The 10 Best Cake Carriers
Special Honors
Peterboro Country Slatted Made to accommodate either two pies or a pie and a cake, this rustic basket from Peterboro comes with a removable wooden pie tray. It sports double swing handles that make it easy to carry, specially-designed hinges in the back for quick access, and a slatted lid that's been cut and nailed together by hand. It is available in honey, cherry, white ash, or driftwood gray finishes and can be personalized with an engraved plate. peterborobasket.com
MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market For bakers who'd like to eschew the typical utilitarian plastic unit, there's this offering from MacKenzie-Childs. Available in white, green, or black, the Flower Market cake carrier is made from hand-enameled, heavy-gauge steel with hand-applied botanical transfers on the dome and a courtly check pattern over the base. The elegant bronzed stainless steel rim, clamp, and handle act as minimalist complements, while the knob includes a brass bobeche and glass finial. mackenziechilds.com
Editor's Notes
January 17, 2020:
This current round of updates included the removal of three items, the Sweet Course 12-Inch Round, Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible, and Wilton Locking. The Prepworks by Progressive and Wilton models were sadly discounted, so we filled the void with two high-quality choices that are compelling for different reasons. Unlike many others, the Paula Deen Garden Rooster is crafted from steel, rather than plastic, so you can expect a good long life out of it. It also has a charming aesthetic appeal, with a garden rooster design that makes it a great piece to keep in a farmhouse kitchen. It would look good sitting right on the table or left out during holidays.
Then, there's the SpecialT Disposable, a 10-pack of disposable, yet still hardy, paperboard carriers perfect for tall cakes. These are great if you run a bakery, as they're simple and won't distract from your creations. It's also easy to write a message on the outside or apply a sticker with your company logo on it. They fold up easily, have two handles, and come in at about 7 dollars per box as of the time of writing this.
We removed the Sweet Course 12-Inch Round because we felt it was a tad unreliable, and swapped it for the Buddeez Red, a similar design in a rectangular shape. What makes this one so appreciable — other than its economical price — is that you can stack and lock multiple units together, and it comes with a clip-on serving tool and cupcake tray, adding to its value.
We like the Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum for its simplicity, since it's basically a cake pan with a lid, as well as the Sterilite Server, which is a good quality considering its low price and hardy construction. The Prepworks by Progressive 2 Layer is roomy enough for your typical two-layer cake, but also bundts and meringue pies as well. We love that it collapses down for storage since many of these carriers are bulky by nature and take up a lot of cabinet space.
October 15, 2018:
Added the Sugarworks Porter as an option for taller tiered cakes and the VonShef Snap and Stack for its large capacity. Removed the Snapware Airtight due to issues with faulty latches and replaced items that were discontinued.
Benefits Of Using A Cake Carrier
Consider, as well, that many cake carriers are multipurpose.
Yes, you can transport your tortes without a high-quality cake carrier, but when you consider the many conveniences they offer, why would you want to? Sure, they may cost a little more than your old baking pan or a cardboard box and cling wrap contraption, but the ample benefits you’ll get definitely make the price worth it. Just consider the following advantages.
To begin with, cake carriers help you get a cake where it’s going without spills, since they’re made to keep the dessert secure. They also keep you from accidentally smearing the icing or decorations. When you arrive, you can serve from the tray, which is great if your host or hostess doesn’t have a large enough dish; you might put a cake board under the cake so that you don’t score the bottom piece of the carrier. When you’re ready to leave, simply pop the top back on and go.
Also, cake carriers can help make storage much simpler. Many are air-tight, which means they’ll keep the contents from going stale. Because they are designed to accommodate an entire cake, you won’t need to cut up the dessert and try to find places to store each piece separately. You’ll find carriers that can go in the refrigerator and freezer, too, so you can extend the edible life of the sweet treat.
