The event has become a popular piece of Family Consumer Science Teacher Lewann’s Alexander’s baking class.

The students spent several weeks learning all of the steps of preparing a cake.

Then Alexander turned them loose. 24 groups representing about 75 students jumped into designing a cake based on a book.

Emma Berardi, Macy Winicki, Sarah Tome, Iris Kiehl and Bre Huntington took home first with their portrayal of “Pinkalicious.”

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Ema Fox shows off a cake based on the Dr. Seuss book “Put Me in the Zoo.”

The books represented were as varied as the mind of the students that participated – one was based on a Legend of Zelda text. One mirrored a Dr. Seuss text. Another group drew inspiration from the book “Tangled.”

With the theme in hand, the students are judged on a range of categories including the presentation and theme as well as the icing, borders, writing and decorations. Level of difficulty and appeal factor in.

As does, obviously, taste.

“Pinkalicious” also won first period while cakes based on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (second), “In the Limelight” (fifth) and “Toy Story” (sixth) were also at the top.

Lilly Hokel’s cake based on the book “In the Limelight” brought some chemistry into the project with a waterfall that changed colors.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Warren Area High School students, from left, Tori McMichael, Desirea Matsock, Megan DiFranco and Ella Solberg present their cake based on the book “Tangled.”

While some students loved decorating and others didn’t, there are stills in the project that transcend just baking a cake.

Each group presents its take to a slate of judges, describing the theme and answering questions.

Alexander said the project also teaches time management skills as well as the ability to work in a group.

“All of these things lend to their adult life,” she said.

It’s turned into an all-school activity, she added.

One of the judges, Kellie Goldthwaite, added that kids come to Alexander’s room during lunch and study halls to work on the cakes.

“The creativity the kids have…,” she said. “It’s amazing what they do.”