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Meet Cynthia Janse van Rensburg

Candy & Lace Cakes

Kraaifontein, Cape Town

South Africa

See more of Cynthia's cakes at

“My baking studio is my happy place where imagination runs wild and there are no limits as to what can be achieved with cake and Bakels Pettinice!”

Cynthia has been Cape Town based since 1999. Her fascination with cupcakes started in 2009 when the craze hit and cupcakes were suddenly printed on everything you could find.

Cynthia decided to start experimenting with a few cupcake designs at a local flea market in 2010, and the response was so great that it fired up an interest to try more creative things with cake. Before long, she was taking orders for themed birthday cakes and trying her hand at this interesting new thing called "fondant."

Cynthia’s very first brand of rolled icing she purchased was Bakels Pettinice and fast forward 11 years, it is still her preferred brand!

Cynthia has had many ups and downs through the years, learning and growing through many long hours and some tears in between, but every single cake just felt more natural and it fueled her need to keep improving with every cake she did and now she cannot imagine doing anything else other than cake design. Cynthia’s passion is 3D carved and sculpted cakes as well as gravity defying designs.

What is the very first cake you remember making?

A very large South African flag, decorated in buttercream only with a half soccer ball cake on top of the flag. I over compensated and it came out HUGE but my client didn’t mind. ;)

What was the defining moment you realized you would do this as a business?

I completed my studies as an interior decorator in 2009 but struggled to find my first job because I didn’t have physical working experience straight out of college yet. I started baking cupcakes to keep busy during this frustrating time and realized that this is what I actually wanted to do!

What has been the most challenging cake you have made to date?

My 3D eagle with open wings.

What was the last cake that made you cry? (from joy even!)

Has to also be the eagle - happy tears from absolute delight for sure! ;)

What cake do you wish someone would order?

Anything out the box and gravity defying tickles my fancy! I love a challenge so as long as people keep sending these my way, I’m in!

What is your favourite part of the cake decorating process?

Adding details! Especially with 3D cakes. Things like dusting on colors for shadows, airbrushing, adding "fur" or wood textures, or anything that makes the cake look more lifelike.

What do you listen to while you are decorating?

I have a very diverse music taste, but mostly modern country (I have a whole gang keeping me company - Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen..) Otherwise on the complete flip side, I have Joyce Meyer encouraging me on the tv in my studio. ♥

What is your favourite Pettinice colour?

Chocolate Brown. ♥

Do you make your own birthday cake?

I have once or twice but hardly ever have time. Too busy baking cakes for other people of course! :)

What’s your favourite cake delivery story?

I delivered a wedding cake for a dear client of mine a couple of years ago, and as my mom and I got there, they were behind schedule with the decorating and had so much to do in the venue still, so we offered to roll up our sleeves and start decorating tables, filling favor bags, and just had such a lovely time with people we have never met. When the wedding started, they invited us into the church. What an absolutely amazing experience to see two African families sing and dance together. Their joy and singing could be heard for miles!

What’s something you wish people would know about your business?

I have been solely baking, caking and decorating for a decade now (since 2010) with no formal training, and it has taken a LOT of hard work, tears (happy and sad ones), late hours, frustration, excitement, achievements, tutorials and skipped holidays to gain the knowledge I have so far, and it would not have been possible without a wonderful client base who have been supporting me for years and years. I won't be able to work hard and create all these amazing cakes if not for everyone who believes in me and my business. I am extremely happy to be able to do what I do!!!

What’s next in your cake world?

Unfortunately I haven’t been in a position to join Cake International in Birmingham YET, but would absolutely love to be part of it sometime soon. Mostly I want my cakes to be bigger, bolder and better than before! I want to keep learning, improving and inspiring.