Custom Cakes NW

Beautiful cakes and delicious. The best cake I've ever had and always Beautiful. I would definitely recommend Renee

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I wanted to share my experience so others can make an informed decision.
I reached out to Custom Cakes NW over two weeks in advance to order a custom cake for my one-year-old’s birthday. After my initial email inquiry, I was told the cake could be done and instructed to call to go over details such as flavor, icing, and decorations.
When I called on New Year’s Day, Google listed the business as open. The call rang to voicemail, and on the last ring it was answered. I was told—rather abruptly—that no cake information would be taken because it was New Year’s Day and the owner was “decorating her house,” followed by a dismissive comment about Google’s hours. Despite this, she proceeded to take my cake details. While I understand it was a holiday, the interaction felt unprofessional and unwelcoming, especially as a first-time customer.
During that initial phone call, we confirmed a pickup time of noon on the day of my son’s birthday. To be extra careful, I sent a confirmation email two days prior to reconfirm the pickup time for noon. Then, at 9:30 AM on the day of pickup, I received an email stating she needed to be in Albany at 1:00 PM and that the cake had to be picked up no later than 11:00 AM. She also proceeded to call my phone about 5 to 6 minutes before 11 AM and left a voicemail that my cake was boxed up chilled and would be left outside on a bench.
I still have that voicemail.
This last-minute change was a tremendous inconvenience. My husband and I were already stressed trying to finalize party preparations, and the earlier pickup forced us to rearrange plans and transport a delicate cake unnecessarily early. While my husband did make it work and picked up the cake at 11AM, the situation added avoidable stress on what should have been a special day.
After pickup, my husband sent me a photo of the cake. While I had stated it would be for a small number of guests, the cake itself was smaller than expected, and the decorations were mediocre, especially considering the business’s reputation and awards. Additionally , I provided two photos of what I wanted the decorations to emulate on our initial email. Overall, it felt rushed and lacked the care and attention I would expect from a custom cake order.
What was most disappointing was the overall customer service experience. At no point did I force this order—she could have declined, postponed, or communicated boundaries more professionally. Instead, the interactions left me feeling as though my business was an inconvenience. First impressions matter, especially in a service-based business where customers are trusting you with an important milestone.
I’ve used the same cake service in beaverton Oregon for nearly 10 years, but decided to try someone new for my youngest child’s first birthday. Unfortunately, based on this experience, my husband, mother, sister, and close friends have all agreed they would not use this service, and I wouldn’t recommend it either.
I understand everyone may have personal circumstances, but there is a right and wrong way to communicate with paying customers. Courtesy, professionalism, and appreciation go a long way—especially when you are not the only cake decorator in the Portland area. I hope this feedback helps others avoid a similar experience.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Renae made an awesome cake for my mother-in-law’s 100th birthday. Being a huge Green Bay Packers fan, we knew it had to be Packer-related. She suggested a cheesehead cake. It was perfect and the family loved it! She also made cupcakes for the kiddos in the Packer theme. She loaned us her own foam cheesehead to put the cupcakes on!

The absolute best Black Forest Cake this side of the old country! Thank you so much for making the day special.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband is from Memphis where caramel cake is eaten at celebrations. Renae brought my husband’s vision to life with a caramel filling in our wedding cake that was loved by everyone. The blackberry buttercream cream filling was also a big hit. The cake tasting experience was fun and we enjoyed trying Renae’s unique and flavorful buttercreams and icings. Renae is a skilled baker and it we are so glad we went with her for our wedding cakes and cupcakes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wedding Cake

Renae was very accommodating to us! We wanted to offer multiple flavors for our wedding, so we went with 3 10 inch cakes.

We provided a family recipe for the carrot cake and she absolutely nailed it!

She also decorated the cakes very nicely.

Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Renae did an amazing job on our wedding cake!! We got so many compliments on not only the delicious taste, but the beautiful design as well. We couldn’t have asked for a better cake. Very pleased with everything, we will be getting our future cakes through her!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wedding Cake

As another Wedding Vendor I have worked with Renae consistently over the years. She is professional, reliable and talented. Her cakes are beautiful and delicious. Highly Recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

NO CAKE Delivered for our wedding. I was mortified. All the extra flowers were delivered for decorating the deserts, final details and payment was made w/in weeks of our date. This made no sense. I called Renae and all she really said, “it didn’t make the bake schedule”, a complete miss and barely said sorry - it was a surreal moment!

This happened back in April 2025 and I’m finally writing a review as I am still so bothered by the reaction - I honestly don’t recall an actual apology, no effort to help in anyway, just matter of fact about it.

But hey - we pivoted! Ultimately, who needs $500+ in deserts! We spread the flowers around on the table; and decorated a little frizzle cake from Albertsons! It even had raspberry filling. We cut the cake and then shared with all - tiny 1/4” pieces was perfect! The whole event became priceless - one of my brides maid’s husband was the runner, texting photos of the options, fortunately I brought a cake plate - it WAS going to be for brownies…

Something to think about - buy a sweet little cake at the grocery, save a ton of time and money! :)

Renae has made 2 beautiful cakes for me. Both were big hits and won lots of oohs and aahs with her creativity and attention to detail. I wish I’d taken pictures but they were eaten too fast!

Did the cupcakes for my son's wedding. Beautiful, delicious & delivered to the venue on time. Thank you!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The most beautiful cupcakes i have ever seen or eaten!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Renae is an incredible baker and person! She saved the day by making my wedding cake with only a week's notice after previous plans fell through. The cake was exactly what I was dreaming of, and at a reasonable price. I highly recommend her!

Food: 5

Service: 5

What a treat!! We’re thrilled with the cupcakes they poured their heart into this weekend. We purchased 200+ cupcakes for our daughter’s wedding and not one was left afterwards. Everyone loved them. The delivery was perfect, the setup was exactly what we wanted, service was phenomenal, and they tasted amazing! :)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cupcake

I cannot adequately express how above and beyond my expectations Renae, at Custom Cakes NW, delivered in making our wedding cake. I have celiacs disease (I’m allergic to wheat) and wanted to be able to eat (and enjoy!) everything at my own wedding. I spent hours & hours searching out bakeries that made gluten-free wedding cakes and then driving (as much as 1.5 hrs each way!) all over the greater Portland and Salem area testing them, before finding Custom Cakes NW—in my own backyard—and what a find it was! It was the clear winner of all the cakes we tried, BY FAR.
Our cake was not only beautiful, but it was absolutely DELICIOUS! Moist and tender, the perfect amount of sweetness. Perfection. I/we could not have been happier. We told our celiac and gluten sensitive guests that it was gf and they were so stoked to get to share in eating the cake and EVERYONE raved about how wonderful it was. It was a massive hit! I/we couldn’t have been happier!
Not only that, but Renae was so easy to work with—her input was so valuable, regarding what type of icing, etcetera—she delivered it to our reception, set it up for us, *and* it was more affordable than any of the other bakeries we’d tried or considered (and none of the others came close to being as good!) we especially loved the gf chocolate with caramel mousse filling and buttercream icing. Amazing! I’m ordering one for my next birthday and our anniversary.

Seriously, best cake ever.

Oh! And the pavlova (naturally gluten-free) was also freakin’ delicious and beautiful too!! (shown in last pic :))

Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free! Celiac-friendly!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wedding Cake