Where to order cake

Out of those choices, I've only had Costco. It's delicious and I'd highly recommend.

I've had Costco and a pre-made one from Kroger. Costco cake is super yummy. The Kroger cake was nasty.

I've never been to a Costco. We don't have them. Sam's did cupcakes for my stepdaughter's wedding (don't ask) and they were delicious. They were actually the best food she served.

We got cupcakes from Sam's Club for DS's grad party. I love the Costco cake (both the white and chocolate, but especially their chocolate), but my kids don't like the filling on their white cake so we went with Sam's. Cupcakes are also easier.

Sam's and Costco both have great cakes and cupcakes and are really reasonable.

I have never ordered cake from a big box store. We get ours done at the local bakery.

For gluten free, dd found a local lady on community fb. She does an awesome job of gluten free cakes and cupcakes.

I would order from a local bakery. I'm a small business owner with a bakery neighbor and times are tough. Just throwing that out there.

Now I want Costco cake.

We have a Costco membership just so we can get cake. It’s sooooo good.

Is a local bakery cake prettier? Yes. Does it taste better? No.

I’ll second the recommendation for cupcakes over cake for the simple reason that if you end up with a lot leftover (which is a distinct possibility), they’re easy to freeze individually so you can take them out one by one to eat later. I leave them in their plastic pods until they’re frozen solid, then take them out. Wrap each one individually with Press N Seal then put them back in the pods and back in the freezer. They’ll stay good like that for a really long time. When you want to eat one, take it out and leave it wrapped up until it’s totally thawed out. It won’t be dried out or anything.

Another voice suggesting you use a smaller bakery or specialist cake decorator. The latter especially tend to be passionate about their skills and talents.  Just think about the posts & photos we’ve seen from cakediva

Thanks!

here’s my honest opinion as one of those small business cake people….

Depending on your budget, and what you are after, smaller bakeries/custom bakeries like me, mean just that - custom. So you will definitely have a higher price tag.

I agree with the poster above who said if this is an open house type gathering, get cupcakes. I just quoted two such events where they were after cake for an open house event. I suggested a smaller, decorative cake for display and having after, plus cupcakes so guests can grab and go. One was an anniversary party and one was a hospital event for a retiring surgeon. Both opted for cupcakes and a smaller fancy cake.

Just because I’m small and custom doesn’t meant my cakes taste like crap either.

We prefer Safeway’s white sheet cake w/whipped frosting and strawberries over any of Costco’s sheet cake.

www.tasteofhome.com/collection/the-best-grocery-store-cakes/

I bet your cakes are delicious. Unfortunately, specialty baker wasn’t an option in the poll. I’m in a bunch of baking groups and it blows me away how much custom cakes cost these days. (I’m not saying they’re not worth it, I’m just saying they’re an expensive luxury item and not in everyone’s budget.) I can totally understand why families would opt for a Costco cake for an open house where most of the people eating it will be kids who won’t really appreciate a fabulous custom cake enough to justify the expense.

Last year a friend asked me to make a three layer, 8” vanilla birthday cake with vanilla buttercream from scratch. I haven’t made a cake like that in a few years. I charged him $45. OMG, by the time I was done I realized I should have charged him at least double that.