By Nicole MOORE

On Sunday the First Baptist Church of La Crescenta presented its church members with a life-sized Christmas tree cake. After morning services that ended at noon, church members gathered in the church’s community center to take pictures with the festive 600-pound cake, supported by a steel infrastructure.

Before the ceremonious cutting of the cake, excited children lined up to remove one by one the cake’s delicious ornaments that included gingerbread men, candy canes and glittery Rice Krispies Treats.

Fernanda Abarca, a DreamWorks animator and owner of Fernanda Abarca Cakes, had a pivotal role in the cake’s creation. However, while Abarca designed the cake, she was not the sole baker.

“I had the privilege of being a part of [making the cake] and helping them plan the cake … but it was a group effort,” said Abarca.

For the past few weeks, 100 volunteers, including children, from the church participated in baking and decorating the cake. The cake’s creation took 55 hours in total. The finished product was set up at the church the night prior to its being presented and served.

“It was an amazing experience spending time with everyone to make the cake. There was a lot of thought going into it,” said Claudia Zoharbian, a volunteer and church member.

While this is the church’s first life-sized Christmas tree cake, the First Baptist Church of La Crescenta makes an effort to celebrate festive Christmas fun with its members every year.

  Nicole MOORE