It’s been a little while since I updated you on the progress of Peanut’s birthday party. Before I go into detail on the details, I need your help.
Where do I find a decent cake without breaking the bank in this town? Last year, I didn’t have this problem. My mom and I made cupcakes. Easy and cheap. But this year I want a real cake, and while I know a lot of you out there are DIY gurus, let’s just say that doesn’t come easy to me. A girl’s gotta know her limitations. And Mr. lbotp is no pastry chef either.
While I would love to snag one at the delectable Cake Artist’s Studio, I just don’t have $85 to spare on the moment. And I’m sure it wouldn’t be that much cheaper (or better) at the overpriced Sweet Indulgence (although I do love me some of their frosted sugar cookies. Hey, that’s an idea ….).
So that leaves me with two choices: a grocery store cake (I wish we still had Jewel here — of course that predates me but their cakes are really, really good) or an ice cream cake. I’ve nixed the ice cream cake idea for this year, just too messy for these kids. But I might go with it in the future.
The question is: which grocery store cake is best? And if you have any other ideas, I’m game.
23 responses so far ↓
Carrie // March 21, 2008 at 8:03 am
County Market is good and so is Walmart. I’ve had better luck finding slightly obscure themes at Walmart so we usually go there.
I can also tell you that Meijer is NOT good. We have had nothing but problems from them. From missed deadlines (I always request the cake the evening before the party so it wasn’t the end of the world but it could have sucked), to mis-spelled names, to really nasty stale cake.
Amy // March 21, 2008 at 8:10 am
Call the cake lady in Monticello. Diane McPheeters 762-9686. She had done both of my kids cakes since Chase turned 1 and he is now 12. She has done numerous others for me as well. She is VERY reasonable, worth the drive over and I defy you to find a better tasting cake. I always order it a few slices more because I eat it for the next few days. It’s that moist. Call her now and get in though. She will ask you quite a few questions about what is Peanut’s favorite toy and so on. Chase’s first cake was made to look like a mound of different types of balls. Basketball, football…you get the point. In October she made Larkin’s to look just like her favorite toy “Purple Bunny”. I have pics you if you wanna see them.
USE HER. You will not regret it.
Bro // March 21, 2008 at 8:26 am
We could bring one from Costco. Chocolate or vanilla?
Donita // March 21, 2008 at 8:28 am
I have always had great luck at Sam’s. I used to use it for work functions and have now used them for Sarah’s two birthdays. Good luck.
nanette // March 21, 2008 at 8:48 am
We get cakes for workplace events at Sam’s, and they’re good. We got a full sheet cake for a baby shower a couple of weeks back, and it was under $30.
I am also strangely fond of cake from Schnuck’s. Perhaps it is just because I can buy cake by the slice there, and they carry red velvet cake (my favorite).
lbotp // March 21, 2008 at 8:53 am
I love red velvet too, yum.
Catch Her In the Wry // March 21, 2008 at 9:01 am
Mmmm. Jewel white cake. Nothing better.
I have tasted cakes from Sam’s Club and actually they are pretty good for “store bought.”
wayward // March 21, 2008 at 9:03 am
Mirabelle in downtown Urbana also makes nice stuff - more expensive than Sams or grocery stores, but certainly not $85.
Rayne of Terror // March 21, 2008 at 9:08 am
We got Henry’s cake from Sam’s Club. The half sheet cake w/ Nemo decal, buttercream frosting, and writing was less than $30. It was pretty good. That’s the Disney decal price, if you go for a more general icing job the cost is less.
Rayne of Terror // March 21, 2008 at 9:14 am
We have Jewels in both BN and Springfield - If you do the ordering, I can pick it up (weekday = Springfield, weekend = BN) and we can meet for an exchange. E-mail me if that’s what you want to do.
Leeanthro // March 21, 2008 at 9:40 am
I agree, The Cake Artist’s Studio has the best tasting and most beautiful cakes in town. They did our wedding cake.
I think Schnuck’s has good cakes.
Don // March 21, 2008 at 9:46 am
http://dongerard.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-get-ahead-in-kitchen-aka.html
Don // March 21, 2008 at 9:47 am
Oh, for Pete’s sakes…when do you need it? Chloe and I will make one.
Jenna Z // March 21, 2008 at 9:49 am
I will second (or third?) Sam’s Club. And also suggest the County Market on Kirby! Delectable “bettercream” frosting! And very fresh, always!
Snmnstrz21 // March 21, 2008 at 11:23 am
I, too, have to recommend Sam’s. A friend bought her wedding cake there and it was fabulous and very, very affordable. Actually, she bought a sheet cake and a round layer cake and assembled them into one cake and decorated it with fresh roses. She got tons of compliments on it.
LD // March 21, 2008 at 11:55 am
Do a cupcake cake from the cake artists– she can arrange a bunch of cupcakes to look like a cake– same taste, but at $.75 or so a piece, it’s actually really cheap to feed a whole lot of people
M // March 21, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Oh, cupcake cakes are so cute. If you want to go the ice cream cake route, I suggest Cold Stone. Deeeelish!
Misc // March 21, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Cake from Schnuk’s is pretty good and we did a cookie cake from Sam’s for under $20 for my son’s birthday in Jan. (and this thing was huge).
County Market on Kirby & Duncan is good, too.
Mrs. Chicken // March 22, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I’d be happy to help you make a sheet cake for the kids. And I will gladly bring a Guiness Chocolate Cake for the grown-ups. You could come here saturday, bring Peanut w/ you, and we can bake. The girls can help.
Or, as someone else said, Sam’s does a good sheet cake.
Lori // March 23, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Sweet Designs in Mahomet…she used to work out of her home for quite awhile and recently opened her shop. AWESOME cakes–especially if you are a fan of extremely good icing. And you can ask her to be creative and trust that it will be tasteful (oops, pun) and appropriate. We have had her do cakes for birthdays, as well as a wedding shower or two.
Debi is the owner, 217-586-6398.
lbotp // March 24, 2008 at 9:57 am
I was overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity of both time and suggestions! Thanks so much! I decided to go with Amy’s suggestion of the woman in Monticello. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Amanda // March 24, 2008 at 9:57 am
I love the Sam’s cakes and even their cupcakes are amazing!
Rayne of Terror // March 25, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Dude, I’m always looking for an excuse to go to Monticello anyway. I wish we could live there, it’s so freaking cute.
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