Popular baking shows such as “Ace of Cakes” and “Cake Boss” have inspired many to order customized cakes for their special events, and bakers such as Barbara Trujillo of Discovery Bay are rising to the occasion. Trujillo runs Frosted! – a home-based bakery that specializes in making sweet dreams come true.

“I’ve been baking ever since I knew how to turn on the oven,” Trujillo said. A seventh-grade cooking class triggered her passion for baking, and cake decorating classes at local craft stores expanded her repertoire. When she began baking as a form of stress relief, she found that she often had leftovers, and would bring them in to her office to share. “On the days when I would bring cupcakes, the morale would go way, way up,” she said. Her coworkers began looking forward to these treats, and eventually began asking to purchase them.

“It’s incredibly rewarding,” said Trujillo, who looks on her baking as a way to lift spirits and encourage people in tough times. She enjoys giving back to the community through school functions, auctions and other events, and is planning to open a bake shop once she finds a space to rent.

Trujillo’s handiwork exudes a variety of aromas and flavors, but her personal favorite is her signature red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. A close second is the marble cake, a mixture of white velvet wedding cake and chocolate, layered with homemade custard and strawberries. She strives to keep her products affordable: cupcakes cost about $2, and a 6-inch cake, which serves 12, starts at $20.

Her favorite creation was a four-tiered, three-flavor wedding cake that featured a white almond sour cream cake with Kahlua cheesecake chocolate filling for the top tier. The cake was artfully decorated with a swag of real orchids and other flowers. Another favorite was for a 4-year-old’s birthday party. To fulfill the little girl’s dream of a “rainbow cake,” Trujillo baked cake layers in bright colors and crafted a collection of rainbow-hued butterflies to surround the cake and hover atop it. Both masterpieces were a big hit.

Trujillo continues to improve her craft. She regularly watches cake-decorating shows for inspiration and new techniques. “I experiment a lot,” she said. As an exploration of her Cuban heritage, she’s working on creating Cuban-style cupcakes, including dulce de leche and churro flavors. Other creations range from a heath bar cupcake to a seasonal chocolate pumpkin cupcake.

As her business grows, Trujillo hopes to continue spreading joy throughout the community. “It’s all about making people happy,” she said. “You’ve got to enjoy life.” Because cupcakes are small, Trujillo considers them a perfect indulgence. “Treat yourself. Put a smile on your face.”

To order cakes or other baked goods from Frosted!, call 510-415-1730, visit www.frostedgoodies.com or e-mail barbara@frostedgoodies.com.