Business Feature: Sparkles N Sprinkles (Bahrain)

Two entrepreneurs, two friends and A shared passion.

Today’s post is a very special post featuring ‘Sparkles N Sprinkles’ a customized cake business and their co-owners, (my BFF) Diandra N & her college friend Sineeta A. 

They are the masterminds (and the artsy bakers) behind the ‘customized to perfection cakes and cupcakes’. Their business was founded in 2012 in Bahrain. The business has travelled overseas as well and now can be found in Toronto, Canada too.

A few of Sparkles N Sprinkles creations. 

Not only did I have the chance to interview these two special and fun entrepreneurs regarding their creative-cake-business, they've also been kind enough to share their ‘CAKE-in a mug recipe’ (with step by step pictures!). You don't find cake businesses sharing their recipes but when they do share- you need to start taking down notes!

1.     When did you start S&S and what sparked interest in you girls to begin this business?

Diandra: S&S commenced on 14th Feb 2012. Both of us had this creative energy that we felt was best demonstrated in cake decorating. Not only was this something fun for us to do together but was also a very lucrative business. We were aware of the many high end bakeries offering this same service so we decided to offer quality customised cakes at an affordable rate.

Sineeta: We shared a common passion for baking, and i would say that's what sparked the interest. Also, it brings us immense joy when our cakes bring a smile on peoples face.

2.     What is S&S's signature flavour for cakes?

Our most famous and personal favourite flavour is the moist chocolate cake base with chocolate fudge icing. 

3.     What has been the maximum number of cup-cakes you girls have been asked to bake?

Diandra: As far as we can remember, a customer ordered around 30 cupcakes for a baby shower. It was quite hectic as we were on standby, waiting anxiously for the baby to be born. The order had to be done on the very same day but turned out to be one of our best cupcake collections.

Sineeta: This February, SnS had the privilege to set up a stall in Marina mall and was required to bake about 50 cupcakes for the event. It was a definitely a tedious job as I was pressed with time. But I would say in the end it was all worthwhile.

4.     Do you girls have any special occasion cakes that you girls have baked apart from birthdays?

A large portion of our cakes have been ordered for birthdays but we have also catered for anniversaries, farewell parties, festivals and hopefully in the future weddings!

5.     On an average, how long does it take to prepare a one layer cake?

Preparing the cake takes around two hours. But that is the easiest part. The process of carving, icing and covering the cake is the most tedious part which takes a couple of hours. So you see the entire process is pretty much time consuming. This is why we request our customers to place an order as early as possible.

Baking a cake is said to be simple ONLY once you master the art of blending, measuring, and working with temperatures and timings. Crafting them and putting together little details to form a creative cake that pleases the eyes, palate and heart - doing that is never easy. But these two ladies managed to put smiles on people’s faces every single time they baked now that, is a marvellous job and I couldn't be more proud to have Diandra and Sineeta as my friends.

Below is a 'Cake in a Mug Recipe' shared especially with the blog readers of Bits & Pieces from Venus. Thank you ladies! 

What you will need:

• 5 Tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
• Four and a half tablespoon sugar
• A dash of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 
• Four and a half tablespoons of  water (you may need to add extra water to get the right consistency) 

Directions:

1. Line a microwave safe mug with non-stick cooking spray.
2.Mix the dry ingredients together: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and make three depressions in the dry ingredients mix. In the first pour vinegar, vanilla in the next and vegetable oil in the third.
3. Pour water over the top and mix the batter well with a fork.
4.Place in the microwave for approx 2 minutes. (Note: different microwaves have different heating times, so check the cake in intervals and be sure not to overcook it.)
5. Insert a toothpick into the cake, if it comes outs clean your cake is ready.
6. Top up with whipped cream or chocolate sauce, sprinkles or whatever you like

Tip: You can even add chocolate chips into the batter for a richer taste.
 

-bpV