18/01/2026
Over the last nearly ten (!) years, my Panaderia has been about many things. For years, it had been about dealing with order after order, it was once briefly outsourced, it has of course also always been my love language and how I spoil my family and friends.
One thing that it is and always will be, is a way to celebrate. Any occasion under the sun. A way to try to keep going, no matter the circumstances.
I made this cake 24 hours after a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest, requiring resuscitation for twenty minutes (and had of course stabilized), to celebrate the fact that my brother and sister-in-law had finally decided on a name for their baby after calling her ‘Baby’ for 2.5 months.
But mainly, it was just to celebrate, to focus on the little silver linings over the gigantic gray clouds that life often turns into, to brighten up the tense faces around, to give all the kids in the family a reason to clap and get their hands messy with icing.
In all this utter chaos, if I can find absolutely anything to celebrate, I’ll take it. Without a moment’s hesitation.
Always,
Hareem’s Panaderia
