When it comes to planning a graduation menu, most people will take on a taco buffet or some other main
meal concept, but prefer to leave the dessert to the pros, said Jane Patrzalek, owner of Jane’s Cakes
and Confections in Perrysburg.
Over the next few weeks, she’ll bake black and yellow cake pops, and cupcakes with little Yellow Jackets.
She’ll create some elaborate themes, such as cakes with diplomas, stacked books and "edible
images" of the graduate pictured as a first-grader and from today.
Patrzalek has even made a "scales of justice" cake, celebrating a law graduate.
Believe it or not, the do-it-yourself site Pinterest is fueling her bakery business.
"Some of them (the ideas) are so complicated that they wouldn’t want to attempt them on their
own," she said.
Sheet cakes are the most requested, Patrzalek said, but cake pops are becoming popular. The nuggets can
be dipped in frostings featuring school colors, then swirled in sprinkles.
"They’re much easier to serve. No one has to stand and cut a cake," Patrzalek said.
Good to Go on West Wooster Street also has a graduation cake specialty.
"We make a fabulous homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that people just love,"
said Deb Weiser, owner.
Other popular picks include an applesauce cake with raisins, a yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing
and frosted cookies featuring school colors.
If party hosts are planning on making their own cake, Weiser suggested doing it a couple days before the
event, then storing it in the refrigerator.
"Cake is better if you let it set for a day and let it meld with its frosting."