Momo’s Cakes joins Betty White Challenge

Monica Castillo-Gonzalez of Momo’s Cakes, a Monroe home-based business, participated in the Betty White Challenge, a viral fundraiser asking Betty White fans and animal lovers to support shelters and rescues. — Monica Castillo-Gonzalez of Momo’s Cakes, a Monroe residence-based mostly organization, participated in the Betty White Challenge, a viral fundraiser asking Betty White followers and animal enthusiasts to support shelters and rescues.

When Monica Castillo-Gonzalez heard about the Betty White Challenge, a viral fundraiser asking Betty White supporters and animal enthusiasts to assist shelters and rescues, she understood she essential to be part of the marketing campaign.

The operator of Momo’s Cakes, a Monroe household-dependent organization, started off producing “Betty Bombs,” a ball-shaped chocolate shell loaded with flavored cocoa powder and marshmallows. When included with hot milk, the chocolate melts and mixes with the powder and marshmallows generating a abundant cup of incredibly hot cocoa.

Hoping to inspire her customers to participate, the 40-yr-aged posted this information on her Fb web page, “In honor of the legendary girl, we are presenting Betty White bombs all day today…These are (Betty) White chocolate cocoa bombs with Golden (Girl) sprinkles and a pink chocolate rose. Keep in mind, $1 from every single Betty Bomb bought will be donated to Conserve Monroe Strays.”

“I surely preferred to do a thing in honor of this famous girl and it was these an honor to be capable to do this and assistance a regional shelter,” she said. “I finished up providing 46 Betty Bombs and donated $75 to Preserve Monroe Strays. I approach to go on supporting this firm with upcoming fundraisers.”

Monica Castillo-Gonzalez, owner of Momo’s Cakes, swirls buttercream frosting on a cupcake before adding sprinkles.

Castillo-Gonzalez begun Momo’s Cakes in 2010 though residing in McAllen, Texas just before shifting to Michigan. The independently owned and operated small business specializes in personalized cakes and cupcakes for any occasions.

“If you have some thing to rejoice, our target is to make your celebration distinctive and sweet, with out any judgment ever,” she stated. “We also offer other treats such as cookies, brownies, chocolate lined Oreos, sizzling cocoa bombs, and, on occasion, Mexican sweet breads.”

The 40-yr-aged started off creating cakes by accident when her aunt necessary support decorating a cake for a baby shower.

“She was not also acquainted with fondant but essential some fondant safari animals to use as toppers for the cake. She came by my house one early morning for a espresso date and described needing these, so I assumed I’d give it a shot. It is comparable to actively playing with Perform-Doh, and I was really used to that with my two boys,” she said. “We sat and talked for a pair of hours, and by the finish I experienced produced a lion, giraffe, zebra and elephant. I uncovered a expertise that I had no concept at any time existed in me and found a like for developing issues with my arms.”

Around the years, Castillo-Gonzalez has had some one of a kind personalized purchase requests from existence-dimensions Disney characters Anna and Elsa of Frozen to a cake resembling a roll of toilet paper for somebody celebrating their 50th birthday.

As her business grows, she hopes to open a keep entrance, a Mexican-design and style bakery with the assist of her mother-in-legislation. Alongside with the custom cakes, the duo will supply genuine Mexican sweet breads.

“I have been incredibly blessed to be in a position to run this bakery from household, starting up in a minor corner of my kitchen and now expanding to a dedicated space, but with the Michigan Cottage Foods Guidelines as they are, I am confined in what items I can supply and my yearly sales as perfectly,” she reported.

Offering back to the group in which she life is essential to Castillo-Gonzalez and she hopes to share details about Icing Smiles, a non-earnings group that gives personalized cakes and other treats to family members that have been afflicted by the significant illness of a boy or girl.

“I know there are lots of people in the location that can reward from this small bit of sweetness and I would like to get the word out,” she mentioned. “I appreciate remaining able to make. Remaining capable to just take a ball of white fondant and turning it in to a cartoon character or building a bouquet of flowers out of a bowl of buttercream, is just the best feeling of accomplishment for me. And then, when I get to see the smiles on the children’s face when they see their cake, that’s what definitely keeps me likely.”

Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling is a contributor to The Monroe Information.