I love seeing new cupcake bakeries opening anywhere, but especially in smaller towns, which proves that it's not just a "big city" thing, a silly criticism we here a lot. People love cupcakes all over the world (and have for more than just five or ten years), not just because they saw them on a TV show.
When I first saw this blog post I was wondering, "Ivey Cake?" Is that supposed to be "Ivy?" But no. The bakery is named after its owner, Ivey Baird.
Here's her story, straight from her website:
I am still caught by surprise when I think back on how I got into this business. It all started back in 1999 when I was fresh out of college and in what they call the "real world." The real world for me was going to an eight to five job and coming home to the same routine day in and day out. I looked over at my tiny little apartment kitchen and wondered for the first time if I would have anything at all to offer a kitchen. I took a stab at a couple of baking recipes as a first go round and discovered a mystery. In total confusion, I wondered how I could follow a published recipe perfectly and it not turn out. Since I didn't come from a family of bakers or even have the slightest drop of interest as a kid, it was easy to see why I would ask such a question. My determination grew and for the next two years, I spent almost every moment of my free time experimenting in the kitchen. I paid attention to the things that worked and I began to take risks with my own ideas which led to the development of my many cake flavors. The most amazing experience during this quest was when I was trying to figure out how to make a great strawberry cake. After several miserable attempts, I finally just went to bed frustrated. That night I dreamt step by step of how to do it and woke up knowing I had to run straight for the kitchen. To this day, my strawberry cake is made just as I dreamt it and is one of the most requested cakes on the menu.
Never once in those early years of experimenting did I imagine a business. The motivation came purely from a desire to follow my instincts of something I truly enjoyed. My hope is that each person would choose the journey of connecting with the things they really enjoy. I share a little of my journey with each of you through my cupcakes. Check out my many flavors and their many names. There is a story behind each one that I am sure we can all relate to.
These are the flavors (love the fun names!) they offer:
Goody Two Shoes - Vanilla with Buttercream Icing
The Apology - Vanilla with Chocolate Icing
Two Faced - Chocolate with Cream Cheese Icing
Bad Kisser - Chocolate with Chocolate Icing
The Rebel - German Chocolate
The Breakup - Red Velvet
Big Dreams - Strawberry
Lucky in Love - Lemon
Total Flake - Coconut
Out of the Funk - Caramel
Charmed - Pumpkin (seasonal)
People Pleaser - Carrot
• One (1) dozen cupcakes (include sprinkles and flower) $35.00
• Individual cupcake $3.00
*Cupcake orders placed in advance must be a minimum of one (1) dozen
*Specialty decorations are additional
Ivey Cake
100 4th Avenue North
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615.595.4353
Fax: 615.595.4349
Email: ivey at iveycake.com
When I first saw this blog post I was wondering, "Ivey Cake?" Is that supposed to be "Ivy?" But no. The bakery is named after its owner, Ivey Baird.
Here's her story, straight from her website:
I am still caught by surprise when I think back on how I got into this business. It all started back in 1999 when I was fresh out of college and in what they call the "real world." The real world for me was going to an eight to five job and coming home to the same routine day in and day out. I looked over at my tiny little apartment kitchen and wondered for the first time if I would have anything at all to offer a kitchen. I took a stab at a couple of baking recipes as a first go round and discovered a mystery. In total confusion, I wondered how I could follow a published recipe perfectly and it not turn out. Since I didn't come from a family of bakers or even have the slightest drop of interest as a kid, it was easy to see why I would ask such a question. My determination grew and for the next two years, I spent almost every moment of my free time experimenting in the kitchen. I paid attention to the things that worked and I began to take risks with my own ideas which led to the development of my many cake flavors. The most amazing experience during this quest was when I was trying to figure out how to make a great strawberry cake. After several miserable attempts, I finally just went to bed frustrated. That night I dreamt step by step of how to do it and woke up knowing I had to run straight for the kitchen. To this day, my strawberry cake is made just as I dreamt it and is one of the most requested cakes on the menu.
Never once in those early years of experimenting did I imagine a business. The motivation came purely from a desire to follow my instincts of something I truly enjoyed. My hope is that each person would choose the journey of connecting with the things they really enjoy. I share a little of my journey with each of you through my cupcakes. Check out my many flavors and their many names. There is a story behind each one that I am sure we can all relate to.
These are the flavors (love the fun names!) they offer:
Goody Two Shoes - Vanilla with Buttercream Icing
The Apology - Vanilla with Chocolate Icing
Two Faced - Chocolate with Cream Cheese Icing
Bad Kisser - Chocolate with Chocolate Icing
The Rebel - German Chocolate
The Breakup - Red Velvet
Big Dreams - Strawberry
Lucky in Love - Lemon
Total Flake - Coconut
Out of the Funk - Caramel
Charmed - Pumpkin (seasonal)
People Pleaser - Carrot
• One (1) dozen cupcakes (include sprinkles and flower) $35.00
• Individual cupcake $3.00
*Cupcake orders placed in advance must be a minimum of one (1) dozen
*Specialty decorations are additional
Ivey Cake
100 4th Avenue North
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615.595.4353
Fax: 615.595.4349
Email: ivey at iveycake.com
Comments
Great story! Glad your dreams brought you to tried and true recipes!
Anyway, her business seems really awesome and it's great that she can follow her dreams and goals in life. Oh, and the cupcake names *are* fun! :)
we also tried the "out of the funk"
(caramel) cupucake and it was equally as amazing! the caramel frosting was sooooo buttery, yummy!
the cake itself was so moist and fresh.
we got to meet ivey, and she is such a fantastic person, very friendly and just soo sweet!
i will be a regular!! you must go try these cupcakes!!!!!!!!!!!! it made my day!!
ivey...if you read this, HI!!!! i'm so excited for you!
~charis
after exiting iveycakes, we literally walked around the corner to curiousgourmet, and walked into a spacious, beautifully decorated dining area. the cuppies were beautifully decorated and presented. once again, i ordered a vanilla cupcake with a true meringue buttercream, my friend ordered a devils food with pastry cream and mini chocolate chips, and my daughter insisted on a vanilla cupcake colored hot pink, with meringue buttercream in a matching shade and sanding sugar. they were all very yummy, but the devils food one was out of this world!! after patronizing this shop, i truthfully feel somewhat sorry for the owner of iveycakes...i actually will give them a second chance, because every business can have an off day, but honestly, i will only do that out of fairness...my money is on curious gourmet, and we've already decided we're going to be having a girls day again soon.
I recently purchased a cupcake birthday cake at Ivey's for my husband's surprise birthday party and have not stopped receiving comments on how good the cupcakes were. I have brought out of town guests to the store, ordered cupcakes for holiday dinners and given them as corporate Christmas gifts. Thanks Ivey for providing top quality, creativity and a personal touch that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated!