25+ Best Cake Shops in Oakleigh, Melbourne (2024)

Cake Shop Vines

There are so many places to find a great cake in Melbourne, whether you want to order a birthday number the size of a truck-tyre or just sit in for a single slice.

On the hunt of cake shops in Oakleigh, Melbourne? Finding the best cake can be a stressful endeavour. After all, there are so many stores, options, and prices out there to consider. So, finding a delicious cake that offers unique designs and a carefully curated selection of cakes is a true life-saver.

To help you get started on your cake hunt, we’ve rounded up our favourite cake shops from right across Oakleigh, Melbourne.

Table of Contents

Ultimate List of Cake Shops in Oakleigh, Melbourne

Limonium Cake Shop Melbourne

limonium cake shop melbourne

limonium.com.au

1300 282 598

Large cakes, small cakes, pies, tarts, corporate functions & sweet tables

Limonium is a family-owned business, founded in 2021. We have been passionate about baking delicious desserts ever since we could remember, and our dreams of opening a baking business came to life amongst the hardships of COVID-19. Large cakes, small cakes, corporate functions, or sweet tables, we would be honoured to lovingly create your unique dessert dreams.

Vanilla Lounge Cake Shop Oakleigh Melbourne 

Vanilla Lounge

vanillalounge.com.au

03 9568 3358

Welcome to Eaton Mall, a hidden gem located in the heart of multicultural Oakleigh.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of this amazing hub is Vanilla Lounge. In August 2008, we opened our doors and our hearts to the community and everyone gave their love back. Being a coffee and dining lounge, Vanilla has something for everyone. It is a family place, a meeting place, a place where you can come and experience a unique European vibe right here in Melbourne.

The family behind Vanilla have been innovators and pioneers in the hospitality industry for over 45 years. With the opening of Vanilla Lounge, Oakleigh saw a new dining culture emerge. What is particularly exciting for Melbourne is that it now boasts another leading patisserie that truly celebrates the greatest qualities of its cosmopolitan heritage. Vanilla was praised as one of the Top 10 Patisseries in The Age Good Café Guide 2012.

We are committed to enhancing our patron’s experience by providing our boutique coffee brand, Dukes, our extraordinary music acts on Thursday nights, our extensive menu made with local and fresh ingredients and without preservatives or additives, our world-class standard of cakes and biscuits and our latest venture, Vanilla Upstairs which has amazing pan-Mediterranean cuisine and invites people to come together and share in the simple pleasures.

“Calling the crowds that gather in Eaton Mall, Vanilla Lounge in Oakleigh is a popular family-run venue specialising in Mediterranean fare and mouthwatering cakes. Boasting a large alfresco area to observe the shoppers in action, this ever-bustling venue is well renowned for its generous community spirit and warm welcome.

With an extensive selection of Mediterranean and Greek fare on offer, Vanilla Lounge dishes out an array of delicious options like warm pan-fried sweet chilli calamari with homemade dressing, as well as lamb souvlaki with salad, chips, tzatziki and pita bread.

For those looking to linger, pair a choice from the well-crafted wine list with the meat platter for two, or indulge with one of Vanilla Lounge’s specialty desserts, made daily on-site by talented pastry chefs.”

Australian Good Food and Travel Guide

Baked daily with the finest ingredients

Our sweet treats are made on-site with the best ingredients, from traditional Greek biscuits and specialties to popular classics, signature treats, whole cakes, and celebration cakes. We invite you to browse the galleries below. You can enjoy our cakes at Vanilla, or you can purchase them over counter take away – the perfect treat when you visit family and friends or even at work! If you are after a celebration cake, our experienced cake consultants will be thrilled to help.

Kye’s Cakes Melbourne

Kye's Cake

kyescakes.com.au

Unfortunately, we are temporarily closed.

Once a date to reopen is confirmed, our social media and website will be updated.

Custom, made to order edible art that tastes as good as it looks.

Using equipment like 3D printers and a CO2 laser cutter, Kye can provide breathtaking custom details on cakes and desserts while taking only a fraction of the time that traditional cake decorating methods can take.

That means you get a stunning and premium one of a kind cake that often costs less than a standard bakeries custom ordered cake.

