WHAT ARE YOUR CAKES LIKE?

All of our cakes, fillings and frostings are made from scratch, with real butter (no shortening or margarine), unbleached and unbromated flour, aluminum free leaveners, no artificial dyes, with non-GMO, soy free and select organic ingredients.

Our cakes are slightly dense, not quite as dense as pound cake. We do not use sugar syrups to moisten our cakes, they are moist on their own and stay fresh and moist for at least 3-5 days depending on the flavor.

Please serve your cake at room temperature. As we use only butter in our cakes and buttercreams, they are best enjoyed when creamy and soft, at room temperature. It may take several hours for a cake to come to room temperature once it is taken out of the fridge, 3 – 6 hours. Consider your room temperature and time of the year, it may take less time in summer and more time in winter.

WHAT IS YOUR CAKE PRICING?

Pricing of custom cakes is based on several factors - number of tiers, whether buttercream or fondant finish, as well as the intricacy of the design. Custom cake pricing starts at $8.50 per serving with a $350 minimum. If you have an idea of the design you are interested in, as well as the number of servings needed, please email us the details and we can provide you with a cost estimate. lora@gateaubakery.com.

Another option is our non-custom cake designs, Simply Sweet, for those that would like a more streamlined ordering process, that is more cost effective than a custom cake design.

Here is the link to view our current Simply Sweet designs, sizes and pricing:

https://www.gateaubakery.com/simply-sweet-non-custom-cakes

One cake flavor for the entire cake is standard for non-custom cake designs, however different flavors for each tier on a multi-tiered cake are available at $20 per additional flavor.

Different cake flavors for each cake tier are included in the cost of custom cake designs, if desired.

Non-refundable deposit amounts cannot be transferred to alternate events, and are only valid towards the initial event booked.

DO YOU MAKE SHEET CAKES?

Our bakery/sheet cakes are 4" tall with 4 layers of cake and 3 filled layers, the same construction as each tier on a tiered cake. Sheet cake is available as needed to supplement a tiered cake at $4.25 per serving for either custom or non-custom cake designs. Sheet cake has a simple buttercream finish, is undecorated and is not customizable.

The number of sheet cake servings needed can be adjusted up to 3 weeks before the event so no need to worry that you have ordered too much or too little cake at the time of booking.

There are no changes to cake size, cake design or cake flavor within 3 weeks of your event.

DO YOU OFFER CAKE TASTINGS?

Yes, we do offer cake tastings and consultations, as well as pick-up cake tasting boxes.

Cake tastings and consultations are scheduled directly on our website, and the process is described here:

https://www.gateaubakery.com/tasting-appointments

Pick-up tasting boxes, with three (3) cake flavor samples each for two (2) tasters, are $18 per box. Multiple boxes can be ordered. Orders can be placed through the same link as for tasting and consultation appointments.

*at this time sit down tasting consultations are suspended until further notice.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAKE FLAVORS?

We offer several cake flavors, many award winning, here is the link to the list with flavor descriptions:

https://www.gateaubakery.com/cake-flavors

DO YOU DELIVER CAKES?

Yes, we do deliver cakes. Our delivery area is limited and rates vary with distance, $50 minimum.

Here is the link to our delivery rates by venue and area:

https://www.gateaubakery.com/pricing-and-delivery

Please note we do not deliver to DC, Maryland, Arlington or Alexandria. Please confirm we deliver to your venue before booking a consultation or a pick-up tasting box.

Pick-up is also available.

WHAT IS THE LEAD TIME FOR A CAKE ORDER?

A minimum of 4 (four) weeks notice is required, with availability.

We suggest placing an order well in advance of your date, as we take a limited number of custom cakes per week to ensure we give the time and attention needed for each order.

DO YOU SHIP CAKES?

We are unable to ship our layered cakes as they have fillings and buttercream frosting, which do not travel well.

DO YOU MAKE GLUTEN FREE, VEGAN, DAIRY FREE OR NUT FREE PRODUCTS?

All of our cake flavors can be made as gluten free. We do not offer dairy free or vegan cakes.

