FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
 

1. What is the difference between a custom cake/cookie and a regular cake/cookie?
 

  Standard cakes are priced at our base price and include a standard design that is customary for most bakeries,  such as flowers and balloons.  Custom cakes are cakes that have more artistic detail and become much more labor intensive than a regular cake.  Our creations are all baked onsite, cake is stacked, sometimes sculpted, and iced in buttercream, with a variety of filling options. We sometimes cover certain cake designs with a thin layer of fondant to achieve a clean or sculptural look. However, we also specialize in smooth buttercream covered, ganache drip, and naked cakes. We have many edible, sugary tricks in our apron pockets to achieve those amazingly realistic details!   Custom cutout cookies are a time consuming artform, where a delicious shortbread is turned into a picture that you can eat! Sometimes it takes several hours to decorate one dozen.
 

2.  Are custom cakes and cookies more expensive than a regular cake? 
 

Yes.  Anytime we are creating sugar art , it takes time, resources and energy.  The beautiful custom cakes and cookies you see on our page sometimes take us days and days to create with hidden expenses (such as purchasing proper ingredients, tools and materials and  taking costly educational classes for example).  We add an "art charge" onto the base price of your dessert that reflects the effort that is being placed into the refinement of your cake or cookies.
 

3. How much time is required to place custom cake orders? 
 

We suggest placing your order 2-4 weeks prior to your event date.  There are certainly instances when we can create last minute cakes, so please give us a call. We are unable to turn around last minute sugar cookies due to the amount of drying time between icings.  However, if you are looking for a product that is highly artistic,  please give us as much time as possible.  We may, for example, be able to make a standard floral cake for your birthday this coming week, but won't have enough time in our schedule to make your cake look like a designer handbag.  We are unlike a regular bakery in the sense that we cannot turn around an order with 24 hours or less.  Please contact us to discuss the possibilities as we will do what we can for you within the given time constraints, but we do suggest to plan ahead.
 

4. What is the best way to place a custom cake order? 
 

All of our cakes are custom made to your specifications. The order process begins with a preliminary phone consultation where we list your preferences and begin to create a plan.  If necessary,  we will ask you to come meet with us, otherwise we will plan your order via technology.   We will work with your budget and design ideas to create a unique rendering of your cake along with your flavor preferences. We will make a sketch and a design map to guide us as we create your dessert .
 

5.  Do I need to put down a deposit to secure my order?
 

YES!!!  Your order is placed once a contract is signed and a 50% deposit is collected.  All cake order deposits must be made to secure the date with the remaining balance payment completed 5 days prior to cake pickup/delivery.  If a deposit is not made, we cannot guarantee that we will have the availability to make your cake on that date.  We advise placing your deposit promptly as we get many cake orders and your time slot may become unavailable by the next person in line who makes a deposit for it.
 

6.  Can I cancel an order?  
 

We understand that life happens.    If you are simply postponing your event two or more weeks out,  we will just transfer your entire order to the new date with zero money lost on your part, or you may take it as a credit for a future order.  If you are within two weeks of your order, you may cancel with the loss of the 50% deposit.  If you are canceling the week of, we unfortunately cannot refund as we have purchased the ingredients,  created yourdecorations, and have turned down other clients.  However,  we will help you properly package your cake for deep freezing, and we will box and secure it for best results.

7. Can we do a tasting?  

Absolutely.   Sample boxes are available on order, and are comprised of 6 popular cupcake/cake flavors and macarons.  Boxes are  $20, and we recommend that you get your sample box before making a consultation . Once you feel certain that you want us to do your cake, you can then make an appointment to have a design consultation.. Please order your box 5-6 days in advance.  When you go to book your wedding cake,  the $20 spent on the samples will come off the balance of your cake.

8. What are the price ranges? 
 

Pricing is determined by unique variables, including serving size and custom design.
Our custom cakes start at $100.   Larger or more intricate cakes  can start at $200 and go up. Cupcakes start at $30 per dozen, Cutout cookies range from $3-$5 per cookie.  Pastries start at $36 per dozen. Macarons start at $20/dozen.  Please check our menu for a complete list.  Wedding and tiered cakes start at $5/serving.  A wedding cake price list is available by request.
 

9. Where is your shop? 
Sweet Grace Anna's Fancy Cakes and Bakes is a fully licensed retail bakery.  Our storefront will be open sometime in summer 2022, but we fully encourage you to order ahead.  We currently are taking orders.   We are located in the Terrace plaza on Market Street in Boardman, a couple blocks north of Shields road.

12.  Do you deliver?  

 Yes, we do charge a delivery fee and can travel.  Fees are based on time, distance and current gas prices. 

11. Are gluten-free, egg-free or vegan products offered at Sweet Grace Anna's?
 

 We offer gluten-free friendly, , egg-free friendly dairy free friendly and vegan friendly cake options to meet the dietary needs of our clients. With that said, we make everything in a shared process kitchen and make no promises that our products are free of allergens.  We definitely try to accommodate dietary needs, but legally cannot say that our items are "free" of any product as trace amounts may get into  the baked goods.  If you are super sensitive,  we recommend ordering from a specialized bakery.
 

12.  Do you have menus and pricing?
 

 Yes we can email you that info upon request.
 

13.   Do you offer cake decorating classes?
 

Yes!  We will be offering parties and classes.  You can come to our shop or we can come to you. More information will be distributed depending on the time of the ye