Cakes by Esmée
In this edition of “Bakker in de Spotlight” we get to know Esmée Kerste, a young, enthusiastic baker from Aarle-Rixtel. At 21 years old, she runs her own bakery Cakes By Esmée, where she makes cakes, cupcakes and other delicacies with a lot of love and creativity. Esmée shares her baking journey, the challenges she has overcome, and her dreams for the future.
From hobby to dream
“I’ve always loved baking,” says Esmée. “I used to make treats for my sisters and often baked cupcakes or a cake.” Her passion got off to a flying start during the corona period, when she baked her first cake. She decided to start an Instagram account and in no time the orders started pouring in.
In the beginning, Esmée worked from her mother's kitchen. "That lasted for half a year, but after that my mother was more than fed up with me," Esmée says laughing. Thanks to the support of her parents, she was able to realize her own baking space: "Without them, I would never have been able to make this dream come true. I am eternally grateful!"
Great achievements and special moments
Esmée's greatest pride? "My first wedding cake. I was so nervous! I never dared to dream that people would want my cake for their wedding." Esmée now makes more than ten wedding cakes a year and has completed a company order of no less than 225 sweetboxes.
A day in the bakery
Because Esmée is still in school, she usually starts baking around 3:00 PM. “The cakes are already pre-baked and cooled. I start with filling, let the buttercream harden and then finish the cake with a drip and decoration. Music is indispensable for that!”
Her bakery is equipped with everything she needs: a refrigerator, freezer, oven, mixers and a sink, even though Esmée doesn't like doing the dishes.
Inspiration and favorite creations
For new creations, Esmée looks a lot at fellow bakers on Instagram and Pinterest. “It’s great to exchange ideas and see each other’s work!” Her favorite pastries to make? “Cake and cupcakes.” However, there are also things she’s less enthusiastic about. “Fondant cookies, geo hearts and macarons are really a challenge. Sometimes I curse them,” she says with a wink.
Trends in the baking world
In terms of trends, Esmée is enthusiastic about cakesicles, geo hearts and prints in cakes. “But I prefer to skip giant cupcakes. That’s just not my thing.”
Beginner Mistakes and Lessons Learned
Like many other starting bakers, Esmée made mistakes in the beginning. “I didn’t know how to make a neat cake, and my time management was a real disaster. I spent way too long on one cake, but that’s actually logical when you’re just starting out.”
Her advice for aspiring bakers? “Believe in yourself and keep practicing. Patience and enjoyment of baking are key!”
The best compliment
Esmée has received many wonderful responses from customers, but one compliment has particularly stuck with her: “Customers say that I complete their birthday or wedding with a cake. That is so valuable to hear!”
Social media and packaging
Social media plays a crucial role in the success of Cakes By Esmée. “Without social media, I would never have had so many customers!” In addition, high-quality packaging is essential for her products. “I have been ordering from Cupcakedozen.nl for over four years. The look and feel is everything! A beautiful cake in ugly packaging? That doesn’t work.”
Unique moments
During her career, Esmée received a number of special requests. “A unique moment was making gender reveal cakes for both Sharon and Jurney, both known from Ex on the Beach . That was so much fun!” Less pleasant was the offer from an influencer who demanded two large cakes, cupcakes and €1000 in exchange for a collaboration. “That was really the craziest request ever.”
Dreams and challenges
For the future, Esmée wants to continue to grow and keep making her customers happy. “I would like to learn how to work with a flawless finish plate. It seems great, but also very difficult!” Her biggest challenge lies in coming up with new designs.
Closing Words
With her passion for baking, eye for detail and focus on quality, Esmée is an inspiring example for other bakers. Want to see more of her beautiful creations? Follow Cakes By Esmée on Instagram or Facebook .
Esmée, thank you for sharing your story and good luck with Cakes By Esmée!