Bakingdom

All you need is love. And dessert.

Happy 5th Birthday, Bakingdom! {Giveaway} -UPDATED

by

Happy 5th Birthday BakingdomIf you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, than you know that this past Sunday, Bakingdom celebrated turning five years old!

If Bakingdom was a little human, it would be starting kindergarten this fall! It’s easy for me to think of my blog as a little human, too – as a child of mine. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this dear site of mine, but a whole lot more joy, laughter, and love has gone into, too. I love Bakingdom like a member of the family. <3

I truly can’t believe that it has already been five years since I first published a post announcing the beginning of my little realm on the internet. In that time, so, so very much has happened. We’ve moved not only all over the U.S., but even across the globe. I’ve been blessed to see my recipes and work featured in some prominent places that still make me jump for joy. Best of all, I’ve met so many incredibly amazing people, and formed friendships that will last the rest of my life.

Obviously, I couldn’t let this momentous occasion pass without cake. Obviously.

Cheery Birthday Cake by BakingdomFive years of baking, laughing, and caking calls for a pretty special cake, in my opinion. We’re talking lots of layers, plenty of fluffy frosting, oodles of sprinkles, and more than a little bling.

Whimsical Birthday Cake Details by BakingdomI prefer buttercream to fondant, so I kept all of my tiers sweet with homemade vanilla buttercream. For the bottom layer, I did simple, but elegant, swirls of pretty blue frosting, studded with sweet golden stars. My middle layer is cover with a lovely, plain layer of smooth white buttercream, and decorated with simple waves of blue that have been adorned with pearly sprinkles and more golden stars.

These two layers are totally making me dream of the sea and a pretty mermaid cake. I’m think I’ll have to make this whole cake again, except with green frosting in place of the blue!

Cake Bling by BakingdomAs for the top layer, that’s where the bling, and some quintessential pink, comes in! Not only did I makeover a grocery store candle with paint, glitter, and rhinestones, but I also layered the top of the tier with fine edible gold leaf. This whole top tier makes me giddy!

Sweet Whimsical Birthday Cake by BakingdomI think that the three tiers, and all of the accessories, came together beautifully. This is quite possibly my very favorite cake that I’ve made in the last five years.

Best of all, it’s hiding a sweet surprise!

Sweet Sprinkle-filled Birthday Cake by BakingdomInside of the top tier of the cake, I snuck in my very own Bakingdom-themed sprinkle mix. I’m pretty sure you can’t have a happier cake than one that spills forth sparkling sprinkles with the first cut!

Happy Sprinkle-filled Birthday Cake by BakingdomHappy birthday to you, Bakingdom! I sure do love you!!

Whimsical Sprinkle-filled Birthday Cake by BakingdomAnd I love all of you, my dearest readers. I love sugar enough that there’s not much that would stop me from baking, but to be able to share it with all of you, and to be blessed with your incredible support – it doesn’t get any better than that. Thank you!

Happy Sprinkle Cake Collage by BakingdomTo show my gratitude, I want to give you a chance to win a fun little something from me. 🙂

Cupcake Icing Kit Giveaway from Bakingdom

This weekend, enter for a chance to win one of five cupcake icing kits. Five kits for five readers to celebrate five years. 🙂

To enter for a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about how you first discovered Bakingdom, or your favorite post or recipe. Maybe you came along because of a cake recipe, or maybe it was some geekery that lead you this way. I know I can’t get enough of all of me Potter posts. 😉

Contest ends Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015 at 11:59pm PST, and you’re automatically entered to win when you comment!

This giveaway is open to international readers.

The five winners will be chosen randomly at www.random.org and announced Wednesday, February 4th, 2015.

I will contact the winner, so don’t forget to add your email in the email section!

**Comments are moderated, so if you’ve never commented before, it will take some time for your comment to appear! All comments will be moderated and posted BEFORE the closing of the giveaway.**

Good luck with the giveaway!

And the winners are…..

…comments 10, 52, 74, 158, and 212!

Giveaway-Winners

 

Congratulations Vicki Sianez, Angela Willis, Jen, Beth, and Luli!! Not gonna lie…it’s amazingly awesome how many of you found me, or stayed, because of all things Potter! Potter heads forever! Thank you all for entering, and congrats! I’ll be emailing you soon to obtain your mailing address. <3

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter, and to all of you for the support and love through the years.

Leave a comment

Comments

  2. I found your blog through Cakewrecks, after she featured your adorable black and orange halloween cake. I tried to make it myself, mine did not come out anywhere near as cute (or as neatly stacked) but it tasted delicious!

  3. I can’t remember the exact recipe that led me to your site – I know it was one of the Harry Potter recipes. And then I definitely remember browsing the site for a long while, just reading all the recipes!

