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What's a Wreck?

A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.

Now, don't you have a photo you want to send me? ;)

- Jen
Monday
Dec212009

Ho Ho Horrors!

Look, I know sometimes it's only natural to spend your workday fantasizing about the many and colorful ways your boss/customers/coworkers could meet an untimely end - I do.

That said, maybe someone should look into getting these Wreckerators a little group therapy time.

And here I never thought I'd get to use the words "cake" and "bloodbath" in the same sentence. (See? Dogged determination really can pay off!)


It's electric!

Wow. Who knew a cake could have such an open mind?

This Just In: A bakery butcher is on the loose! Suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

P.S. Make that VERY armed:

[Mr. Bill voice] "Ohh Nooo!"

"Oh, oh, oh! As if my merry man-jugs weren't disturbing enough."

[shining flashlight in face all spooky-like] "And aaaall that was left was a Santa-shaped smear on the floor, with the name "Dallas" ominously written beside it - in blood."

Derrelyn P., Tamara Q., Aaron D., Kyle B., Becca S., & Christie M., I gotta admit: after spending yesterday afternoon out in the teeming masses of holiday shoppers, I kind of relate to these Wreckerators. Then I watched Prep and Landing and got my holiday mojo back. :)

- Related Wreckage: Because We Need More Holidays


John's warning: The story below is very sad.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's charity is something different, so I hope you'll bear with me. You see, on Tuesday night 27-year-old Amanda Buckland lost her husband, her 4-year-old son, her 8-month-old daughter, and everything they owned in a house fire. (The house they'd recently begun renting had no smoke detectors.) She and her 12-year-old stepdaughter only escaped thanks to a quick-thinking neighbor with a ladder.

Take a second and think about that level of loss. I, for one, cannot even begin to fathom it.

So today, John and I are donating to the Buckland Family Trust, which was set up by Amanda's employer. I hope you'll join us by donating your dollar, too.

Click below to donate via Paypal, and click here and here to read the latest news stories regarding the fire. Also, many thanks to Kristie, who blogged about Amanda here.



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Reader Comments (144)

What the fruitbat is that 3rd cake supposed to be? It looks sort of like a wreath filled with intestines... Just what I need to get into the Xmas spirit! barf...

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

The "open mind" looks more like "open intestines!" Ewwww!

I haven't been on lately . . . giving final exams (including on Christmas day as Christmas isn't a national holiday in China) so I have to catch up on the charity thing. However, my heart goes out to Amanda and her family. What a tragedy.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterWriteCards

My husband died (in much less tragic circumstances) 5 years ago at Christmas time. I know only the pain of losing one family member. My special prayers to this woman and her daughter. God love them both.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKashmir

I cannot even imagine the pain that Amanda must be in. And her step-daughter. My prayers go out to them both as they struggle to continue on in this world. :( My heart just aches. I need to give my kids a big hug as soon as I get home from work today. :(

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCarol

WHY are there intestines on that cake?! WHY?

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterChris

I admire a wreckerator who can do brains AND intestines in one. That's talent

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNaomi Zikmund-Fisher

The third one is so... mystifying!

Is it supposed to be a flower? Or is the resemblance to a placenta-brain intentional?

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

While keeping an open mind I actually felt a chill and shuddered with the brain / intestine cake.

How can anyone "stomach" that cake?

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterduffylou

What a horrifying tragedy. I just donated and I'm praying that many many more will as well. Thanks for sharing it with us, even though, I'm still crying as I write this.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMary Y

I can't imagine a loss so painful, thank you for sharing the link to donate.

Lechelle
www.kellyandlechelle.com
hoping to adopt

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Like you, I cannot fathom that level of tragedy. I can't even think about it without my heart skipping beats.
I'll send over my contribution shortly.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSara and Randy

I'm not sure what's going on in most of these cakes, but they certainly are disturbing. Most of them do look like crime scenes. But what's the pile of pink intestines on top of cabbage leaves about? That one has me stumped (if I can use that word with a clean conscience after seeing those gingerbread men).

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterGary

I agree with WriteCards - I'm a medical student and the first thing I thought when I saw the third cake was "wow, intestine...how revolting"...I mean, great, you can do pink swirly things, but please stop to consider what that's going to look like when you're done...!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Although I live far from there now, this occurred near my home where I grew up (and will be traveling to this week). I followed the story online when it happened and was heartbroken for the family. I hope they find some comfort in the support of others this holiday season.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJWZ1978

Santa looks like he's sliding home on that last cake!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterkate

Jen, you are an angel. I hope the money you help raise for this family can get them a safe home in which to rebuild their lives.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTami

Only your site could make me laugh and cry within minutes.

Thank you for your humor, and thank you for showing us how we can help this family. I will be definitely praying for this woman and step-daughter.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCyndi

I know I've said this several times already, but I truly cannot thank you enough for your efforts to help Amanda.

I also want thank all of you who have read this post and are praying for Amanda and/or sending a donation. It really means a lot to have all your support :-)

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKristie

Mutilated gingerbread boy = Very Disturbed Gumby?

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAll Adither

Done, and done.

Thanks again for the giving opportunities.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMrs. Flax

The story of Amanda's loss literally almost made me throw up. I can't imagine the heartbreak and pain. Thank you for bringing her to our attention.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHenry and Chad

hee hee the last one is a Santa skin rug!!!

And the third one?

Epcot.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterFluffy Cow

Thank you for sharing their story. I posted a link on my blog - maybe it'll reach other folks that Cake Wrecks hasn't before.

