The holiday season is magical—filled with family gatherings, office parties, and celebrations with friends. But let’s be honest: planning all those events can feel overwhelming. That’s where a beautifully crafted custom cake comes in, transforming your celebration from ordinary to extraordinary without adding stress to your already busy schedule.
At Marcia’s Microbakery, we’ve been helping families and businesses celebrate the holiday season for years, and we’ve learned exactly what makes a holiday cake order smooth, timely, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas party, Hanukkah celebration, or New Year’s Eve bash, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ordering your perfect holiday cake.
Why Order a Custom Holiday Cake?
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. Custom cakes aren’t just desserts—they’re centerpieces, conversation starters, and edible works of art that show your guests you care about the details.
Time-Saving Magic: Instead of spending hours in the kitchen during the busiest time of year, you get a professionally crafted masterpiece delivered to your door. More time for what matters—enjoying the holidays with loved ones.
Professional Quality: Our artisan baking techniques and premium ingredients create cakes that not only look stunning but taste incredible. No more dry store-bought cakes or baking disasters at 2 AM.
Personalization: Want to match your party theme? Include a special message? Accommodate dietary restrictions? Custom cakes make it happen. Your celebration, your vision, perfectly executed.
Our Most Popular Holiday Flavors
The holidays deserve special flavors that capture the season’s warmth and nostalgia. Here are the seasonal favorites our customers can’t get enough of:
Spiced Gingerbread: Rich molasses, warm cinnamon, and aromatic ginger create that cozy, festive feeling. Paired with cream cheese frosting, it’s like a gingerbread cookie transformed into cake perfection.
Peppermint Chocolate: Dark chocolate cake layers with peppermint buttercream—refreshing, indulgent, and undeniably festive. A crowd-pleaser that disappears fast at any party.
Cranberry Orange: Bright, tangy cranberries meet sweet citrus notes for a sophisticated flavor profile that’s perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Light, refreshing, and beautifully seasonal.
Eggnog Spice: Nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla come together in this nostalgic flavor reminiscent of holiday eggnog. Rich without being heavy, it’s comfort in cake form.
Classic Favorites: Sometimes tradition calls for tried-and-true flavors like vanilla bean, rich chocolate, or red velvet. We never forget the classics because they’re classic for a reason.
Holiday Cake Design Ideas
Your cake’s design sets the tone for your entire celebration. Here’s what’s trending this season and what works beautifully for different holiday events:
Winter Wonderland: Elegant white buttercream with silver snowflakes, icy blue accents, and edible glitter creates a magical, sophisticated look perfect for New Year’s Eve or winter-themed parties.
Traditional Christmas: Rich red and green designs with holly, pine branches, or plaid patterns bring classic holiday cheer. Add gold accents for extra elegance.
Modern Minimalist: Clean lines, simple geometric patterns, and a restrained color palette (think white with one accent color) create stunning contemporary holiday cakes that photograph beautifully.
Rustic Charm: Semi-naked cakes with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and natural elements capture that farmhouse holiday aesthetic.
Hanukkah Elegance: Blue and white designs featuring Stars of David, menorahs, or dreidel decorations celebrate the Festival of Lights beautifully.
Kids’ Party Fun: Snowmen, reindeer, Santa designs, or winter animals make children’s faces light up. These playful designs work wonderfully for family gatherings and school parties.
The Ordering Process Made Simple
Ordering a custom holiday cake shouldn’t be complicated. Here’s exactly how it works at Marcia’s Microbakery:
Step 1: Browse & Dream (Do This Now!) Visit our website or Instagram to browse past holiday creations. Save photos of designs you love. Think about your event’s theme, colors, and guest count. The earlier you start dreaming, the better!
Step 2: Contact Us Early Holiday season books up fast—ideally, reach out 3-4 weeks before your event date. December dates fill especially quickly. Early contact gives us time to discuss your vision and secure your spot in our baking schedule.
Step 3: Consultation We’ll discuss your vision, guest count, flavor preferences, dietary needs, and budget. This conversation can happen via email, phone, or in-person—whatever works best for you. We’ll ask questions to understand exactly what you’re envisioning.
Step 4: Quote & Confirmation You’ll receive a detailed quote including all costs (cake, delivery if needed, any special design elements). Once you approve and pay (full payment for orders under $350, 50% deposit for orders $350+), your order is officially confirmed and scheduled.
Step 5: Final Details About one week before your event, we’ll confirm all details—delivery time, final guest count, any last-minute adjustments. This ensures everything goes perfectly.
Step 6: Delivery or Pickup Your cake arrives fresh, beautiful, and ready to wow your guests. Delivery includes professional setup if needed. Pickup customers receive detailed instructions for transport and storage.
