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Send a Cake vs Magnolia Bakery

Friday, January 24th

2025 Cake Delivery Reviews

Send a Cake Review 2.5 Star Rating

Send a Cake

2.5 Star Rating
  • About a dozen large cake flavors and eight mini cake flavors to choose from
  • Large cakes fulfilled by David's Cookies
  • Mini cakes available with surprise box element
  • Prices range from $49.95 to $69.95
  • Shipping fees around $20
  • Some gluten-free and vegan options available

Send a Cake may have come across your social media feed as a fun way to jump scare someone with a tasty treat: their surprise boxes can "explode” with confetti, music, even little butterflies, revealing a mini cake. This cake retailer also has full-size cakes on the menu, but they seem to hide the fact that those bigger sweets are actually fulfilled by another cake company on our list. We have mixed feelings about Send a Cake, largely because of that lack of transparency, but over 100,000 people have given this cake shop a top-shelf rating. Circle back if you don't find what you're looking for somewhere else, but for now we can only give Send a Cake a lower rating of our own.

Magnolia Bakery Review 2.5 Star Rating

Magnolia Bakery

2.5 Star Rating
  • 4 cakes to choose from: confetti, chocolate, carrot, red velvet
  • Prices start at $54 to $60
  • $35 for priority overnight shipping
  • No gluten-free options
  • Some personalization options available
  • In business since 1996

Magnolia Bakery, founded in 1996 in NYC's West Village, is famous for its cakes, cookies, pies, and iconic banana pudding. While their cakes are available for nationwide delivery, the selection is limited to four flavors - confetti, chocolate, carrot, and red velvet - with prices starting at $54 plus $35 for priority overnight shipping. Customization options are a nice touch, but some are restricted for shipped cakes. Unfortunately, their cake delivery reputation is mixed, with complaints about taste and shipping reliability, and their case-by-case satisfaction policy doesn't inspire our confidence. Magnolia Bakery shines in-store but falls short for dependable cake delivery.

Where Can You Get the Best Cakes Online?

Do you have a milestone birthday coming up and you just can't bear the thought of another supermarket cake? Or you want to surprise your college student with a finals week celebration treat? Believe it or not, you can get some of the most amazing cakes shipped right to your doorstep (or theirs).

Ordering cakes online can revolutionize how you enjoy this timeless dessert. Who says you need to scour local recommendations on Facebook to get a treat crafted by an expert? Whether you're eyeing a decadent chocolate layer cake or a vegan carrot cake topped with silky cream cheese frosting, the internet makes it easier than ever to indulge.

The Best Cake Delivery Compare Cake Delivery Compare Cake Delivery Reviews What are the best Cake Delivery Best Cake Delivery Reviews

Cake Delivery FAQ

Buying a cake online gives you access to a wide variety of flavors, designs, and specialty options that may not be available locally. Whether you're sending a cake across the country or need a custom design for an event at home, online bakeries offer convenience, flexibility, and nationwide delivery.
Yes, most online bakeries use specialized packaging to keep cakes fresh during transit. This can include insulated boxes, ice packs, or even dry ice for more delicate cakes like cheesecakes. They also package the cake with enough padding to make sure that your lovely treat doesn't arrive squished!
Some online bakeries offer same-day or next-day delivery, especially in major metro areas. However, most cakes you'll see online will require more lead time, so it's best to plan ahead when possible.
A few online cake vendors allow you to personalize your order with custom messages, but don't expect anything overly fancy or bespoke. And, be aware that customizations may require extra processing time.
Many online bakeries cater to dietary needs, offering options like gluten-free or vegan cakes. Be sure to read product descriptions carefully and contact customer service if you have specific allergy concerns or ingredient questions.
Reputable cake shops have solid satisfaction guarantees, including refunds or replacements if the cake arrives damaged. Be sure to take photos immediately upon receiving the order and contact the bakery's support team to resolve any issues quickly.
Delivery costs vary based on factors like location, shipping speed, and whether special handling (refrigeration) is required. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $60 in shipping fees.
Absolutely! Online cake delivery is a fantastic way to celebrate from afar. Most bakeries let you include a personalized message with your order, and some let you tack on extras like balloons or chocolate-covered strawberries - making it a thoughtful and delicious present for any occasion.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Cakes are one of life's sweetest traditions, symbolizing celebration and indulgence in cultures worldwide. Going as far back as history can tell, cakes started out as simple honey-sweetened breads in ancient Egypt. In medieval Europe, cakes were dense and spiced, evolving over time with the addition of refined sugar and leavening agents to become lighter, fluffier treats.

