Planning something special? Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation or something more offbeat, a custom cake can be the centerpiece that pulls everything together. But choosing the right place to make that cake? That’s where things can get a little tricky.
There are loads of bakeries out there offering custom cakes. They’ll show you pretty photos, promise quality, and maybe even tempt you with samples. But not all custom cake makers are created equal. And if you want the final result to match what’s in your head (and taste amazing too), there are a few things you absolutely need to check before you place your order.
Let’s break down exactly how to choose the best spot for your custom cake without second-guessing your decision.
Know What You Actually Want Before You Start Browsing
Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to skip this step. Before you even start looking at bakeries, get clear on a few key details:
How many people does the cake need to serve?
Do you want specific flavors or fillings?
What kind of design or theme are you imagining?
Are there any must-haves or non-negotiables? (e.g. no fondant, must be vegan, needs to travel well)
Having answers to these upfront means you won’t waste time with places that can’t deliver what you’re after. It also helps the bakery give you accurate pricing and timeframes.
Check That They Actually Cater to Your Dietary Needs
This one matters more than you might think. If you or your guests have dietary requirements, make sure the place you’re looking at can cater for them properly.
Some bakeries say they offer “gluten-free” or “vegan” options, but that can mean different things depending on how seriously they take it. Cross-contamination, limited flavor choices, or just not knowing how to make it taste good, it happens more often than you’d expect.
And then there’s halal. This is one that’s often overlooked, but if you need a halal customised cake, make sure the bakery can genuinely provide it. Don’t assume that just because a bakery avoids alcohol or gelatin, it automatically counts. You want to be sure their ingredients are certified, and that they understand what halal actually involves, not just using the term loosely.
Don’t be shy about asking questions. A good cake maker will happily walk you through their process and put your mind at ease. If they don’t, that’s a red flag.
Don’t Just Look at Pretty Photos
Every bakery has an Instagram page filled with stunning cakes. But here’s the thing, those pictures are curated. They’re the best of the best, with the perfect lighting and filters. What you really want to know is: can they recreate what you want?
Instead of scrolling endlessly, ask to see photos of cakes they’ve done that are similar in theme or design to what you’re looking for. If they’ve never done something like your idea before, that’s not automatically a dealbreaker. But they should be able to show you that they’ve worked with similar shapes, sizes, or design techniques.
Better yet, ask about how they handle custom requests. Can you sit down and sketch it out together? Will they do mockups? Are they flexible if you want to tweak the design after the initial plan?
Ask About Their Lead Time, Then Add Extra
Here’s a mistake people make all the time: waiting until the last minute. Custom cakes take time. There’s planning, sourcing ingredients, baking, decorating, and sometimes even transporting it to your venue.
Many custom cake makers book out weeks or months in advance, especially during busy seasons like wedding months or school holidays.
If you’ve got a date in mind, reach out early. And if they say they need two weeks, aim for three. That gives you some breathing room in case anything shifts.
Check How They Handle Delivery or Pickup
A stunning custom cake is only impressive if it arrives in one piece. Some places offer delivery, others expect you to pick it up. Either way, make sure you know exactly how that’s going to work. Will the cake need to be kept cool? Does it travel well? Is it tiered or delicate in any way?
If you’re picking it up yourself, ask what kind of vehicle or setup is ideal. You don’t want to toss it in the backseat and hope for the best. And if they offer delivery, clarify who’s doing it — is it in-house, or are they using a courier who may not understand how fragile the cake is?
Understand Their Pricing (and What’s Included)
Custom cakes vary a lot in price. And that’s totally fair; they’re not one-size-fits-all. But you do want to understand what you’re paying for.
Some places charge per slice. Others charge based on time, complexity, materials, or delivery. And some might give you a price that seems great, but it turns out the decorations you wanted are extra, or the flavor you chose adds on a surcharge.
Ask for a full breakdown, especially if you’re comparing a few different places. And don’t forget to ask about deposits, cancellations, and changes. It’s better to know all that now than deal with surprises later.
Trust Your Gut
You can do all the research in the world, but at some point, you’ll have to make a call. If a bakery feels right — if they understand your vision, respect your needs, and communicate clearly — you’re probably in good hands.
A custom cake is more than dessert. It’s a part of your celebration. So don’t settle for a place that only ticks some of your boxes. You want the one that ticks all of them.