Important Holiday Ordering Deadlines
Let’s talk timing—because during the holidays, timing is everything:
Thanksgiving Orders: Deadline is typically November 15th. Thanksgiving week is one of our busiest, so early ordering is essential.
Christmas/Hanukkah Orders: We stop taking new Christmas orders around December 10th. The earlier you order, the more flexibility we have with your design.
New Year’s Eve/Day: December 20th is generally our cutoff for New Year’s orders. Remember, December 31st is one of the most requested dates!
Last-Minute Options: Sometimes life happens, and you need a cake quickly. Call us! While custom designs require advance notice, we often have limited options available for rush orders (15% rush fee applies). Simpler designs and classic flavors give you the best chance of accommodating shorter timelines.
Pro Tip: Order in early November for all December events. Not only do you guarantee your date, but you also remove one stressful item from your December to-do list.
Size Guide: How Much Cake Do You Need?
One of the most common questions we get: “What size cake feeds my guests?” Here’s our practical guide:
6-inch (Serves 8-10) – $60: Perfect for intimate family dinners or small office parties. Two layers provide beautiful height without overwhelming a small gathering.
8-inch (Serves 12-16) – $85: Our most popular size for typical holiday parties. Great for dinner parties, small corporate events, or family gatherings.
9-inch (Serves 16-20) – $100: Ideal for medium-sized gatherings and celebrations.
10-inch (Serves 20-25) – $125: Perfect for larger parties, community events, or when you want guaranteed leftovers (because who doesn’t love leftover holiday cake?).
Quarter Sheet (Serves 20-25) – $95: Great alternative to round cakes for casual gatherings.
Half Sheet (Serves 40-50) – $165: For big corporate parties or extended family reunions.
Full Sheet (Serves 80-100) – $285: For very large community celebrations and events.
Cutting Tip: Generous slices are standard in our estimates. If you’re serving other desserts or expect lighter appetites, you might stretch the servings. When cake is the main dessert, stick with our recommendations.
Pricing: What to Expect
Holiday cakes are an investment in your celebration’s success. Here’s what influences pricing at Marcia’s Microbakery:
Base Pricing: Starts with cake size and flavor. Classic flavors are included in base pricing. Premium flavors (like Salted Caramel, Champagne, or Italian Cream) add $10.
Design Complexity: Simple buttercream designs are most affordable. Hand-piped details, fondant work ($40-75 additional), and intricate decorations ($30-75 additional) increase cost. More time and skill = higher investment.
Special Elements: Fresh flowers, metallic accents, custom toppers ($20-40), or edible printed images ($15-25) add to the price.
Delivery: Local delivery is available:
– Within 10 miles: $15
– 10-20 miles: $25
– 20-30 miles: $40
– Over 30 miles: Quote required
Value Perspective: Consider what you’re getting—hours of skilled labor, premium ingredients, custom design, and a guaranteed show-stopping dessert that guests will photograph and remember. Compare that to the stress, time, and cost of DIY baking during the holidays.
Delivery & Storage Tips
Your cake arrives perfect—here’s how to keep it that way:
Delivery Details: If you choose delivery, we handle everything. We’ll coordinate timing, bring proper transport equipment, and set up your cake at the venue (setup available for $50-100 for large orders). All you do is enjoy the compliments!
Pickup Instructions: Picking up? We provide a sturdy box, detailed transport tips, and storage instructions. Drive carefully—treat your cake like a precious passenger! Pickup location in Beachwood, NJ (exact address provided upon order).
Storage: Most buttercream cakes are fine at room temperature for several hours. If your event space is very warm or the cake contains perishable fillings, refrigeration might be needed. We’ll give you specific guidance based on your cake’s components.
Timing: For optimal freshness and taste, cakes should be displayed within 2-3 hours of pickup/delivery and consumed within 24-48 hours. We bake fresh, never frozen, so proper timing ensures the best experience.
Leftover Love: Have leftover cake? Refrigerate in an airtight container. Buttercream cakes keep well for 3-5 days. Bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Make This Holiday Season Sweeter
The holidays come with enough stress—choosing dessert shouldn’t add to it. A custom holiday cake from Marcia’s Microbakery transforms your celebration, impresses your guests, and gives you back precious time to enjoy what matters most.
Ready to order your holiday cake? Don’t wait—December dates fill quickly, and we want to make sure your celebration has the perfect sweet ending.
Contact Marcia’s Microbakery today:
📧 Email: info@marciasmicrobakery.com
🌐 Website: marciasmicrobakery.com
📸 Instagram: Follow us @marciasmicrobakery for daily inspiration and to see our latest holiday creations
Early orders get priority scheduling, more design flexibility, and peace of mind. Let’s make your holiday celebrations deliciously memorable!
Sweetly yours,
Marcia 🍪
