Blog: That Takes the Cake

Need one of Julia’s foolproof recipes? Some stunning cookie decorating ideas? Or a quick fix on Julia’s latest news and events? Well then, you’re in the right place! Here, you can stay up-to-the-minute current on everything that’s happening in Julia’s kitchen and studio – and in that always-churning mind of hers! IMPORTANT: Julia is still formatting blog entries prior to 2021 to conform to the new site layout. Please don’t be surprised if some back entries look a little wacky, and please be patient as she edits them over time.
Julia M. Usher

Do It with Dimension

Overview: Take your cookie decorating to new heights – literally. In this demo at SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo 2023, Julia will design and decorate a dimensional mixed media cookie (or two or three!), perfect for springtime weddings and other

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Julia M. Usher

Tantalizing Textures

Overview: Take your cookie decorating to new heights – literally! In this 45-minute demo, part of That Takes the Cake Show’s special Cookie Track, Julia will design and decorate a dimensional mixed media cookie (or two), perfect for springtime weddings

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Julia M. Usher

3-D Cacti Container Garden – CANCELED

Important Update: Unfortunately, That Takes the Cake Show canceled on January 16 due to COVID, and so this class was also canceled! But there’s good news: Julia has relaunched it in Zoom format on March 19 and 20, 2022. Check out

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Julia M. Usher

Julia’s Cookie Art Competition 2023

After two years of running her annual cookie art competition online due to COVID, Julia returned with her judging team to That Takes the Cake (TTTC) Show in Round Rock, Texas at the end of March 2023. The turnout was

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Julia M. Usher

Julia’s Cookie Art Competition 2022

Important Update: Unfortunately, That Takes the Cake Show canceled on January 16 due to COVID, and so this in-person format of the competition was also canceled. But there’s good news: Julia will be re-launching her 2022 competition in a virtual

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Julia M. Usher

Let’s Set Another Record

In 2022, sponsors of Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ raised a record-breaking $20,000 to support cookiers and the advancement of their art. I challenge you to help take this number over the top again this year

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Julia M. Usher

My 2023 Competition Is Here!

Didn’t get a chance to compete in Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ in 2022? No worries, the 2023 competition has arrived with more great opportunities to test your cookie-decorating chops

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Julia M. Usher

2022 Competition Reboot!

Nope, I won’t let COVID get the best of us! Despite the recent That Takes the Cake Show cancellation, Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ will carry on in a virtual format

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Julia M. Usher

The Big Judge Reveal!

Hmmm . . . who are those mystery judges of my competition, you ask? I’m sorry if I’ve come across as unusually secretive or slow to reveal, but going virtual with Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ has introduced some new twists that have taken some time to sort through. One of those twists came with the judges

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Julia M. Usher

Call for Sponsors

Hello, everyone! If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know that I’ve decided to take my cookie art competition fully virtual this year. When the That Takes the Cake show was canceled in February due to the pandemic, I couldn’t bear the

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Julia M. Usher

There’s No Stopping Us!

Mark your calendars, cookiers! I’ve decided we couldn’t go another year without a little healthy cookie competition! As you may know, my annual Julia M. Usher’s Cookie Art Competition™ at That Takes the Cake couldn’t take place as usual in February 2021 due to COVID. However, it is going fully

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Just in time for summer wedding season, my latest 3-D cake tutorial is sure to wow – though it hasn’t a single crumb of actual cake in it! It’s all cookie, modeling chocolate, and royal icing. Another plus: it’s a lot easier to make than it looks! Though my four-tier version embraces my more-is-more mentality, the project can easily be scaled down by making fewer tiers. My tutorial also details every single step so that even beginners can follow along.

To celebrate its launch, I’m offering 50% OFF ALL OF MY TUTORIALS AND CLASS RECORDINGS through June. Just use CODE WOW50 at checkout. – Julia