Best Places for Cake in Arlington

I scream, you scream, we all scream for "no more hazy hot and humid days."

Whether you love to bake or not, the thought of turning on the oven is frightening this time of year, but summer is a time with so many celebrations. From birthday parties and baby showers to naming ceremonies and special milestones, there are so many occasions that deserve a custom confection or cake and if you're smart you'll leave it to the experts so you can stay cool.

When it comes to custom cakes Arlington has a great deal of local talent. Courtney's Confections is all about cakes and cupcakes. Cakes come in six sizes from six inches to 14 inches. Courtney's cakes can be milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white almond, chocolate mint, red velvet, vanilla, lemon or carrot with a choice of fillings and 13 different buttercream flavors.

Wild Flour Cake Co. has true works of art in edible form from tiered cakes to hand-painted cookies to suit any party theme or aesthetic. The rules to live by at Wild Flour Cake Company are that the cake must look spectacular and taste amazing. Special occasion cakes begin at $4.50  per person, sculpted cakes are $6.50 per person and cookies are $4.00 each with a one dozen minimum.

Bella Moto has one glass display case of cupcakes, cookies and treats and another filled with cookbooks from classic Joy of Cooking to Moosewood and a stack of baking bibles. Something a little different from Bella Moto would be their rum cake made with real rum not just rum flavoring. With at least three days notice, you can order a chocolate fudge, vanilla, carrot cake, coffee, red velvet or almond cake with a variety of frosting choices. There is no website, so just stop by the bakery or give a call ahead to figure out the cake of your dreams.

Quebrada is great if you want to pick up a cake without planning ahead. Behind the glass case are an assortment of layer cakes , fresh fruit cakes and tarts, Boston cream pies, cupcakes, and tortes. If you do want to order ahead, there are cakes for a small gathering (eight inch single layer cakes for $14) and half sheet cakes for your big celebrations (half sheet single layer cakes for $35).

Lakota Bakery will put together one of the tastiest cookie platters in town without a minute's notice, but if it is a cake you're looking for, you need to plan ahead.  Lakota's cakes come in chocolate, golden and almond meringue. With a choice of buttercream, lemon cream, and chocolate ganache frosting and a choice of buttercream, lemon cream, chocolate ganache, mocha, raspberry cream, mint or chocolate raspberry filling. There is something to suit every palate. An eight inch cake is $30 and a 14 inch cake is $75. Depending on your needs, there are plenty of other sizes to choose from in between. Each cake comes with a piped message included and requires two to three-day notice.

Celia Cakes is a perfect option for those guests who require gluten-free goodies.  Although the focus of Celia Cakes is gluten-free, Vita Cohen is happy to work with special orders to create cakes or cupcakes with other allergies or food sensitivities in mind.  Due to relocation, Celia Cakes is completely booked for this summer, so plan ahead early for Fall. Typically plan on two weeks' notice for your custom cake orders. The gluten-free cakes offered are in two categories: cakes and specialty cakes. The cake flavors are golden vanilla, rich chocolate and dense almond. Specialty cakes include red velvet and carrot cake.

Another great gluten free option can be ice cream cakes, although most commercial ice cream cakes have some cookies or cake incorporated, you can easily make an ice cream cake at home with just ice cream. Get creative with layers and mould shapes.  If you want to make your own cakes allergen free or not, then Paper and More Party Goods is your place to stop for cake boxes, cake pans and all your cake decorating paraphernalia. For a great carrot cake you will need some cinnamon and nutmeg, nothing boosts a vanilla cake's intensity like vanilla bean seeds, so for all of your spice needs you can be certain to find what you are looking for at Penzeys Spices even culinary lavender for a perfect lavender glaze or "floral" touch for a wedding shower, baby shower or garden party cake.

Chilly Cow is a great place to get your ice cream to make your own ice cream or frozen custard cake. If you are looking for a custom cake here that is no problem either.  Chilly Cow has some delicious cakes and pies. Pies include:  cookies & cream, coffee heath bar, peanut butter lovers, death by chocolate pie, coconut custard pie, grasshopper pie, and strawberry cheesecake pie. Ice cream cakes are either two layers of ice cream or one layer of ice cream and one layer of golden or chocolate cake. Cakes all have festive decorations, but special theme cakes are an option, as well.

As the Click paper napkins say from Curly Girl Design, available at Paper and More Party Goods, "A great many things can be resolved with kindness, even more with laughter, but there are some things that just require cake."

So get out the candles, the plates, and gather your guests, because it is time for cake!