Where to Get Beautiful Cakes Fast and Cheap?

Need a three layer cake in the shape of a tea kettle (complete with cotton candy steam) for your grandmother’s 80th birthday and your baking skills began and ended with the penis shaped cake you made for your college roommate’s bachelorette party? Never fear; Chicago bakeries have you covered for your non-penis shaped, special event cake needs. Contact any of these great bakeries well ahead of your next event to describe your cake needs and let them work their sugary magic.

1. The Bleeding Heart Bakery at 1955 W. Belmont. Chef Michelle Garcia has competed in a Food Network Challenge, creating a cake that hung upside down, complete with blown sugar and amazing decorations. This organic bakery buys locally as much as possible, strives to be environmentally friendly and has vegan offerings. That's about as guilt free as you can get eating a piece of cake. Check out a great interview with Michelle from Bake & Destroy! (773-327-6934)

2. Cakegirls at 2207 W. Belmont. Cakegirls is owned by sisters Mary and Brenda Maher, who have also competed in a Food Network Challenge, creating a Simpsons cake and, most recently, a Dr. Seuss based cake. And while Cakegirls is known for its beautiful wedding cakes, Cakegirls can also turn a potentially boring groom cake into a tool box or mini-cooper cake. And why reserve the fun for just weddings? Order one for your next dinner party and impress the guests with a cake that not only appeals to the eye but also the palette. Cakegirls believes a cake should not only look great, it should taste fantastic. (773-404-3147)

3. Vanille Patisserie at 2229 N. Clybourn. This French Pastry shop excels at sugar, chocolate showpieces, wedding and sculpture cakes. Co-Owners and Co-Chefs Dimitri Fayard and Keli Fayard are an award winning pair who can customize a cake that will hit more than just the sweet notes; let the vanilla bean strike your nose and the elegant chocolate evaporate against your tongue. Join their newsletter to keep abreast of their creations and take advantage of the offered discounts. (773-868-4574)

4. The Sugar Syndicate at 5333 N. Lincoln Avenue. Chef Cathay Rayhill (formerly with Vanille Patisserie) has taken her experience with her to The Sugar Syndicate, which specializes in wedding cakes, custom cakes, and miniature petits fours. The website offers a great portfolio of creations to give you an idea of just how eye catching your next celebratory centerpiece can be. (773-547-8427)

Chicagoist throws down the challenge for a Chicago bakery to recreate Cloudgate (the bean) for its next happy hour. Mmmmm, Cloudgate.