Order cakes for the special occasions that all businesses incur and your employees will thank you for it. Keep them happy with a food surprise that celebrates a birthday, anniversary, business milestone or just for the fun of it.

Everyone likes a delicious sweet thank you for a job well done. You can order a large sheet birthday cake once a month to celebrate all birthdays falling in that month. Ask employees to share their special days and then choose a cake for the occasion. Look at the following to determine cakes basics for your business:

1. Order cakes online for the milestones you want to celebrate with your employees.

2. Buy birthday cakes at a certain frequency and make your employees feel special.

3. Purchase specialty cakes for anniversaries, weddings or other special days in your employees' lives.

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Celebrate fantastic sales, jobs well done or other business milestones with specialty cakes

Nothing says it like cake. From cakes basics to exotic themed cakes, order a winner and let everyone know they hit the mark and business is booming.

I recommend: Creative Cakes provides cakes for all occasions including corporate presentations, fund-raising events and farewell parties. Whatever you are celebrating, they have a cake for it. Look over all of their selections and choose the most appropriate cake for the occasion. Colette's Cakes makes cakes for special occasions. She will work with you to make the cake exactly to your specifications. She also offers cake classes for those inclined to learn more about how to make cakes.

Celebrate birthdays with gourmet cupcakes and cakes for the occasion

People appreciate it when you remember their birthday and what better way than with the traditional birthday cake. Decide if you will celebrate individual birthdays or just pick a date during the month, bring in the cake and commemorate all birthdays that fall in that month.

I recommend: Pink Cake Box prepares cupcakes for birthdays. Choose a theme if you like or just order happy birthday cupcakes or cakes. Elegant Cheese Cakes provide cheesecake birthday cakes. Choose this different dessert to get away from the usual. Choose a plain or themed cheesecake or ask them to design a cheesecake for your company birthday party.

Find out when your employees' special occasions fall and celebrate with specialty cakes for delivery

Whether your employee is retiring, celebrating 25 years of marriage, or getting married, they feel more like family when you celebrate these moments with a special cake for the occasion.

I recommend: Confetti Cakes provides cakes for special occasions. Choose from their long list of flavors for the cake, filling and frosting. Mike's Amazing Cakes makes cakes for special personal occasions. They will create a special cake for your festivities but you can get some ideas by browsing the website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look into sugar-free cakes for the health conscious employees in your organization. Ask the cake company if you can order cakes made from special sugar-free or gluten-free recipes.

Whether it's birthday cakes, baby shower cakes or anniversary cakes, there's always a reason to celebrate with a delicious, sweet confection. Consider ordering a cake online for a personal party or sending treats to out-of-town friends on their special days.

If you're a business owner, consider the special dates in your employees' lives. Order birthday cakes online every month to celebrate those employee birthdays. It may boost morale and provide a social break from the day-to-day grind in your office. Send cakes to clients and customers as a thank-you gesture for an important order or to honor a business anniversary.

While ordering cakes online is becoming more common every day, keep the following questions in mind when working with a potential cake company:

1. If you order birthday cakes online, are the cakes frozen or baked fresh?

2. Will the cake company use real, high-quality ingredients such as whipped cream or fresh fruit, or do they use substitutions to extend the cake's shelf life?

3. How will the cakes for delivery be transported? Do they come with a satisfaction guarantee?

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Order cakes in advance

When it comes to a special occasion, cake and other goodies may be considered a must to sweeten the day. You can find any kind of cake from exotic to basic online. Order directly from the company or baker, who will then ship it right to your doorstep or to the recipient of your sweet gift.

I recommend: Order your birthday and layer cakes online from David's Cookies. The company offers free and fast shipping options via UPS. Browse through the different types of cakes you can order from Cakes Across America. All orders are guaranteed to be fresh.

Find gourmet cakes and specialty cakes for delivery

Gourmet pastry chefs and bakeries boast mouth-watering cake in the most unique flavors and designs. From a basic cheesecake to international flavors featuring unusual ingredients with handmade and hand-decorated designs, you can find it all.

I recommend: The Original Ya-Hoo! Cake Co. offers a variety of specialty cakes including pineapple upside down cake, German chocolate and a number of different flavored Bundt cakes. If it's coffee cake you're interested in, check out the Boston Coffee Cake Company.

Find cake making supplies to add special touches or make your own

There's always the option of baking a cake on your own. You'll find ample online resources to help you with that task, including a number of companies who offer decorating items and tools for sale as well as tips on how to make that cake special.

