Sending cakes by post makes an ordinary delivery rather lovely

There is something especially lovely about opening a parcel you were not expecting. Even better when the contents suggest that somebody knows you well enough to send cake.

Sending cakes by post means ordering from a bakery online and having the cake delivered to your chosen address in protective packaging. You can send a whole birthday cake for a family to share, a box of brownies for a friend, or a smaller letterbox treat with a personal message. We bake by hand in Norfolk, pack your order for its journey and send it on to the person you have in mind.

How does sending cake by post work

First, choose the cake and check its serving size, ingredients and delivery options. Then add the recipient's address, select an available arrival date and include your message or any extras offered with that product. The bakery takes care of preparing and dispatching the order.

Although we often say cakes by post, a whole cake travels as a parcel with a delivery service. It will need the usual arrangements for receiving a parcel. A Cake Card, meanwhile, is designed to fit through most standard UK letterboxes. Think about which format will suit the recipient's home and routine before choosing.

For the cakes themselves, our whole cake collection is a good place to start. A birthday gathering calls for something shareable; a quiet thank-you might be better served by a few slices and a handwritten-style message inside the card.

The packaging does an important job

Cake deserves a little more care than a book or a pair of socks. Sponge orders travel in protective packaging designed to support the bake and keep it secure during transit. The packaging is part of making sure your gift can arrive ready for the recipient to enjoy.

That does not mean every cake needs to look the same. A layered sponge can still feel like a proper birthday centrepiece, while individually packed treats make sense for smaller gifts. Choose the format around the occasion, then let the packaging take care of the journey.

If you are sending to an office, include the business name and any useful reception details. For a flat, check the flat number as well as the street address. They are small checks, but they save a lovely surprise from becoming a confusing one.

Will the cake still be fresh

Our cakes usually have a shelf life of seven to ten days from dispatch, depending on the flavour. The individual product information and the best-before date on the packaging give you the details for your particular bake. That window allows you to plan delivery ahead of a celebration without needing the parcel to arrive at the exact moment everyone sits down.

Once it arrives, follow the care instructions. Sponge cakes should be kept covered in an airtight container at room temperature, in a cool, dry place. We do not recommend putting them in the fridge, which can dry out the sponge. If a cake arrives cool, give it time to reach room temperature before serving so the texture can soften.

Choose the delivery date with the occasion in mind

For a birthday party or another fixed event, we recommend choosing delivery for the day before the cake is needed. It gives you breathing room if the journey takes longer than expected and time to get the candles ready.

Standard delivery needs at least two days' notice. Eligible orders placed before 2pm can have next-day delivery when the date is available. Services, charges and weekend options vary by postcode, so check the dates shown at checkout and our cake delivery information.

If you are organising birthday cake delivery as a surprise, quietly find out where the recipient will be. Sending it to their home is only helpful if that is where they plan to celebrate.

A gift for more than birthdays

Cake makes sense for anniversaries, exam results and new homes, but some of the nicest reasons are smaller. Thanking the neighbour who fed the cat. Congratulating a colleague after a difficult project. Sending something comforting when a friend has had a long week.

Include a message that tells them why you chose it. A familiar joke or a few honest words can make even a small cake gift feel very personal. Then all they need to do is put the kettle on and open the box.