Amy Groome 
Undoubtedly, happiness can be found in a cake or a cupcake. Cake is the centerpiece of many milestones, from weddings to birthdays and anniversaries. Happiness is found in every taste while enjoying cake and baked goods by Marlie Bakes Cakes. Keep reading to learn more about Marlie Bakes Cakes located in Bloomfield, NJ.
Photo Credit: Charissa H. Yong Photography
About Marlie Bakes Cakes
Located in Bloomfield, NJ, Marlie Bakes Cakes specializes in luxury custom cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, mini desserts, and many other sweet treats for all occasions. Marlie Bakes Cakes is a licensed cottage bakery, owned and operated by Marliese Engel Traver. Each cake and creation that Marlie bakes is constructed in her home kitchen.
Marlie’s favorite specialty is her one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. Devoted to each masterpiece, Marlie finds joy in working with her clients to make their cake dreams and visions come true. Orders are available for pickup or delivery from the website of Marlie Bakes Cakes.
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Marlie on the Job
Marlie Bakes Cakes is a one-woman show. Each cake and baked good is carefully and artfully designed, decorated, and constructed by Marlie herself. Marlie described to MG, “I love marrying classic French technique with modern flavors and design elements. My signature design style is palette knife-painted florals. This style of decorating feels more like art and is equally therapeutic.”
Marlie Bakes Cakes is just as pretty on the inside with flavor. Marlie mentioned to MG, “While I love the design process, flavor is at the heart of every baked good that crosses my counter.”
A typical day for Marlie differs from day to day; however, she keeps a weekly rhythm with a bake day, a frosting/fillings day, and an assembly day. She has a range of responsibilities, including client consultations and communications, marketing, and social media.
Marlie has many goals for this year and the new year. Marlie is providing gorgeous holiday centerpiece desserts and Santa Milk and Cookies! Marlie has substantially increased her decorating classes. She will be launching online classes for beginner bakers. Her ongoing decorating classes will continue through the holiday season and into the new year.
About Marlie
Photo Credit: Charissa H. Yong Photography
Marlie created her sweet cottage bakery business from scratch in 2023 to bring joy to families and the community. Marlie has been ready to bake since she was a little girl, as she learned firsthand baking skills from her grandmother, Nanny Engel.
Originally from Upstate NY, Marlie has lived in New Jersey since 2009. She lived in Jersey City, and when Marlie discovered Montclair, she knew in her heart she could live in the Montclair suburban area.
Being a part of a community is important to Marlie, and she recommends that anyone who has an interest in starting their own business develop a network of peers immediately. Marlie has a baking community and a small business community that leads to welcoming feedback, shared resources, and new ideas.
Marlie’s Road to Success
Many would be surprised that Marlie’s road to success wasn’t always straightforward. Her road twisted and turned. Marlie, just as many of us career-builders reach a crossroads, which is not uncommon. In her 20s, Marlie successfully worked as a food and travel publicist, although she felt a change was needed.
She made the soul-searching and life-altering decision to train under the French Culinary Institute. Marlie mentioned to MG, “After my training with FCI, I landed an entry-level Pastry Cook spot at a Daniel Boulud restaurant in NYC. This experience was by far one of the highlights of my career. I learned so much about running a kitchen and a successful restaurant, but I also learned a lot about myself. I worked every possible position while there, but in the end, I also knew it was time to learn something new and get back to my first love, baking.”
She successfully perfected her skill sets by working in grocery retail, restaurants, and bakeries. After continued soul-searching, she was ready to face the challenge. It was time to build her business, bringing forth joy to herself and to others.
Marlie mentioned to MG, “My journey wasn’t just about changing careers and dealing with personal setbacks; it was about rediscovering myself. It taught me that it’s okay to pivot, to follow your gut, to ask for help, even when it’s scary as hell. To anyone out there on the brink of change, hear me out: life’s too short to play it safe. Face your fears, and chase your dreams.”
Marlie stays truthful to herself and dedicated to her work, art, cakes, dreams, and life’s vision. Happiness is surely found in cake. Thanks to Marlie Bakes Cakes, the whole community is benefiting from the sweet layers of happiness that she creates.
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