Consider, as well, that many cake carriers are multipurpose. You could use them to transport a range of delicate dishes, including quiches, tarts, pies, cupcakes, and hors d’oeuvres, whether these are cold or hot. You’ll probably find that this saves you from using so many dishes, removing some hassle.
Finally, you can use a cake carrier to keep your delicious creation safe from prying eyes before you’re ready to unveil it, perhaps if you’re having a surprise party or you simply don’t want anyone to see the cake before you’re ready. Maybe in the future there will even be a cake carrier with a proper lock for true dessert peace of mind.
Cake Carrier Features
Many cake carriers look fairly similar at first glance, and they may even seem simple and feature-light. In reality, though, these nifty items do have different properties that make them better for one use or another. For instance, if you enjoy crafting exquisitely decorated, multi-layered creations, then you may want to think about height and stability. If, on the other hand, you have a sturdier dessert but have a hard time carrying larger items, then you’ll want to focus on handles. Here are a few ways that cake carriers can help meet your needs.
Another factor to consider is how you’ll need to clean the carrier.
Shape and dimensions, as noted, are of utmost importance. Most round cake carriers have a diameter of between 10 and 12 inches, but height can vary considerably, with shorter carriers starting at four inches tall. A tall cake carrier might go up to eight, 10, or even 12 inches in height. Of course, not all cakes are round, which means there are also square and rectangular carriers available. These have variable dimensions, as well, although they tend to be shorter, since most sheet cakes aren’t as tall as many-layered round cakes.
Temperature is also a crucial factor in how a cake carrier can function. There are aluminum cake carriers that can go in the oven, plastic carriers that stand up to the freezer, and decorative fabric models which can do neither. To help you, most manufacturers provide a temperature range for which the cake carrier is safe.
Another factor to consider is how you’ll need to clean the carrier. Many carriers nowadays are dishwasher-safe for the utmost in convenience. Others are hand-wash only, but if you appreciate the rest of the features they offer, then this may not be a problem.
Don’t forget about the type of handle, too. Does it seem sturdy and comfortable? Will it support the weight of a very heavy cake? A bad handle could ruin your cake carrying experience, so look for strong pieces that don’t look flimsy where they join the body of the carrier.
Personalizing Your Cake Carrier
If you enjoy setting yourself apart from the crowd, you may have considered buying a vintage cake carrier. These may or may not be the best choice for actual use, however, since materials standards weren’t necessarily as strict in the past as there was much we didn’t know about, such as the harmfulness of BPA. Additionally, some vintage models cost a pretty penny, making an antique carrier more “admire it from afar” and less “get frosting all over it.”
Additionally, some vintage models cost a pretty penny, making an antique carrier more “admire it from afar” and less “get frosting all over it.”
You can still show your unique style, however, by personalizing a modern (and safe) cake carrier. Besides rocking your individualism, there are plenty of other reasons to do so; you’ll be able to spot your carrier more easily at a crowded potluck, you’ll get exactly the design you want, and you’ll have a fun craft project to enjoy. Just be careful about decorating the interior, as craft materials may not be safe for ingestion.
One way you can personalize a cake carrier is through stickers. These days, you can get beautiful designs for just about any interest, from cooking to camping. Or, if you really want to show your style, you could use a sticker machine to create your own designs. Before applying your stickers, clean the surface and let it dry thoroughly. You might consider brushing on a layer of dishwasher-safe sealer to protect the design from water.
If stickers aren’t your thing, you could try painting, instead. You can use spray paint, apply stencils, or go freehand. If you’ll be using dark paint, don’t forget to use a primer first so that your paint job doesn’t come out blotchy. Cover the paint with a food-safe sealer when you've finished decorating.
You could also choose a less permanent option and use static clings if your cake carrier is plastic or glass. To apply, you simply smooth them on; when you’d like a change or you need to wash the carrier, pull them back off — no muss, no fuss. And if you have a cutting machine, you could even make customized clings for different occasions or moods.