Spring is just around the corner. Have you noticed the crocus and daffodils popping up everywhere? As a baker, I am really getting inspired!

Back in the days when I was a young cake decorator, a spring floral was pastel roses on any given cake. Now we classify a spring floral as a combination of tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths and crocus. These are just a few of the flowers we offer on our cakes.

You pick the flowers and colors and we’ll do all the work. Our decorators do a great job sticking to true-to-life colors as they appear in nature.

One of my crazy pets peeves is seeing flowers displayed in an unnatural way on a cake. When this happens, I have to ask my decorators in the most constructive way, “Is that how they grow?” The placement of the décor on the cake and the shape of the leaves should always resemble the actual flower or fruit.

I think this obsession stems from my father, a horticulturalist. My Dad grows an amazing variety of plants on our property. And I have always enjoyed working out there with him, learning about all the different plants and flowers.

Taking those elements of nature and incorporating them into a cake or dessert is something I love. Getting to know all the variety of berries, cherries, peaches, apples and other types fruit that grew right in our own backyard has helped me keep our flavor profiles pure. I always strive for the highest fruit content possible for our bakery fillings. “Is that really what a raspberry tastes like?” I find myself asking.

I love the Willamette Valley Fruit Company’s frozen fruit; it is so plump and perfect. We use it in our smoothies and for all of our baked goods. Willamette Valley Fruit Company also makes pies; you’ll find them in the retail section of our Bakery. Or you can make your own pies using their fruit; you’ll find it in clear bags in our frozen-food aisles.

Like I’ve said before, this industry is a journey and I’m always looking for the perfect ingredients for our desserts to give our customers the best baked goods possible.

Happy spring!