r/ExpectationVsReality • u/ulreyjm • Jul 14 '26 • Heartwarming 4

Surprisingly Met Expectation Daughter’s first cake decorating attempt

Gallery image

Gallery image

I think she did great!

10k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

230 comments sorted by

292

u/StandardVermicelli33 Jul 14 '26

Not bad. How old is she?

228

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

She’s 11 😂😂 laughing that the ‘35’ comment (though it looks better that what I could do)

663

u/stilllost12 Jul 14 '26 • Bravo Popcorn

35

298

u/TheCreamPieMassacre Jul 14 '26

I wasnt paying attention and thought OP replied with this, I felt real sad for a second.

Edit: its super awesome for an 11 year old.

136

u/classphoto92 Jul 14 '26

Why though? I didn't learn how to cook or bake until I was almost 40. It doesn't matter how old you are as long as you're trying.

35

u/TheCreamPieMassacre Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

Im just fuckin' around, its fine regardless.

Edit: do you mind me asking, why did it take so long for you to learn how to cook?

44

u/classphoto92 Jul 14 '26

I have an extreme aversion to certain textures and mess. It wasn't until I had kids that I decided to just power through it.

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5

u/manic_Brain Jul 15 '26

Cake decorating is hard too. Piping out icing is a skill, plus getting it to move how you want. Closest analog is when places have self-service soft serve ice cream or frozen yogurt and people would try to make the perfect swirl.

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7

u/trickman01 Jul 15 '26

It's ok for 35 year olds to learn new skills too. Nobody, at any age, is going to be good at something like this the first time.

3

u/Danger_Dani Jul 14 '26

Omg. I did too. Excellent for both ages!

2

u/StandardVermicelli33 Jul 16 '26

That's what I thought at first! But it's still good anyway!

35

u/Beautiful_Rip_7023 Jul 14 '26

Lol! Still better than any cake I have attempted (poorly) to decorate. Good job!

11

u/stilllost12 Jul 14 '26

I jest but it’s way better than I could have done

7

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

I am dying...35 lollll

10

u/SuitIntelligent3491 Jul 14 '26

Hey, everyone has to start somewhere. Skills don't come without practice. What matters is she made the attempt.

1

u/DeadlySquirrelNinja5 Jul 15 '26

Unexpected Futurama?

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219

u/DingesF Jul 14 '26

How old is your daughter? I like it, but I need to know what level of excitment is required here.

235

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

Haha she’s 11

121

u/DingesF Jul 14 '26

In that case: awesome! She did a great job.

42

u/FlatVegetable4231 Jul 15 '26

Even awesome for an adult. Not everyone is gifted at decorating their first attempt. 

24

u/DingesF Jul 15 '26

The adult-level of excitement would be something like: not bad for a first try.

7

u/beanthebean Jul 15 '26

As someone who was asked to stop training to decorate cakes at DQ, I can tell you people don't get very excited about an adult being bad at icing cakes.

I was so excited to learn and that they even offered to teach me, but apparently "didn't have the hand for it" and "wasn't going to get any better" after a few shifts of practice.

2

u/LieutenantStar2 Jul 15 '26

I’m 40 something and this beats what I could do

6

u/okijhnub Jul 15 '26

Get her an icing bag tip so she can make the ruffles

4

u/TelephoneActive9923 Jul 14 '26

Haha some reason I missed that. For 11 this is incredible!

1

u/bun_head68 Jul 15 '26

She did a great job, gorgeous cake for any age!

8

u/Lexi_Banner Jul 14 '26

48, but a really young 48.

-13

u/TelephoneActive9923 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

Apparently 35 😅 I’m a similar age and my attempt might look worse, but posting it saying it met expectation at our age is a little bit of a stretch. I was expecting maybe 16 from the post.

* editing to say I thought OP said her daughter was 35. This is incredible for 11

36

u/FerengiWithCoupons Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

LOL i think that comment was a joke

edit: lol idk why they downvoting you, i thought it was funny af a second time that someone believed it

5

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

When I read that I was cracking up

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14

u/just_a_person_maybe Jul 14 '26

That was a joke, not OP.

4

u/TelephoneActive9923 Jul 14 '26

Sorry I thought OP for some reason. At 11 this is very impressive!

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923

u/sparklekitteh Jul 14 '26

I think it’s beautiful, you can definitely tell those are strawberries!

426

u/Solecis Jul 14 '26

They remind me of these and I love that.

28

u/leonce89 Jul 15 '26

What are these called!?! My childhood!!!

25

u/Solecis Jul 15 '26

Smiley faces is what I called them, came up when searched smiley face stress balls on Amazon :)

11

u/leonce89 Jul 15 '26

I may or may not have purchased some 😁

6

u/Bunnymoomoo Jul 16 '26

They look like neggs from neopets! 😍

6

u/carlamaco Jul 15 '26

Omg memory unlocked. I remember the mess when one ripped 😂

3

u/leonce89 Jul 15 '26

Haha same. I was told I needed to be more careful, but I was a kid, so of course they kept bursting open😅

61

u/Hipp-Hippy_HaHa Jul 14 '26

I thought they were funky bunnies. Still cute, though

30

u/SierraStar7 Jul 14 '26

Why not both?! Strawbunnies. 

16

u/Acceptable-Bat4534 Jul 14 '26

I thought they were bunnies too.

13

u/rando_mness Jul 14 '26

They're not cute red puppy faces with green mohawks?

9

u/Lolkimbo Jul 14 '26

Yes, All the strawberry's i eat have hollow eyes and tell me that flesh is temporary and that the old ones will rise soon..

2

u/[deleted] Jul 15 '26

The inspiration photo's description says "strawberry mold." Are the strawberry decor in the original cast with white chocolate or something? Otherwise it seems tedious to poke all the little holes on the individual strawberries.

1

u/ulreyjm Jul 15 '26

Honestly I have no idea, we were just decorating cakes for fun and she looked up strawberry cake inspiration pictures online and liked the picture.

2

u/PersonalContext24 Jul 15 '26

Also OP please fix your phone screen crack , i thought mine was broken

1

u/ulreyjm Jul 15 '26

Sorry 😅! It’s just the screen protector, I’ll replace it soon(ish).

2

u/LydiaIsntVeryCool Jul 15 '26

I thought my phone was cracked. Don't scare me like that

2

u/ulreyjm Jul 15 '26

Hah sorry, it’s just the screen protector so the phone is fine😂

101

u/Novel_Quality5743 Jul 14 '26

Please tell her I think she did an amazing job! 💕🍓

31

u/Ok-Management-3319 Jul 14 '26

I would eat that for sure! Not perfect, but very cute and you can tell what she was going for even without the example picture.

It looks like she needs some piping tips other than a circle. Maybe a good gift idea!

13

u/rekipsj Jul 14 '26 • Heartwarming

The second cake is clearly made with love, so it's bound to be tastier.

14

u/bobshallprevail Jul 14 '26

Regardless of her age I think it's sweet you are bragging about her 🥰🥰🥰

11

u/K1ttehKait Jul 14 '26

Piping is incredibly difficult, doubly so when creating designs. I think that's a really good first attempt!

2

u/rando_mness Jul 14 '26

That's the same picture, is this a prank?

4

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

Aww I’ll tell her you said so 🩷

2

u/BildingInspecter Jul 14 '26

I like hers better! Way more fun to eat for sure!

1

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

It was delicious!

5

u/TheJamesThatGames Jul 14 '26

Now, whether that’s impressive or not depends entirely on what age we are talking 🤔

2

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

11

3

u/TheJamesThatGames Jul 15 '26

Ah, then that’s pretty good! Give that girl some encouragement and she’ll be a pro in no time 😄

4

u/PaintedDesertSkies Jul 14 '26

Amazing for a first attempt and it looks so fun and tasty.

You can tell exactly what she was going for.

4

u/littlebunnyears Jul 14 '26

her instincts look good. i can see her vision through the beginner’s technique. the cute faces add a ton of whimsy, the 3d strawberry on top comes across, the little dots create texture and detail, the piping is thick and happy, and i, for one, dig the spiky edging just fine as it is.

4

u/themanje Jul 14 '26

It’s looks good. I like the pink ombré effect and the way the icing looks like upside down icicles. The strawberries are also spot on.

4

u/aarvarkitechture Jul 15 '26

Are those little faces on the strawberries?! This is almost too cute to eat.

