Build-a-Bear Cake Pan

I admit that I didn’t know much about the Build-a-Bear workshop until the last year or so, when I met some kids who were big fans. It’s a cute concept: a store where kids can design custom teddy bears. If I wasn’t already familiar with the place, I would never have associated the Build-A-Bear Workshop Cake Pan with the chain of stores and would simply have thought this was a cute 3D teddy bear cake pan – which, when it comes down to it, it is.

The pan is made out of heavy duty aluminum by Nordicware and is cast with a nonstick interior finish, which should help the details of the eyes and eyebrows, as well as the bear’s larger features, come out cleanly. Like other shaped pans, the halves of the bear are baked separately and sandwiched together with frosting. Kits for making the bear outfits – directions, fondant, etc. – are also available, but seem expensive for what you’re getting because, among other things, the fondant “clothes” don’t come already rolled and ready to apply. The patterns are nice, but the cake looks great without frosting and simple decorations shouldn’t be hard to do yourself.

This pan is exclusively sold at Williams-Sonoma, and when you purchase it, you should receive a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at a Build-A-Bear store. If you’re planning on doing some shopping there this holiday season and don’t want to buy the pan for  coupon, there are some coupon codes online ($5 off $10 purchase, $10 off $30 purchase) that might come in handy, as well.