Fill in our enquiry form today for a free quote or to discuss ideas!

Kye’s passion for creating desserts drove him to leave his IT career so he could study patisserie and work at a boutique cake business to get real experience.

Now Kye is able to offer affordable, stunning pieces of edible art that taste just as incredible as they look, direct to you.

Using equipment like 3D printers and a CO2 laser cutter, Kye can provide breathtaking custom details on cakes and desserts while taking only a fraction of the time that traditional cake decorating methods can take.

That means you get a stunning and premium one of a kind cake that often costs less than a standard bakeries custom ordered cake.

Through experience, care and attention to detail, we can create something that will not only make your taste buds sing but leave an amazing memory for years to come.

Custom cakes are our speciality! We will work with you to ensure your vision & ideas are crafted into a beautiful centrepiece for your event. Cakes aren’t where we stop! We are able to bake and craft an extensive range of sweets for you, such as:

  • Cupcakes
  • Cookies
  • Macarons
  • Croquembouches
  • Dessert Pies & Tarts
  • Petite Fours
  • Candies & other desserts.

Building a reputation isn’t easy, but we’re truly dedicated to ensuring your entire experience with Kye’s Cakes is one that will leave you eagerly awaiting your next event.

Kye’s cake’s is operated out of a kitchen that is registered & inspected by Monash City Council. Consultations & pick-up’s are welcome at arranged times.

For your convenience, we also offer delivery Melbourne wide & table set up.

Piece Of Cake Bakery Melbourne 

Piece Of Cake Bakery

pocbakery.com.au

0432 304 421

All of our cakes are available in 8, 9, and 11 inch round sizes; however, other sizes are available in square or rectangle shapes as per request.

Orders can be left on our answering service 24 hours a day. However, please place your order ASAP to avoid the possibility of a shortage on our behalf.

Credit card payments are accepted through must be processed prior to picking up the cake. Please email, phone or mail details of credit card for processing.

Pick up directly from the shop will not incur an additional charge: 2 b Macrina Street Oakleigh East (off Ferntree Gully Road)

Bakers Delight Melbourne 

Bakers Delight

bakersdelight.com.au

The rise and rise of Bakers Delight

In 1980, Roger and Lesley Gillespie opened the first Bakers Delight in Hawthorn, Victoria. Since then, we’ve been delighting our customers every day with delicious, freshly baked bread. From our classic loaves to our artisanal sourdoughs, our bread is baked fresh every day using traditional recipes and real ingredients.

Still proudly family-owned and operated by joint CEOs Elise Gillespie & David Christie, Bakers Delight is now Australia’s most successful bakery franchise and can be found in more than 700 locations across Australia, Canada, the USA and New Zealand.

ABOUT BAKERS DELIGHT

Since 1980, our bakers have been committed to ensuring every loaf, every roll and every bun is a delight to bake, a delight to eat and delivered through a delightful customer experience.

GRAINS TO YOUR BREAD

You may not realise it, but your bread has undergone an amazing journey well before you take it home and tuck in. Our flour is sourced from Aussie farms, processed by family-owned millers and lovingly crafted into bread by our bakers. Take the journey with us.

The Baking House Cakes Melbourne 

The Baking House

thebakinghouse.com.au

03 8589 2606

The Baking House offers a menu of sweet and savoury food. Our Café specialises in cakes, pastries, cupcakes, pies, puff pastry items and barista-made coffee.

The Baking House uses only the local freshest, finest, and ripest ingredients to ensure you have extraordinary flavour on every bite.

We create custom-designed cakes that suit customer’s needs and desires. We believe in quality and consistency at the best price among our competitors.

We provide service to supply bakery’s needs for commercial businesses, offices, hotels, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in Melbourne.

Our mission is to bring customer’s satisfaction and to make their special occasion truly exceptional through our professional baking with unbeatable taste.