Please note that all of our products are produced on shared equipment, we do not have separate designated equipment for gluten free or nut free products. While we are very careful, cross contamination is always a possibility. Gluten can be transferred air-borne for example.

Although we have several products that do not contain nuts, we are not a nut-free bakery.

Please consider this when ordering for someone with a severe allergy or sensitivity.

NO ARTIFICIAL DYES

We do not use artificial dyes in our cakes, fillings or buttercream frostings. Although the FDA claims they are safe, I strongly disagree. Artificial dyes are toxic, and while they may not seem to affect you, they have been linked to ADHD, autism and a number of other neurological and behavioral issues. Artificial dyes are banned in other countries because of their serious negative health effects. Check all your foods for the unnecessary addition of artificial dyes and avoid them.

The natural dyes we use create pastel shades. The deep fondant colors are made with artificial dyes. Fondant is placed over buttercream frosting which acts as a glue for the fondant covering, and can be removed from your cake slice before eating. Still, we will soon be eliminating artificially colored fondant from our cake design offerings.

NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

We do not use artificial sweeteners in any of our products.

HOW DO WE STORE OUR CAKE?

Cakes can be refrigerated in their box until the day to be served.

Please serve your cakes at room temperature. We use only butter in our cakes and buttercreams, and they are best enjoyed when creamy and soft, at room temperature. It may take several hours for a cake to come to room temperature once it is taken out of the fridge, 3 – 8 hours. Consider your room temperature, time of the year, as well as the size of the cake. It may take less time in summer and more time in winter.

For fondant decorated cakes, it is best to pick them up the day of the event. Fondant is prone to “sweating” (forms a wet sheen over the cake) as a result of humidity. We box our cakes in an attempt to prevent sweating, but many times it cannot be prevented, especially during hot, humid summer days. The moisture will eventually evaporate when the cake is removed from the box and set out at room temperature in a climate-controlled, low humidity environment.

Fondant cakes are also prone to “air bubbles”, air trapped between the cake and the fondant covering. If this happens to your cake after you pick it up, you can use a clean, sanitized pin to carefully puncture the air bubble. Then gently press out the air through the pin hole using your clean fingers or gloved hand.

Leftover cake can be stored in the fridge - cover the cut cake face with cling wrap to prevent drying, and place the cake back in the box or in a covered container. Our cakes will stay fresh for several days in the fridge. Always bring the cake to room temperature before serving for a soft and creamy texture.

CAN WE FREEZE OUR CAKE?

Yes, leftover cake can be frozen. Make sure the cake is cold, refrigerate it if necessary (to make sure the buttercream does not smear when you cover it with cling wrap). Cover the cold cake completely with cling wrap, and pressing it against the cut side of the cake. Place the wrapped cake in a box or plastic container, and wrap the box with cling wrap. You are trying to keep air away from the cake to prevent freezer burn. Individual slices can be frozen for easier portion control when thawing.

To thaw, place wrapped cake from the freezer into the refrigerator overnight, and the next day let the cake sit out on a counter until it comes to room temperature.

HOW DO WE BOOK A CAKE & WHEN ARE PAYMENTS DUE?

A formal Estimate is emailed to you when the details are determined. Once the Estimate is approved, we email an invoice for the deposit amount with a link for secure online payment. You are confirmed with Gateau once the deposit is paid. About 3 weeks before the event, we email the final invoice, for confirmation of details and the final payment is due 18 days prior to the event date.

25% of the total estimated cost is the non-refundable deposit required to book your date. We book on a first paid deposit basis, and we cannot hold dates. We book a limited number of cakes per weekend to ensure each cake receives full attention to detail. The non-refundable deposit amount is not a penalty, it covers initial time, materials, reservation of your event date, and cannot be applied to an alternate future order.

Non-refundable deposit amounts cannot be transferred to alternate events, and are only valid towards the initial event booked.

Availability is not guaranteed for rescheduled events.

CAN ORDERS BE MODIFIED?

No changes are permitted to cake size, flavor or design within 3 weeks of your event date.

We are not responsible for orders not picked-up as scheduled.