I recommend: Almond Art offers a variety of cake decorating items including stencils, toppers and equipment. Find all the baker's tools you'll need at Pattycakes Cake Decorating Supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ordering a simple birthday cake online may only take a day or two. However, wedding cakes-depending on the complexity-may need to be ordered months in advance, so plan ahead.

Whether you are a baker, a pastry chef or a wedding cake designer your career is dependent on your knowledge of cakes. The proper education and training is sure to keep your cake company running smoothly. Cakes can be tricky, and it is essential to find the right educational resources to keep yourself and your cake making supplies up to date.

Those interested in a career with specialty cakes have various options for cakes education and training. Current cake professionals also have options for advanced training in the world of gourmet cakes. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner in the field it is important to keep your training current. When looking for the best educational program and sources, it is best to:

1. Gain basic knowledge of the educational custom cakes programs that are available.

2. Explore cakes online for training tips and tricks.

3. Read educational articles that are written by professionals in the cakes business.

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Investigate schools and educational programs for gourmet cakes

A cakes educational program usually includes a certificate or a degree. A certificate program gives a cake professional the basic skills for creating everything from gourmet cupcakes to cakes for delivery.

I recommend: The Wilton School of Cake Decorating & Confectionery Art offers a variety of cake classes and educational programs. Also check out Cake Decorators for classes in basic and advanced cake company skills.

Seek out tips for decorating quick order cakes

Some of the best resources for cakes online training are simple tip sites that are run by industry professionals. Cake professionals offer tips for making quick decorations, and making a beautiful cake in a short amount of time.

I recommend: Read the tricks on Cake Decorating Tips for advice on making the best custom wedding cakes and custom birthday cakes. Check out Decorating with Taste for advanced and beginner cake decorating ideas.

Read cakes education and training articles for experienced advice from experts in the field

The Internet makes sharing information easy for cake experts; such as, bakers and designers. Cakes online educational articles are an essential read for anyone who needs a refresher in cake making and decorating skills.

I recommend: Review Cake Journal for information on cakes, cake making supplies and specialty cakes. Clever Cakes offers a wide variety of articles that have tips and tricks for anyone in the cake making industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to subscribe to the best cakes industry publications, like the American Cake Decorating Magazine. It is a great resource for education and training materials.
• •  Stay abreast of the latest cakes trends and equipment advances by attending culinary and baking trade shows, such as the Upper Midwest Bakery Convention.

Cakes are a delicious treat, whether for birthdays, parties or for no reason at all. But how do you become familiar with all that the cake business has to offer? You should learn some common cake terms that will have your business booming and customers flocking to your bakery. If a customer desires a particular type of cake, you must know the ingredients as well as how to prepare it. Brush up on some typical cake terms before you start baking.

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Marzipan

Marzipan is made of almond paste, powdered sugar and a moistening agent such as water. When it's used to ice cakes, marzipan can be rolled out and draped over the cake with a fruit glaze applied between the two. This seals the marzipan and cake together.

I recommend: Learn about the difference between marzipan and almond paste at Ochef.

Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska is a dessert dish made in a variety of ways. Early versions called for this dessert to contain ice cream that is encased in meringue and browned in an oven. But today's Baked Alaska uses a sponge cake.

I recommend: Learn how the Baked Alaska received its name at What's Cooking America.

Black forest

Black Forest is a chocolate cake containing layers of cake, whipped cream and cherries. It is normally decorated with more whipped cream, more cherries and chocolate curls or shavings. Sometimes the cake is dipped in liquor, but most American-made Black Forest cakes eliminate this step.

I recommend: Learn the history behind the Black Forest cake as well as the common brands used to make the cake at The Nibble.

Petite four

The petite four is a tiny cake served at the end of a meal, usually accompanied by a cup of coffee. There are several varieties available, but the most popular version is a 1-inch square layered sponge cake filled with buttercream and topped with colored fondant.

I recommend: Visit baking911.com to learn about the different types of petite fours.

Cake flour

Cake flour is a necessity when working with cakes. The difference between cake flour and regular flour is that cake flour is more bleached and has a higher starch-to-gluten ratio. As a result, it produces a lighter, less dense cake, which is ideal for cakes like angel food.

I recommend: Visit Cookeryonline.com to learn more about the different types of flour, including cake flour.

Ganache

Ganache is a rich, thick, velvety icing that is made out of melted chocolate and heavy cream. Normally the hot cream is poured over the chopped chocolate, which can be bittersweet or semisweet. The common ratio is equal parts of both chocolate and cream.

I recommend: Visit Joyofbaking.com to learn more about ganache.