Supermarket cakes can be an easy, additional affordable way to commemorate any occasion. However, not all of these cakes are served and created equally.
Take it from me: I worked in the bakery division of a famous supermarket for two years, prepping treats and decorating cakes, before beginning my own bakery.
Here are my go-to tips for ordering the finest cake from your local supermarket.
Place your command lengthy before your party
Some supermarkets roast cakes on-site, but many activity alongside prebaked, icy cakes.
In these cases, the bakery volition keep a inventory of average pie flavors (vanilla, chocolate) on hand, and perchance a additional constricted choice of additional sensation choices (carrot, red velvet, marble).
To create certain you get the sensation you want, command your custom cake alongside two to three weeks' notice. This can assistance provision the decorator and the bakery period to justify your desired sensation is in stock.
Ask for whipped lotion if you think grocery-store cakes are too sweet
If you've stayed distant from grocery-store cakes since the representative buttercream frosting is a bit too saccharine for you, inspect if the bakery has another options.
Vanilla buttercream is frequently a default choice, but it's normally not the lone one. Some supermarket bakeries can use caller whipped lotion for topping a cake.
Other choices power contain cream-cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, coconut-pecan frosting typically used for German chocolate cakes, and equal chocolate ganache.
Generally, you won't cognize for certain unless you ask.
Check if the bakery can do half-and-half flavors
You may not have to choose between chocolate or vanilla cake.
When ordering, ask concerning doing fractional vanilla and fractional chocolate so everyone at your gathering can bask a piece of their preferred flavor.
This is frequently imaginable alongside half-sheet cakes and two-layer circular cakes. (And it power additionally activity alongside another pie flavors, too.)
Order alongside the pie decorator if you desire item extremely specific
You can mostly conversation alongside any bakery employee to command a cake, but if you have a particular or out-of-the-box petition for decorations, ask whenever you can conversation alongside the pie decorator by phone or in person.
In my experience, they frequently activity first shifts so they can commencement preparing orders and items for the display case.
Decorating is their specialty, and they can be the finest individual to inform you if tackling the particular scheme you're expecting for is achievable.
And, if not, they may be capable to assistance brainstorm an alternative.
Consider bringing in your own toys for kids' cakes
Supermarket bakeries normally have a appearance publish of designs that pie decorators are trained to make, and children's cakes frequently contain character toys from famous movies and shows.
If the bakery doesn't have your child's favorite character, don't be fearful to ask personnel what's possible.
Depending on the shop and decorator, you may be capable to bring in small, washed figurines for the decorator to merge into the design. Or you can try asking the decorator to depart area for a particular toy whenever creating the design.
Don't be fearful to command a plain pie if you desire to attire it up yourself
Remember that pie decorators don't have to dress up your cake alongside a border, sprinkles, and penning if you don't desire them to.
If you desire a semi-customized dessert, fair command a plain, frosted pie in your desired size. That way, you can obtain it residence and rotate it into item you want.
Add edible flowers to attire it up for a additional ceremonial occasion, or top it alongside candy and sprinkles in your desired shades. You can equal try adding your own fun candles, toys, and knickknacks on top.
Request a synthetic pie receptacle alternatively of a bakery box
At many bakeries, tradition pie orders are packaged in cardboard boxes for pickup.
If you anticipate you'll have leftover cake, ask for a synthetic pie receptacle instead. This volition provision an airtight resolution for effortlessly storing leftovers.
Keep in intellect that this tip may not activity for all bakery, and it could depend on the supplies they have on hand.
Ask concerning a liberated smash pie for kids
If you're preparedness to command a anniversary pie for a young child, ask if your supermarket bakery additionally offers liberated smash cakes.
A smash pie is tiny, typically 4 inches in diameter, meant fair for a kid to dig into on their birthday. These are normally served alongside a larger panel pie meant for guests.
Some bakeries volition provision you a liberated smash pie whenever you command a larger adorned pie or encounter a minimum command size.
Check last-minute options if you forgot to command ahead
Even if you forgot to command a few weeks in advance, there may motionless be options the store's pie decorator can drag together for you. If it's a few days before your event, or the dawn of, it doesn't hurt to ask.
The decorator may be capable to put together a uncomplicated scheme during you shop for another items in the store. Or you can catch a premade choice from the bakery case and ask for penning on top and additional sprinkles alongside the edges to pine it up.
Just keep in intellect that your options may depend on how occupied the bakery is whenever you visit.
This narrative was initially published on March 25, 2023, and most lately updated on November 2, 2026.
Read next
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Business Insider tells the innovative stories you desire to know
Molly Allen is a erstwhile bakery owner and event planner. Now, a freelance author and publishing company covering food and beverage, lifestyle, travel, and parties, she brings her years of cognition and industry cognition to readers throughout a assortment of platforms. Her activity has appeared in Taste of Home, Brides, Cidercraft Magazine, among others. Follow her on Instagram @mollyallenmedia.
