The First Annual Gay Easter Lamb Cake Bake-Along

Emerging from a hole to talk about lamb cakes (again)

Hello dear readers!

I never know how much you’re supposed to talk about the behind-the-scenes of working on a book. It’s tricky not to talk about the thing that is consuming your life, but a lot of cookbook authors seem to prefer to keep it chic and not say a word until the publicity wind up to pub-day truly begins. From afar, I understand this approach. It has a pleasing sense of surprise, and the delight that you could soon hold the physical object in your hand. My own book won’t be available until Fall 2027. If I don’t hold my tongue, will you be tired of hearing about it by then? I guess I’ll never know! I’ve always been a yapper.

A few months ago I turned in my first draft, and just this past week we shot more than half the photos. It was a herculean feat with a small but nimble team of four (myself included). I worked with photographer Denny Culbert, prop stylist Suzonne Stirling, and baker Haley Adams. I styled all of the food (and baked about half of the cakes as well, while Haley prepped the rest). We took over half my house and by the time we were through it looked like a bomb had gone off. Someday soon I’ll do a recap of all the textiles I bought off Ebay to use as backdrops (in the meantime please visit this store which sells remnants of the most gorgeous vintage silk kimonos, like the one pictured below). At the end of May, we’ll do it all over again to take the rest of the photos!

Meanwhile, it’s nearly Easter, and I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you that you could spend some hours baking a lamb cake this weekend. In case you missed it, I’ve previously written about my love for lamb cakes here. New Orleans has hosted an annual Gay Easter Parade for over twenty years, and this time of year always gets me in my feelings about my love for the queer community, baking projects as artifacts of kitsch, and the joy of making a demented edible companion. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lamb cake pan - I have a tutorial that doesn’t require one here!

On Saturday at 4pm central, I’ll be hosting a live virtual lamb cake decorating session that I’m calling the First Annual Gay Easter Bake-Along. To join, email a donation of any size to any organization benefitting queer and trans people in your community to bayousaintcake@gmail.com. In return, I’ll send you a recipe packet and invite you to the Zoom! The packet includes two cakes (one is kosher for Passover) and a buttercream. You have until Saturday at noon (US central time) to email me your receipts! Short notice, I know, but there’s always next year.

Happy Gay Easter,

Bronwen