HOME-based cake baking businesses are proving profitable for two entrepreneurs.

Sarah Belford, of Mrs B’s Bespoke Cakes and Sarah Horton, who runs Estrele Cakes, are running their tasty firms from their own homes.

Mrs Belford, 39, of Moorhead Crescent, Saltaire, has been running her business for the last two years after previously working as a funeral director.

She won a silver award at Cake International’s small decorative exhibit category in Birmingham for her playground scene cake, featuring a mother and her son on a seesaw.

Her cake creations for clients have included a multi-tier Muppets Show wedding cake, featuring Miss Piggy and Kermit on top, and a Star Wars-themed wedding cake.

Her clients have also flown her cakes, including a Radiohead-inspired drum for a 60th birthday party, as far as France.

Mrs Belford said her detailed creations are proving popular with sweet-toothed people.

She said: “I set up the business two years ago and got into baking when my son was born six years ago.

“I always try to push it and exceed my client’s expectations. It is all in the detail.

“I get clients from London who will travel up and secure a bake from me and organise getting it home. It shows that Bradford does it better.

“It was great to win the silver award. I won the bronze award last year and was given some constructive criticism. It took me a week, of eight hours a day, to make this year’s cake.”

Meanwhile, Miss Horton, 36, who is originally from Worcestershire, started her firm from her home in Bingley in August this year after moving from Milan.

Her previous creations, which she describes as 3D sculptural cakes, have included elephants and cameras.

She said: “I am hoping that my business will continue to grow. My biscuits are selling well too.

“It seems to be going well. I ran my cake business for seven years in Milan and sold my shop and moved over here to be with my partner.”

She was part of a 14-person group called The Sugar Chronicles who raised more than £900 by creating a scene/display of Narnia in Cake and Sugar at Manchester Cake and Bake Show.

Miss Horton made a 5ft 6in Prince Caspian which took her 100 hours. Proceeds went to The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

She also won the best in show award at the event’s cake competition for her Wellington boots and sugar roses design.