Carmen Macri
Local bakers Jennifer and Scott Harris compete on Hulu’s ‘Cake Toppers’ baking competition.
Words by Carmen Macri
Jacksonville is bursting with talent — whether in music, sports or art — and today, we’re spotlighting a duo that blends a little of everything. Jennifer and Scott Harris aren’t just artists; they’re cake sculptors extraordinaires. But forget simple sheet cakes or your go-to Publix bakery creations — these are hyper-realistic 3D masterpieces that blur the line between art and dessert.
Remember last year’s viral trend, “Is it real or is it cake?” The Harrises didn’t just join in — they took it to the next level, turning cakes into jaw-dropping, edible sculptures that truly have to be seen to be believed.
About two years ago, a casting agent reached out to the Harrises about joining the baking competition show “Halloween Wars.” While the format didn’t quite fit their style, the agent promised to keep them in mind for future opportunities. Fast forward to July, when that same agent offered them a spot on “Cake Toppers.” This time, the show’s concept was the perfect match for their skills, and they jumped at the chance to showcase their talent.
For those of you who don’t know much about the show, it isn’t your average baking show — it comes with a twist. Each episode kicks off with the contestants designing jaw-dropping over-the-top hyper-realistic cakes based on a specific theme. Now for the twist, halfway through, the bakers have to switch cakes. Just as they are finding their groove, the contestants have to switch their unfinished creations and begin working on their opponents. The goal is to not just finish their cake but to follow the original designs while mixing in their own style.
I had a quick conversation with Jennifer Harris about her story and experience competing on “Cake Toppers,” and here’s how it went.
Carmen: What inspired you to open your bakery, and how did you develop your unique style of baking?
Jennifer: When our son was born in 2008, I became a stay-at-home mom for the first time. Scott noticed I was a bit restless, and for Christmas that year, he gifted me a KitchenAid mixer, dessert cookbooks and “The Cake Bible.” During nap times, I dove headfirst into learning the art of baking and perfecting delicious cakes. That passion became the foundation for our bakery and the distinctive style we’ve developed over the years.
Carmen: What’s the story behind the name “For Goodness Cake”? Absolutely love it, by the way.
Jennifer: Thank you! I can’t take any credit for the name — it was the winning entry from a naming contest we held before opening. A good friend came up with it, and we immediately fell in love with the clever play on words. It’s fun, memorable, and a perfect reflection of our approach to baking.
Carmen: How long have you and your husband been baking — solo and together?
Jennifer: We officially started For Goodness Cake in November 2016, focusing on traditional birthday cakes. As Scott began collaborating with me, the cakes became more elaborate and unique. By early 2020, the bakery was thriving enough for Scott to leave his tattoo studio and work with me full-time. Together, we’ve developed a signature style that’s truly one-of-a-kind in Jacksonville.
Carmen: How did you hear about “Cake Toppers,” and what motivated you to apply for the show?
Jennifer: About two years ago, a casting agent reached out to see if we’d try out for Halloween Wars. Scott and I are huge fans of the show, but the format wasn’t quite right for us since it requires a cake artist, sugar artist, and pumpkin carver. We knew that if we ever competed, we’d want to do it as a team. The casting agent promised to keep our contact information, but I assumed that was the last we’d hear from her. Then, in July of last year, she surprised us with a call about a new team-focused show with a fun twist. After going through several application rounds and Zoom interviews — some even with the main producers — we received an incredible “yes” email. It was surreal!
Carmen: What was it like competing on “Cake Toppers”? Any behind-the-scenes moments you’ll never forget?
Jennifer: Competing on “Cake Toppers” was an unforgettable experience, but it was grueling. Our days started at 7 a.m. and often didn’t end until 9:30 p.m. There’s so much footage that never makes it to the show. One memorable moment was during episode three when we had a ganache disaster. We use ganache as a stable base for fondant and sculpting, but the one provided wasn’t suited for our needs — it was the dripping kind. Scott and I are getting ganache all over the finished rootball portion of the cake, taking the structure apart to throw in the blast chiller, trying not to cry in front of the cameras — well me anyway. Eventually, after way too much time had passed, I decided the ganache was trash and cut it off the already stacked cake. I’m just throwing cake on the ground, desperately trying to save what we had made so far because there’s not enough time to start over. Whoa, it was a mess. It created chaos as it dripped everywhere, ruining part of our finished cake structure. In a panic, I decided to cut off the ganache and toss it, desperately trying to salvage what we had already built. It was a mess, but somehow, we pulled through and even advanced to the next round. My surprised reaction on camera was completely genuine!
