Welcome to the Bel Bear Bakes info hub – Find all your cake questions answered here!
If you have any other general questions, please feel free to email us
DO YOU COPY OTHER CAKE DESIGNS?
If you can provide us with an idea of the colour/theme/style, then we will design a beautiful and unique cake just for you. Every artist has a different design style, and while we can draw inspiration from a photo, Bel Bear does not copy other bakers' designs. Due to the artistic and creative nature of the design process, together with the availability of speciality decor and florals, it is also not possible for us to identically recreate any of our previous cakes.
CAN I HAVE FRESH FLOWERS ON MY CAKE?
Yes, you can. Floral arrangements are selected based on the design/colour scheme and seasonal availability. Flowers will be wired and wrapped or separated from contact with the cake through an alternative barrier (depending on design) prior to cake application. It is essential to note that fresh flowers are not edible and many are also sprayed with pesticides, so please ensure you and your guests are not served any flowers.
Florals will be sourced from one of our local providers unless otherwise requested. Upon request, we can also get in touch with your wedding provider to coordinate and organise florals.
WHAT ARE DECORATION EXTRAS FOR CUSTOM CAKES?
If you would like additional features on your cake such as gold leaf, stencilling, deluxe blooms (peonies, orchids, David Austin roses etc.), acrylic cake toppers or any other speciality decor, please provide as much information as possible via your initial enquiry so we can quote you as accurately and swiftly as possible.
CAN I CHOOSE MORE THAN ONE CAKE FLAVOUR?
For single tiered cakes, you have a choice of one cake flavour only. For tiered cakes, you may select a different cake flavour per tier. Cupcakes are available in single and split flavour batches. Our other small sweets are available single flavour batches only. Doughnuts are available vanilla only.
CAN I CUSTOMISE AN EXPRESS CAKE?
While we do not offer any further customisation on our express range, if you are keen on the design of an express cake but would like to change the design/colour or flavours, please let us know by submitting a custom cake enquiry instead. We will happily meet this request by working according to your design and flavour preferences.
DO YOU MAKE FONDANT DECORATED CAKES?
We do not design fondant decorated cakes or craft any themed/novelty characters with fondant. Our cakes are strictly buttercream, however we may use fondant occasionally to prepare necessary décor such as mermaid tales, unicorn horns etc. Specialty fondant animal toppers can also be ordered in from local suppliers when necessary. Alternatively, we're always very happy to design character cakes using buttercream and other forms of decorations to create something unique for your special occasion.
HOW MUCH DO YOUR CAKES COST?
Three main factors influence our pricing:
The cost of ingredients and materials
The time required to create your design
The serving size – number of cake portions
While our starting prices may be used as an initial guide, they do not include specific design elements or decoration extras. As each cake is unique and individually designed, the final price is quoted based on the final design.
For our base pricing, please refer to our custom cake pricing guide here.
WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED LEAD TIME FOR AN ORDER?
ONLINE SHOP RANGE
Our online cake shop products require a lead time of minimum 7-10 days depending on the category. Available dates can be selected via our website shop availability calendar. Please note that if your chosen date is not showing up on our calendar, this means that we are either closed, or we are at maximum capacity for that date.
CUSTOM CAKE RANGE
For our custom cake range, we recommend a lead time of 3-4 weeks. If a custom topper or other specialty decorations are required, we recommend a lead time of 4-6 weeks. For large celebration and wedding cakes with two tiers or more, we recommend a lead time of at least 3-4 months to allow sufficient time for design consultation and tasting before confirming your final cake details. That said, if you're unable to meet the above timelines, we will still try our best to accommodate your order, or suggest alternative designs that may be possible to create within a shorter period of time.
WHAT ARE YOUR PORTION SIZES?
Our celebration cake serves are estimated based on dessert serves of approx 1" x 2" x height of cake" and coffee slices of 1" x 1" x height of cake".
DO YOU OFFER CAKE SAMPLES OR WEDDING CAKE TASTINGS?
From January 2024, in-studio cake sampling will no longer be available, however customers will be provided with their tasting box of choice to take home for tasting after consultation. Flavour choices can be emailed through after your appointment date.
If no consultation is required, tasting boxes are directly available for online purchase approx. every 1-2 months.
IS YOUR KITCHEN A NUT-FREE ENVIRONMENT?
Our kitchen is not a nut-free environment. Whilst nut products may not be directly added as ingredients and care is taken with equipment and preparation area cleanliness, the same equipment is used to prepare foods containing nut, gluten, dairy and egg products. Ingredients may also be sourced from manufacturers that do not separate their production lines. Therefore, there is always a possibility traces of gluten, nut, egg and dairy allergens may be present. Our cakes may not be suitable for anyone with severe or life-threatening nut or other allergies. Please note any specific allergies or requests upon submitting your initial enquiry.
DO YOU MAKE GLUTEN-FREE/VEGAN CAKES?
