Birthday Cakes in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Serving Berkhamsted, Tring, Hemel Hempstead, Aylesbury, Chesham, Amersham, Watford & Surrounding Areas in Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire
I work closely together with you the client to create a cake that is bespoke, and tailor made just for you. Using only the best quality ingredients to create a delicious scrumptious tasting cake, decorated in a style to reflect your celebration. Be it preference of colour, a theme, flowers, a hobby or favorite characters, each cake reflects your preferences, perfect for making any special event the most memorable.
Whether you are celebrating an engagement, wedding, birthday, christening, baby shower, anniversary or just want to brighten up someone's day or say thank you, there is a cake for every occasion.
I create custom birthday cakes for children and adults, including floral cakes, themed designs, character cakes and elegant statement cakes — all handmade to order in Berkhamsted and the surrounding areas.
Cakes come in all shapes and sizes, and the dream cake is different for everyone. I specialise in designing bespoke birthday cakes that reflect your passions, personality and style, perfectly suited to your party.
Whether you’re drawn to bright, floral designs, soft seasonal colour palettes — think piped florals, edible flowers or dried blooms — a beloved pet, vintage-inspired details, or simply a cake that looks utterly irresistible, I’ll work closely with you to bring your vision to life. From indulgent chocolate cakes and autumnal blackberry-inspired designs to playful, hand-modelled fondant details, every cake is created with love and creativity.
I have a particular passion for edible flowers and natural textures, but I also enjoy adding fun, characterful fondant elements where they suit the design. The result is a cake that feels personal, thoughtful and completely unique to you.
Becca, Northchurch
"My birthday cake was a work of art that tasted as good as it looked!
There wasn't a single slice left...it was stunning!"
The Flavour Menu
Thoughtfully crafted flavours to suit every kind of sweet tooth - classic comforts, bold twists, and a few irresistible surprises. Every part of my cakes is made from scratch, using high-quality ingredients that are organic, seasonal, and as locally sourced as possible.
Be Classic
Timeless flavours that never go out of style
Vanilla & Strawberry
Classic vanilla sponge made with organic Madagascan vanilla beans, filled with fruity strawberry coulis, smooth lemon cream and covered in vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
Zesty Lemon
Organic lemon sponge layered with smooth lemon cream and zesty lemon curd, covered in silky lemon Swiss meringue buttercream.
Indulgent Chocolate
Deep & moist chocolate sponge filled with rich chocolate ganache made with organic Montezuma couverture chocolate and covered in indulgent chocolate Swiss Meringue buttercream.
Carrot & Walnut
Delicately spiced carrot sponge made with cinnamon, ginger and walnuts, with a hint of orange, filled with tangy cream cheese Swiss meringue buttercream.
The Signature Range
A little more punch, a lot delicious
Coconut & Raspberry
Moist coconut sponge layered with tangy raspberry coulis and smooth lemon cream, covered in vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
Pistachio & Raspberry
Organic pistachio sponge layered with creamy raspberry curd and smooth raspberry Swiss meringue buttercream.
Chocolate & Matcha
Rich chocolate sponge layered with matcha Swiss meringue buttercream and velvety chocolate ganache finished with matcha Swiss meringue buttercream
White Chocolate & Blueberry
Classic vanilla sponge dotted with white chocolate pieces and layered with blueberry Swiss meringue buttercream and blueberry coulis.
Lemon & Blackberry
Zesty lemon sponge layered with lemon cream and blackberry coulis, finished with blackberry Swiss meringue buttercream.
Salted Caramel Indulgence
A soft, golden salted caramel sponge, filled with smooth salted caramel buttercream and a decadent centre of my homemade gooey salted caramel, covered in a generous layer of salted caramel buttercream
Be Extra
Flavours with bold character, richness, and a little indulgence.
Chocolate & Espresso
Moist chocolate sponge layered with rich espresso buttercream and smooth chocolate ganache covered with espresso Swiss meringue buttercream.
Coffee & Hazelnut
Light brown sugar sponge made with freshly brewed espresso coffee and organic hazelnuts, filled with smooth mascarpone cream and covered in mocha Swiss meringue buttercream.
Cherry Bakewell
Moist almond sponge layered with Madagascan vanilla buttercream and sweet cherry coulis finished with an almond Swiss meringue buttercream.
Mocha Caramel Dream
A rich chocolate sponge layered with a smooth coffee-infused dark chocolate ganache and indulgent salted caramel, finished with a silky mocha Swiss meringue buttercream.
Forest Gateau
Rich chocolate sponge layered with alternate layers of smooth mascarpone cream and chocolate ganache with cherry coulis finished with a chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream.
Banana & Pecan
Layers of banana and pecan cake, layered with smooth caramel and chocolate ganache, finished with chocolate and cinnamon Swiss meringue buttercream.
Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free
All my cakes can be provided vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
Please note I take every measure to carefully avoid cross contamination. However, all my cakes are baked in a home kitchen and therefore there may be traces of allergens present. If you suffer from coeliac disease, allergies etc then I would advise you to source your cakes from a fully gluten-free/dairy-free business.
Party Cake & Birthday Cake Inspiration
Ella, Berkhamsted
“A beautiful cake that was enjoyed by everyone, as it was totally delicious."
Birthday Cake Pricing
Each cake I create is bespoke and made to order, with pricing tailored to the size, flavour, fillings and level of decoration you choose. Because no two cakes are the same prices vary depending on the design and overall complexity of your cake.
My bespoke birthday cakes start from £105 for a 5-inch, 4 layer cake, with pricing increasing based on additional servings and decorative details. If you have a budget in mind, I'm always happy to discuss a style that fits within your budget.
To help give you a clearer idea of how pricing works, I've included a selection of recent cakes below, along with their size, style and price.
Simple Buttercream Cake
5-inch, 4 layer
Serves 8 generous slices or 16 smaller slices.
Coffee sponge, layered with mascarpone cream and mocha Swiss meringue buttercream.
Decorated in buttercream, caramalised hazelnuts & chocolate ganache.
£105.
Pressed Edible Flower Cake
7-inch, 4 layer
Serves 16 generous slices or 32 smaller slices.
Vanilla sponge, layered with lemon cream and strawberry coulis with vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream.
Decorated with edible pressed flowers and gold leaf.
£130.
Single Tier Novelty Cake
6-inch, 4 layer
Serves 12 generous slices
or 24 smaller slice.
Vanilla sponge, layered with chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream, and covered in chocolate ganache.
Decorated with fondant bugs & edible moss.
£145.
Two Tier Novelty Cake
6-inch & 4-inch cakes
Serves 18 generous slices or 36 smaller slices
Chocolate sponge layered with chocolate ganache and smooth caramel and covered in vanilla buttercream.
Decorated with fondant figures. £170.
How do I order my cake?
Get in Touch
1
Contact me with the date of your event and a little information about the kind of cake you're looking for.
Details & Quote
2
I will get back to you with any extra questions I have, then provide a personalised quote.
Confirm & Book
3
If you'd like to go ahead, I'll confirm all the details. Once your deposit is paid, your order is booked!
Enjoy Your Cake!
4
Time to collect your cake or have it delivered - let the celebrations begin!
Planning your party
Planning a birthday party and looking for ideas beyond the cake? These links may help!
🌸 Edible flowers on cakes – why I love working with seasonal blooms
♻️ How to throw a more sustainable birthday party
🎁 Edible party favours & alternative party bags – handmade treats your guests will love
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q. What is a sustainable cake designer?
A: A sustainable cake designer creates delicious, beautiful cakes while minimizing environmental impact by using organic, locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste, and using eco-friendly packaging.
Q. Do sustainable cakes taste the same as regular cakes?
A: Sustainable cakes are made with high-quality, fresh, and natural ingredients, ensuring they taste just as delicious—if not better—than conventional cakes
Cake Size and Portions
Q. What size cake do I need?
A: The size of the cake required depends on the occasion and number of servings required. You might want large slices for a birthday party, cake to serve as dessert or small 'canape' style bites. I typically provide four-layer cakes, meaning in most instances, slices are cut in half horizontally to provide more servings per cake.
Check out my blog 'What Cake Size Do I Need?' or feel free to ask, and I can recommend the best size for your event!
4-inch cakes are only available as part of a tiered cake and are not sold individually
Orders, Deposits & Cancellations
Q. How far in advance should I place an order?
A. Order should be placed at least two weeks in advance for birthday cakes and four weeks in advance for wedding cakes.
Q. Do you require a deposit?
A. Yes. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due three weeks before collection or delivery.
For cake orders with less than 3 weeks notice, the full cost of the cake is payable at the time of the booking
Q. What is your refund policy?
A. If there is a problem with your order you must return it as proof. Contact me within 12 hours of delivery, please note I will only deal with the client who placed the order. The cake must be returned within 24 hours. Please be mindful that taste and texture is very personal so there is no guarantee of refunds.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. The deposit is non-refundable – this covers my time spent replying to emails, shopping for ingredients, doing online research for the design, drawing sketches, etc, all undertaken prior to the actual baking and decorating of the cake, not forgetting orders that may have been turned down to save the date for the client.
Cancellations with less than 28 days notice are subject to full payment.
Delivery & Storage
Q. Do you offer delivery?
A. Yes! I provide local delivery. I recommend delivery for any cakes larger than 2 tiers as they are more structurally fragile due their height . I can deliver within a 10-mile radius of Northchurch, Berkhamsted, charged at 75p per mile for the return journey. Sunday or bank holiday deliveries are subject to a surcharge. This covers Northchurch, Tring, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Aylesbury and the local surrounding villages. If you need delivery exceeding this mileage, I am happy to have a chat.
