Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Cakes
+ How much do your cakes cost?
Prices vary depending on size, detail, intricacy & complexity of your design. For custom cakes, we have a $200 minimum, which generally serves about 20-25 people.
+ Your cakes LOOK good, but do they taste good too?
So glad you asked! YES! Our cakes and pastries are made using only high-quality ingredients including real butter, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla beans, eggs and fresh fruit.
+ Do you make dietary restrictive cakes?
Yes, we offer several glutenless catered dessert options. We also offer a chocolate vegan cake with vegan fudge frosting. We look forward to offering more dietary restrictive goodies soon!
+ Nuts...nuts...nuts
Elisa’s Cake by the #Pound uses tree nuts and nut products on a regular basis. We do our best to avoid cross-contamination of nut products with non-nut products. With that said, we do have to use the same disclaimer as every other company that uses nuts: “products could possibly contain trace amounts of peanut or nut products.” If you have a severe allergic reaction to peanut or nut products, please let us know so that we can further try to reduce the possibility of airborne cross-contamination by not using nuts at the same time as making your products.
+ How can I order a cake, cupcakes or pastries?
You can call or text us, email us at [elisa@elisascakebythepound.com] but the preffered method is to contact us via our Custom Inquiry Form!
+ How long will you take to get back to me?
We will review your submission and get back to you within 2 business days.
+ How early should I place my order?
A custom cake orders should be placed as soon as you have finalized all the details of your event (colors, theme, design, amount of servings, etc.). Since we are usually booked a few weeks (or sometimes months) in advance, we do encourage early ordering. (4-6 weeks advance notice is recommended, but we’re happy to fit you in whenever our schedule permits.)
+ Donations Request Policy
We are happy to be a SWEET part of the community! You will catch Elisa’s Cake by the #Pound at numerous local charity events in town. It’s also our pleasure to help charitable organizations whenever we can.
*Due to the overwhelming amount of donation requests that we receive, we ask that all requests be submitted via email to [elisa@elisascakebythepound.com]. Please include a letter explaining what charity you represent, what the cupcakes will be used for, and your non-profit tax ID number. Please understand that we are unable to fulfill ALL requests, but we do the best that we can.
Delivery
+ Do you deliver?
Yes, we deliver within 15 miles of the Chicago area. Price of delivery is based on location.
+ Do you ship your cakes?
Unfortunately, we do NOT ship custom cakes. We DO, however ship a number of our catered desserts.
Wedding Cakes
At Elisa’s Cake by the Pound, each wedding cake is custom-designed to reflect your unique vision and crafted with the highest quality ingredients. To ensure fairness in pricing and consistency in service, please review our booking policy below:
+ Wedding Cake Tasting
Yes, we offer cake tastings for wedding cakes only in the form of sample boxes. We charge $40 per sample box, but when you book your order with us, the $40 gets applied toward your order of $500 or more. You can choose up to three cake/frosting combinations. The sample box contains two samples of each flavor choice.
+ Booking Window
Wedding cake orders may be booked no more than 3 months in advance of your event date. This timeline ensures accurate pricing, as the cost of key ingredients and packaging materials can fluctuate significantly due to market conditions and tariffs.
+ Save-the-Date Retainer (Optional)
For couples who wish to secure their date earlier, a non-refundable Save-the-Date retainer of $200 is available. This retainer holds your wedding date on our calendar. Cake design, flavors, and final pricing will be confirmed within the 3-month booking window. The retainer will be applied toward your final cake balance.
+ Payment Terms
A 50% retainer is required at the time of booking (within 3 months of your wedding date) to confirm your cake order. The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to the event. All payments can be made conveniently online.
+ Pricing & Design Finalization
Final pricing and design details will be set at the time of booking within the 3-month window. Please note that quotes provided before this window are estimates only and subject to change.
+ Delivery
Wedding cake delivery and setup are available for an additional fee, based on location and event needs.
