As a consumer expert and experienced Safeway shopper, I know that finding an affordable, high-quality custom cake can be a challenge. Many people assume they have to go to an expensive specialty bakery to get a personalized cake for their celebration. But did you know that your local Safeway store can create stunning custom cakes for a fraction of the price?
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about Safeway‘s custom cake offerings, including flavors, designs, pricing, ordering policies, and insider tips. Whether you‘re celebrating a birthday, graduation, wedding, or any special milestone, you‘ll learn how to get the perfect cake to make the occasion extra sweet.
Safeway‘s Custom Cake Options
Safeway offers a truly impressive array of custom cake options for all kinds of events and budgets. Their full-service bakeries can make:
- Round cakes (8" and 10" with single or double layers)
- Sheet cakes (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full sheet sizes)
- Tiered cakes (2, 3, and 4 tier options)
- Cupcake pull-apart cakes
- Number and letter cakes
- Character and theme cakes (licensed characters may cost extra)
According to Safeway‘s site and in-store ordering forms, they have over 50 different cake designs to choose from. These include general occasion cakes like birthdays and graduations as well as more specific themes like baby showers, holidays, sports, professions, and hobbies. Of course, you can also request a fully customized design based on your own ideas and reference photos.
One of the best things about Safeway cakes is the ability to customize them in so many ways. Safeway offers 12 different cake flavors, 15 filling options, and 6 frosting choices. Here‘s the full list of possibilities:
Cake Flavors:
- White/Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Marble
- Yellow/Butter
- Red Velvet
- Confetti
- Carrot
- Lemon
- Strawberry
- Tres Leches
- Banana
- Spice
Fillings:
- Bavarian Cream (vanilla or chocolate)
- Cream Cheese
- Fruit (raspberry, strawberry, lemon, cherry, pineapple, apple, blueberry)
- Fudge
- Chocolate Mousse
- Dulce de Leche
- Cannoli
- Custard
- Fresh Banana
- Cookies & Cream
- Caramel
Frostings:
- Buttercream (vanilla, chocolate, or colored)
- Cream Cheese
- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Ganache
- Fondant (rarely used)
- Edible Image Frosting Sheets
You can mix and match cake, filling, and frosting flavors to create your ideal combination. Some popular pairings include chocolate cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream, red velvet with cream cheese frosting and custard filling, and confetti cake with Bavarian cream and chocolate fudge frosting.
In terms of decoration, Safeway‘s cakes can be personalized with piped frosting borders and accents, airbrushed designs, edible images, fondant cutouts, chocolate drips, and custom-printed edible toppers. They have an extensive gallery of designs to select from, or you can bring in your own photos for them to replicate. Adding small toy toppers is also an option.
Safeway Custom Cake Prices
Now that you have an idea of the scope of Safeway‘s cake offerings, you‘re probably wondering about pricing. This is one area where Safeway really shines compared to other bakeries. Their custom cakes are incredibly affordable, with prices starting as low as $9.99.
Here‘s a detailed breakdown of Safeway‘s custom cake prices by size and type:
| Cake Size/Type | Base Price | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| 8" Round Single Layer | $9.99 | 8-12 |
| 8" Round Double Layer | $16.99 | 16-24 |
| 10" Round Single Layer | $12.99 | 12-16 |
| 10" Round Double Layer | $19.99 | 24-30 |
| 1/8 Sheet Cake | $18.99 | 16-24 |
| 1/4 Sheet Cake | $25.99 | 32-40 |
| 1/2 Sheet Cake | $35.99 | 48-54 |
| Full Sheet Cake | $49.99 | 64-80 |
| Round 2-Tier Cake (6" & 8") | $59.99 | 30-38 |
| Round 3-Tier Cake (6", 8" & 10") | $89.99 | 75-100 |
| 30 Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake | $18.99 | 30-35 |
| 36 Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake | $24.99 | 36-42 |
| 48 Cupcake Pull-Apart Cake | $32.99 | 48-55 |
These prices are for standard flavors and designs. Some premium options like licensed characters, 3D sculpted toppers, or extra fancy piping work may cost more. Fresh fruit fillings and fondant covering also add to the cost.
To give you a sense of how Safeway‘s prices compare, I researched prices for similar custom cakes at other major grocery chains and popular bakeries. Here‘s what I found:
Average Grocery Store Custom Cake Prices:
- Albertsons/Vons: 8" Round $9.99 / 1/4 Sheet $19.99 / 1/2 Sheet $29.99
- Walmart: 8" Round $9.98 / 1/4 Sheet $18.98 / 1/2 Sheet $22.98
- Costco: 1/2 Sheet $18.99 / Full Sheet $38.99 (limited design options)
- Whole Foods: 6" Round $20 / 9" Round $35 / 1/4 Sheet $45 (organic ingredients)
Average Specialty Bakery Custom Cake Prices:
- 8" Round: $35-$50
- 1/4 Sheet: $65-$80
- 1/2 Sheet: $85-$125
- Tiered Cakes: $6-12+ per serving
As you can see, Safeway‘s prices are very similar to other grocery stores and much cheaper than standalone bakeries. For the level of customization and quality they offer, Safeway cakes are an incredible value.
