Mattie's Cakes From Scratch: Custom Cakes and Desserts in Charleston

What Mattie's Cakes From Scratch Offers

Mattie's Cakes From Scratch is a Charleston-based custom cake bakery that builds every cake to order, from the batter up. The shop specializes in custom designs for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations, along with a rotating selection of desserts made fresh in-house. Unlike chain bakeries, Mattie's works directly with you to match the cake's flavor, design, and size to what you actually want—not what fits a template.

The bakery operates from a small production kitchen in Charleston and takes orders by consultation. You meet or call to discuss your event, choose your cake flavors and fillings, describe the design you're imagining, and agree on a delivery or pickup date. Mattie's then bakes and decorates your cake in the days before your event, ensuring it arrives fresh and exactly as you specified.

Key Takeaways

• Mattie's Cakes From Scratch builds every cake to order, so you choose the flavor, filling, frosting, and design rather than picking from a display case.
• The bakery handles custom orders for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other events, with pricing that depends on size, complexity, and delivery distance.
• You'll need to contact Mattie's directly by phone or through their website to discuss your event and place an order, as cakes are not available for walk-in purchase.
• Orders typically require at least one to two weeks' notice, though timing can vary depending on the bakery's schedule and the complexity of your design.
• Mattie's delivers cakes throughout the Charleston area and can discuss setup and serving details when you place your order.

Cake Flavors and Fillings You Can Choose

Mattie's menu rotates, but the bakery typically offers classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, lemon, and carrot cake, along with seasonal options. You're not limited to the standard list—if you have a specific flavor in mind, the bakers can often accommodate custom requests. Fillings range from traditional buttercream and cream cheese to fruit curds, chocolate ganache, and custard.

The frosting choices include American buttercream, Swiss meringue buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and fondant for a smooth, polished finish. If you're ordering for a large event or a particularly intricate design, discuss frosting durability with Mattie's—some frostings hold up better in heat or humidity than others, which matters if your event is outdoors or during a Charleston summer.

How to Place an Order

Contact Mattie's Cakes From Scratch by phone or through their website to start the ordering process. Have your event date, approximate guest count, and a general sense of what you want in mind when you call. The baker will ask about your flavor preferences, any dietary restrictions or allergies, your design vision, and whether you need delivery or will pick up the cake yourself.

Once you've discussed the details, Mattie's will provide a quote based on the cake's size, design complexity, and any special requests. A deposit is typically required to hold your date, with the balance due before or at delivery. Orders generally need at least one to two weeks' notice, though you should confirm the current timeline when you contact the bakery.

Pricing and What Affects the Cost

Custom cake pricing depends on several factors: the number of servings, the number of tiers, the complexity of the design, and whether the cake requires special techniques like hand-painted details or sugar flowers. A simple two-tier cake for a small gathering costs less than a four-tier wedding cake with intricate piping and fresh flowers. Delivery fees may apply depending on how far your event is from Charleston.

Specialty requests—such as cakes shaped like objects, cakes with multiple flavors in different tiers, or designs that require extensive hand-work—will increase the price. When you call for a quote, be specific about what you're imagining so Mattie's can give you an accurate estimate. Some bakeries offer tiered pricing based on guest count; ask whether that applies here.

Delivery and Pickup Options

Mattie's delivers cakes throughout the Charleston area, arriving early enough on your event day to set up before guests arrive. If you're hosting nearby, delivery is often included or available for a modest fee. For events farther out, confirm delivery availability and any additional charges when you place your order.

If you prefer to pick up the cake yourself, you can arrange a time to collect it from the bakery's location. This option works well for events close to Charleston or if you want to handle transport yourself. Mattie's will advise you on how to safely move and store the cake until your event begins.

Seasonal and Special Occasion Cakes

Beyond custom orders, Mattie's often has seasonal desserts and smaller cakes available, depending on what's being made that week. During the holidays, the bakery may offer special flavors or designs tied to the season. If you're looking for something smaller than a full custom cake—such as a dessert for a dinner party or a treat for yourself—call ahead to ask what's currently available.

The bakery also works with clients on themed cakes for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations. If you have a specific theme in mind—whether it's a favorite hobby, a color scheme, or a cultural tradition—describe it when you call, and Mattie's will work with you to bring it to life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance do I need to order?

Most custom orders require at least one to two weeks' notice, though this can vary depending on the bakery's current schedule and how complex your design is. For large weddings or particularly intricate cakes, more time may be needed. Contact Mattie's as soon as you know your event date to confirm availability.

Can Mattie's accommodate dietary restrictions or allergies?

Yes—mention any allergies or dietary needs when you call to place your order. The bakery can discuss options like gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free cakes, though availability and pricing may vary. Be specific about what you need so Mattie's can confirm they can meet your requirements.

What if I don't have a specific design in mind?

The bakers at Mattie's are experienced at working with clients who have a general idea but no detailed plan. Describe the mood or style you're going for—elegant, playful, modern, traditional—and share any colors or themes that matter to you. Mattie's can offer suggestions and show you examples of past work to inspire your design.

Do you offer tasting appointments?

Contact Mattie's directly to ask about tasting options. Some custom bakeries offer small samples of flavors and frostings before you commit to your order, while others describe flavors over the phone. Ask when you call so you can plan accordingly.

What happens if I need to reschedule my event?

If your event date changes, contact Mattie's as soon as possible. Depending on how far out the new date is and the bakery's schedule, you may be able to move your order. Discuss any changes to your deposit or payment terms directly with the bakery.