Amberlynn Rasmussen can't remember an age when she didn't enjoy baking. And, she's always had a knack for art, too.
"I create. I am considered an artist by trade," she said. Whether she is baking or crafting, she mostly enjoys making things "cutesy," as she likes to say.
For years, Rasmussen would fill baskets with crafts and baked goods to give away as gifts. The recipients loved the homemade goods so much that she began getting orders. By the fall of 2008, she was taking so many orders that she started a home- and Internet-based business.
In the summer of 2009, the business grew to the point that she opened Cutsie Cakes, her own cupcakery in Layton.
The menu features more than 100 different cupcake flavors invented by Rasmussen, her family, her friends and her talented baker. There are 8-10 flavors ($1.25/mini, $2.50/regular) available each day, and the menu changes with the seasons.
For example, they bake various flavors of cobbler cupcakes, such as cherry, blueberry and peach, depending on which fruits are in season. "We only use fresh ingredients," Rasmussen said.
There are some flavors that are almost always on the menu, such as Red Velvet, Bunny Tail -- a coconut cake with coconut frosting and fluffy coconut flakes -- and the Cutsie Classic, chocolate cake topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and a cherry on top.
Monkey Madness consists of roasted banana cake with cinnamon/cream cheese frosting and candied pecans sprinkled on top. The Happy Camper is a cupcake resembling a s'more.
Rasmussen also provides specialty cakes starting at $20, for weddings and other custom orders.
One of the most popular and unique menu items is the Cupcake Bouquet ($5-$35). The bouquets are made of cupcakes on sticks, decorated to look like roses or daisies. A single cupcake flower in a pot ($5) can make a great gift for teacher appreciation, Valentine's Day or other special occasion.
Also for Valentine's Day, Cutsie is stocking up on Hearts ($15), a combination of three cupcakes frosted in the shape of a heart. The hearts can be personalized, and come in all of the basic flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla, carrot cake, and, of course, red velvet.
The bakery also sells handmade jewelry and crafts from local vendors.
Rasmussen said Cutsie Cakes has been the perfect career for her.
"I didn't want to dread going to work in the morning. I wanted to do something I love. And, I really do. I love it."
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