Lin NormanIs there anything more heartbreaking than cutting into a gorgeous birthday cake, only to find out it tastes like sugary cardboard? Few culinary betrayals sting quite as much.
To save you from dry sponges and waxy frosting, I sacrificed my own blood sugar levels.
I spent the month on a sugary taste test through Music City, bypassing the flashy tourist traps and navigating tight parking lots to find the slices that truly justify the calories.
I looked for distinct textures and rich flavors that linger on the palate and hunted down the fluffiest crumbs and the most buttery icing to determine the best cake shops in Nashville.
Here is our definitive list of winners.
How much does a cake cost in Nashville?
Pricing varies wildly depending on whether you are grabbing a quick treat or commissioning a work of edible art.
For a casual sugar fix, expect single gourmet cupcakes in the $4-$6 range, Bundtlets around $6-$8, 6- or 8-inch cakes $50-$80, and wedding slices from $7-$10+, depending on customization based on the complexity of the design and flavors.
1. The Cupcake Collection
Website: https://www.thecupcakecollection.com/
Address: 1213 6th Avenue N.
Contact: (615) 244-2900
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Cupcake Collection is a Nashville institution. Located inside a quaint, renovated house in the historic Germantown neighborhood, the shop atmosphere feels like visiting a family member who happens to be an incredible baker.
The warm environment instantly makes you feel at home. Their “Sweet Potato Cupcake” serves as a beacon that draws curious foodies from all over Tennessee to this specific spot.
I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to investigate the hype. Although the line stretched out the door, it moved surprisingly fast.
I grabbed the signature sweet potato flavor, and it delivers on every promise. The cupcake was earthy, perfectly sweet, and incredibly moist without feeling heavy. You can taste why this flavor sells out so fast.
Selections may be limited if you arrive late in the afternoon, so be sure to arrive early or pre-order to secure your specific cravings.
Super cute shop in Germantown and lots of delicious flavors
Love this spot! Super cute shop in Germantown and lots of delicious flavors. Got these for a birthday and they loved it! Highly recommend the sweet potato and strawberry! Definitely a must for your next celebration or if you’re just in the mood for a sweet treat!
– Noreen, Google Review
If you’re in the area and can get there, GO!
Was able to get there right before they closed at 3:30 to get my hands on some of these cupcakes! Since it was the end of business day, they only had a couple of flavors left, but I got some of the sweet potato cupcakes, which is known to be their #1 seller. It was a quick, efficient and friendly experience. If you’re in the area and can get there, GO!
– Naomi Taylor, Google Review
2. Dessert Designs by Leland
Website: https://dessertdesignsnashville.com/
Address: 850 Hillwood Boulevard, Ste 1
Contact: (615) 354-9555
Hours:
- Tues-Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Dessert Designs by Leland defines the premier Nashville wedding cake experience. The shop creates visually stunning cakes that avoid the typical stiffness of wedding desserts. Instead, they taste homemade.
Their cakes function as the ideal centerpiece for a special event where you want to impress. Among their many great-tasting offerings, their Caramel Cake has developed a huge following across the South.
I ordered a small one for a family gathering, and the icing impressed me immediately. It was rich and buttery, with a golden hue that looked unmistakably authentic and unique to them.
The experience feels elevated, but the price point reflects that quality. This is premium pricing for a premium product.
This bakery is a Nashville gem!
This bakery is a Nashville gem! We were able to receive one of their caramel cakes for our Winter Luncheon. It was phenomenal, the cake itself was moist and light with a great crumb. The caramel icing was the perfect balance of sweet and buttery flavor. Our staff truly enjoyed the delicious cake.
– Edwina Latham, Google Review
A wedding cake that looks as beautiful as it tastes!
We love working with Jana & the team at Dessert Designs for wedding cakes — it’s truly a dream to work with them! From the initial tasting to the final delivery, their team is professional, detail-oriented, and incredibly talented. The cakes are not only stunning works of art but absolutely delicious — our couples (and their guests!) rave about them long after the wedding day. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a wedding cake that looks as beautiful as it tastes! Caramel cake = must try!!! Adding a few of our fave below!
– Sara at Fête Nashville Luxury Weddings, Google Review
3. SusieCakes – Nashville
Website: https://susiecakes.com/locations/#nashvilletn
Address: 2177 Green Hills Village Drive
Contact: (615) 861-2253
Hours:
- Mon-Sat, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sun, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
SusieCakes maintains an “all-American” vibe in Green Hills with a strict focus on no-shortening, butter-based recipes. This bakery prioritizes comfort baking over avant-garde techniques.
