Frequently Asked Questions

CAKE DETAILS

  • Do you bake everything from scratch? You bet we do! We are a “small-batch” baking company. Our baker, Cotton, makes all of our cakes, buttercreams, fresh fruit preserves, curds/fillings/custards, ganaches, desserts, ice creams, and white chocolate fondant - per order, fresh from scratch.

    We use only fine, high quality couverture chocolates (not candy melts), cocoa powders imported from France, Italy, and Venezuela (not the local grocer’s), Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and European style French butter. The taste is sublime!

  • What’s the difference between yellow cake and white cake? Great question. A yellow cake is made with whole eggs. The yolks from the whole eggs provide a lovely yellow color, soft crumb, great flavor and a sturdy texture. A white cake is made with egg whites. The absence of the egg yolks provide a bright white cake with a lighter, slightly drier texture. We bake yellow butter cakes because egg yolks give our cakes flavor, moisture, stability and color.

  • Is Italian meringue buttercream better than American buttercream? It all depends on what you like. To dam and finish our cakes, we use only Italian Meringue Buttercream and Swiss Meringue Buttercream which are made with egg whites, sugar, butter and vanilla beans. Both of the buttercream techniques are different BUT have the same final result: a luxurious, buttery, creamy, light, glossy, sweet taste. American Buttercream is powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.

  • What is a tiered cake? We’re happy to explain. Tiered Cakes are multiple layered cakes, varying in size, stacked on top of one another- like a wedding cake. Layered Cakes are multiple sheets of cakes sandwiched together between buttercreams, fillings and/or ganaches. A completed Layered Cake is referred to as a Tier.

  • Do you make “basic” cakes or simple sheet cakes? Absolutely not. Sheet Cakes/Basic Cakes are a service we do not provide. We are a “custom” cake and dessert boutique. Custom means to make to your individual specifications. And there is absolutely nothing “basic” or “simple” about you! We do not freeze our cakes or make cakes ahead of time. Your style, your grace, your whimsy, your personality, your cake, your way.

  • Do you put dye in your Red Velvet cake? Clutch the pearls! No, we use an all-natural food coloring for our Red Velvet cake: beets. Our full-flavored Authentic Red Velvet Cake is true to the original recipe created years ago. We use beets for the red color, cocoa for the flavor enhancer and vinegar for the tang that goes so well with our Cream Cheese Buttercream. Voila!

  • Do you make vegan or gluten-free cakes? Yes, we make vegan cakes, by request. We offer one gluten-free cake, our Silky Black Elegance cake which is a chocolate torte.

    CONSULTATIONS & ORDERING

  • Do you offer cake tastings? We sure do! You can taste our yummy cakes and desserts by visiting our booth at our next bridal showcase (click here for our next showcase) OR we can schedule your private consultation and tasting during the evenings between 4pm-8pm, based on availability. Private consultations are limited to a party of 2. However, if your partner will not be present, feel free to bring your coordinator as your plus one. More than 2 attendees will be an additional charge.

    We offer two 1-hour tasting experiences: The Sweetheart: 3 of our baker’s most requested cake flavors, 1-hour design collaboration and cake sketch (sketches are created for complex & intricate cake designs only). This session is $50 per couple. | The Platinum: 5 cake flavors, French macarons, fresh fruit tart, champagne, 1-hour design collaboration and cake sketch (sketches are created for complex & intricate cake designs only). This session is $100 per couple.  

  • How do I place an order? We offer 4 easy-peasy ways. 1. You can order directly online right here. 2. Email us at Cotton@TieredandPetite.com, 3. Call us at 202.749.9943, No answer? Leave us a voice message so we can return your call, and 4. Contact us right here. Be sure to include all of your order details so we may be able to provide you with a quote (event date, time, occasion, color scheme, guest count, cake flavors, dessert selections, venue, your contact number and email address).

  • Do you offer refunds? Refunds are a service we do not provide. We offer in-house credits valid for 30 days from your order date.

  • Do you have a storefront or a bakery that I can visit? We do not have a bakery location at this time however we operate from a private commercial kitchen in NE, DC. In addition, our e-commerce shop remains available 24 hours a day and offers delivery within the DMV area for your convenience and ease.

    DELIVERY & SHIPPING

  • Do you deliver? Yes, we do! We deliver to DC, MD and NoVA. Delivery starts at $20. We do not ship orders Please contact us for a quote, 202.749.9943.