  4. I started following your blog back in 2011 when I started baking myself! You’ve been a huge inspiration and my favorite blog. I especially love your Harry Potter posts <3

  5. I actually don’t remember how I discovered Bakingdom, but it probably had something to do with Harry Potter. My absolute favourite is your House Cake, with all the colours representing one of the Hogwarts Houses. After my exams this year I wil FINALLY have the time to make it too.

  7. Found your sight through foodie.com (so thankful I did) I was AMAZED BY your “Cinnamon Red Hots Shortbread Cookies” which I’m proudly making this week..thank you and Happy #5!!!

  8. Happy 5th, Darla! You are awesome! I can’t remember how I got here, but I’m sure glad I did. The first recipe of yours I tried was the homemade oatmeal cream pie recipe. I knew they were delicious when my mom told me never to make them again. No one could control themselves around that deliciousness!

  9. I found Bakingdom while looking for Doctor Who-themed recipes, and fell in love. Congratulations on five years, and thank you for sharing so many amazing and adorable – not to mention delicious – desserts (and more!)

  10. I found you and Bakingdom when I was searching for something Harry Potter related and have been loving and following you ever since.

  11. I love pink. I love the gold leaf. I just love your cakes. This one is SO fabulous! I’m intrigued by the surprise sparkle mix hidden inside.

  12. I can’t believe it’s been five years!! I fell in love with the billion-layer halloween cake and have been hooked ever since. Even better that you’re a Harry Potter freak!! Love it!!

  14. Pretty sure I found your site after looking online for a legit butterbeer recipe, and yours was one of the first to pop up. Came for the nerdiness, stayed for the cake! Also for your travel posts. I’m a military brat that’s grown up and is now engaging in Being An Adult in the Midwest, and I miss traveling every few years SO MUCH. Seeing all the places you go and the things you experience warms my heart while simultaneously making me insanely jealous. But just a little. 🙂 Happy Birthday!

  15. Hi. I love love your blog. You have been an amazing inspiration to me. I found your blog by chance and I am so glad that I did.

  16. Ohmygoodness! It’s beautiful and whimsy and pretty much everything that’s right with the world. I’m not sure when I first discovered your blog, it was so long ago. From your butter beer recipe to your nutella cookie sandwiches that my brother demands I make, your recipes have been at every major holiday for the last few years.

    The doctor who and many Potter posts will always keep me around. One day I will own a Hufflepuff apron because of you. Thanks for the last 5 years! (Not the musical)

  17. I found you as a link from another blog (I visit so many). I follow you because I think you create the most beautiful and wonderful creations.

  18. I love your blog so much! I discovered about three years ago and I’ve made a ton of your recipes. So delicious! A few that I’ve been planning to make soon are the Pesto Dinner Rolls and Butterbeer. There’s one Halloween cake that I’m in love with too. Has chocolate ganache on top with fun little pumpkins. My birthday is on Halloween so this is definitely gonna be my birthday cake!

  19. Happy birthday Bakingdom. I can’t remember how I came across your blog. I think it was a link from another blog.
    I love your photographs. They keep me coming back.

  21. Wow, I can’t remember how I found you. I’m guessing from a Harry Potter themed post. No matter, I LOVE your cakes and other goodies! This cake is just spectacular!! I adore how you blinged out the store candle. Why do the number ones only come in strange colors, anyway? And I love the top layer with its swirl for the candle, the gold leaf and the awesome surprise inside!!! I’d love to know who eats a cake this large, though.

  22. I remember finding your website through SprinkleBakes! Heather had made you a cake inspired by Firefly and I knew I just had to check out you blog–so happy that I did because there are recipes here that I make regularly! 🙂 Happy Anniversary, Bakingdom!

  23. HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY! I found your website while googling best baking blogs to follow to get some inspiration! Little did i know I found one with Potter madness too 😀 I love your blog and always look forward to new posts 🙂

  26. Happy birthday Bakingdom! I first discovered your blog when looking for ideas for my daughter’s Harry Potter-themed birthday and found your Hogwarts House colors cake. I did replicate it but not as nicely as yours. I love your lovely blog, your love of sugar and all things Harry. To many more!

  27. Happy Birthday, Bakingdom!
    While I enjoy all of your posts, I must confess I get really excited when I see a ‘butterbeer’ recipe. Harry is what got my son interested in reading and he is now pursuing a degree in English Literature. He has been to Belfast to study the Irish authors and studied at Oxford (C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, and a bit of Lewis Carroll)

    Thank you for sharing all you do!

  28. Happy 5th, and hopes for many more! French Toast Cupcakes with Cinnamon Streusel changed my life. In fact, streusel on a cupcake should be patented. Brilliant!!!

  30. Happy birthday Bakingdom!! The cake is gorgeous! Hopefully you have a fabulous day 🙂
    I can’t remember exactly how I found you, just that it was a few years ago. I think it may have been one of your geeky crafts (sparkly Doctor Who phone case, maybe?). I love your recipes and hearing about your travels. 🙂

  31. I think (it’s been so long now that I can’t remember for certain!) that I found your scrumptious blog through a shared post featuring your lovely Doctor Who themed iced cookies. I was hooked from that point on! I make your peppermint shortbread cookies every Christmas now without fail since you posted that recipe a couple of years ago.