Floriana Cakes Melbourne

Floriana Cakes

florianacakes.com

03 9543 1639

Welcome to Floriana Cakes

CHRISTMAS BREAK – we reopen on Monday 18th Jan. Apologies for the inconvenience, stay safe and have a Great New Year

Welcome to Floriana Cakes; take a moment to browse our extensive range of Novelty, Wedding and Special Occasion Cakes. We have been creating and designing high-quality cakes for over 30 years. Let us be a part of your next celebration and experience the delicious cakes we are famous for. There is no limit to the flavours and fillings in our range, Continental, Choc Mud, White Mud, Red Velvet, Jam & Fresh Cream, Black Forest, Tiramisu, Bacio, Mars, Puff Pastry, Choc Mousse, Gelati, Cheesecakes, Buttercake. We also have a selection of Cannoli, Profiteroles & other Baby Cakes. We are open & baking fresh 7 days a week.

Dolce Fantasia Cakes Melbourne 

Dolce Fantasia

dolcefantasia.com.au

+61 3 9562 6744

When we welcome you to our shop, we want you to feel at home. To enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee and a piece of cake. To be transported back in time to a particular memory by a flavour you haven’t tasted for years. To have trust that we will always prioritise our relationship and never try to upsell you. Because nothing is more important to us than you – our customers.

CAKES

At Dolce, we have a range of beautiful cakes that we bake daily on-site using quality ingredients and readily available in-store for purchase.

We offer an assortment of specialty cakes for all occasions. Our selection ranges from a “custom” cake to help you celebrate special life moments. Or have one of our “signature” cakes that have you coming back for more or simply something “petite” that will satisfy your want for something sweet.

Our celebration cakes are made to order. We highly recommend placing cake orders for at least 48 hours in advance to avoid disappointment.

COFFEE

Coffee, our reason for waking up in the morning. Nothing makes us happier than wrapping our hands around a warm cuppa, inhaling that addictive aroma, and indulging in something sweet.

Whether you need an espresso or a macchiato, a café latte or simply a flat white, we take our coffee seriously and are ready and brewing for you. Our coffee partner Circi brew some of the finest beans, supplying us with our signature house blend.

Dolce Fantasia prepares fresh, high-quality catering for every occasion, family dinners, business lunches, commercial events and weddings. Catering is available 7 days a week. All orders are pick-up only and need to be registered before 12 pm on the day prior. Please note that we require 48 HOURS notice for all CAKE orders.

The Cupcake Queens Melbourne 

The Cupcake Queens

thecupcakequeens.com.au

+ 61396872888

The Cupcake Queens have been established in 2005 and currently have ten locations in Melbourne CBD (Hardware Lane), Chadstone Shopping Centre, Frankston, St Kilda Rd Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Northland Shopping Centre, South Melbourne, Watergardens, Werribee and Williamstown. We are a family-owned and operated business and have been consistently voted as one of Melbourne’s top destinations for outstanding cupcakes, coffee and customer in-store experience. We maintain the highest standards in delivering on our customers’ expectations for quality product and exceptional customer service. 

The Cupcake Queens have been established in 2005 and currently have nine locations in Melbourne CBD (Hardware Lane), Chadstone Shopping Centre, Frankston, Melbourne (St Kilda Rd), Moonee Ponds,

Northland Shopping Centre, Watergardens, Werribee and Williamstown.

We are a family-owned and operated business and have been consistently voted as one of Melbourne’s top destinations for outstanding cupcakes, coffee and customer in-store experience.

We maintain the highest standards in delivering on our customers’ expectations for quality product and exceptional customer service. 

Call us on 1 300 972 827 to pre-order your cupcakes or order online anytime.

Europa Continental Cafe Cake Shop Melbourne 

Europa Continental Cafe Cake Shop

europacafecakes.com.au

03 9041 4417

We specialise in making delicious Polish & European cakes and desserts, using the highest quality ingredients.

All of our cakes and meals are cooked on-site and adhere to the highest standard of food presentation and menu creation. Our dedicated baker and cooking team are always working at creating traditional favourites as well as new recipes. We are happy to provide you with catering and can do special orders for cakes and meals. Our venue is available for you to use for your next function and will offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests. We provide the menu of your choice and attentive service for these occasions.

About

Our family-run shop, Europa Carnegie, opened its doors in 2012. Owner and baker Ryszard Janczewski formerly owned the hugely successful Europa Cakeshop in Acland Street, St.Kilda, where he mastered his trade over a period of 15 years. We use the finest quality preservative-free ingredients to make a delicious and wide variety of fresh desserts, bread, and bagels, as well as traditional Polish cuisine.

