[Layaway Queen]

Hi everyone,

arrived here safe and sound on the 2nd of May and love, love it. Everyone is so friendly and waves. The other couple staying with us for the month has a birthday next week and well I was going to surprise her with a homemade Coconut Birthday cake ---alas now I don't want to stay home and cook it.

Can anyone recommend a good bakery where I could get a delicious cake made up for her. She is such a wonderful friend that I want to surprise her and this forum has helped me so much with good info just thought I wouldask 1 more question............thanks everyone.

sincerely,
Layaway Queen

[bike42]

The Publix bakeries do a very nice job . . .

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by bike42

The Publix bakeries do a very nice job . . .

I agree, Publix has the best bakery in the villages.

[Pturner]

Hi Layaway Queen,

Welcome. Glad you are having a great time. If you come from a location that does not have Publix grocers, it might surprise you to get recommendations for a grocery store bakery. However, Publix really does have an excellent bakery!

[graciegirl]

Hey there new friend.

I am sorry that we aren't there to greet you properly.

I think one of the best coconut cakes I ever had is from Publix. (They aren't cheap though)

[dillywho]

Some of the best cakes we have had here have come from Donna's. Unfortunately, she is outside The Villages proper on US 301. It's not that far and well worth the drive. Her cakes are about half the cost of Publix. She used to be a baker at Publix for years and then put in her own place. She did a beautiful job on a Christmas cake for one of our groups and it was delicious. We already have plans to use her again. You do have to preorder since they are all custom-made per order...no stock.

[bkcunningham1]

dillywho, is that a bakery with homemade donuts and other evil things like that?

[bkcunningham1]

I bet I answered my own question....yummie...

http://www.ocalastyle.com/styleadmin...1931&zoneid=39

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

I bet I answered my own question....yummie...

http://www.ocalastyle.com/styleadmin...1931&zoneid=39

Oh boy! Anybody up for a field trip?

[dillywho]

Actually, her place is called "Donna's Dream Cakes" and she is listed as Summerfield (just up the road on 301) The phone # is 352-245-0274. I did have a listing from her, but loaned it out. Just Google Donna's Dream Cakes and read all about it. There are lots of reviews, too. Hope this helps.

(The Ocala Posting looks great, too!)

[l2ridehd]

The best cakes by any measure in the area are from the Cotillion Café in Wildwood. All homemade multi layer and to die for. Have to order a couple days before needed. Just go there for lunch and save room for cake for desert and you will become a believer.

[ceejay]

Sorry for the hijack...I don't know about birthday cakes, but I DO know that Toojay's has the BEST chocolate cake I've ever tasted! $18.00 for a cake that fed 8 with lots of leftovers...can't beat it!

[MSNPA]

Have had several cakes from Fresh Market - fantastic!

[CTgolfer]

Cotillion Southern Cafe has cakes to die for... wonderful coconut cake, carrot cake, butterfly cake, and many more. Costly, but well worth it. Perhaps instead of buying the cake, you can treat your friend to lunch at Cotillion and include dessert. Welcome!

[bkcunningham1]

CTgolfer, I haven't eaten there, but plan to after reading the review I posted. I like your suggestion. Maybe call ahead and have a birthday cake brought out after lunch.