  34. It was a healthy dose of geekery that led me here. I stumbled across a link to Butterbeer, and, HP fan that I am (the origins of which are a whole other story), I had to follow that little white rabbit to Hogsmeade.

  35. I have been following for a while but can’t remember when and love your cakes and posts well done on 5 years and hope many more

  36. Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Bloggiversary!! I simply love your creations, photos, Loki, and geekery.

    I first stumbled on Bakingdom when I saw your rainbow heart cake on Cakewrecks. I’ve been coming back ever since!

    Here’s to many more years of sugary goodness!!

  37. I found you through pinterest for one of your Harry Potter recipes but I don’t remember which one! I’ve enjoyed seeing all the pretty things you’ve posted since =)

  38. Happy 5th Birthday Bakingdom ! I discovered your fabulous site while looking for Harry Potter themed cakes for my son’s 16th birthday. I loved your idea with using icing to make the cakes look like the scarves.

  39. I can’t remember where I came across Bakingdom but I’ve been following for awhile and can’t pick just one favorite recipes! I especially loved when you lived in Oregon because I do too!

  41. I absolutely love everything about your website! What brought me here was all of your Harry Potter themed things, and then I discovered you’re a Whovian as well! That got me hooked right there. Love everything you do! Keep up this awesome work!

  43. Hi Darla!!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this AWESOME blog!! I absolutely LOVE the 5 year cake!! It is INCREDIBLE!!
    I found Bakingdom because I LOVE to bake, and you inspired me with all your adorable-ness! 🙂

  44. Happy 5 years! Love the cake, it’s very whimsical.

    I stumbled across your blog while looking on Pinterest for Harry Potter themed recipes for a marathon I was hosting one weekend last winter. I’ve been hooked ever since!

  45. Happy 5th Birthday! My younger daughter turns 5 in about 4 months 😉
    I was looking for inspiration and creativity in baking because I am a starter in beautiful & tasty cakes. And I so much love your pictures and stories.
    Have a wonderful 6th year! I’ll stay tuned 😉

    All the best,
    Stephanie

    P.S.: I love the Harry Potter books and was so “wow” about your butterbeer 😉

  47. I LOVE this cake! So cute! You’ve inspired me to use the star sprinkles I just got in new ways, carefully placed instead of just sprinkled in a pile. I first found you through a link on ThinkGeek’s facebook page, for your fish stick (cookies) and custard Dr. Who recipe. I didn’t even watch Dr. Who at the time (now I’ve watched all of the newer ones on Netflix, still need to watch classic and the 12th Doctor’s season(s?)) but it looked neat and I liked the idea. Then I saw your other posts and knew I had to follow =) Happy baking, wherever life takes you!

  48. Aww, 5 years old! I can’t remember when I first discovered you- sometime after your Doctor Who apron. This reminds me of a mermaid cake, too! I think an ombre seafoam on the bottom would be beautiful! Ohh, I love this cake. Def your best birthday cake so far. HAPPIESTS!

  49. This cake is AWESOME! The sprinkles bursting forth is the best surprise ever! I found you by looking for Butterbeer recipes, and stayed for all the cake and other Harry Potter baking things. 😀

  50. Happy Birthday Bakingdom! I came across Bakingdom years ago when I wanted some Harry Potter reciped. I spent an hour on the website flicking through the recipes, drooling over all of them!

  51. I’ve been around for a long time, Darla… following you for years. So long, in fact, I can’t even remember how I stumbled upon you… but I have loved every minute of it!

    That is one beautiful cake! <3

    Congratulations to you on 5 years of such a wonderful blog and Happy Birthday to Bakingdom… it sure is sweet! 🙂

  52. Happy Blogiversary!
    I’ve been following for a while… Not sure how I first ended up here, but your beautiful creations and love for all things Harry Potter keep me coming back!

  53. I think I was looking for an amazing frosting recipe to make when I stumbled across your fabulous blog. Your yummy baked goods are so fun but it was honestly your creativity and personality that made me a fan! Oh and the title Bakingdom? That’s just hilarious, even my hubby laughed when I told him about your blog.

  55. Most beautiful cake ever!!!! I first heard about Bakindom TODAY and I’m glad I did.. thanks to one of my favorite foodies Bakeaholic Mama.

  57. Happy Birthday Bakingdom! *throws sprinkles in the air * I discovered your website when a friend showed me your topiary tree cupcakes and said, “Make these!” 😀 your photos and recipes are always so original and pretty! Here’s to many more years ahead!

