From Home Baker to Cupcake Wars Champions: Our Sweet Victory Story Signup
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From Home Baker to Cupcake Wars Champions: This is The Cake Mamas’ Sweet Victory Story

Feb 04, 2025

When my former business partner, Fabiola, and I competed on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars in 2011, we didn’t just bake cupcakes—we baked our way into the hearts of fans across the globe! I’m often asked tons of questions about how I got on the show, what the experience was like, and everything in between, so I wanted to take the time to share it all with you. In honor of International Port Wine Day (you’ll understand why after reading through this interview!), I’m walking you down memory lane and reliving this incredible journey, from working out of my home with nothing to winning Cupcake Wars and watching our business SOAR!

Q: What was your first reaction when Food Network invited you to compete?

Believe it or not, Food Network reached out to us four times before we finally said yes! At the time, we were operating our business from home, barely able to keep up with the orders we had coming in. The thought of winning without the capacity to handle a flood of new customers was terrifying, so we declined multiple times. But when we got the call after opening our brick-and-mortar bakery, we knew it was our moment. We had gotten our feet under us, we had processes in place, and felt like if we were ever going to do this, now was the time. So even though we had no idea if our staff was ready to handle the bakery without us, we said YES and took the leap.

Q: What was the process like to actually get on the show?

Saying yes to the initial invite was just the beginning. We still had to film and submit an audition video for producers to review. If they chose you, then you were officially in! Our audition video was SO CRINGY- if you haven’t seen it, you can watch it here! We had to showcase our personalities and why we’d make great contestants, so we went all in. The producers want people who’ll make good TV, so we knew we had to be silly and bring the energy! And looking back now, it was 14 years ago and I look like a TEENAGER! LOL

Once we got selected, everything happened so fast. We had to sign a mountain of NDAs, and while I can’t spill all the behind-the-scenes secrets, I can tell you this: the show is very real. The ticking clock, the pressure, the chaos—it’s all legit. And let me tell you, keeping it a secret was HARD! After we won, we had to wait months for the episode to air. But when it finally did, we threw a massive viewing party at a local restaurant, and hundreds of people came out to cheer us on. It was an unforgettable moment!

Q: Let’s talk about that first-round cupcake. How did you come up with such a bold flavor?

This is where Port Wine comes into play! When they show you the ingredients table, you know most people will play it safe. But we weren’t there to play it safe—we were there to win! Instead of sticking to the required two ingredients, we chose SIX: Absinthe, Almond, Black Currants, Cherries, Poppy Seeds, and Port Wine. Now, here’s the thing—I hate black licorice, which is exactly what Absinthe tastes like. But Fabiola loved it, so we decided to take the risk. Plus, it meant our cupcake was going to be green, which we thought would stand out. And you know what? It worked! The cupcake was delicious, and the Port Wine buttercream tied it all together.

Q: What was it like when the judges announced you as the winners?

OMG, we LOST IT! The relief, the excitement—it’s indescribable. We jumped into each other’s arms and celebrated like crazy! Taking such a big risk and having it pay off was incredible. Of course, keeping the win a secret for over two months was torture, but celebrating with our team, families, and customers at our viewing party made it all worth it.

Q: How did winning the show impact your business?

The impact was huge. After the episode aired, people from all over the world came to our shop to try our cupcakes. Our sales shot up by 75% in just the first 30 days, and we never slowed down. To keep the momentum going, we offered mini cupcake packs featuring all four of our winning flavors:

  • The Absinthe Cupcake (the bold risk-taker!)
  • The Bad Witch (a chocolate zucchini cupcake—yes, zucchini! Filled with caramel and topped with the most delicious chocolate fudge frosting. This buttercream became one of our top sellers!)
  • The Good Witch (lemon, strawberry, and rhubarb)
  • The Flying Monkey (a banana bread cupcake)

The only downside? The Absinthe cupcake got us our first-ever negative Yelp reviews! But hey, we were creating flavors for a competition, not our everyday menu. People don’t realize Cupcake Wars always had weird ingredient challenges—it’s supposed to be hard for a reason!

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a competition like this?

If you ever get the chance to compete on a national show, DO IT. The exposure is priceless, win or lose. It’s a rollercoaster of stress and excitement, but the rewards far outweigh the risks. And even if you lose (which we did lose a Cake Wars challenge years later), it still creates hype and excitement around your business.

Q: Can readers try your winning recipes at home?

Absolutely! You can find the recipe for our Absinthe Cupcake here, and the other three flavors will be in our long-awaited cookbook, coming out later this year. Just a heads-up—if you don’t like black licorice, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the Absinthe cupcake! LOL.

Winning Cupcake Wars wasn’t just about the title—it was about pushing past fear, taking risks, and proving that a small home-based business could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best. If there’s one thing I hope my story teaches you, it’s this: you don’t have to have it all figured out to go after something big. You just need to be willing to take the leap.

So whether you're busting out cupcakes in your home kitchen or dreaming of opening your own storefront, keep going. Take the risks. Say yes to the opportunities that scare you. Because on the other side of that fear? That’s where the magic happens.

I’d love to hear—what’s a bold risk you’ve taken in your business? Send me a DM @janellecopeland or @thecakemamas on IG and I’d love to hear from you!

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