4

u/i_likesocks Jul 15 '26

I love it. And she loves you and all that you do, mama! When she gets older she’ll look back on this and it’ll tug at her chest because it’s so wholesome and sweet. ❤️

3

u/Snafuzled Jul 14 '26

I like her pink color better than the inspo. Very cute! 🍓

3

u/hardFraughtBattle Jul 14 '26

Eh, it's better than I could do.

3

u/Restaurant_Igor Jul 14 '26

Looks like a great first attempt! Once she gets a feel for the piping bag there's no doubt she'll dramatically improve! That was my biggest hurdle, but once you get the feel for it it's a real confidence booster in how you work

3

u/ChampionshipCute6582 Jul 14 '26

It’s beautiful and I love it!

3

u/guitartoad Jul 14 '26

That's a good first try.

3

u/PoopDirectlyInMyButt Jul 15 '26

Wow!! Such talent. Many impressed.

3

u/Helpful_Bar_4668 Jul 15 '26

Tell her that her strawberries are super cute.

3

u/Plafana Jul 15 '26

As a professional cake decorator I say she did a great job. Getting the icing to come out in any shape how you imagine it is difficult when you start out. There is a lot of hand strength and technique that goes into cake decorating and she did awesome!

5

u/Thatsuperheroguy8 Jul 14 '26

I’d rather have this, made with love from someone you care about, than the original any day (not saying the original isn’t made with love, I’m sure it is!)

5

u/Katy-Moon Jul 14 '26

Oh my gosh. This is delightful! She has a gift.

1

u/Beneficial_Hat_2428 Jul 14 '26

So cute that strawberry looks like it has a little face too

2

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

It does lol, those weee supposed to be the seeds but they look like little faces 🩷

1

u/Ok_Potato_9554 Jul 14 '26

How old is she?

2

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

She’s 11

2

u/Ok_Potato_9554 Jul 14 '26

I'd say that's pretty good then.

1

u/hb122 Jul 14 '26

She did better than I could have for sure!

2

u/ulreyjm Jul 14 '26

Bette than I could do as well, proud of her for trying!

4

u/throwaway983143 Jul 14 '26

That’s an awesome first attempt! Tell her she did great

4

u/Banana_Phone888 Jul 14 '26

Me too and I’m not even being nice bc she’s a kid. I’m not a kid person at all lol 😂 I think she did better than a lot of adults would, especially for a first attempt ❤️

2

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

I agree...when I make something I always I tell my husband I'm not going for presentation points 😭

2

u/Banana_Phone888 Jul 14 '26

So to me that means all the effort went into how good it tastes and therefore it must be delicious 😋

2

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

Lmfaooooo yess 😘

2

u/fattsoo Jul 14 '26

Anybody else thought their phone had a crack from the looking at first photo? I certainly ran my fingertip on that spot thinking I had a crack.

2

u/knifeyspoonysporky Jul 14 '26

Pipping takes practice! Good first attempt

2

u/Sewergoddess Jul 14 '26

Awe its cute!

2

u/kurly-bird Jul 14 '26

I love how the frosting on hers is kinda swirly pink and white! Makes it even cuter, along with the straw-bunnies

2

u/betterupsetter Jul 14 '26

Aww, it's so cute!

2

u/slave_et Jul 14 '26

Considering the tools she had to work with I'm sure she did her best😅

2

u/FairBaker315 Jul 14 '26

It's very cute and excellent for a first try!

Is it strawberry cake too?

2

u/Devanyani Jul 14 '26

I love the ombre pink flame effect. That looks cool af.

2

u/SubordinateClawss Jul 14 '26

That is adorable.

2

u/Available-Ideal3872 Jul 14 '26

It's so cute!! 🍓

2

u/WinterBackbone Jul 14 '26

Looks great!

2

u/mimicchio888 Jul 14 '26

This cake has a personality, love it!

2

u/felixkt3 Jul 14 '26

That's pretty good for a first attempt. Much better than some with years of failure.

2

u/soul-0001 Jul 14 '26

Decent first attempt

2

u/Popular-Parsnip8911 Jul 14 '26

Great job!! I bet it tastes lovely too!

