How to safely transport your cake

19/1/2021

What a year 2020 has been! We really missed seeing you and wished we had posted this blog back when pickups and deliveries were contactless and conversations at the door were not possible. I’ll also admit it, sometimes we completely forget to give instructions to customers when they come to pick up their cake, sorry 🙈.

We have heard of horror stories from our fellow baker friends, and even experienced a few too many ourselves. We always do our best to prepare your cake for safe transport so it arrives in great conditions. However when transporting your cake, care is still needed.

How devastating would it be if you came to collect your beautiful cake, and when you get back home, you realise it’s been completely ruined during transit 😭

I probably made it sound more scary than it actually is! Don’t worry it’s not scary at all. You can follow these simple guidelines and tips, and will be getting your cake to your destination safely and with ease 😊. Otherwise if you’re not comfortable travelling with a custom cake, we’re always here to deliver for you!

Holding the cake

Always place both hands underneath the cake board to distribute the weight evenly. Otherwise if you hold it from the sides the board can bend, and cause the cake to flex, leaving cracks in the buttercream or fondant.

Do not lean the cake on your body, keep it horizontal at all times.

Our cake boxes are not the sturdiest. So please be careful not to press the cardboard sides into your pretty cake to avoid frosting sticking to the box.

Placing the cake in your car

DO’s

Bring a friend! Another pair of hands is always welcome, they can help hold the cake while you’re securing the perfect spot in the car. They can also keep an eye on the cake from time to time, and let you know when you’re driving like a hoon lol

Place your cake on the flattest and most horizontal part of your vehicle. The floorboard is an ideal option. If it’s too big to go at the front, simply fold back the front seat and place on the passenger floorboard at the back.

If the weather is cold, you can also transport in the boot. It is the largest and most accessible surface. If you have non-slip liners (the ones you use to line kitchen cabinets), you can add some underneath your box for extra friction. You can even add a gym mat for extra shock absorption.

In the warm seasons, make sure your air conditioning is cooler than usual. If you can feel your face melting off in the heat, imagine how your buttercream cake would feel.

DON’T’s

Don't put your cake directly on the car seat. They usually have a slope and even the slightest slope can cause your cake to slide and tilt

If it’s a very hot day, don’t put your cake in the boot (unless air-conditioning can access it). Summer heat is every baker's nightmare!

For small and low cakes/tortes, it’s okay for a passenger to hold. But if it’s a tall cake or a 2-tiered cake, please please please don’t give it to someone to hold it on their lap. Laps are not levelled either, and with any sudden brake or turn, you won’t have control over which direction your cake will fly.

I don’t know if I have to mention this, but when you collect your cake, it’s best if you take it directly to your home/venue. It’s better to keep the shopping runs, refuelling, visiting friends on the way for another time. Reduce the risk of having elements of your cake sliding off, by reducing your time on the road.

Driving on the road

Drive as if you’re teaching your kid how to drive: Go slow on corners, and brake early and softly.

If you’re travelling long distances, we can chill your cake before you pick it up to firm the buttercream for easier transport.

Now we can’t promise that following these steps would guarantee a safe transport. We know, because sometimes 💩 happens. We get heart palpitations every time someone stops short in front of us, or the light turns red at the last second. We even had a dog crossing unexpectedly one time, luckily everyone was fine (including the dog) and no damage was made to our cake (thanks to my amazing reflexes and driving skills lol). But in all honesty, we’d rather take back your cake for touch-ups, or even remake the entire cake, rather than hurt anyone. No matter how pretty and delicious, it’s not worth it. And we’re confident all our customers would agree with us, it’s just that --> 💩 happens.

All of that said, for the lowest level of hassle and stress, simply take advantage of our delivery services. We’re always more than happy to help out so your cake arrives safely and intact! We also carry an emergency kit in case boo-boos happen, so we’re always ready to do touch-ups on arrival.

But if a little smudge should happen when you’re driving your cake, it’s not the end of the world, after all it will get destroyed and devoured eventually. So no stress! Thank you and safe travelling!

NO CAKES WERE HARMED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THIS BLOG (It was a dummy cake)! 😂

(Disclaimer: Once our product has been delivered/picked up, it is out of our care and The Whisktakers is not liable for any damage incurred thereafter by the client. Of course we’ll try our best to help out if the circumstance arises. We may be able to drive to your venue to fix the damages if they’re fixable, but you may incur a charge.)