With her toddler carefully balanced on one hip, US mum Alexa Henry slathers her secret buttercream recipe over a decadent chocolate cake.
But this cake, like most of the keen baker’s treats, is for a stranger.
It is for a child who, without Alexa, wouldn’t have a birthday cake to wish upon.
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“As a mum, I couldn’t fathom a child not having a cake on their special day,” Alexa told 7Life of her hobby.
Since June 2023, the mum has been baking goods for at-risk and underprivileged kids in the Virginia area to help celebrate birthdays and other big milestones.
It was when Alexa became a first-time mum that she began searching for ways to give back to her local community, and she stumbled across Cakes4Kids.
The organisation is run by volunteers and works within the local region to support youth up to age 24 in foster care, homeless shelters, low-income housing, domestic violence, substance abuse programs and more.
“Having my first child got me thinking seriously about the responsibility of raising the next generation and how I can be a better role model,” the mum said.
While Alexa loves baking, she confessed intricate cake decorating was never a skill she had the patience for.
“I was woefully lacking in the decorating department,” she laughed, eager to hone her creative skills.
“Joining the mission though gave me a reason to slow down, focus, and connect.
“I found myself willing to work harder and devote the time needed to learning those skills when I knew it was going towards a wonderful cause.”
So the mum signed up last year, and aimed to bake and donate at least one cake a month.
After receiving submissions, Alexa would fully fund and purchase the items needed to bake the requested cake.
Sometimes she would receive a specific theme request or favourite flavour, but other times it would be baker’s choice, and Alexa would take inspiration from her own daughters’ interests.
“I often choose cakes with themes my daughter enjoys because I like to talk to her about what I’m doing and why,” she explained.
“It’s important to me that she grows up seeing her parents engage with the community and give back wherever possible so that it becomes a part of her too.”
Alexa will never forget the first cake she crafted with her daughter as sous chef.
The novice baker pieced together a two-tiered dinosaur-themed cake for a young child’s birthday.
She worked for hours to carefully stack the layers of cakes and perfectly ice the brightly coloured dinosaur for a child.
“It was my first time ever doing a tiered cake. I was so excited to be able to give that gift to a child,” she said.
Seeing the look on kids’ faces makes it all worth it, Alexa said.
One of her most recent creations was a carousel cake that she crafted last-minute and in one night — a personal accomplishment.
“I also like the thrill of picking up a last-minute cake to help another baker who had to cancel and seeing what I can pull off in one night,” she said.
“I like carving cakes and working to expand my artistic efforts.”
To date, Alexa has made 15 cakes and cupcakes celebrating not just birthdays but school graduations and even adoptions.
She is extremely proud to see her creations in good hands and watch and develop her baking skills.
“I hope everyone in a position to give back will seek out ways that are meaningful for them,” she said.
“Every little bit of ourselves and our time is valuable, so whatever you can give to others makes more of an impact than you know.”
If you’re looking to contribute to a worthy cause or make cakes for sick kids in Australia, visit Cake Angels.
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