Frequently Asked Questions
What sets you apart from other custom cake shops?
Chris's reputation is second to none. The personal one-on-one service you’ll receive is unmatched by anything you’ll get elsewhere. Our custom cakes not only look great — they taste great too!
What advice do you have when ordering a custom cake?
Make sure your expectations are realistic. It's amazing how many requests we get for a "simple" cake yet the images we're given as examples are extremely elaborate - far from simple. Each cake we make is truly one-of-a-kind and every effort is made to create the cake you envision based on your budget. However, it's not always possible. Keep in mind the cakes you see on TV can START at $1,500 each and involve a small army of workers to complete them.
When should I request my custom cake order?
It’s never too early to place your order. Because our schedule fills up quickly, a minimum of 1 week is appreciated. After an order is confirmed, every effort will be made to accommodate changes, but may not be possible if supplies have already been purchased. Rush orders will be considered on an individual basis. Additional charges may apply.
I submitted a quote request - why haven't I been contacted?
Please allow up to 48 business hours to receive a response. This is especially true on the weekends when our workload is heavier and we are busy fulfilling orders.
What are your hours?
We are available to take your order, or to answer any questions you may have regarding an existing order, during our normal hours of operation. Delivery, however, is available 7 days a week and a time can be arranged at the time you place your order. Deliveries on Sunday or Monday are subject to additional fees.
Tuesday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9am - 2pm
Monday: Closed
Do you offer delivery?
Yes, all custom creations are delivered right to you in our refrigerated van (a.k.a. The Polar Bear) and includes set up if requested. The minimum charge for local delivery is $50. Deliveries on Sunday or Monday are subject to additional fees.
Do I have to have my cake delivered?
Yes, we only deliver our cakes. It ensures that your special cake arrives to its destination in one piece. You don't need to worry about a thing and you'll avoid the unfortunate circumstance below. These cakes are fragile and can easily fall over without a flat surface and in warmer weather. That's why we deliver everything in our refrigerated van.
 |
 |
What is the difference between buttercream and fondant?
Buttercream is what you see on many traditional cakes. It's primarily made of sugar and butter and is easy to spread onto cakes and use for decorating. Fondant has a dough-like consistency which is rolled out and placed over the cake or molded for decorations. Fondant is very versatile and creates a smooth finish, which can be harder to obtain with spatula-applied buttercream. Fondant covered cakes cost more because there is more labor and materials involved. All of our fondant covered cakes are first covered in a layer of buttercream so you can have the best of both worlds – taste and design.
What are your deposit and payment terms?
When you place your custom order, you will be required to make a deposit equal to 50% of the total order cost. The balance is due 24 hours prior to delivery.
What is your change or cancellation policy?
Changes in size or cancellations for all custom work must be received at least 10 business days prior to delivery in order to receive an adjustment to your price or refund of your deposit. Cancellations made less than 10 business days prior to an event will have their deposit applied to a future order (no refunds will be given).
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). No work can begin until checks have cleared.
“Chris created a wonderful birthday cake for my husband’s surprise party, and were the most responsive of the four DC/Silver Spring bakeries. Because I was in ‘the other Washington’ during party prep time, I faxed a sketch with details of the artwork I wanted about two weeks before the party. The price was excellent for the high quality and detail of the icing artwork.”
— LJ C., Olympia, WA
“I ordered a cake for a birthday party — the theme was “My Super Sweet 25.” I wanted that written on the cake in graffiti letters. No one at Safeway or Giant understood my bizarre request, so I had to bring in the big guns for some “Ace of Cakes”-style baking. This is the conversation I had with the person on the phone:
Me: And I would like this all to be graffiti letters and colorful.
Chris: OK, one of our bakers is in a gang, I’ll have him work on it.
Pretty sure he was joking, but the cake turned out beautifully, and it was so tasty! Chocolate fudge, yum. A big hit at the party!”
— Adele C., Washington, DC