Seven years ago, Karen Belton was window shopping for birthday cakes for her three-year-old daughter, but most were too expensive. With the tips and tricks she learned watching the Food Network, she decided to take the task on herself. Then the network came calling.
When Belton strolled into Chuck E. Cheese carrying a Minnie Mouse cake that could easily pass as a professionally crafted dessert, people started pulling her aside, asking where she bought the cake. “From there, I started selling cakes on Craigslist, and then I got a job offer for a cake decorating position in Orange County,” Belton said during a recent phone interview.
Belton worked at Rockwell’s Bakery , where she sharpened her skills, but now runs Belton Desserts out of her home when she’s not working full-time at a senior center in Riverside. She specializes mainly in custom cakes but also puts together dessert tables and sells cupcakes and cake pops. During the holiday season, she bakes mini apple and mixed berry pies that fly off the shelves.
Last year, Belton was featured in a ShoutoutSoCal article, which included photos of her elaborate gingerbread recreation of Riverside’s Mission Inn, Unicorn birthday desserts and Halloween cupcakes. The Food Network casting recruiters happened upon the story and emailed Belton to ask if she’d compete in season 11 of “Holiday Baking Championship,” which is currently airing and streaming on Max, Discovery+ and other premium subscriptions. While cleaning ou.