  58. Congratulations on five sweet years! I discovered your blog when one night in the gym, actually. I like to read when I’m on the upright bike so it feels less horrible. I got on my phone to Google “treacle tart” to finally understand what the neck it is and why it’s Harry Potter’s favorite. I spent that entire bike ride reading your posts and bookmarking recipes. I’ve tried a few and they’ve all been delicious. I especially love your Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins. Valentine’s Day is coming up and I’m thinking about making the Malted Milk Chocolate Sheet Cake again. That was so yummy. I made it at the last minute last year and couldn’t find Valentine’s Day sprinkles at my local grocery store, so I bought red, white, and blue sprinkles and obsessively sorted them to remove the blue ones. It struck me as something silly you might do, too. But maybe I’m wrong. Anyway, Happy Birthday, Bakingdom!

  61. I can’t remember how I found your blog, but you got me started on Marshmallow fondant and I have checked your posts countless times for tips! I love your whimsical style and sparkle!

  63. I’ve commented before saying how much I love your blog and your geekiness! It got me through some rough times in the last year. So happy birthday to Bakingdom, and thank you for all that you do!

  64. I think I discovered Bakingdom because Facebook recommended it to me. Thank you Facebook! I love the recipes, but I also love reading what you write as an introduction.
    Happy birthday Bakingdom!

  66. I having been following you for 2-3 years now. I can’t really remember how I stumbled on you. Probably through another blogger and I think maybe Pioneer Woman. Happy Birthday.

  67. Butterbeer lead me to your blog! I googled the recipe and here I am a few years later. 🙂 I always look forward to your new recipes…though mine never come out as pretty as yours!

  69. “Fish fingers &Custard!” 2011 post I found when searching for Doctor Who party foods. I love the recipes, I love the geekiness -thank you for what you do! Keep it up!

  71. Oh my goodness! This cake is BEAUTIFUL!!! I wish I could have a slice!!! XD

    I first came across your blog in 2011 when I was looking for Doctor Who recipes, and then I found your Fish Fingers & Custard post. The recipe was a hit at the viewing party I went to! 😉

  72. Darla!

    Tonight I cleaned out all of the old business cards that I had hiding in my bag of things to be incinerated. Of the dozens (hundreds?) of business cards, I kept three. Two were redeemable for free wine tastings. The third was yours.

    We met at Sur la Table several years ago. You were shopping for baking supplies. I was a worker bee. You were every bit as sparkly and delightful as the treats that you blog about. I always looked forward to seeing you come through our doors!

    Congratulations on 5 years. It’s a testament to your skills and charm. I’m glad to hear that you’re finding success and apparent happiness. I wish health and happiness for you and your family, now and into the future.

    Best,
    Maxx

  73. Happy 5th Birthday Bakingdom! I first found your blog through your halloween cake on Cake Wreaks and have been following you religiously ever since! My first Bakingdom creation I ever attempted was your red and green eggnog cake with marshmallow fondant. The fondant was an experience that’s for sure! I’ve tried so many of your recipes and they are always amazing and I love reading your blog and hearing about nerdy/geeky things that I love too (i.e. Harry Potter, Firefly, Star Trek, Doctor Who). Can’t wait to see what you whip up in this next year!

  74. I found you when looking up ideas for a back-to-school pencil cake. I LOVE yours, and I still haven’t made that cake – I need to! Happy Birthday!

  76. Congratulations on Bakingdom’s 5th birthday! And many more to come 🙂

    My love for all things Harry Potter brought me here. I saw the Hogwarts cake featured in Cake Wrecks (Sunday Sweets of course) and I fell in love right then and there; and I have been following you ever since. I have made some of your recipes with good results, but I’m too scared to do the Hogwarts cake.

    Thank you for sharing your recipes, your pictures, and your geekiness with us. It’s much appreciated 😉

  77. Congrats for an amazing 5 years!!! Here’s to many, many more!

    Your ‘fish fingers and custard’ recipe brought me around to your website, and I try to check in every once in awhile to see what else you’ve baked up. Your recipes are easy to follow, and they always look so good! I wish I had more time to try even more of them, but I’ve never been disappointed in anything I’ve tried. Thank you for doing what you love!

  80. I’m relatively new to the column….I found this site through another one…..one of the journeys one takes on the internet….but, I landed in a great place! 🙂

  81. I don’t remember how I ended here but I do remember it was a cookie recipe!! And now looking at this cake, I need to do something with edible gold leaf!!

  82. Happy happy happiest of birthdays!!! Actually I don’t remember how I came upon your site but I do remember why I opened it . the pastel colors you used on your title name and the pastel Christmas cookies you had made. I just loved that colors other than red and green could be used for Christmas. Look forward to your continued success!

  83. Hi Darla I don,t remember how I found your blog . But I just love it. Keep up that wonderful spirit and thank you for making our days a little brighter.

  84. Congratulations. .hope the coming years will be more successful. I ve’ been following you for years now..and I don’t remember how I get here in the first place 🙁 even though that u r blog is the first blog I follow in my life as I remember, now I follow tenths of sites, still ur e mail blog must open..

