Ordering a delicious piece of cake can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require some planning and knowledge to make sure you get exactly what you want. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through all the steps involved in ordering cake, from choosing a bakery to picking a flavor to finalizing your order. Read on for tips and tricks to help you order the perfect cake for any occasion.
Decide on the Occasion
First things first – what’s the cake for? Is it a birthday, anniversary, graduation party, baby shower, or something else? The occasion will help determine what size, flavor, and design of cake you need. A small cake for an intimate gathering will be very different than a 3-tiered extravaganza for a 100 person wedding. Think about how many people you need to serve and pick your cake size accordingly. Popular sizes are 6″, 8″, 9″ and 12″ rounds or quarter, half and full sheet sizes. Keep the occasion and guest count in mind as you make your cake choices.
Choose a Reputable Bakery
Once you know the general cake specifications, it’s time to pick where to order it from. Look for bakeries with excellent online reviews and who specialize in cakes and desserts specifically. A full-service bakery dedicated to sweets will have more cake choices, customization options, and intricate decorating skills than a grocery store bakery counter or general kitchen. However, don’t rule out asking your go-to grocery store either – many now have specialized cake decorators on staff. Here are some things to look for in a top notch cake bakery:
- Specializes in made-from-scratch cakes, cupcakes, and other baked treats
- Has a variety of cake flavors and fillings to choose from
- Offers different frosting and decorating options
- Has photos of their custom, creative cake designs
- Has consistently positive recent reviews for delicious cakes and good service
- Takes the time to understand your vision, occasion and budget
- Has a nice online ordering system or order form
A bakery that excels in these areas will be able to bring your cake dreams to life with care and skill!
Select a Flavor
Now for the best part – picking a yummy cake flavor! Here are some of the most popular cake flavors to consider:
- Chocolate – A classic favorite, chocolate cake comes in different varieties like chocolate fudge, German chocolate, or triple chocolate.
- Vanilla – Light vanilla cake with a hint of sweetness is a crowd-pleaser.
- Red Velvet – Distinctive red cake with a cocoa and cream cheese flavor.
- Carrot – Moist carrot cake loaded with spices and nuts.
- Strawberry – Fresh strawberry cake with fruit filling or buttercream.
- Lemon – Tangy lemon cake pairs great with raspberry or other fruit fillings.
- Marble – Can’t decide? Go with marble cake which swirls chocolate and vanilla together.
The possibilities don’t stop there either. Creative cake flavors like cookies & cream, tiramisu, funfetti, and many more can give you a unique and delicious cake. Discuss options with your bakery to settle on the perfect flavor.
Choose a Filling
Cakes taste even better with moist, flavorful fillings layered between the cake and frosting. Popular filling choices include:
- Buttercream – Classic creamy buttercream comes in different flavors.
- Fruit preserves – Tangy raspberry, strawberry, pineapple, or other fruit fillings.
- Ganache – Rich chocolate or white chocolate ganache.
- Lemon curd – For lemon or fruit cakes.
- Pastry cream – Thick vanilla custard cream.
- Cheesecake mousse – For cheesecake or New York-style cakes.
- Nutella – For chocolate-hazelnut lovers.
The filling will complement the main cake flavor so choose wisely! Sweet buttercream pairs well with most cakes or get more creative with a fruit curd or pastry cream. Ask your bakery for recommendations on the best filling for your selected cake flavors.
Pick a Frosting
The type of frosting will affect the cake’s texture and flavor. Consider these popular frosting options:
- Buttercream – Silky smooth American or Swiss buttercream in various flavors.
- Whipped cream – Light and airy whipped cream frosting.
- Cream cheese – Tangy cream cheese frosting for spice, carrot, or red velvet cakes.
- Ganache – Luscious chocolate or white chocolate ganache.
- Fondant – Sweet rolled fondant for a smooth, clean look.
- Marshmallow – Fluffy marshmallow frosting, especially for chocolate cakes.
Buttercream and whipped cream frostings have a soft texture, while ganache, fondant, and marshmallow have a firmer density. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your bakery to narrow it down.
Decide on Decorations
Part of the fun of ordering cake is getting to personalize it with fun decorations and designs! Whether you want something simple or elaborate, here are some popular cake decoration options:
- Fresh flowers like roses, lilies, or wildflowers
- Berries like raspberries or blueberries
- Custom writing piping with a special message
- Edible cake topper figurines featuring the occasion theme
- Sugar decorations like flowers, bows, or pearls
- Chocolate drizzle or ganache shapes and designs
- Geometric cake sides or ribbon borders
- Fondant cutouts like stars, hearts, or monograms
- Colors to match the occasion like the wedding colors
For a birthday, graduation, or shower cake choose fun designs like the person’s name, age, initials, or favorite flowers. Showcase the couple’s wedding colors and styles for an anniversary or wedding cake. You can keep it simple with minimal decor or go all out with a customized theme – the options are endless!