Carmen: How did being on the show challenge you creatively and technically as a baker?
Jennifer: It was our first time competing in any show or competition, so the entire experience was a learning curve. Technically, the biggest challenge was learning to adapt quickly when things went wrong — there’s no time to overthink under such tight deadlines. Creatively, we had to lean into our strengths while being mindful not to play to our competitors’ advantages. The twist in the second round of each episode kept us on our toes, forcing us to think outside the box and pivot strategies on the fly.
Carmen: Did participating in the show change the way you approach your work at the bakery?
Jennifer: If anything, it’s made me even more meticulous about the cakes we produce. Every creation is now under a higher level of scrutiny, and I feel a greater sense of responsibility to ensure each cake is flawless.
Carmen: Was there a moment during the show when you thought, “This is why I bake”?
Jennifer: Absolutely. One standout moment was seeing the giant treasure chest cake hanging beside us when the time was called. It was a ridiculously difficult challenge, and knowing Scott and I tackled it together made it all the more special. It was a huge source of pride and truly affirmed why we do what we do.
Carmen: How has the community responded to your appearance on “Cake Toppers”?
Jennifer: Jacksonville has been amazing! From our local cake community to businesses like V’s Pizza hosting our watch party, we’ve felt so supported. Channel 4 invited us on air, The Jay Fund highlighted the show, and even “Folio Weekly” gave us a social media shoutout! It’s been wonderful to celebrate with our hometown, which has always been such a supportive community.
Carmen: What’s the most surprising thing you learned about yourself as a baker while competing on the show?
Jennifer: I was surprised by how much Scott and I lift each other up in tough moments. During episode nine, I felt completely defeated and couldn’t see a way forward to hang the other teams’ cake. When we went back to the hotel that night (between making our cake and then switching with theirs), I cried. I felt totally defeated and couldn’t see any way to make it work. Scott let me have my moment of self-pity, then hugged me and said he wasn’t going out like that and neither was I. He grabbed a pad of paper and started brainstorming how he was going to make that cake hang. It was such a magical moment, knowing he wasn’t going to let either of us down.
Carmen: What’s next for you and your bakery? Any exciting plans or projects on the horizon?
Jennifer: We’re currently expanding our reach across Florida, delivering cakes to cities like Tampa, Orlando and Waycross. One project we’re especially excited about is our collaboration with the Jacksonville Community Nutcracker. This will be our third year making a larger-than-life, moving, music-playing cake. I look forward every year to unleashing our creativity on this cake. Scott is my engineer, so he’s always tastes with my ever crazier ideas on this cake. For year one, it was a giant mystic box with a wind-up key (12″!) that the children could turn. It played music and made a ballerina spin. Year two was a life-sized modeling chocolate ballerina in the Land of the Sweets. And this year, when I told him I wanted the Nutcracker and Rat King actually sword fighting … he rolled his eyes but smiled. It’s going to be epic. It will be displayed at the Florida Theatre on the last night of their performance, so grab your tickets and come see it!
Carmen: If you could design a dream cake inspired by Jacksonville, what elements would you include?
Jennifer: I’d feature the Friendship Fountain with the Main Street Bridge in the background. Growing up in Jacksonville, I have fond memories of field trips to the Landing and lunches by the fountain. Of course, the fountain would be functional!
Carmen: If your bakery had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Jennifer: There’s a line in the Post Malone and Morgan Wallen song “Hell I Had Some Help” that says, “Teamwork makes the dream work, hell, I had some help.” It perfectly captures what we do — Scott and I each bring unique skills to the table, and together, we create something magical.
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