Customized birthday cakes can make an already-special day even more fabulous, and these independent Seattle-area bakeries can whip up the perfect creation for you. Vegan or gluten-free? Fear not: many of these local bakeshops offer both options!
Hello Robin
Though it’s not traditional birthday fare, Hello Robin’s cookies are a fun diversion from the normal batter-based cake. Their birthday cake cookie, a traditional chocolate chip cookie base rolled in rainbow sprinkles, may make you rethink the concept of the birthday cake. 522 19th Ave E, Seattle, 98112. 206-735-7970.
Gelatiamo
Gelatiamo is stepping up the ice cream cake game with something even more delectable: gelato cake! Each is made with two flavors of gelato on top of Marsala-soaked sponge cake. Cake flavors rotate seasonally, but they offer some classic pairings like chocolate and hazelnut, strawberry and pistachio, and tiramisu. 1400 Third Ave, Seattle, 98101. 206-467-9563.
Flying Apron
Flying Apron’s gluten-free and vegan baked goods are so good you won't miss the wheat, and their birthday cakes are no different. Choose from chocolate, vanilla, maple, coconut, carrot, lemon poppy, chocolate mint, cardamom or almond cake, then top it with one of their light, slightly sweet frostings. If you’re looking to avoid processed sugar in your frosting, opt for ganache (sweetened with evaporated cane juice) or agave options. 3510 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, 98103 and 16541 Redmond Way, Suite E, Redmond, 98052. 206-442-1115.
Stuffed Cakes
Stuffed Cakes’ small cakes might seem minimal, but they make up it for with a wide array of cake flavors and incredible decorations. From White Russian and Mexican chocolate bases to strawberry lemonade frosting and citrus curd fillings, Stuffed Cakes bakes an awesome range of flavor combinations — check out their website to see them all. Stuffed Cakes also offers vegan and gluten-free cakes, which will cost you a bit more. 9003 35th Ave SW, Seattle, 98126. 206-428-8581.
Borracchini’s Bakery
Borracchini’s, a classic Italian bakery, boasts thirteen different filling options for their cakes and six different size options, from 8” round cakes that will feed 10 to 12 people to full sheets. Along with their classic white, chocolate, carrot, and banana cake options, Borracchini’s has sugar-free white and chocolate cake. 2307 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, 98144. 206-325-1550.
Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries
Hoffman’s signature cakes include the Princess Torte, a sponge cake filled with raspberry jam and frosted with Bavarian icing and marzipan; a Tiramisu cake; a German chocolate cake; and a tres leches cake, all of which can be customized. If you’re looking for a simpler treat, Hoffman’s offers white or chocolate cake with vanilla or chocolate buttercream filled with vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, or lemon curd. 16175 Cleveland St., Redmond, 98052. 425-828-0926.