  85. Thanks for all your work, Darla!
    I found this blog when I discovered baking was my passion 2 years ago. I couldn’t pick a favourite recipe, but I would say that I love how approachable yet challenging your recipes are! I also love that you manage to create recipes that look great (like many baking blogs) but more importantly actually taste good (too many times I’ve been enticed on other sites by scrumptious-looking food, only to be disappointed with the resulting product when eaten!).

    Happy Birthday Bakingdom:)

  86. MEMORY DOESN’T SERVE ME AS WELL AS IT ONCE DID. I AM TRULY GLAD THAT I FOUND YOU HOWEVER IT HAPPENED.
    HAPPY 5TH TO YOU. I REMEMBER 5 WAS A GOOD AGE TO BE.

  87. Happy Birthday, Bakingdom! I can’t remember exactly how I first came across you, but it’s the beautiful photography and cakes that keep me here! Thanks for the opportunity to win some baking goodies!

  89. Hi Darla!
    First of all… This cake is amazing!! So fancy! 🙂
    Second of all… Well, I honestly can’t remember how I discovered Bakingdom, it was long time ago 😀 but since then, I admire every single treat you make! Especially the Harry Potter treats… So geeky and lovely! 😀 And the cakes! Oooh your cakes are unbelieveble… 🙂
    Anyway. Fingers crossed for the giveaway 😉
    Bye! Marta

  91. Happy Birthday to Bakingdom and Congratulation Darla for five amazing years of delicious recipes. We thank you very much! The Birthday cake is so beautiful and special.
    With warm wishes,
    Lin

  92. This is hands-down the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen! And the magical sprinkle mix that pours out of the top – seriously! I love it. Your blog is so gorgeous and I enjoy reading your posts so much. Thank you for sharing your creativity, humor, and killer baking skills! Cheers for another five fabulous years of Bakingdom!

  95. Happy Birthday, Bakingdom! I remember that I was searching for a nice cake idea with some creative decoration through the website and I discovered your site and since then I’m hooked. Wish you all the prosperity you deserve.

  96. Gorgeous cake! I absolutely love the sprinkles spilling out! I found your blog through Harry Potter recipes on Foodgawker several years ago, and have been following ever since. Still one of my favorites, especially the recipes!

  98. When I saw your cake, I thought it was magical! Which reminded me of how I first got here. I was looking for a recipe for butterbeer when I discovered you for the first time. The goodies always look so tasty and wonderful, but mostly I appreciate all the love you put into what you do. Congratulations on a fantastic first five years!

  99. I found your blog on accident, looking up Dr. Who thinks for my husband’s surprise birthday and ended up spending over an hour just reading posts from subversive else who loves baking, Dr. Who, Harry Potter, and Disney! 🙂

  101. I found your blog through Sweetapolita (i was looking for some cake recipes), and it was love at first sight! The pictures were so pretty, and the recipes sounded delicious!

  102. Congratulations! 5 years is wonderful!
    I do not recall exactly how I found you but I do remember that it had to do with cupcakes! I have been enjoying your posts ever since!
    Thank you!

  103. happy 5th blog anniversary !!!

    i first came across your site when i was googling “cakes for a harry potter fan”. And have been hooked since…

    My favorite cake of yours is your 30th birthday ” girly” harry potter cake with the phoenix.. genius n gorgeous!

  105. Happy 5th Birthday Bakingdom~ That cake is beautiful; I especially like the top layer with the edible gold leaf and sprinkles!

    I’ve been following for a long time now and, if I remember correctly, I stumbled onto your blog because I was looking for different cupcake recipes and HP related recipes.

  106. I found your owl birthday cake when I was looking for inspiration for my own birthday cake one year. The stripes inside drew me in, but after following your recipe and eating the single most amazing cake i’ve ever tasted in my life, I was hooked to your blog (and every year I still use your butter cream recipe, it is the absolute best). Plus all the HP recipes, I can’t resist following a fellow Potter head.

    Happy 5th birthday! May there be many more (and the top layer of that cake is going to be made for my birthday cake this year, it’s so darn pretty).

  108. I first found bakingdom when I came across your watermelon cupcakes. After that I was hooked lol. I make your favorite brownies and honey oat bread way too often(and possibly tonight again :-))

  110. To pick a favorite recipe or post is nearly impossible! So many great recipes to inspire me!
    I subscribed to your blog several years ago and have been enjoying it very much! Happy 5th!

  113. Congratulations on your first five years (the first of many, I’m sure)! Thought you might be interested – Although I love your desserts, the recipe that I’ve made and re-made the most isn’t a dessert – it’s your Soft Honey Oat Dinner Rolls. In fact, just talking about them makes me want to go whip up a batch! Thanks for a wonderful blog!

