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Mardi Gras is one of the most vibrant, celebratory, and visually driven holidays of the year — and yet it remains one of the most overlooked seasonal opportunities for candy makers and chocolate companies. Every year, consumers actively search for...

The Ultimate Flavor Forecast for Cake Decorators & Cake Shop Owners (Including the Rise of Dubai Chocolate Cake) If there’s one thing 2026 is making crystal clear, it’s this: cake customers want more than “vanilla or chocolate.” They want experience,...

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ester Holt (@estercakesofficial) Thanksgiving is all about warmth, celebration, and gathering around something beautiful — and that includes dessert. While pies may steal the spotlight, a beautifully decorated Thanksgiving cake can become...

Easy cute Rainbow Cake Tuturial by on of our Caljava Influencers, Ester Holt of Ester Cakes. Everyday cakes don’t have to look ordinary. With just a few swipes of a Cake Comb, you can turn a simple buttercream cake into something...

A smooth buttercream cake is always beautiful — but textured buttercream? That’s where the magic happens. With the right Cake Comb, your cakes go from plain to showstopping in seconds. The secret lies in how easily a comb can shape soft...

Ask any pro cake decorator what their ride-or-die recipe is — the one that gets them through every wedding, holiday rush, or 200-cookie order — and you’ll probably hear the same answer: Royal Icing. This frosting may look simple, but it’s...

Learn how to price 3D custom birthday cakes like a pro with this essential guide for cake decorators and cake business owners. Discover how to calculate your true costs, factor in design complexity, and charge your worth for sculpted cakes that wow clients and showcase your artistry. From hidden expenses to pro pricing formulas and time-saving hacks using Caljava sugar flowers and ready-made decorations, this post breaks down everything you need to build profitability and confidence in your cake pricing strategy. Perfect for anyone running a cake business or leveling up their cake decorating skills in today’s competitive market.

Learn how professional cake decorators and cake business owners keep their cakes perfectly moist and flavorful using simple syrup. Discover the best recipe, pro tips, and flavor hacks for flawless cakes that stay fresh through decorating, delivery, and display.

Starting a bakery is a dream come true for many — the smell of fresh baked items in the morning, the delicate layers of pastries, and the joy of seeing customers enjoy what you’ve created. However, as with any business venture, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget some of the practicalities that can make or break your success.  After being in the cake industry for over 30 years, and growing up in a bakery as a child I've come to learn a lot from a unique perspective on the entrepreurial persuit of owning a successful bakery or cake shop.  I've spoken with countless business owners, all with their own unique success stories, and many with horror stories as well.  I'll try and summarize my conversations and lessons learned from all of these years in the industry.

Real poinsettias may look festive, but they’re not food-safe — their milky sap can cause rashes, breathing issues, and allergic reactions. This holiday season, smart cake decorators, chocolate makers, and candy pros are switching to Caljava’s gumpaste poinsettia sugar flowers — the safe, stunning, and ready-to-use alternative. These edible sugar decorations look just like the real thing but are completely food-safe, durable, and photo-ready for any Christmas cake, dessert, or chocolate display. Pair them with Holly Leaves and Berries to elevate your holiday creations without risking customer safety.

✨ Shop Poinsettias & Holly Leaves: CaljavaOnline.com

From flavor innovation to sustainability breakthroughs, today’s chocolate makers are rewriting the rules of indulgence. Whether you run a boutique chocolate shop, craft truffles by hand, or manage wholesale orders for seasonal demand, the next year holds opportunities (and challenges) that could reshape how you do business.  So grab your favorite bar, turn up the tempering machine, and let’s dive into the sweetest insights for 2026.

How NERDS Gummy Clusters rewrote the candy-aisle rulebook — and what your chocolate or confectionery business can learn from it If you thought the candy category was saturated and predictable, think again. In 2026, the confectionery aisle will be reshaped...