thai | SugarHigh by Donaya

I just feel this Thai New Year is an auspicious time to start a new step in life – to call myself as a cake decorator. I’ve never seriously viewed myself as one before. Cake decoration was just a part of my job as the co-owner of a small cupcake shop in Bangkok. However, the more I’ve done it, the more I fell in love with it. It has become the most fun part of my job and my days. So, I think I’m ready to present myself as one and will definitely keep developing myself in this sweet, happy path. This blog will be a place where I can share my work, my creation, my passion – my sugar-high life. Maybe all of you out there are better judges whether I deserve this title!

“Songkran Day is the Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 of every year and lasts for 3 days, which is also called the “Water Festival”. In the Thai tradition, elders and parents will be visited and respected by their children and grandchildren. The young pour scented water over their elder’s hands, they in return, wish them good health, happiness and prosperity. In the afternoon, Thai Buddhists sprinkle scented water on Buddha images. After that, they sprinkle perfumed water on, or throw clean, cold water over each other.”

I happened to have quite a few hours free this Songkran and wanted to create something inspired by the festival. A few things came to mind when thinking of Songkran, one of which is Malai (Thai-styled garland). So, I decided to start with just that…

It was my first time making a sugar garland and I didn’t want to be too ambitious with lots of details and complicated design. So, my garland was just a simple one made from gardenias. I made each flower separately and arrange them in a way similar to how the real malai was made.

Another unique part of malai is the string of crown flowers, ending with a rose. It’s quite easy to find a how-to VDO on how to make a fondant rose but none on crown flowers. I just had to improvise here and this is the result…quite satisfactory!

The roses got quite some compliments as well! 😀 Now that the malai was done, I just realized I had nothing to go with it! So, I decided to make something that was easy enough without planning.

And…here’s the total look…white cake filled with strawberry preserve and frosted with white chocolate buttercream…and of course, decorated with my malai. The background was inspired by water and the edges were inspired by Thai traditional lace dress and pearl necklace.