Cake

How much do your cakes cost?
It really depends on the size, complexity, flavors, fillings, etc that you want. Fondant covered cakes are more expensive than buttercream. Fudge cake is more expensive than white or yellow. You get the picture. As a starting point, for a non-wedding cake, an 8" round, two-layer, white cake with buttercream starts at $38 and a 9x13 (quarter sheet) single-layer, white cake with buttercream starts at $42. For wedding cakes, prices start at $3.50 per serving for buttercream and $4.00 per serving for fondant.

Why do your cakes cost more than a grocery store cake?
Unlike most grocery stores, I bake, ice, decorate, and clean up for every cake I create. I make all of my icings and some of my fillings. I need to shop for and purchase ingredients and equipment as needed for every cake ordered. In addition, there are the expenses of utilities, insurance, and advertising. At a minimum, I spend four hours completing even the simplest cake. Long story short, that all adds up.

Do you make character cakes?
The short answer is no. It is illegal to reproduce and SELL any copywritten character, logo, etc, so I cannot draw Dora on your child's cake. However, if you would like a trademarked/copywritten character or logo cake, we can use either an edible image or plastic toppers. Please make sure you give at least two weeks notice for these types of cakes as I need to order/locate the edible image or topper. If you have your own topper, that works too!

Do you make cakes using Wilton shaped pans?
Yes and no. Provided the shaped pan is not a licensed character (Elmo, Dora, SpongeBob, etc), I can make you a cake using a Wilton pan, if that is what you would like. Again, please give at least two weeks notice for these orders as I may need to order the appropriate pan. Wilton shaped cakes start at $30.

Do you make cupcake cakes or cupcake mosaics?
No, sorry, I make cakes, I make cupcakes, but no cupcake cakes.

Do you only make cakes like those posted in your gallery?
No, just becasue there is no example in my gallery doesn't mean it can't be done.

Do you make gluten-free or sugar-free cakes?
No.

Do you make egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free cakes?
I do have a chocolate cake and brown sugar cake that are egg-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, as my son is allergic to all three. However, all of the equipment I use is not in an egg-free, dairy-free, nut-free environment. Please take this into consideration before contacting me about one of these cakes.

Do you make "naughty" cakes?
Sure, why not? I do, however, reserve the right to refuse any order.

Do you do tastings?
Currently I am not doing tastings for events after January 31, 2010.
Yes. Since I am a stay-at-home mom who also works part-time, I try to schedule tastings at nights or on weekends. I only do tastings for weddings and other large events serving 80 or more people. Please contact me to set up an appointment.

Do your cakes require refrigeration?
Most cakes require refrigeration, as my buttercream icing has butter in it. If you cannot store the cake in the refrigerator or the cake will be at room temperature for a long period of time, please let me know so I can alter the icing recipe. However, even with the altered buttercream, the icing will not withstand heat or humidity, but can sit at room temperature.

Can you match specific colors?
I will try my best to match any color, but it may not be a perfect match. Please bring me a swatch or sample of color that you want me to try to match.

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Ordering

How much lead time do I need to give you on an order?
Since I am the only person, I can only accommodate a certain number of orders, so the sooner you notify me the better. At a minimum for decorated cake orders, I would like to have two weeks notice, but may be able to accommodate you in a week's time, if I am not already booked. All other orders, included dessert cakes, can be placed in as little as three days, depending on availability. Long story short, it's never too early to contact me!

Can I just stop by and pick up some goodies on my way home from work?
Sorry, I don't have goodies, cakes, etc ready at my house at all times. If I did, I would have to change the name of the business to Really Fat Girl Cakes!

Can you do a rush order?
It depends on my availability, complexity, and size of the order. Rush fee may apply.

Do you deliver?
Yes. Fees may apply.

How should I transport my cake?
You should place the cake on the floor or any flat surface in your car, instead of your lap or seat. I will provide you with a small piece of anti-skid material for you to place underneath the cake to keep it from moving. You should also be mindful that you have a cake in the car, so no sharp turns or sudden braking!

Do you ship any of your goodies?
I will gladly ship cookies or truffles. I have yet to learn how to successfully ship a cake. Additional fees will apply.

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Payments & Deposits

What types of payments do you accept?
Credit Cards, through PayPal, Money Orders, Certified Checks, or cash. Sorry no personal checks.

Do you require a deposit on all orders?
All orders over $25 require a 50% deposit at least one week in advance.

For wedding cakes and orders over $150, the remainder of the balance is due two weeks before your event. If the balance is not paid before that 2 week timeframe, $25 will be added for each day the final payment is late. If the balance is not paid a week before your event, your order will not be fulfilled.

For all other orders, the balance can be paid upon pickup.

Are the deposits refundable?
Deposits on non-wedding orders cancelled 2 weeks or more from the pickup/delivery date are fully refundable. Deposits on non-wedding orders cancelled less than 2 weeks beforehand will not be refunded, but can be credited to a future order for the three months following the cancelled order, but will be forfeited after that timeframe.

Deposits on wedding orders cancelled 2 weeks or more from the pickup/delivery date will be partially refunded, depending on when it is cancelled. Deposits on wedding orders cancelled less than two weeks beforehand will be forfeited.

If any order is not cancelled, the deposit will be forfeited and will not be credited towards a future order.

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Miscellaneous

Do you have a preferred method of communication?
Yes, e-mail! With a two-year-old at home with me, it's difficult to communicate on the telephone. I usually respond to e-mails within 24 hours.

Are you a licensed baker?
Fat Girl Cakes LLC was incorporated on January 21, 2009 in the state of Virginia and holds a State inspection report for the kitchen. Since Fat Girl Cakes is such a small business, Spotsylvania County does not require a business license, so the inspection report serves as my business license.

Did you go to culinary school?
Nope. I just love to bake!

Where did the name of your business come from?
Originally I was going to call my business Kristin's Kreations, but found it boring and felt it was something that could get lost in a sea of sameness. Anyway, when I took one of my very first cake orders, I called the customer and told her it was Kristin. She had no idea who I was, and I said I was the Cake Girl. I liked that name, but I know of at least one other shop that has that name, so I tried to come up with something that represented me and my personality. It was then that I came up with Fat Girl cakes. Please do not take offense to the name, it's all in good fun!

Still can't find an answer to your question? Feel free to contact me!

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