Back to Blog
    Guide5 min read

    Number Cake Alternative: What We Offer Instead

    Number cakes look fun but dry out fast. Here is why we skip them and what we offer instead.

    Number cake alternative - custom cake with topper

    Why We Do Not Make Number Cakes

    Number cakes (also called letter cakes or cijfertaarten) are those flat, number-shaped cakes covered in cream, fruit, and macarons. They look great in photos. We do not make them, and here is why.

    Number cakes are typically two thin layers of sponge or puff pastry with whipped cream or cream cheese filling between them. The shape means the cake is shallow — usually only 3-4 cm tall. That thin profile creates two problems: the sponge dries out fast, and the cream-to-cake ratio leaves you eating mostly filling with very little actual cake.

    The Quality Problem with Number Cakes

    Because number cakes are flat and wide, they have a large surface area exposed to air. Whipped cream starts to weep within hours, especially in a warm room. By the time the party is halfway through, the cake often looks different from when it was first set out.

    The sponge layers are cut thin to hold the number shape. Thin sponge dries out quickly. A traditional round cake with 3-4 thick layers and buttercream between each one stays moist much longer because the frosting seals in the moisture.

    We made the choice early on to only offer products we are confident will taste great at the moment they are served. Number cakes do not meet that standard for us.

    What We Offer Instead

    If you want to highlight a number — a birthday age, an anniversary year, a milestone — we have good alternatives.

    Acrylic number toppers are the simplest option. A "30" or "50" topper on a buttercream cake is clean and modern. We stock common numbers and can source custom ones.

    Piped numbers in buttercream directly on the cake work for a more integrated look. We can pipe the number large on the top or work it into the overall design.

    Themed designs that reference the number without being shaped like it. A 1st birthday smash cake with "ONE" written in icing, or a drip cake with sprinkles that match the birthday age's colour theme.

    All our cakes are buttercream, with vanilla or chocolate base and fillings like chocolate ganache, white chocolate ganache, vanilla cream, vanilla with strawberry, or vanilla with raspberry. Prices range from €50 to €100. Check our cake calculator for sizing and pricing.

    Order a Custom Cake with Number Details

    Tell us the number you want featured and we will suggest the best way to incorporate it. Share the occasion, number of guests, and your flavour preferences. We need at least one week.

    Pickup in Vlaardingen and Rotterdam. Delivery across Zuid-Holland. Start your order here.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why don't you make number cakes?
    Number cakes use thin sponge layers with whipped cream that dries out quickly and does not hold up well at room temperature. We prefer to offer cakes that taste great for the entire event.
    Can you put a number on a regular cake?
    Yes. We offer acrylic number toppers, piped buttercream numbers, and themed designs that feature the number. All on a proper buttercream cake that stays moist.
    Do you make letter cakes?
    No, for the same reasons we do not make number cakes. We can add letters or names using toppers or buttercream piping on our custom cakes.
    What do you recommend for a milestone birthday?
    A drip cake or semi-naked cake with an acrylic number topper is our most popular option for milestone birthdays. It looks impressive and tastes much better than a flat number cake.

    Ready to Order Your Cake?

    Whether you are planning a birthday, wedding, corporate event, or any celebration, LittleCakesNL creates custom cakes that make every occasion unforgettable.

    Order Your Cake