Confectionery Magic: Magpies Cakes

I’ve always had something of a sweet tooth and when the cupcake craze hit, I couldn’t have been happier. I guess you could say I’m a cake snob, especially where icing is concerned. Imagine how happy it makes me that my favorite southern bakery has the slogan of “All butter, all the time.”

I first visited Magpies Cakes in Knoxville, Tennessee while I was a college student. The brainchild of confectionery mastermind Peggy Hambright, Magpies offers a full menu of cupcakes, cakes and pies.

The shop’s wedding cakes are to-die-for. The celebration cakes (of which I’ve bought many over the years) are always a huge hit at parties & gatherings.

I once transported a giant vanilla butter cream sheet cake from Magpies across the state of Tennessee for a double-surprise birthday party and even yelled at my southern beau when I thought his driving wasn’t up to par for the cake. I take this stuff seriously.

There’s something so decadent about the idea of having your very own cake (even when you share it with others)…whether it’s your birthday or another special occasion. I always think about a passage from a favorite southern book of mine “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.”

In the book, the children (petite Ya-Yas) in the Walker family have a special bakery-made birthday cake for the big family party. But unbeknownst to their father, there is also a second cake….presented to the recipient in secret, first thing on the morning of his or her birthday and eaten right away.

According to the children’s father, this is what is known as a “whore’s breakfast” and completely inappropriate.

All through the year, I try to eat a healthy balanced breakfast…but when my birthday rolls around, I always enjoy a cupcake or two as my own “whore’s breakfast.” I like to think of it as my own little secret tradition.

Do you have any special birthday traditions that involve confectionery treats?