Fall is a time of color and change, so switch up your usual birthday cake routine with decadent and flashy options. The following are our picks for best bakeries offering impressively-crafted and seasonally-themed cakes worthy of being center of attention on your child’s party table.

 

Photo credit: The Cakery Yelp page

The Cakery
If your goal is a delicious, moist birthday cake that says “classy,” go with The Cakery. From the people who brought you the Baker and Spice cafe, the Cakery offers the same quality goods at a satellite location just down the street. These lovely cakes aren’t overly sweet and feature tasteful, simple decorations that would be perfect for an elegant, princess-themed affair or a fancy tea party. Their Classic Birthday Cake, for starters, is made from buttery gold cake, covered with chocolate ganache and iced with chocolate buttercream. In addition to cakes, their cute little shop sells high-quality baking supplies, cake stands and baking books.

6306 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, Or
503-546-3737
Online: sweetwares.com

 Photo credit: Le Cookie Monkey Facebook page

Le Cookie Monkey
The name says cookie, but the specialty is helping people celebrate their big days by creating beautifully decorated baked goods in general, which most certainly includes cake. Cakes are not only, soft and rich with just the right balance of sweetness, but they’re easy to order in the shop or by phone, with straightforward pricing – the cake flavor, filling and icing choice are all included in the price. For fall, try one of their pumpkin cakes and, for those of you who love hummingbird cakes (made with banana, coconut, pecans and pineapple), Le Cookie Monkey will be your new go-to bakery. Once you’re inside Le Cookie Monkey’s cute little house that smells like fresh-baked cookies, just try to get out of there without buying one of her signature cookies. Resistance is futile.

1902 NW 24th Ave.
Portland, Or
503-232-3848
Online: lecookiemonkey.com

 Photo credit: Pastrygirl Facebook page

Pastrygirl
Pastrygirl’s storefront on SE Stark has closed, but they’re still making gorgeous and flavorful custom cakes. Just call two weeks ahead of time and get your tiered cake with your kiddo’s favorite characters molded out of frosting sitting on top, or their favorite book cover made into a cake, or even a hobbit house-shaped cake. Just about any idea you have can be carved or shaped into a cake. Also, if you’re looking for a cake or filling flavor that’s a little more interesting for an adventurous palate, try one of their outside the box cake flavors like Earl Grey, lavender or spicy Thai peanut.

503-254-5433
Online: pastrygirl.com

 

Photo: The Dessert Tray, credit S.M. via Yelp

The Dessert Tray
You may have seen their treats in Zupan’s or New Seasons, but they also have a retail storefront in Beaverton. Not only that, but you can order a tasty cake made to your own specifications, and even grab a cookie or a cup of coffee for yourself in the store when you’re ready to pick it up. Their sweet team definitely knows how to make masterpiece cakes, like The Hungry Caterpillar-inspired cake that includes one showstopping cake, surrounded by little cupcakes for the guests. They can even make a small, companion “smash cake” for the birthday girl or boy to completely annihilate.

11950 SW Broadway St.
Beaverton, Or
503-350-0881

For some people, a smooth cake covered in fondant looks good, but doesn’t taste great. The fine bakers of JaCiva’s agree. Their cakes can be covered in a poured chocolate ganache, giving a smooth look that your guests will love eating, too. Even decorations like bows and ribbons are made of delectable white or milk chocolate. It pays to go with a legendary cake bakery that also specializes in European chocolates.

4733 SE Hawthorne Ave.
Portland, Or
503-234-8115
Online: jacivas.com

What’s your favorite bakery for a cake that looks good and tastes better? Let us know in the comments!

— Kelley Gardiner

Advertisement
phone-icon-vector
Your daily dose of joy and connection
Get the Tinybeans app