  114. I first found you looking at the rainbow heart cake, which to this day is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen done in a kitchen! Here’s to many more years checking out all the delicious things. 🙂

  115. It’s already been 5 years?! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Even after 5 years, I still LOVE your blog 🙂 When are you coming out with a cookbook?!

  116. Oh gosh, it was years ago that I first discovered Bakingdom! One of my first baking blogs I ever followed – and I’m still loving it all this time later. Happy Birthday!

  117. I first found Bakingdom because of fabulous geekery! I was searing for Harry Potter themed recipes and came across the wonderful blog Bakingdom and the Butterbeer recipe (which I did use at our HP Halloween party and everyone loved!). I would LOVE to see this gorgeous cake as a mermaid cake! Happy 5 years, Bakingdom! ^_^

  122. I think your birthday cake is one of the most beautiful cakes I’ve ever seen! I have been following you for so long , I don’t even remember how I came upon the blog!

  125. Happy Birthday Bakingdom!!! The first time I ever came across your blog was when an article on MSN.com talked about how you found a recipe for butterbeer that tasted like Hogmeade’s. I followed the link to your site and have been hooked ever since. Thank you for 5 fun years of baking.

  129. Happy blog birthday!!

    I know I found your blog during one of the Harry Potter weeks, and then spent all my electronic free-time right after that looking at all your previous posts. Gorgeous AND delicious foods, Harry Potter and Doctor Who- what more could I want in a blog!

  134. I came because of all the wonderful Harry Potter/Doctor Who fandom posts but I stayed because everything that you create is amazing!

  137. I found your website a few years back when I was searching for Harry Potter food recipes and fell in love with the site. Your blog is something I always find myself coming back to again and again. 🙂

  138. I just found your site today when I was searching for ideas for a five year olds girls birthday cake ideas. Love the cake and the surprise giveaway. Thanks!

  139. Happy Birthday! I think I’ve been reading your blog for at least three. 🙂 I remember I was looking for Harry Potter themed stuff and one of your recipes came up. I was so excited to see someone come up with stuff so creatively and love Harry Potter as much as I do.

  140. I first found it seearching for a butterbeer recipe! Never got around to actually making it, but I’m really happy I found this space :3 Happy birthday!

  141. I can’t remember how I came across bakingdom but it was years ago, and I’ve been enjoying your blog ever since. Congrats on 5 years!!

  144. Congrats on the blog’s 5th birthday! I love your website! I found your blog about 2 years ago while looking for a lavender biscuit cookie recipe, I saw your beautiful picture, made the recipe and ever since, I have been a fan! By the way, the lavender cookies were delicious!

  146. Well, first of all, HAPPY 5th! I recently was told about your site by a friend, and I LOVE it! I’m all about baking and blogging. Thanks for this great giveaway!

  147. Wow… i can’t remember how exactly i found Bakingdom except that i have been a follower since 2011 ! The cakes are always so pretty and in such lovely shades of pastel that I always just have this girlish bubbly joy coming out from me each time i see a new post.

    Keep up the good work and Happy Birthday !

  148. Happy Birthday! I can’t remember how I found your website, most likely via another one 🙂 I’ve been following you and your bakes for a few years now, and have made several of your sweets; they were much appreciated! Good luck with future posts, and I look forward to reading and reproducing them!

  150. Happy blogiversary! I’m not a frequent commenter (introvert problems…), but I’ve been reading along for years, and loved every post! You were the second baking blog I ever discovered (I think I found you via Bakerella’s links section), and your awesome geekiness makes it easy for me to relate to you. I hope Bakingdom’s next five years are just as sparkly and fun!

  151. I cannot remember how I came to find your blog but I do know I have been following for a few years now. Congrats on your 5th blog birthday! My favorite recipe ever from your blog? Crumb top coffee cake muffins. They are a favorite in a home. I make them every weekend.

  152. I found your website via a link on another website I frequent – but I do not remember which one. I am so happy I found you. You are an incredibly talented baker and I so look forward to seeing your creations every week!!! Congratulations on 5 happy years!

  154. I found your wonderful blog while looking for butterbeer recipes for a Voldemort Defeat Day party. I’ve been following ever since.

    Congratulations on five years!

  155. Happy 5th Blog Birthday! I found your blog through a Cake Wrecks Sunday Sweets feature back in late 2010 and I’ve been following your blog ever since. Your pumpkin bread recipe quickly became one of my favorites.

  157. I love your website. I am planning to make your butterbeer recipe when my sister comes home to visit since she’s a Harry Potter fanatic 😀
    Your blog birthday cake looks amazing too!! Well done!

  158. Darla, I found bakingdom when I was looking for Hogwarts themed recipes for a party I threw in 2011. I wish I had known sooner…I love so many of your recipes (they are all pretty magical) and look forward to many more years to come. Bake On!

