It’s no surprise that her cakes have appeared on the Today show, The View and Martha, that her book, Confetti Cakes, has been featured in InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot and many more magazines, and that in 2008 she was selected as one of America’s Top Ten Pastry Chef’s in Pastry Art and Design. The talented Elisa Strauss, owner of Confetti Cakes in New York City, manages to enchant with every sweet creation she makes.
Her books, Confetti Cakes and Confetti Cakes for Kids, are filled with not only inspiring ideas for cakes, cupcakes and decorated cookies, but are thorough in their step-by-step instruction, so whether you’re a novice or seasoned decorator, you’ll be able to easily follow the instructions to making her adorable projects.
Not only does she teach private and group classes in her custom cake studio on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, you can see how she puts together some of her fantastic cakes, such as her sculpted dog cake, on her YouTube channel.
I am thrilled to announce that I had the opportunity to interview Elisa (my cake idol!), and will be sharing that interview with you here. Thank you so much Elisa, for your time and patience! (We did an audio interview, ahem, twice, but I managed to mess up the technology somehow!). I’m also happy to announce that Elisa has sponsored this giveaway for one copy of her latest book, Confetti Cakes for Kids!
Interview with Elisa Strauss
Marian: How would you describe your books to someone who hasn’t seen them?
Elisa: The thing I like best about our books is that there really is something for everyone. We have recipes for cookies, cakes and frostings for those that love to bake. And we have lots of tips and ideas for those that love to decorate. Each chapter starts with the easiest recipe to make and progresses through the chapter to the most challenging. The four chapters are for cookies, cupcakes, mini cakes and sculpted cakes.
M: Would you be able to pick your favourite cake/cupcake or cookie from each one of your books, The Confetti Cakes Cookbook, and Confetti Cakes for Kids?
E: That is SO difficult- like choosing your favorite child! But if I have to then…I really love the Sushi cake in the first book, it just has so many little details and I think the Pajama Cookies for our second book are so much fun- you can make them into any theme you want.
M: Did you always want to be a cake decorator?
E: No, I didn’t even think about it until I was out of college. I always thought I’d be a Doctor, Architect, Veterinarian. Instead, I combined all three of those with baker into a cake designer.
M: Where/How do you find your inspiration?
E: Everywhere! – I love textile patterns, architectural motifs, themes or the invitations/color schemes from the events I design cakes for. I especially love making things look realistic so I LOVE copying stuffed animals.
M: Where does the name Confetti Cakes come from?
E: It’s actually a really boring story- all the other domain names that I had tried were taken at the time (over 10 years ago!) so I ripped up the list of names, threw it in the air and I believe my brother and I came up with the idea for Confetti Cakes- the domain name was free so we took it!
M: Any words of advice for cake decorators who are new to cake decorating?
E: For the novice decorator I would say to try and work for as many talented people as you can before launching into your own company- our society doesn’t place enough importance on learning from our elders.
M: And for the experienced (as well)?
E: And once you are a successful professional don’t be afraid to learn from others. I love to keep learning new techniques and tricks from both professionals and even my students!
M: Would you have a number one, spectacular tip for cake decorating? -And then cookie decorating?
E: Well, I love when things look perfect so I always try to mimic real-life in cake. If I’m making a piece of sushi, I go out and buy a piece of sushi so I can copy every detail. For cookies, I love all the basics- use parchment to roll –out, use rubber bands on the ends of my rolling pin, but anyone reading your blog knows a thing or two about cookies…you are the expert!
M: Congratulations on winning the Food Network Challenge with your Massive ‘Special Effects’ Sock Monkey Cake!! What were the Food Network experiences like for you?
E: One Word- STRESSFUL
M: What new cake decorating tools or equipment are you excited about lately?
E: I would be remiss not to mention Disco dust-I just love the glittery effect it gives and a little bit goes a long way! That’s not really a tool though…hmmm…I am such an old-school baker, I still use my little tracing wheel to make “stitch” marks and a scalpel to cut out fine details.
M: What inspired you to write your first book?
E: The ability to touch a lot of people who I couldn’t physically meet and teach in person.
M: Do you have any ‘cake heros’?
E: I hesitate to mention a few because I have SO many but I adore Kate Sullivan of Lovin Sullivan cakes.
M: In your books, you make the instructions easy to follow and include a range of projects in terms of complexity. Do you have a target audience in mind with your books?
E: Well my mom always tells me I’m very literal so I guess that is why I wrote the instructions (and weighed out even the smallest sugar dough decoration) so meticulously. I wanted the explanations to be as clear as possible so people who had very little decorating experience could achieve success. But I also wanted to offer something to those who wanted to challenge themselves.
M: Are you excited about any new plans or do you have any plans to write more books, may I ask?
E: I would love to do another book but right now I feel that the best way to reach out to people is through video so that is where I am focusing my energy these days (in addition to my growing family!).
M: I understand you’re involved with Icing Smiles Inc. Can you share a little about that?
E: Icing Smiles is a non-profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes to families impacted by the critical illness of a child. Our mission is to create a custom cake for the ill child or their sibling that will provide a temporary escape from the worry and create a positive memory during a difficult time. Icing Smiles started in 2010 with one hobby baker. We now have partnered with over 2,000 volunteer bakers and proviced over 1,000 cakes to deserving children.
M: Thank you so much for this interview! I’m so happy to have met you, and to have spoken with you – you were a pleasure to interview (3 times!), and are truly a lovely person!