Select a Shape and Tier Design
For special occasion cakes, part of the presentation is deciding if you want a single tier or multi-tier cake. Popular shape and tier options include:
- Round single tier – Simple and elegant, great for smaller groups
- Square single tier – Modern and stylish vibe
- Hexagon single tier – For a unique honeycomb shape
- 2 tier round – Most popular for wedding and events
- 3 tier round – Elaborate for large weddings or lavish events
- Square tiers – Trendy and contemporary
Larger tiered cakes often use graduated sizing, with the bottom tier the largest and the top the smallest. Discuss your guest count, design wishes and cake servings needed with the bakery to determine if you should go with one, two, or three+ tiers.
Finalize Your Order Details
You’re nearing the home stretch! Here are some final order decisions and details to confirm with the bakery:
- Cake flavor, filling, frosting and decorations
- Shape, size and tier design
- Pickup, delivery or serving arrangements
- Date and time the cake is needed
- Personalization details (writing, topper, colors, etc)
- Total cost estimate and deposit, if required
Be prepared to provide your contact information, occasion date, guest count, and cake specifics. Having photos, color swatches or other inspiration is useful too. Reiterate any special details about designs, garnishes, or delivery wishes. Ask to see a draft rendering of the cake if possible so you know what to expect. Then relax knowing your order is handled by the pros!
Pick Up Your Cake and Enjoy!
Now the fun part – picking up your cake! Follow any instructions from the bakery on when to retrieve your cake. Bring proper transportation like a flat bed or covered truck if needed to avoid any jostling or sun damage. Carefully load and secure the cake for the trip back and allow time for final set up. Then wow your guests with your gorgeous cake as the centerpiece of your special event! Slice into the decadent layers of cake and filling you ordered for everyone to enjoy. Savor the flavor in every bite of your custom cake on a day to remember!
Ordering a custom cake involves many decisions but is worth the effort to get your perfect confection. With the right baker, your special occasion cake will not just look beautiful but also taste absolutely delectable. Follow these ordering steps and tips, communicate your vision, and you’re sure to be delighted with your dream cake for many years of happy memories to come. Now get out there and order some cake – you deserve it!
Example Cake Ordering Table
| Occasion | Size | Flavor | Filling | Frosting | Decorations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding | 3 tier, graduated rounds | Bottom: Red velvet Middle: Strawberry Top: Vanilla |
Cream cheese filling | Vanilla buttercream | White flowers, gold leaf details |
| Birthday | 2 tier, 6″ and 9″ rounds | Chocolate fudge | Chocolate ganache | Swiss buttercream | “Happy Birthday” writing, rainbow sprinkles |
| Baby Shower | 1 tier, 8″ round | Vanilla | Strawberry preserves | Whipped cream | Baby footprints, stork figurine |
This table shows example cake orders for different occasions. It provides details on the size, flavors, fillings, frostings, and decorative elements selected.
Cake Ordering Tips
Ordering a special cake can feel daunting, but these tips will help streamline the process:
- Give the bakery at least 2-4 weeks advance notice if possible
- Have an idea of your budget beforehand
- Bring color swatches, photos, or fabric if you want the cake to match other elements
- Avoid overly trendy or complicated designs that may be difficult to replicate
- Request a tasting to sample cake and frosting flavors if the bakery offers it
- Start with a basic design, then add decorative details
- Opt for cakes that freeze well if having a lot of leftovers
- Discuss delivery, setup, and cake cutting services ahead of time
- Confirm if the bakery can provide serving tools like plates, cutters, and utensils
- Have a backup plan if you plan to reuse parts of the cake after the event
Thinking through these planning tips will ensure your cake ordering process goes smoothly from conception to completion!
Conclusion
Ordering a special occasion cake involves many exciting decisions like flavor, frosting, filling, and design. First, know your event details and budget. Give the bakery notice to have time for preparation and customization. Consider the cake size and amount needed for your guests. Select your preferred flavors and fillings, and determine the frosting. Add any decorative touches or designs that reflect the occasion. Finalize delivery or pickup logistics with the bakery. Then on the big day, marvel at your delicious, beautiful cake and enjoy it with loved ones. With these steps and tips, you can order a showstopping cake that both looks and tastes incredible.
