Sunday Sweets: Fastastical Beasts

I can see that I'm going to have to be a lot more specific with Sunday Sweet Assignments: giving you guys free rein on the Fantasy theme has resulted in hundreds (and hundreds) of submissions. Don't get me wrong: I LOVE that you guys are responding so, er, enthusiastically, but I'm going to have to narrow down the criteria in the future.

Since I've got so much good stuff to share with you, I'm going to break it up into categories. Today's feature will be dragons and unicorns. Tune in next week for Fairies & Castles.

First and foremost, here's a flat-out AMAZING dragon from - who else? - Mike's Amazing Cakes:

You can tell this is for role-playing gamers by the corn dogs and mozzarella sticks in the background. Come to think of it, all this shin-dig is missing are some Hot Pockets! [cue Jim Gaffigan bit]

Here's another angle:

(Thanks to Christine C. and Sarah, who were among the first of billions to send these in. Check here for more shots and pics of the cake being cut.)

Next we have an equally impressive Unicorn and Fairy Combo from Sandra of Sugar Fun:

Visit Sandra's site to see in-process photos.
(Laura N. was the first to send this one. Thanks, Laura!)

Next, in the "so-cute-it-hurts" category from Richard's Cakes, we have a dragon...in a tutu:

So obviously when I say "I'm drawing the line at tutus" I mean "unless they're stinkin' adorable". Everybody got that?

And lastly, Julie W. found a not-so-great photo of a truly great cake:

Arg, my kingdom for decent lighting! Still, if you can look past the blinding flash and shadows, you'll see this is a gorgeous replica of the famous "Unicorn in Captivity" tapestry:

The floral work is exquisite, and I love the little tree. It was made by Magda's Cake Creations, and if you visit the link you'll see a few other angles there.

And let me close with another great dragon cake. Uh, let's see, first I have to choose one... (this is torture, guys; you sent in so many good ones!)

Ok, here, let's go with Kenya S.'s find:

I love that color. According to creator Shoshannah84 over on Deviant Art, it was inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders. Nice!

Thanks so much, everyone! Feel free to continue sending in fantasy cakes, but particularly fairy and/or castle cakes for next Sunday.

Winter Wonderland Sweets Continued

Here are some more amazing cakes you readers have submitted for the "Winter Wonderland" assignment.

Emily S. made this for her work's Christmas party:

Although those snowflakes are lovely and delicate, my favorite bits are the marshmallows and "steam" rising from the cup of cocoa. Why can't every workplace have someone like you, Emily?

Sarah W. was the first to submit this one from Highland Bakery, where the decorators prove that not all airbrushing is evil:

I don't think I've ever seen shading done so skillfully. Love it.

Miki W. found this electric addition:

You wouldn't think a string of lights on a cake would look elegant, but Dianne Rockwell (aka "The Cake Lady") really managed it for this wedding cake. Don't those snowflakes look like porcelain?

Here's the one you guys submitted the most, from Pink Cake Box:

Super cute. Thanks to Heather, who I think was the very first to send it in.

Here's one from the creator of the very first Sweet I ever posted: Mike of Mike's Amazing Cakes:

I almost feel chilly just looking at this; those snow-dusted pine needles are simply perfect.

And lastly, here's a gorgeously detailed bridal shower cake from She Takes the Cake:

Click on the photo to see the larger version: the lace work and ribbon are truly incredible.

Thanks again to all of you who submitted nominees for the Winter Wonderland assignment; I'm just sorry I couldn't include them all! Stay tuned for your next theme assignment!