Baking is a recurring motif symbolizing Bo’s relationship with her mother and her individuality. Like Bo, the motif evolves as the story progresses. Baking is something that Bo enjoys doing and is very good at. A part of this is because it is something she has done with Lola since she was very little. Lola’s parents owned a bakery, and Lola passed down their recipes and skills to Bo. In this way, baking signifies Bo’s family heritage and the special bond between mother and daughter.

The Sunshine Surprise Smilecake is a related symbol. Bo assumes that the cake is a surprise for her and eagerly waits for her mother to share it with her. Eventually, Bo discovers that Lola is developing the recipe for Sunday. By this point in the story, Bo has aired some of her concerns with her mother and feels secure in her relationship with both her mother and her new family. Thus, she is not bothered by her mother’s attempts to bond with her new daughter, Sunday.

Baking is also an activity that reflects Bo’s unique character. It involves following precise instructions with very little room for experimentation at the foundational level, which speaks to Bo’s inherently organized and meticulous nature.