, and some can even come gluten free or vegan. Custom cake prices start at $250 and sculpted cakes start at $500. They are located in Santa Monica CA, if you are in the area and are in need of cake or dessert for a special occasion check them out.

Little dragon birthday cake:
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A pug gets a chance to help celebrate:
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Such a neat way to include your dog! This is funny and minimal. You can have an elegant cake that does not only feature your dog, but still includes them for your special day!

Chocolate Mammoth sculpture:
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Here is the full sculpture, not necessarily cute but definitely amazing:
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Another chocolate sculpture of dinosaurs:
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(all above pictures from thebutterend on Instagram)

Kermit the Frog:
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(The Butter End)
This is a groom’s cake and the body is all edible cake.

Baby elephant shower cake:
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(The Butter End)
The little elephant looks like a real stuffed animal!

White dragon wedding cake:
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(The Butter End)
This beautiful white dragon is made of 9 and a half pounds of white modeling chocolate! Even the lace wings are edible. This cake is so elegant and charming even with it being a dragon on a wedding cake! You can see a video of the cakes creation here.

A little different angle, with different lighting:
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(thebutterend)
You can see all the little details in the scales and face.

To learn ever more The Butter End Cakery, or to inquire about getting a cake, please see their website here.

Animals Made Of Fruits and Vegetables

Have you ever tried to get crafty with your food? Cake and chocolate are one popular medium, but there is another level of difficulty with fruits and veggies that are soft or difficult to carve, change color when exposed to air for too long, or vary widely in color throughout. I would love to try making animals for parties or to get kids interested in eating more fruit and veggies.

Some of the images I found are more simple, while others are true works of art.

Cucumber Orca Whale
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(source)

I like the use of the shape of the veggie and how it looks as if it is coming out of water. The fins as pieces of skin carved off but still attached to the main cucumber. Wonderful and impressive!

Eggplant Penguins
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(source)
I like that with just a little bit of cutting and slicing (and some eyes) these eggplants are made to look like penguins. Again, the fins made from the skin itself is genius.

Poodle made of broccoli
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(source)
An innovative use of broccoli! I like this dog for the nature of the piece – its simplicity and look. I think it is just one head for the body and legs, with a piece which was cut off placed as the dog’s head.

Watermelon Pig
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(watermelon carving)
I like this one for its simplicity, you can easily recreate this for your next party. If you would like the list of basic supplies and directions see Watermelon Carvings.

Watermelon Dragon – admittedly not the cutest animal, but this piece is incredible art! I would not imagine how you make something like this.
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(carvingnations)

Birds of Fruit:

I found quite a few birds made out of various fruit, they seem to be a very popular subject.

An owl made of pineapple, melon, orange peel feet, and a few other veggies. It was created to be a display for a cruise ship.
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(Ruby Princess Cruise ship)

Apple Duck
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(apple duck)

This duck is amazing for its simplicity in lines and the few elements that it needs to convey what it is. I think with enough effort I might be able to make one of these. I would simply eat all my failures!

Apple Swan
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(Iana_Star)

Okay, these swans add a new layer of complexity to the idea of an apple bird. With many more layers in their wings and tails I do not think that I could make one.

Kiwi Duck
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(Adrastia217)

Yep, I would not be able to make something this beautiful out of a kiwi! I would end up with kiwi goo because they are too soft and small.

Bird in Egg
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(source)

This cantaloupe, orange, and carrot (?) hatching bird is very cute! I love the feet sticking out, a very nice touch. I just wonder why they did not scoop the seeds out of the melon first? Maybe it acted as “glue” to hold the egg top on the orange head?

Orange birds sitting on pineapple trees
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(source)

These are fun display pieces. I like them, and I think kids would too.

Eagle
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(AFP PHOTO / Jan Woitas)
This masterwork was created at a German event in 2011 at the European Vegetable Carving Championships by Vadim Nefedov. This takes the idea of carved birds to a whole different level! So much detail with all the feathers, out stretched wings, and thin legs.

Bunny
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(Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)

I have no idea what these bunnies are made out of, but the simplicity makes them so cute! They were created for a fruit carving contest in Taiwan. I really like that they have little white puff tails.

Panda Family
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(Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)

This is another piece from the fruit carving contest in Taiwan. The pandas are very impressive. I have no idea what kind of food was used in their construction.

Lion
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(inspirefirst)

I love this lion! It looks like a whole squash for its body, banana peel legs/tail, melon head, and maybe a bean sprout mane. A very good use of multiple types of veggies and fruit to get different textures.

Frogs –
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(AFP PHOTO / Jan Woitas)

These two are made from cucumbers and carrots, whimsical and creative!

Crocodile
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(A. Shaikmohideen)
Made out of bitter gourds at vegetable and fruit expo in Courtallam. I do not think I have ever seen this kind of gourd before, but it makes the perfect skin texture.

Two dogs and a crocodile
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(source)

I do not know where this picture originated, I found it linked from a number of places without any identifying information. The veggie dogs are adorable! I think the crocodile might have been made out of the same gourds as the above one?

Have you ever made animal art out of veggies or fruit?

–Fizz Pig

Confectionery Magic

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Friday!

I have found another set of wonderful confectionery treats in cute animal designs to share with you. Cake, cupcakes, cookies, and sugar are wonderful mediums! I included a link to the baker’s website or facebook page so you can purchase some wonderful treats if you live in their area.