For those of you looking for Elisa on line you can find her here:
Website: http://www.confetticakes.com/
Books: http://www.confetticakes.com/books/books.html
Videos: http://www.confetticakes.com/video/video_home.html
Blog: http://confetticakes.blogspot.ca/
Twitter handle: elisastrauss
Facebook: Confetti Cakes
*
WINNER of Confetti Cakes Giveaway!
The winning comment is:
#204, Angie!
Congrats! I will be emailing you shortly.
Thank you to all of you who entered!
Confetti Cakes for Kids {Giveaway}! CLOSED
This contest is international. The winner will be chosen randomly at random.org. The contest closes at 7pm EST on Sunday, June 24th, 2012.
More gobblydegook details about official giveaway rules can be found here.
How to Enter CLOSED
It’s easy!
Three possible ways of winning:
Good luck!
xo,
Marian
Diana Munoz says
I would love to win her book!!
Cathy Pitre says
Hello from New Orleans! I would love to win this book! And share it with my friends of course 🙂
Rebecca Howard says
So inspired after reading this interview! I want to win the book, please!
Heather Lewis says
I would love to win Elisa Strauss’ book! Such creative and colorful creations! Thank you!
Jini Patton says
Hi Marian,
OMG…I would love to win this book. I bake all the time w/my kids for all types of school functions, benefits, parties, etc. I am definitely a beginner, but I love to learn, experiment and create.
I’ve shared this on FB, Twitter and will post about it on my new blog.
You may remember me by my previous email “lawprincess” before I became “makeupmom123” (Jini P.).
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
Rebecca Howard says
Shared on FB!
Cynthia Lopez says
I’m still learning and would love to win
Heather Lewis says
I shared this post on facebook as well and told my friends how much I would love to add this book to my collection! Thank you!
Ang Alford says
Would LOVE to win this book !! belensmama at gmail dot com
Ang Alford says
tweeted , https://twitter.com/belensmama/status/216920068238491650 belensmama at gmail dot com
Denice M says
I would love to win this book, I make cakes and teach cake decorating classes too. I would love to have the cakes for kids book to make cakes for mu grandchildren. Thanks for a chance to win.
Denice M says
I tweeted this contest too. #denice_morrison
Ang Alford says
Shared , http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsweetopia.net%2F2012%2F06%2Finterview-with-elisa-strauss-confetti-cakes-for-kids-giveaway%2F%3Ffb_action_ids%3D321299927958557%26fb_action_types%3Dog.likes%26fb_source%3Dtimeline_og&h=PAQEBueWf belensmama at gmail dot com
Denice M says
I shared this on my Face Book page
Susan Snow says
I would LOVE to win your Confetti Cakes for kids giveaway. I have your original Confetti cake book which I love and use all of the time.
Susan Snow says
I delightfully tweeted this post and also more than happily shared it with my 1500 friends on Facebook!!! I love your work!!!
Kelly Brewer says
I would love to win this book! I am just learning to get creative as our daughter has a severe peanut allergy and I can no longer just order up a cute cake from the local bakeries!
Carolyn B says
Would love to win this book. I have the first, and it is well worn. Thanks for the opportunity!
Rosalynne says
Tweeted on our page! @DoxieBaker
Esther says
Such cool ideas here….would love to win this book!
Rosalynne says
Shared the interview on our FB page!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Ronnies-Cakes-Cupcakes/122153491179091
Rosalynne says
Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!! Love her books!
Antoinette says
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Antoinette says
I shared the contest on my FB page!
Thanks again for the opportunity!
Dorene says
I would LOVE to win this book! My youngest child has been having food intolerance issues so store-bought cakes and mixes are out of the question for her. It would be fantastic if I could make her a really cool cake for her birthday that wouldn’t bother her belly! Of course, I’d share with friends and family as well. 🙂
Agos says
I’d love to win 🙂
Janell says
I would love to win the book!
rena says
Great interview! I’d love to win!
Andrea says
I would love to win this book! Lots of new ideas to make for my friends kiddies.
Ines Fernandez Hernando says
I love it!!
Ines Fernandez Hernando says
Shared
My facebook is ines fernan
Ines Fernandez Hernando says
Sorry!
Shared!
My facebook is Ines Fernandez Hernando
Rochel S says
ooooohh I would LOVE to win this!!
JoAnna says
I would love to win this book! Always looking for new inspiration!
Stephanie (bake with ginger) says
I would love to win!
Jen McM. says
Wow, Elisa is sooooo talented! I would loooove to win a copy of her latest book! Thanks for sharing the interview and for the opportunity to win!
Rochel S says
tweeted https://twitter.com/lake12/status/216951906893955072
Tziona says
Great post! Would love to win a copy of this book!
Theresa says
I would LOVE to win the book! 🙂
Theresa says
I shared on Facebook! 🙂
Naida says
Shared this post on FB 🙂 would like to win the book 🙂
Hana says
Shared on Facebook 🙂 Win Win 😉
Lisa B says
I would love the win this book! 🙂 shared on Face Book
Amy C says
I would love to win!
Stacie B says
I would so love to win this cookbook! You do amazing work!
Stacie B says
Shared on Facebook 🙂
Carolyn says
Win, Win, Win…shared on FB
Kerryanne Mohn says
I would love to get this book!
LoriN says
I’d love to win this!
Tanya says
Awesome. I love kids cakes