Cake: can you tell the difference between grocery cake and specialty bakery cake

I'll be perfectly honest with you. I can't stand grocery store cake. The buttercream is usually way too sweet for me.

You may be better off with sheet cakes from an actual bakery.

That's just my 2 cents =]

I don't care where the cake comes from, as long as it's good. I've had good grocery store cakes, bad bakery cakes, and vice versa. Just make sure it's delicious.

^ Agreed. I can definitely tell the difference, but I'm a self proclaimed cake snob. I second Amanda's suggestion, if you're going that route...get a sheet cake from a bakery.

This may not be a very helpful answer, but it depends on the grocery store. I went to a wedding this past summer and was surprised when I found out the cake was from a local grocery store, though it is a more expensive one and they do have catering. Depending on the store, you may be able to taste their cakes to compare them to whichever bakery you're planning on using.

I can't, especially if it happens to be a particularly good grocery store cake.

I've been to weddings where they have the separate sheet cakes in the back and depending on the caterer they sometimes will cut it in advance and the guests can def tell because the cake it dried out when they get it. So beware that they don't cut the cake to early

@Amanda, Yeah, grocery store cake has a distinct taste and texture. It's very 'chemically' in my opinion and can be overly sweet. I want to avoid that.

I can definitely tell the difference unless it's especially bad bakery cake. There's some grocery cake that's not bad, but it's not the same as good bakery cake.

You must not have a Publix. Grocery store made cake- delicious! To answer your post: I wouldn't care what store it came from as long as it tasted good!

Cake is cake to me .as long as its good i dobt care.and i normally dont like the sweet regular frosting from store bakerys but they have options like buttercream and whipped cream icing and its not sweet at all its perfect and i was even looking into Wal-Mart's bakery for my wedding cake they are traditional and u can give them ribbon ir w.e to put on them and u only have to order it like 2 4 days before u need it and u go pick it up that day or the day before and they have 2 and 3 tier ones and nit exspensive around 120 to 170 the one i was looking at and its just me m fh and our parents n kids so and they dont care where the cake comes from they like all cake lol

I love cake, like, a lot, lol. I don't usually care where the cake is from, nor does that thought even cross my mind. I only care that the cake is not dry or stale, that there's an over abundance of frosting, and it is a flavor I'll like. That's it; I don't care where it's from. I have had cake from grocery stores like Meijer, as well as local bakeries. There may be a difference, but I don't really care. They have all tasted great to me.

I can definitely tell the difference. Grocery store cake is dry and the icing is too sweet. Except for Publix, Publix is amazing.

If you do sheet cakes, just have your baker make the sheet cake. What costs so much is the decorating, not the cake itself. That's what our baker is doing.

I tried a cake from Walmart's bakery at a bridal expo and it wasn't bad. Then I tried a cake from an independent bakery and the Walmart cake was shit compared to it. It was so dry and horrible. But I've had cakes from Publix that were good, so I don't think all grocery store cakes are bad.

We are doing a a sheet cake from a local bakery. It will be $120 for 100 servings. I think for the cost comparison, just talk to whoever is doing your cake and ask for a simple iced sheet cake. I might be a small amount higher than the grocery store but taste so much better.

Oh and I'm a cake snob because my mom is a cake maker and I learned the difference between the quality texture and spongy. I hate costco cake so much it makes me cringe

We don't have Publix out here. Bummer!

Publix you can order legit wedding cakes. That shit is good.

Usually I can tell the difference between a gourmet cake and a grocery store cake.

Depends where you live !! In north NJ certain shoprites are known for AMAZING cake and even better icing so many people use them for parties! Also Costco same thing .. we had a full catered engagement party at my parents bar dessert table etc but she got the sheet cake at Costco ... guess what everyone commented and asked about --- the cake

Some grocery stores (and Costco) have awesome cakes! Plus, lets be real, most people are drunk by cake time anyway. The chances of them noticing are slim lol

I would recommend asking people around your area. Each grocery store is different and some may even let you taste first

@Chip, are you having a decorated dummy cake? Does it cost less to decorate the dummy tiers?