Pricing & Custom Cake Information
Every cake we make is a one-of-a-kind piece of edible art. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, or unforgettable event, our cakes are made to order using the highest quality ingredients and hand-crafted designs.
Because each design is fully custom, final pricing varies based on size, complexity, and decoration. However, we provide starting prices below to help guide your planning and ensure transparency from the start.
Do you have a storefront/bakery we can visit?
Not at this time. All cakes and desserts are custom made-to-order in our commercial kitchen near downtown Raleigh. We offer consultations over the phone, email, text, in person at our kitchen (in our meeting space), or wherever is convenient for you.
Do you have a flavor menu?
Yes! While we are happy to work with you on achieving your desired flavor combos, we have standard flavor offerings as well as premium flavors and pairings we highly recommend.
What Affects Your Custom Cake Price?
- Size (serving count)
- Design complexity and sculpting
- Style of finish (buttercream vs. fondant)
- Sugar flowers, edible figurines, hand-painting, etc.
- Delivery/setup location and timing
We specialize in highly detailed sculpted cakes, realistic edible art, and luxurious wedding designs and everything in between. We focus on not just presentation, but flavor. We have but one rule: Every cake we bake must taste as good as it looks, or better. This dedication require extensive time and craftsmanship and so the cakes are priced accordingly.
Base Pricing Guide
All prices listed are starting prices and reflect basic decoration with a buttercream finish. Complex themes, fondant work, and decorative elements will increase the final cost.
Celebration & Tiered Cakes
| Cake Size / Tier | Approx. Servings | Base Price (Starting At) |
|---|
| 6″ round (single tier) | ~12 servings | $90 |
| 8″ round (single tier) | ~24 servings | $110 |
| 10″ round (single tier) | ~38 servings | $175 |
| 2-tier (6″ + 8″) | ~30 servings | $200 |
| 3-tier (6″ + 9″ + 12″ not for wedding) | ~75 servings | $325 |
| 4-tier (custom stacked sizes) | 100+ servings | $500 |
Note: Fondant finish adds +$1–$2.50 per serving. Sugar flowers, figurines, and hand-painted elements are quoted separately and based on detail/complexity.
Wedding Cakes
Our wedding cakes are designed in consultation with you and often include custom elements like textured finishes, florals, monograms, or themes.
| Wedding Cake Type | Base Price Per Serving (Starting At) |
|---|
| Buttercream finish (classic/elegant) | $6.00 per serving |
| Fondant finish (luxury/detailed) | $8 per serving |
| Hand-piped or painted details | Quoted upon consultation |
| Groom’s cake (add-on) | $250 minimum |
Minimum wedding order:
We are happy to bake for weddings of any size without a minimum. However, tasting box credits are applicable only to wedding orders valued over $250.
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date.
Sculpted & 3D Cakes
For hyper-realistic, carved, or themed cakes (animals, food replicas, vehicles, etc.)
| Sculpted Cake Style | Base Price (Starting At) |
|---|
| Small sculpted cake | $225 minimum |
| Medium 3D cake (~30 servings) | $300–$400+ |
| Large centerpiece cake | $10+ per serving |
Note: These cakes require extensive hours of work and are priced for both labor and structural support. Serving size may not reflect carving waste.
Add-Ons & Extras
- Custom Cupcakes – Quoted upon request
- Dessert Table Additions: Cake pops, mini cakes, cookies – Quoted upon request
- Gluten-free options – Quoted upon request (availability limited)
How far in advance should I place my order?
We recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Because all cakes are made to order, we have a limited capacity every week depending on the orders we received as each cake can vary significantly in time/resources needed. One cake may take a few hours, another can take 20! It is not uncommon for us to be completely booked a week to two weeks in advance depending on the season.
We also work on a first-to-book policy!
Because we receive so many inquiries, and not everyone books, we only secure dates once an order is confirmed and a deposit paid.
Wedding cakes and large event orders may require 2-3 weeks or more, especially during peak seasons.
We always try to accommodate last-minute orders based on availability, so feel free to ask!
Can I get a quote before I book?
