Cakes by Nicole Esval Menu

Cake flavors

Sponge and butter cake bases that can be mixed and matched with any filling and frosting.

• Classic vanilla beanVegetarian · Popular pickFine-crumbed butter cake flecked with vanilla bean seeds; soft, moist and neutral enough to pair with almost any filling.
• Devil's food chocolateVegetarianDark chocolate cake made with cocoa and hot coffee, giving a deep, slightly bittersweet flavor and a very moist, tender crumb.
• Red velvetVegetarianButtermilk cake with a light cocoa note and vivid red color, traditionally layered with tangy cream cheese frosting.
• Lemon chiffonVegetarianAiry oil-based sponge brightened with fresh zest and juice; springy and tangy, a frequent pick for showers and summer weddings.
• Almond wedding cakeVegetarian · Contains nutsWhite cake perfumed with almond extract and finely ground almonds, delicate and fragrant, long a classic choice for wedding tiers.
• MarbleVegetarianVanilla and chocolate batters swirled together in the pan, so each slice reveals its own ribbon pattern and two flavors.
• ConfettiVegetarianVanilla cake with rainbow sprinkles baked into the batter, leaving cheerful colored specks throughout; a long-standing birthday party favorite.
• Spiced carrotVegetarian · Contains nutsDense, moist spice cake with grated carrot, cinnamon and chopped walnuts, sturdy enough to stack into multiple tiers.
• Gluten-free vanillaVegetarian · Gluten-freeVanilla layer cake made from a rice and tapioca flour blend, with a soft, even crumb for guests who avoid wheat.

Fillings

Layers spread between the cake rounds to add moisture, contrast and flavor.

• Lemon curdVegetarian · Gluten-freeSilky, tangy curd cooked from lemon juice, eggs and butter, adding a bright, puckery layer to vanilla or almond cake.
• Dark chocolate ganacheVegetarian · Gluten-freeMelted dark chocolate whisked with warm cream, setting into a dense, fudgy layer between chocolate or vanilla sponges.
• Bavarian creamVegetarianVanilla custard lightened with whipped cream, cool and pudding-like; pairs especially well with layers of sliced fruit.
• Fresh strawberries & creamVegetarian · SeasonalSliced ripe strawberries set into whipped cream between layers, juicy and light; best for cakes served within a day of pickup.
• Salted caramelVegetarian · Gluten-freeSlow-cooked caramel with a pinch of sea salt, thick and buttery, often piped inside a buttercream dam to keep layers neat.
• Cookies & cream mousseVegetarianWhipped vanilla mousse folded with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, giving a speckled look and soft crunch between layers.
• Cannoli creamVegetarian · Gluten-freeSweetened ricotta with mini chocolate chips and a hint of orange zest, borrowed from the Sicilian pastry shop.
• Raspberry preservesVegan · Dairy-freeTart, seedy raspberry jam spread between layers; it cuts through rich buttercream and leaves a vivid ribbon of color in each slice.

Frostings & finishes

The outer coat that sets the look and sweetness level of the finished cake.

• Stabilized whipped creamVegetarianAiry, lightly sweetened cream held firm with a stabilizer; well suited to fruit cakes and kept refrigerated until serving.
• Ganache dripVegetarian · Gluten-freeGlossy chocolate poured over a chilled cake so it runs down the sides in controlled drips, a popular modern finish.
• Semi-naked finishVegetarianThin scrape of buttercream that lets the cake layers peek through, giving a rustic look often dressed with fresh flowers or fruit.
• American buttercreamVegetarian · Gluten-freeWhipped butter and powdered sugar frosting, sweet and fluffy, easy to tint and pipe into borders, rosettes and lettering.
• Swiss meringue buttercreamVegetarian · Gluten-freeSatiny frosting made by whipping cooked egg whites and sugar with butter; less sugary and smooth enough for razor-sharp edges.
• Cream cheese frostingVegetarian · Gluten-freeTangy, soft frosting of cream cheese and butter, the traditional partner for red velvet, carrot and hummingbird cakes.
• Rolled fondantPliable sugar paste rolled over the cake for a seamless matte surface, used for sculpted shapes and detailed themed designs.

