Sarah Blood’s Neon Cake

A while back I got an email from a friend of mine who is a glass artist telling me she’s been invited to speak at the Glass Art Society Conference happening in Seattle. I was thrilled for her and especially happy she’d be coming to Seattle for a visit. She asked if I would I like to help her bake a cake and make tea as part of her presentation. “Yes” is a rather automatic answer for me anytime a question involves cake, be it baking or eating, so I enthusiastically volunteered to help. Though enthusiastic to help, I couldn’t quite get my head around how she was going to work cake and tea into a presentation on glass art.

Sarah Blood giving her Cooking with Neon demo

Her topic was working with neon in mixed media and she wanted to demonstrate how the meaning of a work of art can be transformed by changing the materials used to make it. Her current body of work called Luna Fossils combines neon and cement so she thought she’d illustrate her point by making a similar piece, but out of cake.

Luna Fossils in cement and cake by Sarah Blood

She invited the audience to help themselves to cake by breaking off a piece to eat. This interactive approach allows the participant to determine the shape of the edible temporary art piece as it’s consumed. A great example of how by changing the media to cake the piece is experienced in a completely different way from the cement version. Once the first fist-full of cake was removed, the surprise of glowing neon lurking inside the cake was revealed. Everyone was thrilled! Who thinks to bake neon into a cake? And serve it to people? This is why I love Sarah Blood.

Neon Cake revealed

With a chocolate cake the neon tube hides inside undetected until cake is torn away to reveal the bright glowing band of light. Change the material to white cake and the experience is once again transformed. The glow of the neon emanates from within the cake eliminating the element of surprise, but generating an equal level fascination and excitement.

Neon Cake by Sarah Blood

Needless to say, her presentation was a smashing success. Anytime you can serve tea and cake when giving a talk you are setting yourself up for success. Light it up with neon and you’re home free!

Interactive art, delicious cake

Being invited to grab a piece of cake with your hands is quite liberating. Who hasn’t battled the urge to do just that when standing in front of a beautiful wedding cake admiring the perfectness of it?

Chocolate Neon Cake

There are obvious risks with baking and eating a cake filled with glass and I think the “Don’t try this at home” warning is applicable. So you’ve been warned, don’t try this at home. I’d imagine it’s unlikely you have a 12” round of neon laying around anyhow.

Neon cake ready to bake in the kiln

Luckily the cake is very tasty on it’s own. It’s a classic pound cake, rich and buttery with just the perfect level of sweetness to make it a special treat, but not so cloyingly sweet that you regret that second piece. It’s the kind of cake that can be enjoyed anytime of day with a nice cup of tea. Though I don’t encourage you to bake a glass tube of neon into your cake, I will encourage you to let your guests tear it apart with their hands. See how that changes the dynamic of your gathering.

You can visit Sarah Blood’s web site to see more of her glass art.

Recipe link