  165. I stumbled upon your site via fb. My other owns a bakery and I use to work there until I moved to jacksonville. I miss decorating and am always looking for new recipes and techniques just for fun. I love your style and have saved recipes suggested by you I’m dying to try! Congrats for hitting the 5 year mark! Too many more! 🙂

  166. I found Bakingdom through Jen at Cakewrecks (I’m fairly certain)
    It was the top hats made of tootsie rolls. Right? I’m remembering that right, aren’t I?
    Your pictures and posts always make me smile.
    Happy Blogiversary 🙂

  167. i came across Bakingdom when i saw a picture of one of your cakes. it was posted on my girlfriends facebook page, and i was looking for inspiration to do wedding cakes. så i joined in, and wouldn’t be without your lovely pictures and fun comments.
    happy birthday. ☺

  171. i can’t keep away from Bakingdom, and have book-marked several recipes that I have and will continue to use for as long as I am baking 🙂
    I came about this website when I googled ‘Harry potter baking’ and found this website and Darla’s blog so easy to use and understand. I absolutely adore the layout/design and pretty much Darla, who I think is an amazing baker.
    I really like the fact that all the bakes on here have a connection to something that everyone loves- Harry Potter, Dr.Who…..totally appeases my geeky fan girl-ness!
    Wishing you and Bakingdom luck and success for the next 5 years!!!!

  173. Happy 5th Birthday. I ran across your page while searching for a good buttercream icing recipes. I love baking cakes and different things. Thanks for all your recipes. I look forward to many more.

  175. I don’t remember which recipe it was exactly, but I’m pretty sure I found your blog by coincidence when I was looking for a special recipe, and I’ve been following it ever since. Thank you for all the recipes you share with us!

  176. I found your Facebook page through another cake page and found my way to your blog that way! I love all your work and this cake is out of this world! I prefer buttercream too! Keep up the fantastic work!! 🙂

  177. I don’t remember the first time that someone re-posted one of your pictures and it came up in my newsfeed, but I was hooked. It’s obvious that you love baking, and that’s why I enjoy your posts so much.

  178. The buttercream on your cake looks dreamy! I have yet to master that smoothness on my cakes. I actually was introduced to your site through another baker buddy of mine and I love the “geekery”!

  181. Wow…Happy 5th birthday. Bakingdom!! I can’t believe it’s been 5 years!

    I started following you through Cake Wrecks Sunday Sweets with the absolutely gorgeous Halloween cake. Then I discovered that we are geek kindred spirits, particularly when it came to Harry Potter and Doctor Who. 😀 My favorite-FAVORITE recipe on this website has to be your homemade salted caramel mocha. You have saved me SO MUCH money! And the cupcake version is absolutely wonderful. But in reality, everything you make is delicious and your directions and pictures are so good and easy to follow. Thank you, Darla! Congratulations!

  183. Congratulations on your 5 year milestone! I’m not exactly sure how I discovered your blog, though I’m pretty sure it was one of your Potter related posts!

  184. Hey! I’m Raquel, from Spain, and I found bakingdom on Facebook. I’m always reading recipes in blogs and I LOVED your love for Harry Potter. Unfortunately I have not tried your butterbeer recipe because there are some ingredients I can’t find here, but some day!

    I want to thank you for sharing everything with us, your creativity and your work, because people like you make me love even more cooking

    Happy 5 years!<3

    PS: Sorry if my English isn't perfect!

  185. I found your blog through facebook when I was frantically baking and looking for pages to get recipes from. I feel in love with the 3 layered Neapolitan cake and made it the very next day. Was definitely not as good looking as yours but definitely must be as tasty 😀

  186. your disney fund vacation jar was what brought me here then I seen all the yummy goodies of course and LOVE the watermelon buttercream 🙂 Happy Birthday!

  187. Someone on my friends list liked a cake on your page and I was liel WOW! Since then I’ve been following you and love looking at all your beautiful creations

  188. I was drawn to your blog by your BEE-YOO-TEE-FOOL creations and photos. When I first returned to baking several years ago, I was just surfing the web and your site came up. I’ve been hooked ever since and you are my go to for recipes over and over again. Yours is the best buttercream I have found (I’ve actually had to reprint your recipe because I’ve spilled stuff on my original copy so many times!). Happy 5th birthday and here’s to many more!

  189. I am a amateur cake decorator and love to try new things. .
    i am on a fixed income so cant really afford to buy alot of things
    that would be cool to have
    would love to win..
    take care and god bless

  191. I’ve found you blog completely by accident but it was love from first site! I have a blog as well (candycompany.pl feel free to check it out) so I know how much hard work and heart you’re putting into yours! Good work, keep inspiring people 🙂

  192. Happy 5 Years! Everything you have made is absolutely beautiful! Keep up the wonderful work!

    I’ve recently hit my first year anniversary. I haven’t kept up with it as much as I would like to, so I’ll definitely be working harder!