Experienced staff provide friendly service, and we offer vegetarian and gluten-free options. The shop is open 7 days a week till late and is fully licensed. Our Polish style cheesecake featured on SBS programme Food Safari. In it, baker Ryszard shows award-winning food and cooking author Maeve O’Meara how to make one of our most popular favourite cakes. 

Clancy’s Bakehouse Melbourne  

Clancy's Bakehouse

clancysbakehouse.com.au

03 9571 0818

Clancy’s has a great range of pies, quiches, and really great tea, coffees and a huge range of cakes selection. Warm cosy seating inside and outside. A must for any cake lovers.

We are a small family-owned Bakehouse located in the heart of East Malvern and have served the local community and surrounding suburbs for over 15 years.

Catering

We love to cater to! We cater for all occasions, from family dinners to birthdays, anniversaries, work or corporate functions big and small, funerals and much more. Whether you are catering for a small group or for a large gathering, we offer a broad range of products suitable for most celebrations. You can locate our menu in the products tab or contact us by enquiring below.

Products

From cakes to pies, to salads to our award-winning sourdough bread, there is a little something for everyone at Clancy’s. We pride ourselves on producing only the best quality food and source locally wherever possible to ensure we keep supporting small businesses. We also cater to our four-legged friends too by offering high quality and gourmet treats from K9 Katering. 

Our Coffee

We partner with Ottimo Coffee, a local specialty coffee roaster dedicated to roasting, brewing and providing the best in coffee and tea to businesses around Australia since 2007. Our in house blend is the Malvern Blend which has become a staple in the East Malvern community.

Cremorne Street Bakers Melbourne

Cremorne Street Bakers

cremornestreetbakers.com.au

03 9428 8340

Cremorne Street Bakers are family and history you can taste. It’s small-batch, not mass-produced—flavours, not fads. Straight out of the oven, delivered with unbeatable customer service. All prepared by a happy baking team that’s passionate about that extra bite.

With a background in running successful cafes, sisters Michelle Blyth and Justine Curtis know what Melburnians are looking for when it comes to the little something they didn’t know they wanted but can’t resist having with their coffee. It was these baked goods that made the sisters’ Hawthorn cafes Replete and The Counter so popular, and it’s why Michelle and Justine took the next step of establishing Cremorne Street Bakers.

Four plus years on, Cremorne Street Bakers products can be found right across Melbourne’s ever-expanding café scene and in their retail store, ensuring people from Brighton to Geelong can get hooked on their home-baked lemon, passionfruit and coconut slice, eminently Instagrammable meringues, nostalgic lolly slices, seasonal tartlets and so much more.

It’s business as usual here at Cremorne Street Bakers.

We’re still supplying Melbourne’s best cafes with our small-batch baked goods, and now we’re also making sure you can get what you need at home.

We have boxes packed full of home-style meals and sweet treats that we’ll deliver to your door, plus a selection of indulgent hampers for every occasion from our new sibling gift hamper company Cremorne Street Hampers.

Order online now for delivery to your home or business.

Muffin Break Cake Melbourne

Muffin Break

muffinbreak.com.au

+61 3 9569 0044

Nothing beats freshly baked food or coffee made using the freshest beans. That’s why every Muffin Break has its own kitchen, baking throughout the day, so everything we serve is as good as it can be.

Good Food. Good Coffee. Good Times.

IT’S WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT.

HAPPINESS IS HANDMADE

Good Ingredients

At Muffin Break, we’re all about fresh and always have been. We work hard to carefully select and source the freshest ingredients and the finest coffee beans, giving you all the more reason to enjoy every last mouthful and every last drop.

Good Products

We bake daily in all of our stores and freshly grind your coffee to order. Our kitchens may be pocket-size, but they’re expertly designed, giving us the capacity to hand make all of your favourites and something a little special each and every day.

Good People

Our bakers are hard at work from 4 am daily, ensuring freshly baked muffins are out of the oven before you arrive as well as preparing other savoury delights such as our classic bacon and egg roll and famous handmade carrot cake.