Yes! To provide an accurate quote, we’ll need details like the event date, guest count, design inspiration, and preferred flavors. Use our Inquiry Form to get started.
Important Booking Disclaimer:
Any estimates provided are not a reservation, if you would like to proceed we need confirmation and will provide an invoice requesting a 50% deposit to secure the booking.
How do I book?
First you you’ll use our Inquiry form to discuss your request, check availability, share your design details, etc. We will let you know if we have availability and provide you an estimate.
If you wish to proceed, you’ll let us know and we will send an invoice requesting a 50% deposit to secure the booking which can be paid online. Once received, your booking is confirmed and we’ll look forward to baking your amazing cake or dessert for you for the requested date!
Do you offer tastings?
For Wedding customers only,
We offer Wedding Tasting Boxes for $25, which is credited toward your final wedding cake order* once confirmed.
Each tasting box includes three flavors of your choice, prepared as scratch-made just for you elegant gourmet cupcakes to enjoy at your leisure.
Our full flavor menu: Raleigh Cakes Flavor Menu (PDF)
Please note:
To order a Tasting Box simply fill out our Contact Form and let us know the flavors you want to try and your desired pickup location , and we will put together an order invoice for you and email it with the date they will be ready. Yes, it’s just that simple!
*Max 1 tasting box credit per wedding order. Only applicable on wedding cake orders of $275 or more.
Can I show you a photo for inspiration?
Absolutely! We welcome reference photos to help guide your design. While we don’t copy other bakers’ work exactly, we’ll create a unique version just for you.
Where are you located? Do you deliver?
Raleigh Cakes is a licensed and insured commercial cake studio based in South Raleigh consisting of some of most skilled cake artists available to the Triangle area. We don’t operate a retail storefront, as every cake we make is custom, scratch-made, and created just for you. Our approach allows us to focus entirely on our clients’ experience and on crafting some of Raleigh’s most elegant, whimsical, and wildly creative cakes, always with flavor first. Our passion, dedication and reliability consistently earns us 5 star reviews that budget-friendly home baker’s simply can’t match.
We offer scheduled pickup options at our downtown commercial kitchen location, and a sister business location in Falls River/N. Raleigh area (minutes from 540).
Delivery within Raleigh and surrounding suburbs:
$25 minimum, depending on distance/time for celebration cakes.
For Weddings/Event Catering, delivery is based on distance/setup requirements
Delivery outside of Raleigh (Durham, Chapel Hill, Holly Springs, etc):
We are happy to try and accommodate! Please inquire directly.
Do you make cakes for allergies or dietary restrictions?
We offer many gluten-free and nut-free options, but please note our kitchen is not allergen-free.
How do I place an order?
Start by filling out our Contact Form. We’ll follow up to confirm availability, finalize design details, and send a quote.
What is your payment policy?
50% Deposit required to hold booking unless otherwise agreed upon.
Balance of invoice due as follows:
Tiered/Celebration Cakes: 3 days prior to delivery
Sculpted/3d/Realistic Cakes: 3 days prior to delivery
Wedding Cakes/Event Catering: 5 days prior to delivery
What is your cancellation policy?
Deposits are used to secure ingredients/materials and to guarantee your requested booking.
For Celebration/Themed/Sculpted/3d/Realistic Cakes: Deposits fully refunded if order cancelled within 72 hours of receipt, excluding rush orders. Rush order fee’s are non-refundable under any circumstance. Deposits are non-refundable otherwise after this time.
For Weddings/Event Catering: Deposits are fully refundable with minimum 30 days notice. Any cancellation requests within 30 days of event date will incur time and material fee’s and result in a partial refund of the deposit less 20% of the total contract/invoice amount.
Do you offer other desserts besides cakes?
We offer macarons, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, cheesecakes, parfaits and more as add-ons to go along with our cakes, or for event catering. Let us know your dessert table needs and we’ll build a package that fits your event. *We do not presently offer these items for sale as stand alone orders, they are only available as add-ons for cake orders or for catered events with a minimum order quantity.
Click for our popular flavors list