First Time Ordering a Cake in Nanaimo? Here's What to Expect
If you've never ordered from a small bakery before, the experience is genuinely different from picking something up at the grocery store — and that's part of why the cakes are so much better. But if you're new to it, you might be wondering exactly what to expect. Here's everything we'd tell a first-timer if you walked up to us and asked.
Step 1: Browse the menu
Start with our full baking menu — or, if you'd rather see the cakes our customers order most, our bestsellers page is a good shortcut. Each cake has a detailed description of its flavours, fillings, and finishing, so you can get a clear sense of what you're ordering before you commit.
If you're stuck choosing, our Cake Quiz walks you through a few quick questions and recommends a cake based on the occasion, the crowd, and the mood. It takes about a minute, and it's surprisingly accurate.
Step 2: Pick the right size
Cake size depends on guest count and how generous you want to be with the slices. Our Cake Sizing Calculator tells you exactly how many people each size feeds — useful whether you're ordering for two or twenty. If you're hovering between sizes, size up. There's no such thing as too much cake.
Step 3: Choose your dietary option
Most of our cakes are available in regular, gluten-free, plant-based, and gluten-free & plant-based. Pick whichever works for your guest list. The quality doesn't change between versions — so go with whatever fits the occasion.
Step 4: Add a personal touch
This is where a small bakery beats the supermarket every time. At checkout we offer add-ons — personalised cards and fresh flower bouquets. A good way to make a delivery feel like a gift, not a transaction.
Step 5: Pick your delivery date
We deliver fresh across Nanaimo, Lantzville, Cedar, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach. Select your delivery date at checkout — we bake to your timeline so everything arrives at its absolute best. See exactly how the full process works.
Step 6: Place the order — and that's it
Once you've placed the order, we get to work. Brigitte develops every recipe and her daughter Helga bakes every order from our commercial kitchen in Nanaimo. Nothing's made in advance. Nothing sits on a shelf. Your cake gets baked specifically for your delivery date, packaged carefully, and delivered fresh to your door.
Things first-timers usually wonder
Do you really bake to order? Yes. Always. Your cake doesn't exist when you place the order — we bake it on the day, or the day before depending on the recipe, so it arrives at peak freshness.
How far in advance should I order? A few days is usually enough for our bestsellers. For custom requests, holiday weeks (Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas), or larger sizes, the more notice the better. Get in touch if you're not sure.
What if I have a question about ingredients or allergens? Just ask. We're a small team and we know our recipes inside out — we're happy to walk through anything specific to your needs.
Can I pick up instead of getting it delivered? Yes — pick-up is available from our Nanaimo kitchen. Choose pick-up at checkout.
Welcome to Oh Happy Bake
Ready to try? Browse our bestsellers or our full menu.
