Shhh! 5 Secrets to Delivering Cakes Safely

Delivering cakes can be stressful and nerve-wracking.  After creating your masterpiece, you have a mild heart attack transporting the cake.  This is the only time you notice all the potholes on the road.  I mean short of biting your fingernails while hoping and praying that your work of art did not get destroyed during delivery.  If you are shaking your head in agreement, I know how you feel.  I have been there.

Even with all the delivery planning, I still get nervous.  Why? Because you cannot plan every single scenario.  You do hope that all the measures you took paid off.  However, delivering a cake does not have to be that way.  That is why I created these five secrets to delivering cakes safely so that you can breathe again.  This is how I transport my cakes, and I have never had a problem since I started using these steps.

My first tier cake delivery was a HOT MESS, I bought a box from U-Haul I believe, but it was too large for the floor in the front of the car.  Which was my preferred spot at the time so that I could see the cake.  So I figured since I wasn’t going very far I would set the box on the front seat of the car (don’t ever do this).  DISASTER!!! I think my heart stopped a few times transporting the cake.  When I got to the location, my cake had shifted to the back of the board.  I stood there in horror.  I could not believe this happened to me.  Why!!!! Luckily it was a dense cake, and I was able to move it back to the center of the board.  Get this, I did not have a cake emergency kit but was able to get a huge spatula and move the cake.  Thank God, the decorations on the bottom were not damaged and I was able to place them around the cake, it was a good save.  I learned two crucial lessons that day: (1) I needed a cake emergency kit and (2) how to transport cakes safely.

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This made me think hard about delivering cakes.

I use these cake delivery steps without delivery disasters time and time again.  Whenever I get nervous or anxious about this, I try to remember the reason I started cake decorating in the first place.   This usually gives me a boost; I now add cake delivery to my planning process.  Now I know there are many great cake delivery systems out there such as Cake Safe and the SPS system.  But, if you cannot invest in them at this time; here are my five secret steps to delivering cakes safely using simple everyday items.

Structure your Cake Correctly

When making any cake, having a proper foundation is super important. Building a cake is similar to building a house.  Without a proper foundation, the house will implode, or if the winds blow too hard, it comes down. I cannot stress this more, knowing that your cake is structured correctly helps take the pressure off.  This means that after three layers add dowels. To calm your nerves, you can add a center dowel going through all tiers to help keep the cake more stable when transporting. I prefer to add the center dowel through the cake base before adding the cakes or use threaded rods.

Another thing to remember is to use a sturdy cake base.  A sturdy cake base will hold the weight of the cake and prevent it from crumbling. Finally, Remove any cake toppers, sugar flowers, etc. and place them in a separate box for transportation. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Use Foam pads  

Use foam pads to absorb shock.  You heard right…. Placing foam padding beneath your cake board will help cushion the blow and protect your cakes from damage caused by potholes and all the bumps from the car ride. I found mine at Joann’s, and with my coupon, it was less than $5.  Then, I cut to the size of the cake box; you don’t have to do this.

Use Shelf-Liner/Yoga mats

I love using shelf-liners.  I get them sometimes at Walmart or the Dollar Tree.  Lay the shelf liner/yoga mat across the floor or trunk of your car and then place the cake box on top. Since my last cake disaster, I now place a piece under the cake board in the box and under the box.  This prevents the cake and the cake box from moving. Place a long piece of shelf liner on the bottom, then place the foam pad and another shelf liner on top of the foam pad. 

Use Double-sided Carpet Tape

Mark the size of the cake using a cake board and place the tape on the inside of the board.  Use double-sided carpet tape to secure the cake board to the cake base.  It holds the cake in place.  I know you think this is overkill, but it is the small price for peace of mind. Buttercream does melt and can cause the cake to move, especially in the summer.  This just makes sure the cake board stays in place.

Use a Cake Box

Get a corrugated shipping box that is close to the size of the base of your cake.  If you cannot find a box close to the size, don’t worry, using the shelf-liner and the foam will keep the cake in place.  Also, you can find these boxes at Home Depot, Lowes or Staples.  Remember to mark the front of the box.  I like to cut a window in the front and attach a clear plastic so that I can see the cake.  This also protects the cake from elements such as rain, debris, or snow.  You can make your cake delivery box see post here.

Additional Cake Delivery tips:

• In the summer, cool down your car for at least 20 minutes. Place your cake on a flat surface, never place a cake box on a seat or your lap.
• Always carry a cake decorating repair kit with you that includes chocolate, royal icing, or extra frosting.
• And finally drive carefully, avoid sudden breaks speed bumps and hard corners, if possible, avoid any steep roads.

Do you have any cake delivery tips? Share them in the comments below; we would love to hear from you.  Happy caking.

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