How to Order a Custom Cake from Safeway
If you‘re ready to order a Safeway custom cake for your next celebration, the process is easy. You have three options:
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Visit your local Safeway bakery in person. This allows you to have a consultation with a decorator, look through their design book, and fill out an order form. You can describe your vision and ask questions. Recommended for first-time orders or very specific design requests.
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Call your Safeway bakery department. A team member will take down your order details and ask any necessary follow-up questions. Better if you have ordered before and know what you want.
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Place your order online at Safeway.com. The cake ordering tool will walk you through selecting size, shape, flavors, and designs. You can upload a photo to be printed on the cake. Ideal if you know exactly what you want and are short on time.
Whichever method you choose, be prepared with the following information:
- Date and time you need the cake
- Size, shape, and type of cake
- Flavor of cake, filling, and frosting
- Colors of frosting and decorations
- Theme or design specifics (reference photos are helpful)
- Custom message to be written on cake
- Servings needed/number of people cake is for
- Contact name and phone number
- Budget
Safeway recommends placing cake orders at least 48-72 hours in advance to ensure availability. During busy seasons like graduations and holidays, ordering a week or more ahead is smart. For very large orders like wedding cakes, give a minimum of 2-3 weeks‘ notice.
In most cases, you will need to make a deposit of 50% of the total cost to reserve your order. For orders placed less than 48 hours in advance or during peak times, payment in full may be required.
Safeway Custom Cake Policies
Before placing your Safeway cake order, it‘s good to be aware of their policies. Here are the key things to know:
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Changes and Cancellations: Safeway will do their best to accommodate any changes to your order, but the more notice you provide the better. Some changes may not be possible if the cake has already been made. For cancellations, Safeway requires 24 hours notice for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before scheduled pickup may not be refunded.
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Refunds and Exchanges: If you are unsatisfied with your custom cake for any reason, Safeway wants to make it right. They may offer a refund, exchange, or store credit depending on the situation. Be sure to notify the bakery as soon as possible if there is an issue with your cake so they have a chance to fix it.
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Allergens & Dietary Needs: Safeway can take precautions to avoid cross-contamination of ingredients, but their facility is not certified allergen-free. They offer some eggless and vegan cake options by request, but cannot guarantee 100% egg- or dairy-free products. They do not currently make sugar-free, gluten-free, or keto-friendly custom cakes.
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Copyrighted Characters and Designs: Safeway has a limited selection of licensed character designs they can legally reproduce, like some Disney and Pixar properties. Other copyrighted logos, photos, or artwork cannot be copied exactly without permission. Safeway‘s decorators can do their best to create a similar look without violating trademarks.
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Delivery and Set-Up: Most Safeway stores offer custom cake delivery for an extra fee, usually around $10-20 within a certain mile radius. They may be able to set up tiered cakes on site, but this must be arranged well in advance. It is the customer‘s responsibility to provide a sturdy, level surface for the cake table.
Custom Cake Ordering Tips
Finally, I want to share some pro tips I‘ve learned for ordering the ideal custom cake from Safeway:
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Look at photos of real Safeway cakes for design inspiration. Their galleries and Instagram pages show the range of what their decorators can do.
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Choose your cake and filling flavors based on the honoree‘s tastes and the type of event. Light, fruity cakes are great for summer, while rich chocolate or spice cakes are cozy for fall and winter.
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Pick frosting colors that complement your party decor. Safeway can tint their buttercreams to match any hue.
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Bring in physical photos, swatches, and other reference items so your decorator can perfectly capture your theme. The more details you can provide, the better.
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Opt for simple piping, fresh fruit, or elegant toppers over elaborate fondant work or sculpted designs. Even basic decorations can look stunning.
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Consider a "naked" cake with minimal frosting to showcase the cake and filling layers. This rustic look is very trendy for weddings especially.
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Ask your Safeway cake decorator for suggestions on serving amounts and size. A 1/2 sheet cake can serve up to 54 people if cut into 2×2" party slices.
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Have your cake delivered or pick it up as close to serving time as possible. Safeway cakes are fresh for 2-3 days, but taste best within 6-12 hours of pickup.
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Let your cake come to room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving. The flavors and textures are better when not ice cold.
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Save money by choosing a simple buttercream cake and adding your own themed candles, toppers, or decorations at home.
Conclusion
Safeway‘s custom cake offerings are truly impressive for a grocery store bakery. With a wide array of flavors, designs, and sizes at unbeatable prices, Safeway is my go-to spot for beautiful, delicious cakes. Their experienced decorators can handle any occasion, from a first birthday smash cake to an elegant wedding cake, and everything in between.
By following the tips and information in this guide, you‘ll be able to confidently order the perfect Safeway custom cake for your next celebration. With a little planning and creativity, you can get a bakery-quality cake on a supermarket budget. The hardest part will be not sneaking a taste before the big day!