From cutesy Pinterest-worthy birthday cakes covered in fondant to the multi-tiered masterpieces of modern weddings, cakes have come a long way since then. Today, they're not just desserts but edible works of art, reflecting trends like naked cakes, drip designs, and inventive flavors such as matcha, churro, and ube. Cakes are synonymous with special occasions, but they've also found their way into everyday moments - because sometimes, you don't need a reason to treat yourself.

Which online cake shop should you trust to deliver on its promises? That's a great question, because the last thing you want is to get your hopes up and have your treat fall flat (or not arrive at all). Here are some criteria we'd recommend as you decide where to order your cake:

  • Price and value. A cake is a worthwhile investment in joy, but it shouldn't break the bank. Compare prices to see if the bakery balances cost with quality and service.
  • Variety. Look for a bakery with options that suit your needs - classic flavors, trendy designs, dietary-friendly options like gluten-free or vegan, and even seasonal specialties.
  • Customization. Some occasions call for a personal touch. Check if the vendor allows custom messages, designs, or add-ons like candles or decorations.
  • Delivery options. Not all shipping methods are equal. Compare timelines and costs to make sure the cake arrives fresh and on time, especially for deliveries to warmer destinations.
  • Customer reviews. Feedback from other customers can reveal how well a cake shop handles quality, taste, packaging, and delivery reliability. Has the BBB given the vendor a positive rating? Is there a satisfaction guarantee, and does the company honor it?

To help you find the right bakery to order a delicious cake for delivery, the sweet-toothed experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked some of today's most popular options. With so many creative bakeries offering nationwide delivery, it's easier than ever to make any day a little sweeter. Just remember to order in advance when possible - good cake is worth the wait!

Compare Cake Delivery

Select any 2 Cake Delivery to compare them head to head

best-cake-delivery
  • Bake Me a Wish!
  • David's Cookies
  • Caroline's Cakes
  • Harry & David
  • We Take the Cake
  • Edible Arrangements
  • Send a Cake
  • Magnolia Bakery
  • Milk Bar
  • Williams Sonoma
Bake Me a Wish! vs David's Cookies Bake Me a Wish! vs Caroline's Cakes Bake Me a Wish! vs Harry & David Bake Me a Wish! vs We Take the Cake Bake Me a Wish! vs Edible Arrangements Bake Me a Wish! vs Send a Cake Bake Me a Wish! vs Magnolia Bakery Bake Me a Wish! vs Milk Bar Bake Me a Wish! vs Williams Sonoma David's Cookies vs Caroline's Cakes David's Cookies vs Harry & David David's Cookies vs We Take the Cake David's Cookies vs Edible Arrangements David's Cookies vs Send a Cake David's Cookies vs Magnolia Bakery David's Cookies vs Milk Bar David's Cookies vs Williams Sonoma Caroline's Cakes vs Harry & David Caroline's Cakes vs We Take the Cake Caroline's Cakes vs Edible Arrangements Caroline's Cakes vs Send a Cake Caroline's Cakes vs Magnolia Bakery Caroline's Cakes vs Milk Bar Caroline's Cakes vs Williams Sonoma Harry & David vs We Take the Cake Harry & David vs Edible Arrangements Harry & David vs Send a Cake Harry & David vs Magnolia Bakery Harry & David vs Milk Bar Harry & David vs Williams Sonoma We Take the Cake vs Edible Arrangements We Take the Cake vs Send a Cake We Take the Cake vs Magnolia Bakery We Take the Cake vs Milk Bar We Take the Cake vs Williams Sonoma Edible Arrangements vs Send a Cake Edible Arrangements vs Magnolia Bakery Edible Arrangements vs Milk Bar Edible Arrangements vs Williams Sonoma Send a Cake vs Magnolia Bakery Send a Cake vs Milk Bar Send a Cake vs Williams Sonoma Magnolia Bakery vs Milk Bar Magnolia Bakery vs Williams Sonoma Milk Bar vs Williams Sonoma
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