Birthday Party Cakes

I've been hearing great things about Nothing Bundt Cakes, the recently opened Corte Madera bakery specializing in—what else?—bundt cakes, so we decided to go check them out ourselves. Of course my kids were thrilled to go somewhere to try new kinds of cake, so I didn't have to do much to get them excited to go.

Bundt cakes, as you probably know, are those cakes baked in a ring-shaped pan. Your mom or grandma probably made them when you were a kid, but, as Nothing Bundt Cakes points out, "These ain't your grandma's bundt cakes." These bundt cakes have developed something of a cult following, and after tasting them, we know why.

Nothing Bundt Cakes carries bundt cakes in a variety of sizes, from the little bundtinis to 10-inch tiered bundt cakes suitable for special occasions. Ten regular flavors are offered, including red velvet, chocolate chocolate chip, lemon, white chocolate raspberry, carrot, and more, as well a special flavor of the month—on our visit it was lemon raspberry.

Instead of a cake for your next birthday party, why not try offering custom sugar cookies? Sugar Mama Cookies, based in San Francisco, was started by mom Roxanne Pangilinan, whose unique, hand-decorated cookies are the highlight of many parties throughout the Bay Area.

All her cookies are made from scratch and baked to order and she offers gluten- and dairy-free cookies on requested. Pricing starts at $30 per dozen with an average price of $3–6 per cookie.

Popular designs include characters like Lightning McQueen from Pixar's Cars, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, the Cookie Monster, and Elmo. Other shapes and themes are available of course—from a tutu/ballerina theme to a pirate theme party. Roxanne can even match an image from an invitation—customers will email her with their invitation or theme, and she'll get back to them with a few design options in a range of prices.

Marin mom Tina Fredericks, a culinary baker and certified pastry chef, has created a career for herself with Little Piggy Cupcakes, a business that supplies the tasty treats for birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and other events. You can purchase cupcakes, try a free sample, and meet Chef Tina at the Little Piggy Cupcakes booth at the Marin County Farmer's Market at the Civic Center in San Rafael (Sundays, 8 am to 1 pm). For more information, visit www.littlepiggycupcakes.com or call (415) 572-3483.

Looking for a unique custom cake for your next birthday party (or any other festive occasion)? Check out Cakeaholics, a Marin business run by three passionate young bakers. Safia, Khadija, and Asma create custom-made cakes, each one specially designed to the ideas and requests of the customer. They strive to make cakes that rise above your standard bakery and supermarket cakes in both taste and design.

Examples of their colorful and fun designs include a hamburger, a gumball machine, the Cat in the Hat, Thomas the Tank Engine, Barbie, and more. Birthday cakes are a specialty, as well as custom cakes for baby showers, weddings, and any other special occasion. Their prices are surprisingly inexpensive, too.