Cathy

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCathy Davis

I'd take intestine cakes over that tragedy any day... my thoughts and prayers are with all those who suffer horrible tragedy this time of year.. and all year round... these stories are too numerous... may they all rest in peace (i have a nephew who is 4 named joshua... i have to admit that's when i started crying reading this story)

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBrittany

"The house they'd recently begun renting had no smoke detectors."

That's illegal. FOR THIS REASON.

What a hideous tragedy.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterB. Durbin

"Wow. Who knew a cake could have such an open mind?" could also read "Who knew a cake could have such intestinal fortitude".

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

The "brain" cake made me want to throw up! The "electric" gingerbread man is classic!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSuzanne Dargie

omg a pile of guts. *hurls*

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMiranda

I lost my son 4 years ago today, so I have a small inkling of what she is going through. I'm sending my best wishes for strength and love during this difficult time, and always.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNikki

Seriously- I think that cake decorators are doing their very best to appear on Cakewrecks- any publicity is good publicity- the last two months have been the absolute worst!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commentersophanne

Okay, after staring at that innards cake for way too long, I think it is supposed to be a (pink) Santa hat inside a wreath.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterhj

My heart breaks for that family. Just donated $50 and going to go hug my 4 year old and 5 month old.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAndrea

What the HAIL is that third one? It looks like a coil of...I'm just gonna say it...intestines. Nasty.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterandygirl

The person who commented that the house they were renting had no smoke detectors being illegal was absolutely right! The landlord should be COMPLETELY responsible for the entire expense, plus compensation for the suffering of this poor young woman and her stepdaughter.

There need to be criminal charges filed here.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Thanks again for all you are doing for charities this year. My own children are almost exactly the ages of Amanda's, so it really hits home. I have made my donation and hope many many more will as well. It's truly a pathetically small thing to do in comparison with her tragedy.
-
Melanie

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterFrauDrK

You know, you can get cutters for pre-bitten gingerbread people.see them here. There's no need to do-it-yourself.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBecky

That story about the fire made me cry. I can't even imagine going through such an ordeal.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Hey guys,

Apparently in the part of the country where this happened, landlords are not required to install smoke detectors. I know. Stupid.

john

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjohn (the hubby of Jen)

Cake #1 -- immediate threnody chorus came to mind:

Open me up at Xmas. Can't you hear me whine? Open me up at Xmas, I'm running out of time

Her boyfriend stuck me in this shoebox when I was fast asleep. Being the runt of the litter, the pet store sold me cheap.

Oh, open me up at Xmas ...

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commentermsyendor

Amanda's story is completely heartwrenching. I've made my contribution and would love to put a donation button on my facebook page for her. Does anyone know if that's possible? Going through my paypal account only seems to set one up for my own account. I'd like it to go straight to the bucklandfamilytrust. Thanks for any help!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLisa

As a mom to a 2 year old and 1 year old... The thought of losing both my children and my husband has me sobbing on my keyboard.

Thank-you for giving us the chance to donate to this family. I will hold my babies a little closer today.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterrandmberta

The first cake... is that a black Santa's head? Geez. The third cake... looks like someone got disemboweled and it was placed on a bed of lettuce, with mayo and mustard glopped around! Ho, ho, ho!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

A friend just lost everything in a fire last wk, but thankfully, only lost everyTHING. Donated, not a lot, but I know it adds up & that's the point... to do SOMETHING.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterVik

What a tragic choice of charity for today. Thank you, sincerely, for bringing it to our attention and letting us do something about it. And, while I remember, so so so so so many kudos to you for this charity countdown, and for all the publicity you've been giving to the various causes. Seriously.

...on the opposite end of the scale, because this is still CakeWrecks, that intestine!cake is like something out of a slasher movie. Augh!

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnonymous

Sigh, its not a wreath with mustard..It's the GRINCHES head (see his eyes up front?)...Looks like he suffered quite a head injury. Grinches have no brains that just have pale pink intestines...where do you think the term "(deleted) for brains" came from?

Now Im disturbed, cause I can translate that mess and decifer who it is. (maybe I watch too many crime solving dramas?)

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPaja

Although I couldn't give much, I'm happy to give to the Trust. When I was 10, my best friend's neighbour lost their house around Christmas. I felt so bad for their kids. They lost everything they had, but still had each other.

I hope that Amanda and her step-daughter can find comfort in each other during this trying time.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSaRa

Just yesterday, I actually finally "got around to" putting our smoke detector up in our home (we moved in about a year and a half ago, and the thing has been sitting on top of the fridge waiting to be installed)

It never really felt like a priority, and though it's been in my mind's perpetual to-do list, it just kept getting shuffled down.

But then yesterday, out of the blue, I saw it sitting there and decided that it had been put off for far too long.

And all the "job" entailed was finding a suitable spot to mount it and screwing two screws into the wall. There's really no excuse for putting it off as long as I did.

And now reading this, I see just how lucky I am that my procrastination didn't come with a price.

It's really something that shouldn't be taken for granted.

The family that's going through this tragedy has my deepest sympathies. Having a 2 year old and another on the way really makes this one hit home. I'm not entirely sure I could recover from that sort of pain.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDan

Is that third one a pile of poo or have someone's intestines been wrenched from where ever intestines come from?
seriously? WHAT is that?!?! It scared me it was so disturbing.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMarieA

Wow. The intestines just scream 'holiday joy', no? Speaking of screaming, I was the one screaming (with laughter) at the 'merry man-jugs'...

I very quickly stopped laughing when I read about Amanda. What an overwhelming loss, especially at this time of year. My prayers go out to them. Will talk over a donation with the hubs; this is definitely a worthy cause.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa (& Billy)

Great choice of charity -- is PayPal the only donation option? The link you provided doesn't allow one to donate without creating / logging in to a PayPal account.

December 21, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterceepdublu

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