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

I had a baker suggest this to me. Your baker can make the sheet cake just like the slice...sheet is a style...it doesn't mean store-bought

I like Publix cake but honestly haven't tried other grocery store cakes. I used to not like icing at all so I didn't eat much cake growing up and now I like buttercream icing but honestly haven't been in a situation that offered grocery store cake since I started liking icing. I would ask your baker to make sheet cake as well. My baker is making a 3 tier cake and then sheet cake in the back. That way it will be the same flavor and I know it's delicious because I tasted it. It's saving me a lot of money doing it that way. Liz made a good point about making sure the caterers don't cut it too soon, I'm definitely going to make a point of bringing that up now.

Wherever you get it, taste it first. I would suggest you get cake with frosting not play dough errr...fondant. Awful stuff.

I can definitely tell the difference, and prefer Publix or Sam's cake any day, but their often not as flexible with design.

I'm not a huge fan of cakes in general, but I do know Whole Foods and Fresh Market have some stellar options. They would be more expensive than Publix, but I think you ultimately get what you pay for (like in most everything else!). Depending on your guest count and proximity to those stores, it may be worth looking into just to have some options.

Plus, if you're providing an open bar, people probably won't be able to tell a difference anyways...

Depends on the grocery store. If you have a Publix, the answer is most likely no, you can't tell the difference, and if you can the difference will be that the Publix cake is probably better.

I can't tell the difference when it comes to plain white or chocolate cake. A bakery will cost more, but they do have more options when it comes to buttercream or fondant, fillings for the cakes and cake flavors. Sheet cakes are the best for cutting and serving.

I can absolutely tell the difference , but I'm sorta a cake snob

It all depends on the place! Even one Walmart vs another may have better cake as the person in the bakery could be better! I would start off by asking your grocery store bakery if you could do a tasting (since the grocery store would probably be cheaper) and see what you think. You could always go taste at a bakery if you aren't satisfied with the grocery store cake!

Yes I can tell the difference.

I went with a bakery for this reason.

I could care less because CAKE!! BUT grocery store cake has no idea how to chill out on frosting. I hate getting a slice and there's an inch of frosting on top, nevermind if I get a side piece!!

I can tell, but if the cake is good I don't care.

One of my favorite treats is cheap safeway cupcakes with the whipped cream and sprinkles though, so I'm hardly an expert on classy pastries.

Publix cake rocks. We are doing a Publix cake.

Sams club has awesome cakes!

I love the love for publix cake. I swear to my FH all the time is publix is the reason I would never leave the south. I'm doing my cake from publix. I love publix cake.

A lot of grocery stores will use shortening rather than butter for their icing. Some may not be able to tell the difference, but I think it's absolutely disgusting. Whatever you decide to do, just taste it beforehand.

I might be UO but I think some grocery store cakes are really good. I love Costco cake especially. That being said, when I go to a wedding I expect not to like the cake because fondant so personally I would prefer sheet cake bakery or otherwise.

I agree. Publix always makes delicious cakes. I don't necessarily know price point tho.

After taking with a couple cake places we've discovered that there is no savings in going with false styrofoam fondant covered layers. You are going to end up spending the same amount. I would just go with the cake bakery's yummy cake.

Maybe your venue can have a table ready that the bakery can just set up on?

I can't remember the cake from any wedding in my opinion do whatever is cheapest