Carrot Cake for a Large Group

[Genevieve]

My cousin is having a party that's a combination first birthday and going-away party, so she expects to have a lot more people (grownups) than at your typical first birthday party. They would like to have carrot cake as the birthday cake, don't have time to make it because they're going away, and are wondering where's a good place to buy one (that doesn't cost the earth). We've heard from people who've tried Costco and Heidelberg that theirs are not that great. Anywhere else? We thought of Whole Foods, maybe Best Buns if they do cakes (their cupcakes are amazing), and Harris Teeter. Pastries By Randolph will likely be too expensive, since they need to serve a moderately large gathering.

Any ideas welcomed gratefully!

[mdt]

My cousin is having a party that's a combination first birthday and going-away party, so she expects to have a lot more people (grownups) than at your typical first birthday party. They would like to have carrot cake as the birthday cake, don't have time to make it because they're going away, and are wondering where's a good place to buy one (that doesn't cost the earth). We've heard from people who've tried Costco and Heidelberg that theirs are not that great. Anywhere else? We thought of Whole Foods, maybe Best Buns if they do cakes (their cupcakes are amazing), and Harris Teeter. Pastries By Randolph will likely be too expensive, since they need to serve a moderately large gathering.

Any ideas welcomed gratefully!

The Swiss Bakery? Everything I have had from them has been excellent and they do carrot cake.

[Anna Blume]

Last post today, promise. Ovens at Quail Creek Farm Fantastic carrot cake.

[goodeats]

We've heard from people who've tried Costco and Heidelberg that theirs are not that great. Anywhere else? We thought of Whole Foods, maybe Best Buns if they do cakes (their cupcakes are amazing), and Harris Teeter. Pastries By Randolph will likely be too expensive, since they need to serve a moderately large gathering.

If you try HT, DO NOT buy it from either the Lee-Harrison or the Glebe Road locations -- their carrot cakes were dried out and gross, with gloopy frosting.

Ovens at Quail Creek Farm Fantastic carrot cake.

Unless the whole cake is cheaper, $5 per slice accumulated probably goes over the Pastries by Randolph budget, as requested.

If I recall correctly, Baked & Wired in G'town does a nice carrot cupcake version; maybe they can make a cake, special order. I don't know how much it would cost though. Surprisingly, carrot cake served at Silver Diner, at least at the Tyson's location, is actually pretty good. I'm not sure about their Clarendon location.