Kandy Cakes 

This bakery located in Stratford Ontario creates beautiful custom cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.

Zebra Cake

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Deer Cake

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Stuffed Rabbit Cake

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Giraffe Cake

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Butterfly Cupcakes

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All above photos are from Kandy Cake’s facebook page.

 

Made With Love By Me

This wonderful pastry artist from London makes and decorates beautiful cakes and cookies.

Owl Cake

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Lion Cake

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These photos are from the Made With Love By Me website, and more information can be found on her facebook page.

 

Michelle Sugar Art

Michelle Wibowo creates beautiful sugar art and cake sculptures, she is located in West Sussex.

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Tiger Cake

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Pegasus sculpture

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She even has a Guinness world record for creating the worlds largest Corgi cake.

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Here is a video of the real corgis eating the giant cake.

You can find out about pricing, see more examples of her art, and find order information on her website Michellesugarart.co.uk and you can follow her on facebook.

 

Highland Bakery

The Highland Bakery is located in Atlanta Georgia, and makes all kinds of baked goods including custom orders.

Wombat Cake

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Rhino Cake

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The above two photos are from the Highland Bakery’s website, where you can see more photos and learn more about ordering.

You can also follow them on facebook. Here are a couple of cakes posted on their page:

Dressed up Rabbit

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Chubby Bunny with Carrot

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Peeps

Valentine’s Day has passed so that means stores are now stocking Easter Peeps! It might be a bit too early, but if you love this classic marshmallow treat they are now out in stores.

Are you looking for Peep related gifts for Easter? I found a few great items available online from Peeps and Company.

1. Giant Peeps Plush Bunny

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Available in 4 colors (pink, lavender, blue, and yellow) these bunnies are 2 ft 7 in tall, and cost $150.

2. Giant Peeps Plush Chick

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The plush chick is only available in yellow, is 2 ft in size, and costs $150.

3. 18 Count Super sized box of Peeps

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Do you want to give someone a lot of peeps, all in one box? This box contains 18 boxes of 5 peeps each, this also is only available in yellow and costs $24.90. Of course, you can simply buy cases of them on this site as well if that is more your style.

4. Plush gift sets – $7.90 each

Bunnies

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This adorable set comes with 4 small 3 in stuffed peep bunnies, packaged like their real bunny marshmallow counterparts. They do come apart.

Chicks

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Again, this set comes with 4 small 3 in stuffed peep chicks and is packaged like the real candy.

5. Peeps Candy Coated Adventure Book

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This book is a mystery story about a family of peeps who have disappeared, and it is very funny! The book can be purchased for $12.95.

6. Peeps Recipe and Craft Book

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Do you have a lot of peeps but no idea what to do with them? This book will show you multiple ways to enjoy these sugary treats in recipes and crafts. This book retails for $12.95. This would make a great gift idea paired with a few packages of peeps so the person you are gifting has some to work with.

You can find all of these items and a lot more Peep gifts at peepsandcompany.com.

Cute Cake

It is time for another post of cute cake designs!

All cakes include a link to the bakers/bakeries that made them in case you are interested in ordering one of these designs or having them make something you are looking for.

1. Dragon Cake

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I love this cake’s cute little wings and expression, the look is completed by his pot of gold. This cake is from Cakes by Eve.

2. Baby Lamb Cakes

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Aww, little woolly lambs! These cakes come from D Bar Desserts.

3. Yorkshire Terrier Cake

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The detail in the fur and coloring on the dog is absolutely stunning! I would love to be able to add this level of fur detail to my own baking. This cake comes from D Bar Desserts.

4. Peacock Cake

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I love peacocks! Cakes often  have a more artistic or strange representation, but this one is both cute and elegant. I would definitely buy one of these cakes! Another wonderful example of work from D Bar Desserts.

5. Ark Cake

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Noah’s ark is always a cute choice for a baby shower or young child’s birthday. This cute cake comes from Gateaux Inc.

6. Otter Cake

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Otters holding hands is adorable, and they make an excellent topper for a wedding or anniversary cake. This is another fine example from Gateaux Inc.

7. Cow and Chicken

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The cow’s hooves and little ears are precious and I love the coconut (or chocolate shaving?) feathers on the chicken! These cakes can be ordered from Sweet and Saucy Shop.

8. Lions

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The detail on this cake is very nice and displays the bakers ability to portray animals. This cake comes from Sugarland.

9. Rubber Duckie

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Rubber Duckies are always cute for kids! This design costs $340 from Sharon Wee Creations.

10. Sea Turtle

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Sea turtles are cute too, this cake comes from Palermo’s Custom Cakes and Bakery.

11. Owl

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A cute owl wearing a bow with little wings and tiny feet, a very nice cake for a girl’s birthday. This cake is just one example of the whimsical and professional designs from Lulu Custom Cake Boutique.

12. King Charles Cavalier

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Again the fur detail in this fashion makes a cute, cuddly looking cake! Heavenly Bites Cakes created this puppy, you can read more about in on her blog here.

 

Cute Food Website

Today I discovered a website dedicated to sharing photos of cute food, cutestfood.com.

Here is the website’s logo:

Not all of the food is cute in the sense that it features cute animals, but there are a lot of adorable foods. I suggest taking a look at the site if you have a chance.

Here are some of the cute animal themed foods featured on the site:

Bear Ice Cream

Curry with an Alpaca on top

Bento Piggies

Dog Cake Pops

Elephant Pancake

Chick bread

Bento Puppy