Illinois Cake Maker’s Salad Cake is the Best Self Care Dessert Ever

Every part of your being says, "eat a slice of cake," but your nutrition plan says, "eat a salad." You need to tell your nutrition plan to, "eat this!"

"Let Them Eat Cake."

Why isn't the history of that famous phrase above tied to a fitness trainer speaking to their class at the conclusion of Friday's workout? That's not where that phrase comes from, but it ought to be.

As a Type 2 diabetic (diagnosed in 1998), I look at cake a little like a fitness expert might, although I'm far from being one. A slice of cake, for me, is a "celebration." Most of the trainers and nutritionists I know might refer to cake and dessert items as a "cheat" meal or snack. The cheats and celebrations, eaten at the right time, actually have a positive effect on your body and your mind. Eating this cake can properly be described as practicing self-care.

It's a Cake That Looks Like a Salad

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This is one of the latest artistic creations from, Man Bundt Bakery, in the small Illinois village of Roscoe.

You really have to stare pretty intently at this cake to be convinced it's not actually a salad. Andy Skupien, the owner of Man Bundt Bakery, has built quite a reputation for his wildly artistic cake designs.

Yesterday I wasn't baking so it seemed like the perfect time to practice. There are so many talented bakers in this area... if I'm not improving I'm in bad shape.

I follow the bakery on Facebook, so when these Salad Cake photos were shared, I had to get a little backstory. Andy started by telling me that since he wasn't baking for a customer, he thought he'd attempt to make another 'realistic cake' design. Before the Salad Cake, he'd only done realistic cakes a few times.

Wow, right? Look at these Doc Martens

You have to remind yourself that you're looking at a cake. So yes, you can eat the Nintendo Switch below.

Andy shared that the toughest part of making the Salad Cake was making the lettuce.

The concept is simple... brush wafer paper with food gel and vodka. I use a lot of vodka for cakes as it evaporates faster than water. I made lettuce 5 times before I got a color that I felt looked natural. The first bunch was like radioactive lettuce.

Radioactive is the perfect description for this shade of green below.

For the vegetables, Andy marbled white and purple fondant for the onions. The cucumbers and tomatoes required some sculpting and a few small details with a paintbrush. Once the paint dried, he added a little sheen to them.

Now that we know a few things about what it takes to make a cake like this, let's take another look.

Bet you're wondering about that vinaigrette. The Salad Cake's 'dressing' is a combination of food coloring, piping gel, and vodka. Are you ready for a slice of salad?

I think it's time for Man Bundt Bakery to get into a cake-making competition show, don't you?