  193. I found your website by accident actually. My mom and I were trying to come up with our own website for our bakery, and we stumbled upon yours. We’ve been in love with it since, and everything you make!

  198. Happy birthday! I can’t remember exactly what brought me here (it was a pretty and girly cake of some kind) but I’ve been coming back for just over four years now. 🙂

  199. Butterbeer brought me here (I made it for my daughter’s 9th birthday…and she’s about to be 12!) and I staye for all the great recipes. I assigned to make dessert for my sister’s big birthday in weeks…so I’d love those tips!

  203. Happy Birthday!! I’ve been following your blog for almost two years and I discovered it when I was looking for something to bake for a friend’s birthday. As we’re both huge Harry Potter fans, I made your Double Double Chocolate Cauldron Cakes for her – and we both absolutely loved them! =)
    Your baking is wonderful to look at and especially your Harry Potter baking is so inspiring – thank you!

  206. I think I found your blog about 3 years ago and I instantly fell in love with your nerdy desserts. I made the Hogwarts houses cake to celebrate my 23rd birthday and since then I’ve used your nerdy sweets to inspire my own. You and your blog are both fantastic! Congratulations on 5 years!

  209. Has it been five years? Sheesh! Congratulations!

    I stumbled upon this little bakingdom in 2011 while searching for Star Trek themed desserts. Your Star Trek sugar cookies post had me hooked! It was geeky, informative and oh, so creative! While I didn’t end up attempting to duplicate your cute masterpieces (that time), I did begin to follow Bakingdom regularly. This is one of my favorite sites to follow as I continue baking and sharpening my tasty skills!

    Thank you!

  210. I found you on Facebook!!! I have a sixteen year old granddaughter that loves to bake. I send her your posts often. I would so give her this prize!!

  211. Happy 5th Birthday! I remember I was on either Food Gawker or Pinterest ( I have three kids so my memory is not what it used to be ha) and I came across one of your posts because of the sprinkles and the girly colours. I had just got into really baking, so I just had to check you out. Then I discovered your obsession with Harry Potter and I was hooked! When you announced you were moving to the Netherlands, I thought cool a blogger living overseas (I’m a Canadian living in Sweden). You are one creative lady, and throughout the 5 years you have stayed true to yourself and what you love. Doesn’t get better than that! Here is to another 5 years! xo

  212. Happy birthday, Bakingdom! This was the first food blog I ever came across and I’m still very fond of it. I actually found your HP apron and then had to find out where it came from, which led me to your fantastic blog. I’ve always loved baking, but this re-sparked my love for it and showed me a whole new world of food blogs that I didn’t know! With this renewed love and in a very complicated time of my life I discovered baking was possibly my passion and I decided to dedicate myself to it. So THANK YOU! To many more years 😀

  214. i was randomly scouting baking blogs,and I stumbled on the chibi-Darla standing on a pink frosting background.I had to stop and take look and I found myself really loving Bakingdom.

  216. Happy 5 years Bakingdom! I’ve come across your website through Facebook few years ago! I love the amazing cakes and recipes on your website!

    xoxo

  221. I love learning about baking!! I love reading all the posts and articles you provide! Very informative! Would love to win the cupcake decorating kit as cupcakes are my favorite thing to make 🙂

  227. I found your blog on facebook and liked it because i am obsessed with cakes! Ive always loved decorating and being creative so i look at your blog for ideas.

  229. i discovered you blog 4 years ago while browsing Cake Wrecks. A comparative of cake creations that didn’t turn out so well versus a lovely design created by yourself. A happy and joyous 5th anniversary to you. I love your cakes. They are all so creative.

  230. I came across Bakingdom a few years ago as my love for baking and baking creativity grew. Over the years you have had soooo many posts and awesome ideas that it helped spark my own creativity to start my own Cupcake/Baking business. So for that I cannot thank you enough for the day to day joy I get from my life and business! I absolutely Love the variety and cheerfulness of all of your Cupcakes!!!!!!!!

  231. HaPpY bIrThDaY BaKiNgDoM!! I found you on Pintrest while looking for cupcakes. I started following you because of your beautiful creations, because I don’t have a creative bone in my body, but IF I did I would like to think that it would be close to yours!!! Since creativeness doesn’t flow through me I am extremely content with yours!!! Thanks for all of your wonderful creations that you share and I look forward to sooooo many more!!!

  233. Happy 5th birthday, Bakingdom! I discovered your website when I was looking for inspiration for a cake. I’ve been an avid reader of your blog since the start of last year.

  234. I discovered your blog through Facebook. After I followed some other baking blogs yours popped up in the recommended and I’ve been visiting frequently ever since!

  235. I first came to Bakingdom through a link on another blog. I think it was Sweetapolita, but I don’t remember. Once I knew you loved Harry Potter as much as I did, I became a creepy fan girl. I’ve been following your site for years, and I’m so excited for your 5th blogaversary. Congratulations, Darla!!!!!

Follow on Facebook!