You have a super special occasion coming up - your baby angel’s birthday bash, your BFF’s cake day, or your lovely grandparent’s longevity party - and you need a show-stopping cake. You decide to commission a baker for a unique and meaningful customised cake.

Then it hits you - how can the baker bake exactly what I want? How do I know if there’s enough cake for everyone? Will it end up being a disaster?

Stop! Read these five tips you must know to get a great customised cake experience.

Tip #1: Estimate your party turnout

Are you expecting 10 cake monsters or 30 calorie watchers? Let your baker know! It will help your baker recommend a suitable cake size that will ensure your guests are well-fed.

Avoid estimating the cake by weight, because different recipes weigh differently due to different density. Instead, talk about the height of the cake: some bakers’ default customised cake size is skyscraper, while some are not. After all, you portion and serve cake by size not weight, right?

Tip #2: Clarity, clarity, clarity

Can’t emphasise this enough. Be as clear as possible in communicating how you want your cake to be.

Send as many reference pictures as possible, describe the actual design you want clearly, and highlight important elements you must have: which specific champagne bottle design you want on your gravity defying cake, or how much money you want to deposit in your money pulling cake. Check your invoice or order confirmation again to ensure no detail is missed or miscommunicated.

Tip #3: Some colours are safer

The colour of your cake matters! Strong colours like blue, red and black will stain your lips and teeth, or even shirt and skin if not careful. These stains are water soluble, but may last overnight and definitely make poor party photos unless you’re the class clown.

Discuss the pros and cons of your cake colours with your baker. If you are expecting guests in branded suits and dresses, stay safe with pastel or white colours.

Tip #4: Choose the right baker

Every baker has their own style. Some specialise in rustic-looking cakes, some predominantly favour cute designs, while others may be more proficient in over-the-top styles.

Finding a baker whose style is similar to your reference pictures is your best bet. Scroll their Instagram, Facebook or website and you will get a pretty good idea on their workmanship and style.

Better still if you spot something you like amongst the baker’s past designs, less description needed and no nasty surprises.

Tip #5: Know your cake

What’s the difference between a whipped cream cake, a buttercream cake and a fondant cake? You’re not a baker so why do you care? Because it helps you tremendously in ordering your customised cake!

Whipped cream cakes are light and suit the Asian palette, but it doesn’t work well with fondant decorations and will melt easily. Buttercream cakes have a heavier taste akin to a light butter spread (duh) and holds well in an air-conditioned environment for hours (good for photo marathons).

Great for designing but not as versatile as fondant cakes. Fondant cakes make many sophisticated designs possible, especially those with 3D decorations like carousels and castles. Just make sure the cake is kept in a cool and dry place (read: air-conditioned).

Don’t tell the baker you want fondant all over a whipped cream cake. Just don’t. Know your cake.

With these five top tips, you will be a pro at ordering a customised cake! In addition, with a better knowledge and idea of your dream cake, it helps the baker to achieve your dream cake with less disparity or disappointment - you get what you order literally! Happy ordering!

This article is brought to you by Bob the Baker Boy.