So you're planning a celebration, and you know you need a cake for it.
You start thinking about what flavor is everyone going to want, how big should it be for the number of guests, how soon to order, where to order from, should you have other desserts...it can be overwhelming!
On TOP of invitations, decor, venue if it's a larger event, etc.
Well, my friend, I'm here to help you!
Read on for 3 easy steps for picking the right cake for your next event.
Step #1: Define your guests.
Consider: Is this a big event where lots of people from a variety of ages/demographics are going to be?
Is this a small, intimate gathering where you possibly know some of the tastes of the people attending?
Birthday party with a mix of adults and children?
Figure out the TYPE of people who will be there and the NUMBER of people attending, or an estimate.
Step #2: Pick a flavor
Once you know your audience and guest count, you can narrow down flavor options.
For larger gatherings where there will be a mix of people from different backgrounds/ages, I usually recommend a flavor choice that MOST people like. This usually ends up being vanilla or chocolate. These are "safe" bets, however, if you order from me they are elevated beyond safe into the luxury category.
For example, my Crème Brûlée Cake is vanilla....but its definitely got that upscale luxury factor that takes your event to the next level. Still, its general flavor profile is vanilla, so the majority of people are going to love it!
For smaller, more intimate gatherings I usually suggest pushing the flavor envelope a bit, unless you KNOW your guests are pretty cautious, in which case go with a "safe" bet such as vanilla or chocolate.
The reason for this is that for smaller gatherings like dinner parties or small celebrations at an upscale restaurant, you have an opportunity to try something new together, and it's a conversation starter as well!
As an example, my Olive Oil, Lemon & Blackberry Cake or Chai Caramel Cake would be a great choices for smaller groups, especially if they are foodies. These cakes are unique and and very sophisticated.
For gatherings where there's a mix of adults and children, you can't go wrong with a lighthearted and fun flavor.
Think my Ultimate Cookies & Cream Cake or my Confetti Cookie Crumble Cake. Both are super delicious and unique but cater to a range of tastes and ages...I mean who can say to to Oreos or funfetti and cookie dough?
Tip #3: Decide your Serving Size.
You will want 1 serving per guest attending your event. No one wants to miss on cake!
For most events, people are going to eat what's called a "dessert serving" of cake. This is a 1 inch by 1 inch serving. This is the typical serving you get at a wedding. Most events have other food as well, and so a smaller serving is appropriate.
My cakes serve about 20 dessert servings.
A "party serving" is bigger-1 inch by 2 inches, so it's twice as big.
This is for those celebrations where you know you have serious cake lovers on hand and they will eat a generous slice.
My cakes serve about 10 party servings.
If that's your situation, make sure everyone gets the larger "party serving" slice of cake.
What if you have a party that has a guest list >20?
You have a couple of options:
1. Order multiple cakes, or
2. Get one cake and tack on a few dozen cupcakes or macarons to make up the rest of the servings;
This makes a dessert table, and it's a way to up the luxury level of your event as well.
I hope these tips help you as you plan your next event, and if you need help with the dessert portion of that I am happy to assist! You can check out my cakes here.
-Rachel
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