The Cake Artist’s Studio is a beautiful gem of Champaign just a short way off the beaten path. Located on Bloomington Road halfway between Mattis and Prospect, it’s easy to drive past and miss this small bakery. After parking and walking inside, you’ll immediately notice the gorgeous cake models perfectly displayed along the interior walls.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
Only when you’re greeted by the staff will you stop looking at the beautiful cakes and take time to peruse the impressive display case of cupcakes, cookies, petit fours, full-sized cakes and more.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
The people at the Cake Artist’s Studio are more than happy to explain the flavor of any sweet and will also point out which are gluten-free or vegan, so make sure to ask questions if you’re curious. Though prices of all desserts are posted in store and usually on their website, custom cakes will vary in cost depending on the customizations and typically need at least a week to prepare. Although I bought several already made items from the display cases, I also placed a custom cake order for Easter weekend.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
Chosen upon popular vote by my family, the strawberry lamb cake ($39) was quite the spectacle. Shaped like a sitting lamb, the smell of strawberry filled the room after opening the sealed cake box. While the cake itself was a simple white cake, the generous helping of strawberry buttercream “wool” more than made up for that. The high butter content of the frosting used at The Cake Artist’s Studio made it melt in my month (and would literally melt in your car if you left it out in the heat). Because of that, a small slice of this cake went a long way.
Bakery staff recommended this cake for at least eight people, and our family gathering of about a dozen agreed. My family all loved the lamb cake and were impressed by the cake design and the quality of the buttercream frosting. Although it didn’t have much frosting on it, the head of the lamb was white chocolate-covered cake and received high praise from my sister. The Cake Artist’s Studio custom cake was more than worth the extra care required to transport it, and a custom cake from The Cake Artist’s Studio should be on a short list of things to bring to an event.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
For something lighter, I also tried a Scottish shortbread cookie ($2). Available in a variety of colors, I chose a green frosted cookie. When I took my first bite, I immediately noticed the rich, buttery layers of the shortbread cookie. I appreciated that the shortbread was extra buttery, since without the extra butter, it can be a bit dry. The green frosting was nice and light, allowing me to enjoy the cookie without getting overwhelmed with sweetness. I recommend ordering a dozen Scottish shortbread cookies the next time you get together with friends.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
Since I had not seen them sold at The Cake Artist’s studio before, I also bought a gluten-free iced fudge brownie ($5). Dense and rich, this brownie was just as good (if not better) than a typical gluten brownie. Despite frosting applied with a light touch, I recommend sharing this sweet with a friend as it was just a little too large to eat on my own.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
Circling back to what The Cake Artist’s Studio is known for, I finished with a stuffed white wedding cake cupcake ($5.50). While they also sell smaller cupcakes that are not stuffed, I wanted something a little different. If you enjoy the buttercream frosting at The Cake Artist’s Studio, this is the dessert for you. Not only was the cupcake piled high with frosting, but it had a solid core of buttercream, too. Though not a light snack by any means, the stuffed cupcakes are a great way to treat yourself when you just can’t get enough of the buttercream frosting.
While I ate quite a few desserts from The Cake Artist’s Studio, more remain for me to try. The bakery is always rotating what they offer, so make sure to visit frequently, especially around holidays when new treats are most common. Take the time to visit this local treasure as I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Photo by Matthew Macomber.
The Cake Artist’s Studio
1100 W Bloomington Rd
Champaign
T-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sa 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.