• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Sideserf Cake Studio Transforms Cakes into Lifelike Art

October 9, 2013 by Brittany Highland 6 Comments

Natalie Sideserf Cake Studio

Natalie Sideserf of Sideserf Cake Studio

“My whole life was art, art, art,” Natalie Sideserf told me recently during a happy hour meeting downtown. Not surprisingly, her interests led her to study art at Ohio State. But Natalie didn’t choose to apply her training to clay or plaster. Instead, in a turn of events that may have seemed odd to onlookers, she decided on an unconventional artistic medium: cake.

“Why can’t cake be art? It hasn’t been taken seriously enough,” Natalie exclaimed. You may not take it seriously either…until you see what this girl can do with some flour and sugar.

Path to Sugar Stardom

While still in Cleveland, Natalie tried to start bridging the gap between art and cake. But job opportunities were few for the recent graduate.

You hear of people moving to Austin for every reason under the sun, but “I came for cakes” was a first-time response for me. “I moved on hearsay of how good Austin is for business and art, creativity,” Natalie said. Sure enough, Natalie found a job opportunity here in Austin, working for a local bakery for almost two years.

Willie Nelson Cake Sideserf

Natalie Sideserf’s Willie Nelson cake

Continuing to hone her skills, Natalie decided to enter Capital Confectioners’ Sugar Art Show & Cake Competition. She wanted to sculpt her cake in the form of a lifesize older male’s head, so her mom suggested Willie Nelson.

That’s when things got a little wild. After approximately thirty hours of work, Natalie took a picture of her completed cake and sent it to her family. When her brother posted the photo on Reddit, the post went to the top of the charts, ranking #1 globally. Her success at the actual competition was the icing on the cake (pun intended). Natalie won Best of Division at the Intermediate level, as well as multiple other awards.

Cakes That Wow

Willie Nelson happened in early 2013. In February, Natalie started her own business: Sideserf Cake Studio. She’s appeared on Fox 7 News, made a cake for Moontower Comedy Festival featuring the faces of  Jim Gaffigan, Chelsea Peretti, Dana Carvey, and Bill Hader…

Moontower Comedy Festival Cake Sideserf

Mount Rushmore-style cake for Moontower Comedy Festival

…AND she’s made a cake for Keith Urban and the American Idol crew…

American Idol Keith Urban Cake

The American Idol team celebrating the success of Keith Urban’s latest album (Photo via American Idol Facebook page)

Yeah.

The Future for Sideserf Cake Studio

Sideserf Cake Studio’s 2013 Kickstarter campaign fell short of its goal, but Natalie is still moving forward with opening a brick and mortar bakery (she currently bakes her masterpieces at home or in rented space). Her bakery concept is similar to a sushi bar, where visitors can enjoy the goods while watching cake creativity in progress. Unless plans change, South Austin will be home to the all-new shop.

Beetlejuice Shrunken Head Cake

Shrunken head Beetlejuice cake

Additionally, Capital Confectioners’ competition is coming up again and Natalie has some big plans. “I want to take something that’s not real and make it real,” she told me cryptically. And then there’s her horror movie-themed wedding at Alamo Drafthouse that’s coming up in a few weeks.

All that to say, Natalie Sideserf keeps busy.

If you want to join the ranks of Sideserf Cake Studio clientele (possibly the closest to Keith Urban you’ll ever get?), Natalie’s cakes begin around the $60 price range. A cake that size will feed about 15 people.

On the higher end, Natalie says her wedding cake, which of course she’s making herself, will be valued around $1,500.

“For whatever reason, cakes are really behind when it comes to art forms,” Natalie mused at the conclusion of our time together. But as she pursues hyper-realism and gains worldwide acclaim at the beginning of her career, I believe this artist is revolutionizing her industry for good.

 

@QuasiBrit asks:

What do you think of Sideserf Cake Studio’s cakes?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
My Google Profile+
Brittany Highland
Latest posts by Brittany Highland (see all)
  • Best Tacos in Austin: Austinot Blogger Edition - October 4, 2021
  • Breaking News From Austin’s Local Restaurants - May 18, 2020
  • Living in Austin During COVID-19: Ways to Help, Things to Do - April 21, 2020

Filed Under: Discoveries, Food, Food & Drink, Local Business

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Comments

  1. judy says

    October 9, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    I think they’re wonderful and exciting. I love her cakes.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Christine says

    October 9, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    Not only do the cakes look good they taste good!!!! So talented! Cakes are so detailed and unique that’s what makes these cakes “a cut above the rest” !!! Watch out cake boss!!!

    Log in to Reply
  3. Susan Cleghorn McMinniman says

    October 16, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Super cakes – awesome!!!

    Log in to Reply
  4. brenda says

    October 16, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    A lost art brought to life. Her talent is prolific at best. I miss glass etching. My brother use to do scenes out of books for children and rescue old mirrors. I enjoy unique art .

    Log in to Reply
  5. Grannyjean says

    October 16, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    She is very very good at art and cakes, Good going!

    Log in to Reply
  6. bangoloff says

    July 24, 2017 at 11:39 pm

    Hey y’all, written 4 years ago, and now they are on the food network!
    Hope y’all are enjoying your trip!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

4th of July Fireworks Austin

Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Austin (2025)

4th of July Deals Austin

Best 4th of July 2025 Deals Austin: Dining, Retail & More

What's Open on 4th of July Austin

What’s Open on the 4th of July in Austin (2025)

4th of July Events Austin

4th of July Events in Austin Area 2025 | Parades, Live Music & Family Fun

Recent Posts

  • Top Kids Events in Austin July 4 – July 6 include Star Spangled Fest, Kids Day, and More!
  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of July 4 Include Star Spangled Fest, Divine Carnival: Reimagining the Odyssey, and More!
  • Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Austin (2025)
  • Best 4th of July 2025 Deals Austin: Dining, Retail & More
  • What’s Open on the 4th of July in Austin (2025)

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in