cakes

The Ultimate Guide to Ordering Cakes for Any Occasion

As a lifelong cake lover, I’ve ordered my fair share of celebratory cakes over the years. From birthdays to holidays and everything in between, a beautifully decorated cake can take any event to the next level. After countless cake orders for personal and professional occasions, I’m sharing my complete guide to ordering and customizing cakes for any event or reason

Types of Cakes to Order

• Bundt Cakes – These ornate, ring-shaped cakes are swirled with delicious flavors and fun decorations. The impressive size makes them ideal for feeding a crowd.

• Sheet Cakes – Rectangular sheet cakes allow you to customize writing or designs across a large surface area. Great for big gatherings and events.

• Round Cakes – Classic round layered cakes with frosting make timeless birthday cakes. Decorate them with age candles or themed designs.

• Cupcakes – Individual cupcakes are portioned out for each guest and lend themselves to creative toppings. Arrange in towers or tiers.

• Custom Cakes – Work directly with a bakery to create a completely customized cake in unique shapes with specialized decorations.

Popular Flavors

Fun, delicious flavors take any cake from boring to extraordinary. Here are some of the most popular cake flavors to consider:

• Chocolate – A classic crowd-pleaser, chocolate cake and frosting provides rich decadence.

• Vanilla – You can’t go wrong with timeless vanilla cake and vanilla buttercream frosting

• Red Velvet – Distinctive red hue with a hint of chocolate and tangy cream cheese frosting.

• Carrot – Moist carrot cake layers with smooth cream cheese frosting make a nice change from chocolate.

• Strawberry – Fresh strawberry flavor in the cake with light, fruity frosting.

• Marble – Best of both worlds: swirls of chocolate and vanilla cake together in one.

• Lemon – Bright citrus flavor shines in this summertime favorite cake.

• Confetti – Fun rainbow sprinkles baked right into vanilla cake for a festive flavor.

• Chocolate Chip – Chocolate cake batter mixed with semi-sweet chocolate chips takes the flavor over the top.

• Coconut – Shredded coconut in the batter gives this cake a tropical vibe.

• Coffee – Chocolate or vanilla cake infused with fresh brewed coffee flavor to perk things up.

• Marshmalllow – Pillowy marshmallow frosting tops this sweet, creamy cake.

Decorating Your Cake

The decorations on a cake can really make it stand out. Here are some ways to customize your cake’s design:

• Writing – Names, monograms, messages, lyrics – whatever you want piped on in icing.

• Photos – Add an edible photo transfer of the guest of honor or special moments.

• Themed Shapes – Custom shapes related to the occasion like graduataion caps or champagne bottles.

• Fresh Flowers – Live blossoms like roses carefully arranged on your cake can dress it up.

• Candles – Sparkling candles set the celebratory mood. Group candles together to form numbers.

• Figurines – Mini toy figurines like characters, animals or objects help display the theme.

• Edible Decor – Sprinkles, candy beads, chocolate shavings – or even cake pops!

Ordering Cakes Online

Thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever to order a gorgeous custom cake online:

• Browse flavors, sizes, shapes and decor options all in one place.

• View ratings and reviews for bakeries near you.

• Design your dream cake with interactive customization tools.

• Place your order and instantly schedule delivery or pickup time.

• Pay seamlessly online and receive order confirmation.

• Modify, cancel or track order status directly through your account if needed.

Local Bakery Pickup

Picking up your cake creation directly from the bakery has advantages:

• No delivery fees to pay.

• Retrieve at your convenience any time during business hours.

• Opportunity to see finished cake in person before taking home.

• Can customize cake more at last minute if needed.

• Employees can provide handling/storage instructions.

• Get to meet the talented bakers behind your cake!

When picking up, be sure to:

• Arrive at appointed pickup time or call if running late.

• Carefully transport cake laying flat, avoiding tilting or jostling.

• Don’t leave cake in hot car for long periods before serving.

• Refrigerate cake if you won’t be serving within 2 hours.

• Ask questions about cake cutting tips or best way to serve.

Cake Delivery

For special occasions or if you simply don’t have time for pickup, cake delivery takes the hassle out of getting your custom cake:

• No need to clear time for driving to and from the bakery.

• Your cake arrives fresh at the date and time you specify.

• Delivery services bring the cake right to your doorstep.

• Some bakeries offer refrigerated vans to keep cake perfectly cool in transit.

• Useful for surprise cakes or if you’re hosting an event.

• Delivery fees vary but ultimate convenience can be worth it!

To make the most of cake delivery:

• Be sure someone is available to receive cake at delivery time.

• Select earliest possible delivery time to allow maximal use.

• Alert building/venue staff cake is coming if needed.

• Have a cleared space ready for cake to be placed upon arrival.

• Tip drivers – they safely traverse traffic to deliver your cake!

Storing Cakes Properly

To keep your cake looking and tasting fresh until it’s time to serve, proper storage is key:

• Leave cake in original box until ready to assemble and display.

• Keep cake chilled by storing box in refrigerator if not serving soon.

• Allow chilled cake to slowly warm to room temp before decorating/serving.

• Don’t refrigerate cakes with fresh fruit decor as condensation can form.

• Store cake away from direct sunlight which can melt frosting.

• If keeping overnight, tent foil lightly over cake box before refrigerating.

• Let parts of tiered cakes come to room temp before stacking.

• Never freeze cake unless explicitly allowed by bakery. This can ruin texture.

Cake Serving Tips

Follow these tips when it’s finally time to cut and serve your gorgeous cake:

• Use a sharp, thin knife for clean slices with minimal tearing or crushing.

• Wipe knife clean between slices for neat presentation with no frosting smears.

• Cut thin cake “slivers” instead of wedge slices if providing a variety and portion control.

• Keep unused cake covered to prevent drying out.

• Save top tier cakes to freeze for first anniversary or christening.

• Consider giftwrapping slices as party favors for guests to take home extras.

• Utilize leftover cake for breakfasts, desserts, or even cake pops or milkshakes!

With this complete guide, you’ll be ready to order the perfect cake customized just for you from online browsing to decorating to serving. Let them eat cake!