Cakes are a necessity at every birthday party but cake baking can be troublesome and unpredictable. To avoid this hassle, it can be beneficial to purchase a cake at one of Palo Alto’s bakeries, grocery stores or small businesses. Store-bought cakes can taste just as good as homemade ones. The Prolific Oven The Prolific Oven makes some of the best cakes in the Bay Area. Each of The Prolific Oven’s cakes contains a moist and decadent cake part covered with frosting that is creamy but not too sweet. The Prolific Oven offers different sizes of cakes that serve anywhere from four to 104 people. The chocolate on chocolate for $19 (4-5 servings) is a sour cream chocolate cake with a dark semi-sweet chocolate frosting. Only true chocoholics should attempt to eat this rich treat. For those in the mood for something chocolate but not as rich as the chocolate on chocolate, the chocolate mocha for $19 (4-5 servings) is a delicious alternative. This cake is made with the same base as the chocolate on chocolate cake, but instead contains a sweet mocha cream cheese frosting. The Lady Regina cake for $29.50 (8-10 servings) is also very tasty. A vanilla cake, filled with raspberry filling, is decorated with cream cheese frosting and topped with seasonal fruit. Other cake options include chocolate rum, carrot, strawberry cream and cheesecake. The Prolific Oven also sells delicious pastries, cookies and pie. The only downside to purchasing a cake at The Prolific Oven is the moderately high prices. Renel Sun’s Cakes Palo Alto High School graduate Renel Sun has recently started a cake-baking business. She bakes and sells all sorts of cakes ranging from vegan to artistic masterpieces for any occasions. “I bake mainly low sugar or vegan cakes when baking for family but when I’m on a job, people generally love rich and buttery cakes with no substitutions,” Sun said. “I love fancy, royal looking cakes because they look more special than most cake designs and my goal is to stand out.” Sun corresponds extensively with her clients both over the phone and through email to help customize the perfect cake that will fit any occasion. For friends and family, Sun creates personalized cakes that remind her of the person she is baking them for. “I think there is something special about everything homemade; it’s a tangible record of time and a product of an individual’s thought, effort, and expression,” Sun said. Sun does not have set prices on her cakes and usually sells them for much less than they would be at market value. “Generally I sell my cakes for much less than what they are worth because I still feel the need to perfect my techniques,” Sun said. “I work to make my cakes worth some value in the triple digits.” In the future, Sun would like to start a full-fledged business, but for the time-being she can design cakes for local clients. “Cake making is an art to me, and I hope to open a business after college,” Sun said. Whole Foods Whole Foods offers a variety of pre-baked cakes made entirely with organic ingredients that delivers the most eco-friendly cakes. One can buy whole cakes or individually boxed slices. However, be sure to purchase one of their treats early in the day as they tend to dry out as the day goes on and they sit for longer. The tiramisu ($3.99 for a slice) is frosted with whipped cream and decorated with chocolate shavings. This cake is disappointing — the lady finger part is soggy and the cream is not fluffy. Whole Foods also sells a vanilla cake with buttercream icing covered with fresh berries. This cake is rich and creamy. Costco The Costco bakery offers an assortment of cakes all sold in a 12x16 half sheet size. These cakes cost between $16 and $20 and serve approximately 48 people. Costco cakes can be customized to fit the customer’s preferences. One can choose between chocolate, yellow and carrot cake. The chocolate and vanilla cakes can be filled with chocolate mousse, strawberry mousse and vanilla cream. cheese. The carrot cake is always filled with apricot mousse.