A sense of nostalgia hits you upon entering, thanks to their signature Celebration Cake. This is a classic, retro blue vanilla cake that looks like it came straight out of a 1950s birthday party.
I swung by to grab a slice of their Carrot Cake, which uses a praline filling that adds a fantastic, unexpected crunch. The cake layers were dense and moist, just how I like them.
Be prepared for the sweetness level, though, as their authentic American buttercream is incredibly sugary and rich.
If you prefer a lighter, whipped-style frosting, this might feel heavy, but it hits the spot for those with a serious sweet tooth.
The carrot cake is the bomb, I mean it.
When I tell you that the carrot cake is the bomb, I mean it. I could hardly put my fork down. It is SO moist and flavorful! I highly recommend it and whenever I am back in Nashville, I will make it a priority to return for another slice. Great service too! 😀
– Alisha Johnson, Google Review
There are so many flavors to choose from!
Found this great gem while traveling through. These cupcakes did not disappoint! They were fun flavors and so fresh and delicious! We got a coconut, a strawberry, a pineapple upside down cake, and carrot cake. There are so many flavors to choose from! We will definitely be back when we are in town next.
– Jennifer G, Google Review
4. Nothing Bundt Cakes Nashville
Website: https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/
Address: 21 White Bridge Road, Suite 111B
Contact: (615) 354-6300 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sun 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
When you need a cake that is guaranteed to be moist every single time, Nothing Bundt Cakes delivers. They offer reliable, incredibly soft bundt cakes topped with their signature thick cream cheese frosting petals.
Their “Bundtlets” (mini cakes) offer convenience, allowing you to gift a high-quality cake without the commitment of buying a whole dessert.
I picked up a White Chocolate Raspberry bundtlet for a quick dessert. The consistency was flawless: never dry, always dense, and rich in flavor.
The major downside is the lack of customization. You cannot change the design or the frosting style. The menu dictates what you receive.
While this ensures consistency, it is not the right choice if you require creative flair or a unique, custom look.
The cakes are absolutely delicious
The cakes are absolutely delicious, and for the price of a small cupcake at other places, you can get a bundlet that is a proper piece of cake for a grown up. I got the lemon and the white chocolate raspberry.
– Doc McGee, Google Review
The cake is perfect and never dry.
Bundt Cakes are an easy treat to bring to Christmas! The cake is perfect and never dry. Cream cheese frosting keeps them from being too sweet. The three different sizes makes it easy to choose what’s right for your event. I do wish they would let you “create your own” mix when you order a dozen of their smallest size. That way you can get more of the flavors you know your people like most.
– Ellen Cawood, Google Review
5. Baked on 8th
Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/
Address: 1512 8th Ave S
Contact: (615) 933-1100
Hours:
- Mon-Sat 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sun 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Baked on 8th brings a bright, cheerful aesthetic to the neighborhood that perfectly matches their baked goods. They trade traditional stuffiness for a Confetti Cake and vintage-style piping that looks great on Instagram and tastes even better.
Treats extend beyond cake, with homemade Pop-Tarts and cookies making it a fun stop for any craving.
Fellow foodie and writer, Hayley, ordered a confetti cake for my birthday, and said the curbside pickup was a breeze. The cake was nostalgic and fun, avoiding any pretension.
But their parking lot can be notoriously tight and difficult to navigate at times. Getting in and out during peak hours can be a headache, so try to visit during an off-time or park on a side street to avoid the stress.
The confetti cake was moist and delicious.
We did a same day order for a 40th Birthday. The confetti cake was moist and delicious. It was a total crowd pleaser and so easy to order on line and do curbside pick up.
– Beth McElwain, Google Review
IT WAS SO GOOD, I CANT STOP BRAGGING ABOUT IT!
Very user friendly ordering online, finding the location for pick up, and picking the actual product up. This was my first cake I ordered there! It was a surprise Halloween confetti cake. IT WAS SO GOOD, I CANT STOP BRAGGING ABOUT IT! 10/10 recommended. Staff are friendly, and products are high quality, beautiful, and delicious! I will be returning very soon! Thank you all!😋
– Tennessee Native, Google Review
