Sep. 30, 2009 - Issue #728: Fall Style 2009

Annie Dam

Artistic and delicious cakes are the order of the day at Cake Couture

Yes, Annie Dam of Cake Couture creates designer cakes and cupcakes, but she looks at it a bit differently. "Really, it's art—edible art that stands out a bit and is a lot more fun."

So that's what Cake Couture is all about—edible art. But Dam's art isn't just edible, it's deliciously edible. You see, Dam caters to people who want something that not only looks amazing, but tastes amazing, too.

As the name suggests, Cake Couture is about custom cakes. Every cake Dam creates is individually designed based on the client's wants and needs. So, if you wander into the shop on a whim, you won't be able to simply pick out a cake.

But Dam, however, make cupcakes. You can pop into the store and choose one (or more) from the six or seven varieties that fill the display case on a daily basis. But you can still order your own custom-designed varieties.

"Our cupcake business is just starting to take off. And our cupcakes are a bit different—not only do we ice them, but we fill them, too. The filling takes more time, but it adds so much flavour that it's definitely worth it."

Cupcake varieties include black forest, mint chocolate, cookies and cream, lemon meringue and raspberry. And one of her most recent creations is the chocolate orange, a combination of fresh orange cream and chocolate-orange cupcake, and all topped with rich fudge icing.
With both the cakes and cupcakes, there's a list of flavours available. But Dam says you're not limited by that.

"I use recipes I've discovered over the years that work for me, but I'm always playing around with flavours. And if there's something a customer wants that's not on the list, I'll find a recipe."

With cakes, Dam says she will design whatever you're looking for, whether it's a 3-D replica of a favourite stuffed animal, a hand-painted imitation of your favourite photo or a sophisticated twist on a tiered cake.

"When people come in with their own ideas, that's what's really fun. I especially like taking a picture and turning it into a 3-D form. I've never done the same cake twice, so it definitely keeps things interesting."

To ensure that everything tastes as good as it looks, Dam focuses on using all-natural ingredients. "Our raspberry filling is made with real raspberries, and the black forest cupcakes use real cherries. That means our flavours are constantly changing, because it all depends on what looks good at the supermarket. When the strawberries are bad, I won't make anything with strawberries."

Dam has never taken a cake-decorating course or even an art course, but she has always loved cooking and baking. "I started off making cakes in an Easy-Bake Oven. But they frustrated me—I wanted to make something bigger."

Her Easy-Bake Oven days quickly ended, and cake-making became a hobby. "I always wanted to be a psychologist, so I got my Bachelor of Science degree at the U of A. I was going to do my masters, but decided to travel first." So she taught English in France for a few years and ended up meeting her husband there. He was from Spain, so that's where they ended up, and that's where Dam's creative side began to emerge.

"My mother- and sister-in-law were both very creative and loved to paint. I tried it, but I could never seem to finish a painting on canvas," Dam laughs. "But then I tried painting on cakes, and I loved it."

When a friend suggested she open up a shop and sell her cakes, "I thought it was kind of funny that people would want to buy them."

But the thought stuck in her mind. And one day, when she was back in Edmonton visiting family, pregnant and with her three-year-old daughter in tow, Dam decided it was now or never.

She chose now and stayed in Edmonton. Cake Couture opened its doors one month after her son was born. Her husband, because of his job, is still living in Spain. And they commute.

"It's hard, but I have a lot of help from my mom and my two sisters. And my baby is a little angel-baby. And now, because I spend so much time at the shop, I don't cook. I don't even set foot in the kitchen at home­—we eat out."

Dam says it's all worth it when a customer comes in to pick up a cake. "I love to see the looks on people's faces when they see their cake. I love to see the excitement." V

Annie Dam
Cake Couture
15008 - 87 Ave, 780.443.4083
cakecouture-edibleart.ca 

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