Collection time will be agreed prior to collection. A lateness charge will be payable.
Q. How should I store my cake?
A. Cakes should be kept in a cool, dry place. I will provide information on the care of your cake when confirming your order.
Pricing & Payment
Q. Are sustainable cakes more expensive?
A. While sustainable ingredients can sometimes cost more, I strive to offer a fair pricing while maintaining ethical and high quality sourcing.
Q. How much will my cake cost?
A. As each cake is tailor made to client’s requirements the cost of each cake differs depending on final design and intricacy of the work involved. Once I have discussed your requirements I will provide a quote to you. If you have a budget in mind, I'm happy to suggest options that work within it.
My minimum spend is £105 for birthday and celebration cakes.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
A. Payment is by bank transfer. I will provide bank details on your booking form.
Cake Decoration & Customisation
Q. What type of decorations do you offer?
A. I offer a range of decorations, including buttercream designs, chocolate ganache, caramelised nuts, candied citrus fruit, edible gold, minimal fondant accents (generally models), and edible flowers. The flowers I use are food-safe and organic. They are edible although on some flowers, such as Calendular, the central part of the flower can be abit tough! If you'd like to learn more about edible flowers, check out my blog on edible flower cakes.
More Party & Birthday Cake Inspiration!
Lucy, Berkhamsted
"We always return to Marie-Clare for our celebration cakes, she really takes the time to discuss what we want and turns it into the most amazing delicious cake"
Cake Concerns
Q. "Sustainable cakes are too expensive"
A. I completely understand that pricing is an important factor! I sourced from local, smaller producers who focus on high-quality ingredients and whose sustainable ethics are aligned to mine. These suppliers don't benefit from the same economies of scale as large commerical brands, which can make ingredients more expensive - but it also means you're supporting ethical, small-scale farming and fresher, more natural products.
Additionally, I make everything from scratch, without preservatives or pre-made products, ensuring that every cake is freshly baked with real ingredients. This extra care and craftmanship contribute to both the cost and the superior quality of the final cake.
If you have a specific budget in mind, I'd be happy to suggest cake sizes or designs that work within it that still look and taste amazing!
Q. "I need a last-minute cake, but you require advance booking"
A. I totally understand that sometimes you need a cake at short notice! We aren't all super organised! Because I focus on sustainability, I carefully source my ingredients in advance and avoid excess waste, which is one of the reasons I require pre-orders. However, I may be able to offer a simplified design with the ingredients I have to hand - let me know what you need, and I'll see what's possible!
Q. "Why do I have to pay a 50% deposit?"
A. The deposit secures your booking, and allows me to purchase the ingredients specific to your cake. Since my cakes are custom-made, I start preparations well in advance, the deposit covers this covers my time spent replying to emails, shopping for ingredients, doing online research for the design, drawing sketches, etc, all undertaken prior to the actual baking and decorating of the cake, not forgetting orders that may have been turned down to save the date for the client.
Q. "Can I get a 4-inch cake on its own?"
A. My 4-inch cakes are only available as part of a tiered cake. If you are looking for a cake for a small celebrations then I would recommend my cupcakes or a 5-inch cake.
Q. "Why is my packaging different from traditional cake boxes?"
A. I use compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable packaging to reduce waste and minimise environmental impact. Traditionally cake boxes often contain plastic or non-recyclable materials, shiny stickers and ribbons that contribute to pollution. My packaging choices align with my mission to create delicious cakes while being kind to the environment.
If you need specific packaging for an event, I'd be happy to discuss eco-friendly customisable options.
Q. "Do you offer fondant cakes?"
A. Yes, I do offer fondant cakes, but I try to keep fondant use to the minimum. Wherever possible, I prefer using buttercream for the main cake and only incorporate fondant for decorative elements. This help maintain a more natural, less processed finish while still allowing for intricate designs.
Additionally, the fondant I use is specifically sourced to be palm oil-free, as palm oil is commonly found in fondant and has significant environmental impact. This ensure that even when I use fondant, it aligns with my commitment to sustainability.
Q. "Are the flowers on the cake actually edible?"
A. Yes! The edible flowers I use are carefully selected and sourced to be food-safe. Many flowers are naturally edible and add a beautiful element to your cake. If you'd like to learn more about which flowers are safe to eat and how they're used in cake decorating, check out my blog on What is an edible flower cake.
More Party Cake & Birthday Cake Inspiration!
About Me
Hi, I am Marie-Clare, founder of Cakes by Marie-Clare. I am passionate about baking and designing cakes in a sustainable ethical manner. I LOVE growing edible flowers & creating stunning floral decorations that are as delicious as they are beautiful! Find out more about my story....
