Sunday Sweets: Harry Potter
July 12, 2009 Years ago, Jen and I were in an airport with nothing to read. So, like so many other hapless victims, we decided to peruse the local den of thieves (aka airport gift shop). On a whim, Jen picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Little did I know that that would be the beginning of what has become a minor obsession in my life. We've been to midnight book releases, I listen to the audio books at work over and over, and naturally I'm far more excited about the movies than any grown man probably should be. So, with the sixth film coming out this Wednesday, I asked Jen to let me do this week's Sunday Sweets.
Now, put down those Fizzing Wizzbies, and let's admire the works of some of the finest Muggle bakers around!
You guys asked for more 2D cakes, so check out this awesome fondant-free example:
We're pretty sure that's either a chocolate or butter cream transfer on the top - cool, huh? I found it on Decolicious!'s Flickr stream.
Next is Margie's amazing Sorting Hat:
For those of you who are not (yet) die-hard Potter fans, the sorting hat is a magical talking hat. Who sometimes sings. Or produces swords. Or bursts into flames. (Just read the books, Ok?)
This next one is reeeeally exciting [pushing up glasses]:
It's a book cake, yes. But not just ANY book cake; a book cake with the very last line from the series on it:
"All was well." [tearing up] This is so beautiful. It's from the aptly named Mike's Amazing Cakes.
And finally, here's the Hogwarts cake Duff and his team from Charm City Cakes made:
I think this was for the last movie's premier.
Here's a closeup:
I know what you're thinking, and yes, there actually are more great Harry Potter cakes out there. You'll just have to tune in next Sunday to see the rest of them. (And if you have one to nominate, you can send it to us at Sunday Sweets [at] Cake Wrecks [dot] com.)
And finally, I know there are still some folks out there who don't like Harry Potter, for any of a number of reasons. I doubt I'll be able to change your mind if that's the case, but I do want to share what I think is the best end result of JK Rowling's work:
Little kids reading 800 page books - now THAT is Sunday Sweets worthy.
Reader Comments (255)
You know what would be even better? For little kids to be reading a WELL WRITTEN 800 page book. Or a WELL WRITTEN 100 page book. 800 pages does not spell "quality". Sadly, Harry Potter is derivative of every other myth, legend and fantasy novel Rowling could copy, steal from, adapt, or rip off. And her prose is lousy, too. How about getting the little guys to read Tolkien, Blume, Cleary, L'Engle, Tannenbaum or others? There are good modern children's literature authors out there, but Rowling really ain't one of them.
Pft! As if! Rowling has made a GREAT mark in History, imagine life without Harry Potter!
and the truth is, most of the author's you mentioned are boring. good luck tryiong to get a kid to read that. kids want fun! fantasy! adventure! can't you just enjoy this majestic series and live your life?
Love the blog! I'm kind of a new comer, which is why I'm commenting so late in the game. I couldn't resist the oppertunity to teach the public a bit.
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I love the fact that children are reading.
I am also a witch who is very serious about her religion and a little insulted that people mix my faith in with fiction.
First off. Witchcraft, the religion first appeared 28000 bc. Witchcraft is sprinkled all over the bible. Why did the three wisemen give baby jesus frankencense and mur? Because Frankencense and Mur and thought to be able to ward off evil spirits and negativity. Many branches of Christianity have been mixed with branches of Witchcraft. These branches of churches are labelled as "Our lady", which is one of the main terms used for our Goddesses. Also, the bible had no traces of anti-witchcraft until King James trancelated the bible to english. He changed many parts the indicated it was a sin to be Jewish to Witchcraft. He went on a rampage where he tortured and killed many men and women (and hung one dog, because he was a moron) for their religious beliefs. When he couldn't find anyone causing harm with their pagan practises? He decided that Witchcraft simply didn't exist.
Witchcraft, Paganism, and the Wiccan religion are protected under the 1st and 14th amendment as of the 80's. The US Army has classes to teach their clergy how to lead witchcraft ceremony.
Please be respectful of other peoples religious choices, just as we are of yours.
Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now! :)
I'll stop now :)
To Jamie: I find it interesting that you lump C.S. Lewis in your list of devil-worshipping fiction writers, considering he was a celebrated Christian Apologist, and wrote mostly non-fiction novels on the subject of Christian faith and discovery. The Narnia novels, in themselves, are one the prime examples of allegory in the history of literature, with Aslan being the correlate figure to Christ, and the White Witch to Satan.
Kids reading is the best result of her work, but you know the worst? The part that you got all teary at. That was, quite possibly, the worst ending words to any book I've ever read. And I've read many books (though admittedly not many shocking ones). Ew. Hate. *glare*
((No joke. I actually liked the HP series, but after reading the epilogue I was tempted to stab and/or tear out the last pages. If the book was mine, I'm sure I would have))
My only question is.... was the marvelous book cake supposed to be Tom Riddle's diary??? If so then AAAWWW is Voldy jealous???