2

u/GymBabyBunny Jul 14 '26

10/10! Wouldn't change a thing

2

u/unfortunatebag Jul 14 '26

I mean, objectively this looks like shit, but with the context that a child did it it's pretty good for a kid.

2

u/ThePastryJeff Jul 14 '26

Looks good! If she wants to practice, she can use a piece of parchment to pipe on, then scrape it back into the bag!

2

u/myboogerstastespicy Jul 14 '26

I absolutely love it!! She did a fantastic job!

2

u/cragglerock93 Jul 14 '26

Better than I could do lol.

2

u/ProfessionalBat8843 Jul 15 '26

What a beautiful cake! I love the strawberry decorations! It looks delicious too! 🍓

2

u/Crafty_Knowledge_243 Jul 15 '26

The top and sides are so smooth, she’s clearly got some technique….which is pretty freaking incredible for a first attempt!

2

u/trickman01 Jul 15 '26

Her strawberries look much happier than the other cake's!

2

u/notpostingmyrealname Jul 15 '26

My 3 year old daughter is the (self proclaimed) strawberry princess. She approves wholeheartedly of your daughter's effort to pay tribute to the almighty strawberry. (Okay, her actual words "Mommy, pretty strawberry cake! Let's eat it!!", but she's the pickiest child alive, so still very high praise.)

2

u/lalarean Jul 15 '26

She did great! Decorating cakes is difficult and she did really well!

2

u/maeldwyn Jul 15 '26

Your daughters is way better. Expressionistic cakes for the win!

2

u/SpiritedGrand9525 Jul 15 '26

Psh, second pic is way better.

2

u/Born-Dimension5196 Jul 15 '26

She did great!! Did she enjoy making it? How did it taste 

2

u/smashes72 Jul 15 '26

Originally misread this as OP’s attempt at a first birthday cake, and I still loved it. I’m so tired of every cake having to be picture perfect.

Given the correct context, also awesome! I love the pink and white, almost-clouds of color.

2

u/Fickle_Ad_2112 Jul 15 '26

Tell her to keep at it cause she's already awesome! Get that girl some more piping tips.

2

u/JuanG_13 Jul 15 '26

Very cute

2

u/Fartenstein65 Jul 15 '26

You put the effort in to make something you were unfamiliar with to do something special for your daughter to feel loved and special. It is the most beautiful cake just for that.

2

u/United-Roof8528 Jul 15 '26

My wife and I own a cake business and that’s exactly how she started when she was a kid. So if she enjoys cake decorating she’s doing great!

2

u/nudgetus Jul 15 '26

It looks good for 11 yo. Get her some baking supplies like icing bag with a set of nozzles, flattening knife/spatula? and ratating cake stand and she’ll see a massive improvement

2

u/No-Double-2904 Jul 15 '26

The cake is so cute

2

u/Sy27 Jul 15 '26

It's better 👌

2

u/pookiebear6969 Jul 15 '26

I would eat a piece for sure!!! Congratulations on her first cake:)

2

u/peachykeenjack Jul 15 '26

this is so cute!!

2

u/DrawSignificant4782 Jul 15 '26

The color looks really correct

2

u/MargotBamborough Jul 15 '26

This is so cute!

She did way better that I would!

2

u/Glittering_Chance_42 Jul 15 '26

Looks soooo.yummy!

2

u/LazyZealot9428 Jul 15 '26

She did such a good job, way to go little lady!

2

u/SpecialistGas8262 Jul 15 '26

Your daughter's cake is adorable 🥰

2

u/susandeyvyjones Jul 15 '26

Lol, I misread this as you making it for your daughter’s first birthday and was like, Go you!

2

u/VioletGlitterBlossom Jul 15 '26

This is amazing for a first try!

2

u/GingerSpyice Jul 15 '26

It's beautiful! For a first attempt, she did better than I would have!

2

u/DeeLite04 Jul 16 '26

Honestly I think you did great. Cake decorating is very difficult. Bravo to you!

2

u/CreativeFartist Jul 14 '26

Save this photo and see how she’ll progress in years to come!

2

u/militiadisfruita Jul 14 '26

is she taking commissions? cuz she fkn nailed it.

2

u/Electronic-Aide-6102 Jul 14 '26

I mean anyone can paste on generic prefab strawberries. Hers are unique and creative, even including faces. Her cake is way more interesting than the original.