We’re a family-owned and operated business. Each of our stores is locally owned and operated by our franchisees who are proud of the communities they serve and love nothing more than to see you leave with a smile on your face.

The Muffin Break Story

Muffin Break first opened its doors in Coolangatta, Queensland, in 1989.

From humble beginnings, we now have over 210 stores in Australia. You’ll find us predominantly in shopping centres, but we continue to innovate and evolve into other locations such as airports, train stations as well as children’s play centres more recently, through our licensed partnership with Crocs Playcentres.

Our overseas footprint also continues to expand with bakery-cafes in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, too, taking our total store count over 300 internationally.

Cakes of Melbourne 

Cakes Of Melbourne

cakesofmelbourne.com.au

0408 911 671

Here is a small selection of cakes to help inspire you. You can choose your flavours, colours and styles. All cakes are custom made to order, and prices vary according to the many options available. Sizes come in 10cm (4"), 15cm (6"), 20cm (8") or 25cm (10") diameter. Cakes can be ordered with 1, 2 or 3 tiers serving an intimate 8 dessert cake portions or as many as 114 wedding cake portions. Please use the contact page to find out more.

Offering you the finest of cakes and sweet bakes both in beauty and taste for your next celebration or event.

I am an accredited Food Safety Supervisor and my licenced registered kitchen at home in Brighton, Victoria, is where I put all my love into creating these show-stopping treats, using top quality products and creating textures and tastes that are hard to beat.

My cakes are freshly baked, layered, filled, swirled, piped, drizzled, and then I have fun decorating using my own creativity. No two cakes are ever the same. I love trying new recipes and techniques, and there’s little I won’t do in search of baking perfection. I also am happy to bake to your dietary requirements - gluten-free, dairy-free, halal and vegan. 

If there is anything special that you need, just let me know - I will do my very best to make it happen for you.

Just sit back and relax and let me create your dream celebration cakes and sweet bakes. I pride myself on creating the very best for you all the time, every time…

Blackwood Lane Cake Melbourne

Blackwood Lane

blackwoodlane.com

03 9563 3256

Blackwood Lane was established in Melbourne in 1990 as a small family run business with a quest to import the best quality goods direct to the public. Initially starting with one product, we are now proud to have an extensive range of over 5,000 unique products from all around the world. We are Australian owned and operate widely around Australia and internationally, supplying major supermarkets and a number of selected specialty stores. Particularly health food stores that love our Gluten Free, Organic and Diabetic products.

Our products range from rice’s, jams, extra virgin olive oils, cake decorations, cake mixers, spices, couscous, Thai cooking products, American goods, beer machines, beers, ciders to the best range of organic, gluten-free and diabetic products. We also offer top of the range cake-decorating classes in our Hughesdale store, which is solely dedicated to the cake-decorating sector of our business.

Blackwood Lane is utterly committed to providing not only quality goods but also products that are different and affordable. We manufacture a number of our own products right here in Melbourne. Our most well known manufactured product is the Blackwood Lane’ Fruit Mince’ that’s recipe has taken a number of years to perfect.

George Spanos, our managing director, has over 30 years of experience in the food industry. From being a leading Marketing lecturer at Melbourne’s top university Monash to running short courses in Marketing, George’s expert knowledge has ensured long-term success for Blackwood Lane.

Our strong team of staff has been with us for many years, and together, we share the same vision and philosophy.

Casa Dolce Cake Shop Melbourne

Casa Dolce

casadolcebakery.com.au

03 9589 5597

Fresh Wholesale Bakery Melbourne

Nothing beats the taste of freshly baked bread. At Casa Dolce, we are artisan bread wholesalers and professional bakers.

From soft and buttery brioche, flavoursome rye loaves, to traditional white bread, all our Melbourne wholesale bakery-quality products are available to order in bulk.

Traditions are essential at our bakery. The Casa Dolce family have been using recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Our bread is prepared with tender love and care by our dedicated bread manufacturers in Melbourne.

Order Directly From Our Wholesale Bakery in Melbourne

For us, food is more than just fuel. And our bread carefully created to satiate. We believe in quality quantity. No order is too big or complicated for our passionate team of bread wholesalers.