We offer 2 cake flavours marked as low-gluten and 2 cake flavours marked as vegan on our off-menu flavour menu (additional costs apply). However, please note that our kitchen is not a gluten-free/nut-free or vegan environment. While care is taken with equipment and preparation area cleanliness, there is always a possibility traces of gluten, nut, egg and dairy products may be present. Ingredients may also be sourced from manufacturers that do not separate their production lines. Therefore, our cakes may not be suitable for anyone with severe or life-threatening gluten, egg, dairy, nut or other allergies. Please note any specific allergies or requests upon submitting your initial enquiry.
DO YOU OFFER DELIVERY?
We offer an off-peak delivery service across Metro Melbourne, typically within a 25km radius of Gladstone Park. Our delivery rates depend on factors such as product weight, time taken and distance travelled.
Our delivery fees vary according to the product weight, time, distance travelled (km) and road tolls. The delivery rates below apply for the off-peak (between 11am-2pm) delivery of single tier cakes, small dessert items and everlasting flowers. However, prices may increase for the transport and setup of larger tiered cakes, and when later delivery times are required.
See our delivery rates here
WHAT ARE YOUR PICKUP & DELIVERY HOURS?
Pickup is from Gladstone Park 3043
PICKUP HOURS
Thu-Fri – 12:00pm-3:00pm
Sat – 10:00am-3:00pm
Sun – 10:00am-12:00pm
*Please note that order collections from our studio are scheduled strictly by appointment
DELIVERY HOURS
Thu-Sat – 11:00am-2:30pm
Sun – 11:00am-12:30pm
*Please note that alternative and after hours delivery times may be made available to accommodate weddings and other special events that require the transport and setup of tiered celebration cakes at specific times.
CAN I CHOOSE MY DELIVERY TIME?
ONLINE CAKE SHOP
All website cake shop deliveries are carried out between 11am-2:30pm on your selected date. If you need your cake by a specific time, we recommend a pickup option or having your cake collected or delivered the day before your event. Any cakes delivered the day before must remain boxed and refrigerated until required for display the following day. Please note that any cakes decorated with fresh flowers must be collected or delivered on the same day of your event to ensure the flowers remain in good condition.
CUSTOM CAKES
When submitting your enquiry/order, you will be prompted to select your preferred pickup time and we will do our best to meet this request depending on scheduling. Unfortunately, we can't guarantee a preferred time slot for delivery. However, a suitable delivery time will be scheduled pending confirmation of your order, which will always coincide with your event date and time.
CAN I PICK UP MY SINGLE TIER CAKE?
Single tier cakes and cupcakes can be safely transported in their enclosed boxes (provided by us) on either the passenger floor or in a secure catering tray in the boot of your car; with the air-conditioning on and driving slowly around the corners. If someone is accompanying you for your collection, the passenger may also hold the cake securely for the journey. For larger tiered cakes, we always recommend our delivery service to ensure they will arrive safely (fees apply). Buttercream will soften during transport, therefore, we recommend storing your cake back in the fridge as soon as you arrive at your destination.
During warmer Summer weather, we recommend running the air conditioning in your vehicle for 10-15 minutes prior to collection to allow the cool air to circulate. This will ensure your cake won't melt during transport, particularly if you have a long way to travel.
CAN I PICK UP MY 2 OR 3 TIER CAKE?
We don't recommend pickups for tiered cakes as a standard. As the cake size and number of tiers increases, the more likely damage may occur during transport if proper care isn't taken. The risk is even greater during warmer weather. Therefore, we always recommend utilising our delivery and setup service.
2-TIER CAKES
If customers are comfortable picking up and transporting their cakes safely, small and medium sizes 2-tier cakes can be made available for pickup. Tiered cakes are quite heavy and tall, and therefore must be transported in their enclosed box on a flat surface. They should not be held or placed on any car seats, and extra care must be taken around corners, bumby roads and speed bumps. Upon pickup, the cake will be fully inspencted by the customer and Bel Bear Bakes is not reponsible for any damage that may occur during transport once any cake has left our studio. When choosing not to utlise our delivery service, it is up to the customer to determine and coordinte a setup time and arrangement with their venue or provider. If your cake is not going directly on display, it will need to be stored in a fridge or cool room beforehand, and such arrangements can be discussed with your venue prior to ordering.
3-TIER CAKES
Unfortunately, due high risk of damage during transport, we're unable to offer a pickup options for any large extended height 2-tier cakes, or any cakes consisting of 3 or more tiers.
CAN I LEAVE MY CAKE OUT ON DISPLAY?
Buttercream will soften during transport; please ensure your cake is placed back into the fridge as soon as you arrive home or at your event location. All cakes should then remain in the fridge and may be brought to room temperature 30 minutes before serving; or right before event commencement if going on display. While your cake is on display, it should be kept away from any direct sunlight and the room temperature should not exceed 21 °C. The time between display and cutting cutting should not exceed 4 hours. Our cakes are not suitable for outdoor weather or events and should under no circumstance be displayed outdoors.