Occasion cakes

Custom designs built around milestones, from first birthdays to weddings.

• Groom's cakeVegetarianSouthern wedding tradition: a second, often chocolate cake themed around the groom's hobbies, hometown or favorite team.
• Tiered wedding cakeStacked tiers in coordinated flavors, finished in buttercream or fondant and decorated with piped lace, sugar flowers or fresh blooms.
• Custom birthday cakeVegetarian · Popular pickLayer cake decorated to a theme, from favorite colors to characters, with a piped message and edible image or fondant toppers.
• First birthday smash cakeVegetarianSmall single-layer cake for a baby's first birthday photos, lightly frosted and sized for little hands to dig into.
• Baby shower cakeVegetarianPastel-themed cake with soft buttercream details, sometimes hiding a pink or blue center for a gender reveal moment.
• Graduation sheet cakeVegetarianQuarter, half or full sheet cake decorated in school colors with a message and photo print; slices into many servings.
• Sculpted 3D cakeCake carved and stacked into shapes like cars, handbags or animals, covered in fondant and finished with hand-painted details.

Specialty cakes

Regional and heritage recipes often available whole or by pre-order.

• Italian cream cakeVegetarian · Contains nutsSouthern layer cake with coconut and toasted pecans baked into the batter, covered in a thick cream cheese frosting.
• German chocolate cakeVegetarian · Contains nutsChocolate layers filled and topped with a cooked coconut-pecan frosting that is chewy, caramel-like and full of texture.
• Hummingbird cakeVegetarian · Contains nutsSpiced cake made with banana, crushed pineapple and pecans, frosted with cream cheese; fruity, dense and distinctly Southern.
• Strawberry layer cakeVegetarian · SeasonalPink cake flavored with strawberry purée and frosted in strawberry buttercream; a spring and summer case staple.
• Chocolate mousse cakeVegetarianThin chocolate sponge base under tall layers of airy chocolate mousse, finished with a mirror glaze or cocoa dusting.
• Tres lechesVegetarianLight sponge soaked in evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream, topped with whipped cream; cool, custardy and sweet.

Small bites & extras

Smaller formats for dessert tables, tastings and everyday treats.

• Wedding tasting boxVegetarianAssortment of cake, filling and frosting samples, typically scheduled ahead of a wedding or large custom order.
• Mini dessert cupsVegetarianLayered cake crumbs, mousse and fruit in small clear cups for dessert tables, easy to serve without plates.
• Bento lunchbox cakeVegetarianTiny four-inch cake in a clamshell box with a minimalist piped design or short message; Korean-inspired and sized for two.
• Cake popsVegetarianCrumbled cake mixed with frosting, rolled into balls, dipped in candy coating and decorated to match a party theme.
• Cake by the sliceVegetarianSingle slices of the day's layer cakes, boxed for one; an easy way to sample flavors before ordering a whole cake.

Drinks

• MochaVegetarianEspresso, chocolate sauce, and steamed milk, sometimes crowned with whipped cream; a dessert-leaning drink balancing cocoa richness with coffee bite.
• Cold brewVeganCoarse grounds steeped in cold water for twelve hours or more, yielding a smooth, low-acid concentrate served over ice with chocolatey undertones.
• Iced vanilla latteVegetarianChilled espresso and cold milk shaken or poured over ice with vanilla syrup; a sweet, refreshing staple of bakery counters in warm months.
• CappuccinoVegetarianEqual-ish parts espresso, steamed milk, and airy foam cap, giving a drier, stronger-tasting drink than a latte with a velvety top layer.
• Caffè latteVegetarianEspresso with plenty of steamed milk and a thin microfoam layer; mellow and creamy, often finished with latte art and offered with oat or almond milk.
• Flat whiteVegetarianA smaller, stronger cousin of the latte: a double ristretto under silky, barely-foamed milk for a dense texture and pronounced coffee flavor.