Where to find the best birthday cakes
When it comes to birthday cakes, the options are seemingly endless. You could opt for a good old nostalgic Colin the Caterpillar or a homemade Victoria sponge but that might not cut it for a bigger, fancier celebration, or perhaps you want to up the ante but don't have the time or skill to make a cake. That's where our list of the best cakes to order comes in, taking the work off your hands and delivering a showstopper.
We have a lot of cake recipes to choose from here at House & Garden, so if you do want to try your hand at baking, these are the ones to start with. Firstly, our simple vanilla cake recipe is the perfect base for any cake. It comes out perfectly every time and is easy enough for even the most amateur baker to master. Use the recipe to make as many tiers as you like and then set to work with the buttercream and your best decorating skills. If you fancy something a little different and with a hit of umami flavour, Sybil Kapoor's miso caramel cake is a showstopper. Red velvet cake is a classic and our recipe is in fact for a red wine velvet cake, which ups the ante somewhat. For a summer birthday, there are few cakes so seasonal as a strawberry and elderflower cake with lemon icing – it is in fact an interpretation of the strawberry galette Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume served at the coronation, so you can guarantee it's fit for anyone's birthday.
1/8Lily Vanilli
The cakes that come out of Lily Vanilli's kitchen are kitsch, frilly delights. The team produce Marie Antoinette-worthy buttercream designs, using icing nozzles to pipe renaissance-style decorations that are customisable or you can order one of their classic designs. They taste every bit as good as they look and they certainly look mighty fine.
2/8Violet Cakes
Claire Ptak is very well known these days, having been commissioned for Harry & Meghan's wedding cake. Her flavours are modern takes on the classics, as are the designs which feature subtle texture and fresh flowers for an elegant look. The Amalfi Lemon & Elderflower cake is a classic and the Chocolate Violet Cream cake is a grown-up take on a perennial favourite.
3/8Luminary Bakery
Luminary Bakery offers 12 tempting flavours of cake, all with minimalist and lovely designs. The flavours are all classics but with a modern touch, but the most important thing about Luminary is that you'd be choosing a cake that gives back; Luminary Bakery uses its profits to help disadvantaged women as part of their ongoing charity programme.
4/8The Bakemonger
When you want a birthday cake that stands out, The Bakemonger Helen Bakunowicz can certainly create something that does just that. A former colour and trend forecaster, her decorations feature shards of coloured, tempered chocolate, dried fruits and drama. They are simply amazing to look at, and of course, delicious to eat.
5/8Konditor & Cook
Konditor & Cook has been going for years, and for good reason. They are a consistently reliable source for fuss-free, delicious cakes. Choose your design and size and then choose from the flavour options–lemon chiffon and chocolate noisette are recommended–and it'll be delivered to you for the big day. Simple.
6/8Cutter & Squidge
This London bakery is a permanent favourite; you can pop in and buy cake by the slice and one bite of their buttercream-covered delights will have you hooked. There are all the classic flavours to choose from and a few new inventions, like yuzu and mango or choc chip cookie. When you order, you can add on some embellishments, such as cute candles and banners.
7/8Crumbs & Doilies
More is more at Crumbs & Doilies, who go all in for drips, sprinkles, swirls and layers. If you need a little more to cater for a party, opt for a tiered cake, individual cupcakes or add on an order of their irresistible cookies on the side.
8/8Peggy Porschen
If you're looking for something off-the-shelf but looks bespoke and features swags and swirls galore, look to Peggy Porschen's cakes. Available in one or two tier styles, there are plenty of options to choose from for birthdays of every age.
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