A creation by Miss Ladybird Cakes – image by Jesse Hisco (supplied by Amelia Harris)
SPECIAL OCCASION CAKES MELBOURNE
The prospect of eating cake warrants its own special occasion but the actual selection of the right type of cake is no average feat. Whether you’re looking for something for your wedding day, a birthday party, christening, engagement party or just something special to bring to an afternoon tea or dinner, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite special occasion cakes and where to find them in Melbourne to make the selection easier for you. The criteria has been based on quality, cake flavour and value.
We will continue to add to this piece, so please let us know where you buy your favourite special occasion cakes in Melbourne, and if you’d like to see them added here. Thank you to Amelia Harris for contributing to this piece with me.
The DC team xx
256 McKinnon Rd, McKinnon
New Zealand-born baker Gina Tubb has firmly cemented herself on Melbourne’s sweet scene. She makes a wonderful range of cakes to order from scratch with a big focus on real ingredients. As Gina says in her brochure, `no packet mix here’. Toffee cake, chocolate stout cake and champagne and strawberries cake are among her specialties. Gina often does a range of smaller cakes for events like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, which can be bought via her website. Nothing is too much trouble for Gina and her assistant Ellen. They will talk you through the range of cakes, fillings, buttercreams and decorations to create a custom-made creation. Great cake and great customer service, what’s not to like? (AH)
780 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn
La Tropezienne is a French patisserie and cafe specialising in macarons, croissants and cakes. A staple on Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, for almost 15 years, it was one of the first places in Melbourne to sell macarons before they were readily available in patisseries and cafes. Today it still sells delectable treats along with a range of French-focused cakes and tarts. Quality is consistently good, despite recently moving some of the kitchen off-site. The lemon tart and the mistral, a rich chocolate mousse and hazelnut creation, are crowd pleasers, while their flourless orange, lime and pistachio cake is flavour-filled, despite being dairy and gluten-free. There is a daily section of cakes and tarts on display. Alternatively, they can be ordered and generally require two days notice. (AH)
Various locations including South Yarra, Westfield Doncaster and Emporium
Adriano Zumbo’s Masterchef challenges saw contestants struggle with croquembouches and V8 cakes and earned the pastry chef the nicknames ‘the sweet assassin’ and ‘the patissier of pain’. For those who aren’t game to try their hand at making his complex creations at home they’re on offer at Zumbo’s Melbourne stores. Tarts and cakes come in individual or larger sizes and the daily range might include Zumbo classics such as the V8 cake, a super rich eight-layered cake which might come in vanilla, salted caramel or Nutella, or a pillowy lemon meringue tart in addition to a rotating range of zumbarons (macarons) and classic French pastries. Zumbo also loves putting his twist – often with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek – on classic holiday or special occasion desserts. The supermarket sponge roll became a lamington roll cake in raspberry, salted caramel or passionfruit and matcha flavours for Australia Day. The recent Valentine’s Day collection featured almost too pretty to eat cakes called eyes and smiles and raspberry of my eye. Holiday-themed cakes are generally only available for a limited time in stores, while a selection of small and large cakes and tarts from the standard menu can be purchased in store daily. Alternatively, they can be pre-ordered online and collected in store with two days notice. (AH)
412 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick
Aviv Cakes and Bagels has been an Elsternwick institution for as long as I can remember. Their assortment of handmade biscuits was a permanent fixture at afternoon teas growing up, and their pastries like their cherry or apricot danish – a special treat for our after school snacks. For my family, like so many locals, Aviv’s vast selection of different cake options (in a range of sizes) has always made it a trusty go-to for birthday cakes or contributions to dessert tables as they bake daily and always have something on hand. I love their cherry or almond flan, Israeli Bubka (also comes in a small pastry size), but my absolute favourite is their orange almond butter cake! They also have a great and extensive offering of specialty pastries and biscuits all available for take-away, like their coffee-almond meringue, raspberry friands, lemon custard tarts, sticky date puddings – the list goes on. My friend organised the Bubka as the dessert for his wedding a few years ago – it was fantastic. For special occasions or holidays ordering in advance is a must, particularly around the main public and Jewish holidays. (JC)
103 Acland St, St Kilda
Another Melbourne institution, Monarch Cakes has stood the test of time, a stand out amongst some of its neighbouring bakery counterparts on Acland Street.
My family and I have been buying cakes and sweet treats from Monarch since my sister and I were in primary school. Their range of whole cakes, mini cakes and slices are all absolute classics and can even be ordered and posted to you via their online order form! (what an age to be alive).
In terms of cakes their signature would have to be their Kügelhopf – a bundt shaped cake with swirls of moist and crumbly chocolate throughout – this is a must order. For slices, I highly recommend their famous plum cake (outstanding), and their mini chocolate kügelhopf’s – both are a great selection for tea parties. (JC)
Various locations including South Yarra, Brighton and Melbourne City.
Laurent has been tantalising Melbourne with their sweet treats since the early 90s. With locations everywhere around the city, it’s a very convenient spot (particularly if you work in the CBD) to pick up a cake for dinner or a last minute birthday. Like many bakeries, Laurent offers specialty individual desserts and pastries, like their jam doughnuts (very decadent), and their eclairs (a favourite of mine).
In terms of cakes however, they have an extensive offering of flavours and sizes, often in the window ready to go, but best to order ahead. Regular purchases and favourites for me include their Christine Cake (brownie biscuit, with walnuts and macadamias, milk chocolate mousse and creme brûlée), the Bora Bora (coconut dacquoise and dark chocolate mousse with wild strawberry coulis, coconut mousse & macaron), their Tarte Passion or Citron, their Trio Mousse cake and the Monte Carlo (chocolate mousse with coffee creme brûlée, chocolate flourless biscuit, milk chocolate and dark chocolate glaze). (JC)
OTHERS
Dolcetti (they boasted a visit from Yotam Ottolenghi on his recent trip to Melbourne)
Shokuiku (shokuiku.life@gmail.com) – organic, raw, gluten, refined sugar/ or agave free. Nut and sugar free options also available.
CAKE CREATORS
ICE CREAM/GELATO CAKES