We understand how important your wedding day is, and our goal is to provide you with a stress-free, beautifully crafted cake experience. Thank you for your understanding and for trusting Elisa’s Cake by the Pound with such a special part of your celebration. Each couple receives a complimentary certificate to redeem a FRESH first anniversary cake, for cakes $850 or more! Just call in your order at least fourteen (14) business days in advance, and you can pick up your first anniversary cake!
Deposits Booking and Cancellations
+ Booking
After we discuss the details of your event and decide on a cake that you like, if you are interested in booking and would like to proceed, we would require a non-refundable 50% deposit to secure your date. The remaining balance must be paid in full one week prior to your event. The balance and deposit are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE, meaning you can NOT cancel one date and then change it for another.
+ Alterations to Order
Your cake is very important to Elisa's Cake by the #Pound, so please take the time to check your order carefully when placed and on the collection, if needed, i.e. wrong spelling names/dates due to human error please let ECBTP know and ECBTP will do their best to put it right. It is your responsibility to advise ECBTP of any alterations to the original order. ECBTP reserves the right to increase a quoted fee in the event that the Customer requests a variation to the work agreed. Whilst every effort will be made to assist all clients, please note that late changes cannot always be guaranteed but ECBTP will do their very best.
+ Looking after your cake
To ensure your cake is enjoyed at its best, please observe the following guidelines:
Once cakes are collected, they are transported at your own risk and no liability can be accepted by Elisa's Cake by the #Pound for any subsequent damage to the cake(s).
When collecting and transporting cake(s), please ensure you have a flat area in the car boot big enough to accommodate a box up to 20" square.
All cake(s) should be eaten within 3 days of collection or delivery.
Cake(s) should be stored in the box it is supplied in, in a cool dry place off the floor and away from strong odors. Store in the fridge unless otherwise noted.
When cutting cake(s), please remove all decorations, either edible or non-edible i.e. jewels. Although most decorations are bespoke and edible they may contain dowelling or florist wire.
+ Cancellations and Refunds
All small celebration cakes under $200 must be canceled 1 week prior to collection otherwise full payment of the cake must be made.
Cakes over $200 must be canceled 28 days prior to collection otherwise the full amount of the cake must be made.
The following scenario is the only instance when we will provide a refund of a store credit: • If you come for pick up or if upon delivery the cake does not meet your expectations, we will give you a refund (minus 50% non-refundable deposit). This refund will be given as a store credit (no cash/money refunds will be given) NOTE: If we give you a refund, you CAN NOT keep the cake. You can only get a refund if you refuse to “accept” the cake. We will NOT negotiate a partial refund if you keep the cake. This is a “take it or leave it” policy. We are not responsible for any expense you may incur for replacing our cake. We do not give refunds under any circumstances.
+ Retainer
All cakes require a non-refundable retainer of 50% of the total cost or $50, whichever is greater.
Please note that all retainers are non-refundable and non-transferable.
All retainers become due when the order has been placed and details checked and agreed upon by you.
All orders are deemed to have been accepted only when the non-refundable retainer has been paid.
Please note that all retainers are non-refundable for cancellation.
All sales made by Elisa's Cake by the #Pound are subject to the following terms and conditions:
Nothing contained within these terms and conditions affects your statutory rights as a consumer. Please read the following terms and conditions: if there is anything you don't understand please feel free to contact me.
+ Prices
The price for the cake order shall be as stated when you order. You agree to pay the full price to Elisa's Cake by the #Pound in accordance with the order after the details are checked and agreed upon by you.
+ Payments
Payment can be made via the website or Square invoice. An invoice will be sent by electronic mail and will be payable upon receipt.
+ Final Payments
Final payment for all cakes must be made no later than 7 days before the date of collection.
+ Non-Payment
In the event that any payment is subsequently declined, the order will not be completed or released until alternative funding arrangements have been agreed upon and payment is made in full. The customer will be responsible for the payment of any additional charges which have been incurred as a result of payment failure.