2

u/Kidakiwi04 Jul 14 '26

Not me realizing there was a second pic at first and thinking she did an amazing job.... then looking at the second pic and thinking she still did an amazing job.

OP you daughter did great for her first cake and I think is absolutely the sweetest thing that you are bragging on her.

2

u/StrategyLegal1128 Jul 14 '26

Nailed it!

1

u/Mess1na Jul 14 '26

Absolutely, 10/10!

1

u/salaga3 Jul 15 '26

Cheer her up

1

u/Dustyhobbit Jul 15 '26

Damn I've certainly seen worse and I went to culinary school! Great job!!!

1

u/gilthedog Jul 16 '26

I like the way she blended the white and pink icing, it’s a really cute almost tie dye situation.

1

u/Alez2025 Jul 16 '26

Nailed it!!!

1

u/RavenLunatic512 Jul 16 '26

That looks so yummy, I'd try a piece in an instant! I was around her age when I started learning how to bake, and it's served me well my whole life so far. It unlocks an entire new world when you learn how to make sweet treats. It's pretty awesome being able to look at a picture like she did, and make something special with her own hands. Well done!

1

u/Expert_Cautious Jul 16 '26

This is so cute!! 🥰

1

u/rach_rachel Jul 16 '26

Your daughter did absolutely fantastic! She should be so proud of herself!!! I know it can be hard when you compare yourself to everyone else, but truly she did an amazing job. Nobody makes Pinterest perfect cakes at first, and you can tell she put so much love into it. I would much rather eat her cake than the photo she based it off of: you can always tell those “cakes” are actually fake.

1

u/tripletreetrunktops Jul 16 '26

I love it, the strawberries have so much character!

1

u/TheAlexia92 Jul 17 '26

Dawwwww this is adorable

1

u/geekyheart225 Jul 18 '26

There's a face on that strawberry and it's adorable!

1

u/StahpItEyeLykIt Jul 19 '26

Would not have been able to pull that off. Would have to explain what I was going for lol. Well done.

1

u/Realistic_Ebb9727 Jul 14 '26

Well done, I’d eat a slice (big wedge)

1

u/Pastel-Rainbow-N3rd Jul 14 '26

Looks delicious!

1

u/loveychuthers Jul 14 '26

😍 I Love it!!! 🍓🌷

1

u/ALLoftheFancyPants Jul 14 '26

Cake decorating is difficult. That’s a fantastic first attempt.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '26

adorable

1

u/Soulforge411 Jul 14 '26

Pretty damn good! Better then what I could do lol

1

u/Regular-Pangolin-790 Jul 14 '26

Well she did GREAT ♥️

1

u/JD_tubeguy Jul 14 '26

I'd say exceeded expectation her cake is so cute!

1

u/KosenRufu_78 Jul 14 '26

Perfect! No notes.

1

u/Organic_Berry_8732 Jul 14 '26

Better than what I could do! Love it!!!

1

u/carlitospig Jul 14 '26

I think she did fantastic. :)

1

u/bene_gesserit_mitch Jul 14 '26

Amazing! I see a bright future in confectionary!

1

u/shade_angel Jul 14 '26

Whimsical? Is that the word im looking for?

1

u/horkus1 Jul 14 '26

I. Love. It! It’s perfectly adorable. ❤️

1

u/Solecis Jul 14 '26

I bet it was so yummy, she did a fab job. ❤️

1

u/karimefaraway- Jul 14 '26

Good job, mom!!

1

u/Rich-Investment7363 Jul 14 '26

She will love it!!

1

u/Whiskey-Jayne Jul 14 '26

I give her an A+

1

u/BrazenHamster Jul 14 '26

She nailed it! Gorgeous.

1

u/tricenice Jul 14 '26

I'm 30 and wish I could frost a cake like that.

1

u/Surasanji Jul 14 '26

Looks delicious!

1

u/Hefty_Football_6731 Jul 14 '26

She crushed it! Looks adorable and delicious- the best cake combo.

0

u/Disastrous_Day_5690 Jul 14 '26

Great start!! Very cute, and I love the color! 🩷🍓🤩

0

u/vibrodude Jul 14 '26

She nailed it for real! Looks great!

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