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Williams Sonoma Review

Sunday, February 16th

2025 Cake Delivery Reviews

Williams Sonoma Review 1.5 Star Rating

Williams Sonoma

1.5 Star Rating
  • About 50 cakes to choose from
  • Options include traditional layer cakes, coffee cake, seasonal favorites and international treats
  • Gluten-free, vegetarian, kosher, and organic options
  • Free shipping with Reserve membership ($99/year)
  • Standard delivery fees of up to $24

Williams Sonoma specializes in high-quality kitchenware, home furnishings, and gourmet food. Founded in 1956 in Sonoma, California, by Chuck Williams, the brand quickly became synonymous with upscale cooking and dining essentials, offering everything from professional-grade cookware to stylish dinnerware that appeal to both home cooks and professional chefs. The company also stands out for its cooking classes, exclusive product lines, and commitment to timeless design, making it a go-to destination for anyone looking to elevate their kitchen or entertain with style. And yes, they do offer cakes for delivery.

Terrific variety of cake flavors

Depending on the time of year, you'll find around 50 different cakes to choose from at Williams Sonoma. From what we can tell, the most "well-stocked” time of year is the winter holiday season, where you can get everything from Dresden Stollen with Marzipan to a "Twas the Night Before Christmas” reindeer-themed layer cake. Fortunately, this store keeps a selection of classic options year-round as well. You could opt for a two-layer tiramisu, a classic 3-layer carrot cake, or a "test kitchen” 3-layer vanilla cake any time of the year.

Prices from under $20 to nearly $180

How much will you spend on cake at Williams Sonoma? Most options are between $50 to $80. But, on the lower end of the price spectrum, we spotted Frau Helga's Stollen (serves 7) for $19.95, and some super-cute Sugar Plum Holiday Cake Pops (set of 8) for $34.95. On the other hand, if you need enough cake to feed a small army and you've got the cash to match, Williams Sonoma has several large options priced at $179.95 that can serve 16-22 people. Those include the 3-layer red velvet cake (beautifully decorated with frosting roses all the way around), 3-layer lemon blueberry cake, and even a gluten-free 3-layer chocolate cake. (This is also a good time to mention that there are gluten-free, vegetarian, kosher, and organic treats on the menu here.)

Best Cakes

Shipping fees around $25

How about shipping costs? The only way to get free delivery is to join Williams Sonoma's Reserve service, at a price of $99/year. That will get you no-cost standard shipping for a year, a subscription to their recipes app, and four free virtual cooking classes. Otherwise, expect to see a shipping cost tacked on at the very last step of checkout; on a $179.95 cake, our shipping and processing fee was $24.

Email-only gift messages

During the first stages of the checkout process, you can check the "Add Gift Options” box if you'd like to enter a free message. Interestingly, Williams Sonoma only delivers these messages via email, "due to the types of items” (cake). No other cake retailer on our list seems to have an issue with including a printed message, so that struck us as odd. That could be due to the specific cake we chose (the 3-layer red velvet cake), because it was indicated as "vendor shipped”.

You can't set a desired delivery date

Know what else Williams Sonoma doesn't do? Give you a choice of delivery date. No matter which cake we picked, we were given an "estimated date” of about a week in the future. We're all for planning ahead, but it's not very convenient to specify an approximate timeframe when buying a treat for a special occasion. That also eliminates Williams Sonoma as an option if you want to plan way in advance: you can't schedule a future delivery here either.

No reviews on cakes here

Although we love the beautiful variety of cakes at Williams Sonoma, we have our misgivings about actually ordering one here. First off, there are absolutely no reviews on any of them - because this store doesn't have a place for shoppers to leave them. Could you imagine paying $189.95 for the Five-Layer Pumpkin Shaped Cake without having any idea if it tastes overly spiced or tends to arrive a little worse for the wear? We can't.

Best Cakes

BBB gives them an "F” for poor delivery reputation

Cake reviews would be really helpful here, because the sentiment towards Williams Sonoma overall is negative. That starts with an "F” rating and over 3,500 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. In fact, the BBB points out a strong pattern: this company delivers things extremely late or not at all. That's one thing if it's a bed pillow - annoying at best. But when it's a birthday cake? Not acceptable.

Food doesn't arrive on time for important events

We even searched through the 300+ reviews left on Trustpilot (which average a sad 1.3 stars out of 5, by the way) for references to "cake” and even just "food”. The vibe? "Never buy food from them. They ruined our Christmas.” People ordering well in advance of major holidays were left with a table full of guests and no food to serve them.

Don't order your cake here

Bottom line? Williams Sonoma advertises beautiful cakes... that may not ever be delivered. Instead of getting your taste buds working and your hopes up by browsing their website, you'd do better to skip this company and order from a higher-ranking rival (and maybe one that specializes in cakes). Williams Sonoma is almost guaranteed to leave you disappointed.

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

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  • 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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