Every loaf, roll and speciality bread is baked with the finest, locally sourced ingredients. Combined with our traditional recipes and years of baking expertise, you’ll be able to taste the difference in our craft bread.

Indulge in our diverse range of heartwarming baked goods today. Share in the experience of high-quality artisan brioche, sourdough, rye and more. Our signature range has the following assortment:

  • Brioche
  • Wholegrain
  • Rye
  • Sourdough
  • Turkish
  • Wholemeal
  • White

Looking For A Reliable Wholesale Bread Supplier in Melbourne?

We make wholesale bread ordering easy. From ordering, invoicing to delivery, our friendly team can help you with everything you need regarding our selection of tasty wholesale treats. Wherever you are in Melbourne, we’ll bring our freshly baked bread to you. So, if you are looking for a reliable bread supplier in Melbourne that takes care of its clients, get in touch with us today.

Call our wholesale bakery now on (03) 9589 5596 to bulk buy our variety of delicious baked goods. You can also send us an inquiry by emailing [email protected]. Make your fresh dreams come true at Casa Dolce!

Illy’s Cakes Melbourne 

Illy's Cakes

illyscakes.com.au

03 9500 1701

the finest cakes and slices

Established in1992, Illy’s Good Taste has been delivering quality Gourmet Products. We supply to the Hotel Industry, Cafes and Restaurants across Melbourne.

We are catering for a whole variety of events such as the Melbourne Cup, Spring Racing Carnival, Australian Open, Australian Grand Prix, Birthday Parties and Christmas Functions. These are just a few of the many events that we cater for each year. Illy’s Good Taste has become a household name in Melbourne.

Our sales teamwork in collaboration with our kitchen chefs to ensure that all our customers receive top quality products at all times. Illy’s is renowned for the best quality, excellent service and prompt supply.

We supply from bayside to hillside covering from the Mornington Peninsula through to Geelong, Healesville and surrounding areas.

Why are cakes so popular?

Desserts are the sweet course, generally relished at the end of the meal. Their mouthwatering taste can melt any heart, and even a mere mention of the names of the dessert brings water to our mouth. One of the most delicious and popular desserts loved by everyone is CAKE. There are several reasons why people are crazy about cakes, and their popularity as a dessert is unquestionable.

For those who share an affinity for sweets, the cake probably ‘takes the cake’ as our favourite dessert ever. It’s the one treat most commonly associated with momentous celebrations, and it can even manage to evoke nostalgia. Not to mention, a flavour profile exists for practically every taste, even those who don’t like chocolate (although we have to respectfully agree to disagree here). But, what you may not know is that cake has a history that is as rich and detailed as those exquisite cakes we see on TV and in our own homes. Let’s enhance our cake trivia and indulge in some history of cakes.

Why are Cakes so Popular as a Dessert?

Cakes are a Perfect Dessert

Just like any other dessert, cakes can be savoured after your main course. They not only aid in digestion but also help to tickle your taste buds. The delicious flavours of the cake make them the perfect companion of any cuisine. People do not mind indulging in this yummy dessert after any meal, be it dinner or lunch.

Available in a variety, you can never go bore of them

From black forest to red velvet and from vanilla to strawberry, cakes come in hundreds of, flavours and there are so many options for choosing the flavours of a cake. You can choose a different flavour for every new occasion, and you can never go bore of the varieties, as there are so many. One more benefit is that you can even get to taste a cake with the flavour of some seasonal fruits, even during the period when those fruits are not available in the market.

Preferred by all, no age bar

Everyone in the family loves cakes; be it, grandparents or granddaughters, everyone is a crazy fan of cakes. If you order a cake, you can be sure of pleasing everyone, irrespective of age. Cakes tickle the taste buds of everyone, be it a 5-year-old kid or a 60-year-old grandpa. So order this dessert, and everyone is sorted.

It suits everyone’s pocket

Cakes let you savour amazing flavours at affordable prices. Since they come in various varieties, so are their pricing options. You can order a cake of your favourite flavour at a price that does not burn a hole in your pocket. And this particular advantage makes it easier for the people to order the cakes instead of opting for any other dessert. The prices are dependent on how big the cake is and how intricately it has been designed; moreover, the flavour also makes a difference in the price range.

