Are you looking to order a cake for a special occasion, but don‘t want to spend a fortune? Do you need to feed a crowd on a budget? If so, the Walmart bakery may be just what you need.
As the world‘s largest retailer, Walmart offers convenience and affordability across all types of products – including cakes! The in-store bakeries provide customized cakes for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and more.
But is the quality and taste good enough for your important event? How exactly does the ordering and customization process work? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying cakes from the Walmart bakery.
Why Choose Walmart for Your Cake?
Here are the top reasons the Walmart bakery is an excellent option for your next celebratory cake:
-
Affordable Pricing: Walmart offers some of the most budget-friendly cake pricing, with prices starting as low as $5 for cupcakes and maxing out around $70 for a customized tiered cake.
-
Customization Options: You can personalize your cake flavors, fillings, frostings, decorations, and add a message.
-
Convenience: With over 4,700 Walmart stores in the U.S., there‘s likely one in your area. Many are open 24/7 for even greater convenience.
-
Order Online or In-Store: Walmart offers the flexibility to order in-store or online based on your preferences.
-
Serve a Crowd: Sheet cakes can serve up to 96 people, making them perfect for large parties and events.
-
Kid-Friendly Themes: Walmart offers tons of cute character and theme cakes perfect for a child‘s birthday.
-
EBT Accepted: You can conveniently pay for Walmart bakery cakes using SNAP/EBT benefits.
Walmart Bakery Cake Options
Walmart‘s bakery provides a variety of cake types and sizes to suit different needs. Here are the most popular cake choices available:
Sheet Cakes
- Full Sheet (serves 81-96 people): Starting at $42.98
- Half Sheet (serves 40-48 people): Starting at $29.99
- Quarter Sheet (serves 20-24 people): Starting at $18.98
Round Cakes
- 10 inches (serves 15-20 people): Starting at $38.00
- 8 inches (serves 10-15 people): Starting at $12.48
- 6 inches (serves 6-8 people): Starting at $9.98
Cupcakes
- 6 cupcakes: $4.48
- 12 cupcakes: $6.92
- 24 cupcakes: $13.28
Cookie Cakes
- Start at $9.98
Tiered Cakes
- Custom tiered available for weddings, graduations, etc. Requires special ordering.
They also offer character and theme cakes for birthdays and other occasions.
Cake Flavors, Fillings and Frostings
One great perk of Walmart‘s bakery is you can customize your cake to match your preferences.
Cake Flavors: White, chocolate, yellow, marble
Fillings: Strawberry, Bavarian creme
Frosting: Buttercream, whipped; 15+ colors
While Walmart‘s cake flavors are fairly standard, their frosting and filling options provide a good amount of customization – especially compared to grocery store sheet cakes!
Ordering Tips and Process
Walmart aims to make the cake ordering process easy whether you order online or in person. Here are some tips:
-
Order Early! Give at least 24-48 hours notice for standard cakes, and 1 week or more for tiered.
-
Talk to the Experts. If you need advice or want to see cake photos, visit the bakery in person. Associates can guide you through options.
-
Don‘t Forget the Message. You can customize cakes with a written message – perfect for birthdays or congratulations!
-
Leave a Note. When ordering online, you can leave a message for the bakery with any special instructions.
-
Check Out Licensed Themes. For kids‘ birthdays, Walmart offers tons of trendy character cakes from shows like Frozen, Super Mario, Fortnite and more!
Once you select your cake specifications like size, flavors, decorations, and personalization, the bakery team will handle the rest.
Walmart Bakery Cake Quality and Taste Reviews
The biggest question around Walmart cakes is – how do they actually taste? Here‘s what customers and cake critics have to say:
-
"For the cost, Walmart makes a good, basic cake. It‘s moist and tasty, though the frosting is very sweet." – Reddit User
-
"While Walmart cakes won‘t compare to a high-end bakery, they are a great value for parties on a budget. I would recommend sticking with the buttercream frosting as it has better flavor." – Emily K., Cake Reviewer
-
According to data site BestCompany.com, Walmart bakery cakes score an average of 3.8 out of 5 stars based on over 100 customer reviews. 30% of reviewers give a perfect 5 star rating.
The consensus seems to be that while Walmart cakes may not be gourmet quality, they are moist, delicious, and satisfy guests – especially given the affordable price point and customization. The cake itself tends to be better than the sweet frosting.
Walmart vs Other Grocery Store Bakery Cakes
How does Walmart compare to other popular grocery store chains when it comes to bakery cakes? Here is a brief overview:
| Bakery | Price Range | Customization Options | Taste Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $5 – $70+ | Great | 3.8 stars |
| Safeway | $9.99 – $59.99 | Good | 3.7 stars |
| Kroger | $9.99 – $49.99 | Limited | 3.5 stars |
| Publix | $9.99 – $62.99 | Great | 4.2 stars |
| Costco | $18.99 – $139.99 | Limited | 4.1 stars |
While Publix seems to lead in terms of reviews and quality, their cakes are more expensive. Walmart provides a close second with great customization and better prices.
Pros and Cons of Walmart Bakery Cakes
Pros
- Inexpensive compared to competitors
- Convenient locations and online ordering
- Customization options available
- Moist, tasty cakes
- Fun licensed character themes for kids
- Can serve large parties affordably
Cons
- Quality not as high as bakeries
- Pre-made frosting is very sweet
- Limited specialty diet options
- Need to order well in advance
- Can‘t see/taste samples before ordering
Tips for the Best Walmart Bakery Cake Experience
Follow these tips and tricks to get the most out of your Walmart bakery cake experience:
-
For the best flavor, stick to the buttercream frosting over whipped.
-
If you need a gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan cake, you‘ll have to bake a specialty cake from mixes at home.
-
Order round cakes for a more impressive, layered look than sheet cakes.
-
For children‘s birthdays, check out the awesome licensed character cakes like Baby Shark, Paw Patrol, Fortnite, and more!
-
If you need a cake in less than 48 hours, choose a pre-made option or 6-12 cupcakes.
-
Ask if they offer free smash cakes for 1 year old birthdays when you buy a larger cake.
-
For weddings, give the bakery at least a few weeks‘, if not a few months‘ notice to get it just right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about ordering from the Walmart bakery? Here are answers to some of the most common questions:
Who actually makes the Walmart bakery cakes?
The sheet cakes are supplied by Pillsbury. The round cakes come from BakeMark, a commercial cake company.
Can I order a Walmart cake online?
Yes! Walmart offers full custom cake ordering online as well as the option to choose pre-made cakes.
What happens if I need to make a change after ordering my cake?
Contact the bakery department at your local store as soon as possible. Last minute changes may not be possible.
Can I get a tiered or layered cake from Walmart?
Yes, you can get a custom tiered or layered cake, however these require special ordering at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Does Walmart sell vegan or gluten-free cakes?
No, their bakery does not accommodate vegan or gluten-free diets. You would need to bake a specialty cake at home using a mix.
What is Walmart‘s cake return policy?
Walmart does not accept bakery cake returns or refunds due to health and safety policies. Check your order for accuracy at pick-up.
The Bottom Line
For convenient, customized cakes at affordable prices, the Walmart bakery is a solid choice. While their cakes may not be artisanal quality, they receive positive taste reviews and offer great value. By ordering in advance and selecting flavors wisely, your guests are sure to enjoy the Walmart bakery cake you serve up!