The First Cakes

The word cake is of Viking origin, derived from the Norse word “kaka.” The first cakes ever made are quite different from the ones we eat today. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians were the first culture to exhibit baking skills, and during Ancient Times, the cakes were more bread-like in appearance and sweetened with honey. The Greeks also had an early form of cheesecake, while the Romans developed versions of fruitcakes with raisins, nuts and other fruits.

Meanwhile, in mid-17th century Europe, cakes were frequently baked due to advances in technology and access to ingredients. Europe is credited with the invention of modern cakes, which were round and topped with icing. The first icing was usually a boiled mixture of sugar, egg whites, and some flavourings. During this time, many cakes still contained dried fruits, like currants and citrons.

Then, in the 19th century, cake, as we know it today, became more popular. However, the treat was considered a luxury as sweet ingredients like sugar and chocolate were very expensive. During this time, cakes were baked with extra refined white flour and baking powder instead of yeast. Buttercream frostings also began replacing traditionally boiled icings. Also, thanks to the advancements in temperature-controlled ovens, a baker’s life became much easier. No longer did the bakers have to watch and wait for the cake to finish baking continually. Even more, the Industrial Revolution made ingredients more readily available, which made them cheaper, so more people could bake them or even buy them at the store.

The Birthday Cake

Now, we can’t talk about the history of cakes without mentioning birthday cakes! Today, the cake is used to celebrate occasions, like weddings, engagements, anniversaries, holidays, and of course birthdays. But, when did we actually start celebrating birthdays with cake, and why? Notably, in Ancient Greece, it was a tradition to celebrate the births of their gods. And, for the celebration of goddess Artemis’ birth, people would bake a round cake in her honour to symbolise the moon. Theories suggest that the cake was decorated with lit candles so it would glow like the moon.

Then, by the 13th century, German children began celebrating their birthdays (called Kinderfest) with cakes that were also lit with candles. Candles stood for the light of life, with one candle for each year and one additional candle for continued life. However, unlike today, the candles burned all day and were often replaced when the flame died down. Finally, before the cake was eaten, the candles were blown out, and the child would make a wish. The belief was that the smoke would carry the wish to heaven. And, like modern tradition, the birthday girl or boy wouldn’t tell anyone their wish so it would come true.

Why are Cakes Round?

Although cakes can be baked in virtually any shape imaginable, there are several theories as to why most cakes are traditionally round in shape. Generally, the round cakes we enjoy today were made by hand and moulded into round balls. While baking, the bread naturally relaxed into rounded shapes. Now, we often use hoops and pans to create the distinctive circular shape of a cake.

Although there is another theory too, which is that Gods prefer round cakes. In Ancient Times, some civilisations baked cakes as a kind gesture for their gods and spirits. A round cake was meant to symbolise the cyclical nature of life, as well as the sun and the moon. This theory could explain why we serve cakes on special occasions like birthdays to symbolise the cycle of life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cakes

A cakery or cake shop is a retail business specializing in producing and/or selling cakes; they may also sell cupcakes, muffins, sponges, as well as other baked goods that fall under the title of a cake.

The term "cake" has a long history. The word itself is of Viking origin, from the Old Norse word "kaka". The ancient Greeks called cake πλακοῦς (plakous), which was derived from the word for "flat", πλακόεις (plakoeis). It was baked using flour mixed with eggs, milk, nuts, and honey.

 4000 Diamonds! A bakery in Chester, England, has created what is reportedly the world's most expensive wedding cake, valued at $52.7 million. It took more than 4000 diamonds to decorate this eight-tiered confection.

Most Popular Cakes
  • Funfetti cake. 
  • Pineapple Upside Down cake. 
  • Lemon Cake. 
  • Black Forest Cake. 
  • Cheesecake. 
  • Vanilla Cake. 
  • Red Velvet Cake. The second most popular cake is the gorgeous-looking red velvet cake. 
  • Chocolate Cake. The chocolate cake very obviously secures the first rank.

The invention of cake originated in ancient Egypt as round, flat, unleavened breads that were cooked on a hot stone. The evolution of baked goods continued over many centuries through the introduction of new ingredients and the invention of new techniques of baking.

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