FAQs

What is DIY cake decorating?

Have you ever been to one of those paint-your-own ceramic places? Or a paint-and-sip night, where you spend a few hours trying to paint a tree by a stream? DIY cake decorating is sort of like that, but with cake or cupcakes. We supply the prebaked cakes or cupcakes and all the instructions, fondant, frosting, sprinkles, tools, etc., that you need to create a beautiful and delicious design. Basically, we bake the cakes, you make them pretty. The best part of all: even if your cake isn't pretty, it still tastes GREAT!

Where is the Cake Hoopla studio?

Cake Hoopla is located in the retail space at the bottom of The Overland, an apartment complex in the Tigard Triangle. It’s just a short 15-minute drive from Portland. The Overland is across the street from Winco, Planet Fitness, and Pets Smart, and just a few blocks from Costco.

When is Cake Hoopla open?

Cake Hoopla's hours are Wednesday–Friday: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM, and Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. In-studio and mobile party bookings are available during and outside these hours.

Do you have happy hour?

Sure do! Happy hour is Wednesday–Friday, 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, with $2.00 off beer and wine.

Where can I park when I visit the Cake Hoopla studio?

Parking is available along Dartmouth Street, including in front of Cake Hoopla's building; on 72nd Street around the corner in front of The Overland; as well as other nearby streets. Ample street parking is available on 70th Street, just two blocks toward the I5 onramp. 

Do I need a reservation for open studio time?

We're happy to accept walk-ins. However, groups with reservations will have a guaranteed spot, whereas walk-ins may have to wait during busy times. If you book a reservation, we will also have your order prepared when you arrive. We also occasionally close open studio time for large parties. Please click here to check out available spots.

For open studio time, do I pay per person or per cake/cupcake kit?

Pricing for open studio time bookings is based on the number of cake or cupcake kits you order, not the number of people in your group. For example, a group of four people may together decorate one cupcake kit, and you will only pay for that one kit.

How do I book multiple kits for open studio time?

1. Select your first kit and go through the booking steps. When you reach the end, click “Add to Cart.”
2. Select your second kit and repeat the booking process—be sure to choose the same date and time as your first kit. Click “Add to Cart” again.
3. Repeat this process for any additional kits you’d like to book.
4. Once all your kits are in the cart, head to checkout to complete your purchase!

How many people can join my group for open studio time?

No more than 10. Please identify the total number of people in your group (whether decorating or not) when you make the booking, so we can have your table set up and ready for you. Space is limited. We cannot accommodate groups over 10 people during open studio time - please book a party for that!

What should I/my kids wear when we decorate our cakes/cupcakes?

Like most art projects, decorating cake can get a bit messy, especially for young kids. But don’t sweat it! If you’re decorating in our studio, adults can borrow an apron and kids can borrow a crafting smock.

For open studio time, we also minimize the mess by prefilling and crumbcoating the cakes, which locks in the cake guts.

How do I get my cake/cupcakes home?

Each order comes with a handy-dandy cardboard bakery box or compostable container. When you book a party, we supply boxes and containers for each guest decorating at your event. 

I don't need my cake/cupcake kit right away. Can I order it in advance and choose a pickup date?

Yes, no problem! You can book a time to pick up your cake or cupcake kit. Just click here to explore the options.  

Can I bring a piñata to be bashed open in the studio?

No, thank you!

Is it okay to bring noisemakers to the studio?

No, please don't. 

Can I bring food and drinks into the studio during open studio time?

You're welcome to bring food and drinks into the studio, except cakes, cupcakes, and alcoholic beverages. We are happy to sell you those in the studio!

Do you have stuff available for serving cake?

Yes, if you want to cut open a cake during open studio time or during an in-studio party, we are happy to assist. We can also provide dessert-sized disposable plates and compostable forks. 

Does Cake Hoopla have candles for sale?

Sure do! From mermaids to stick-style, we got you covered. Check out available options in studio.

Do Cake Hoopla's products contain nuts or other allergens?

You can check out the ingredients in Cake Hoopla's cakes by clicking here. None of Cake Hoopla's cakes, cupcakes, frosting, fondant, sprinkles, or other cake decorations directly contain tree nuts or peanuts. However, Cake Hoopla's cakes are baked in an environment that also produces items containing nuts and other allergens.

Our bakers and team members take measures to prevent cross-contamination, but cross-contamination with gluten, nuts, or other allergens is possible. Cake Hoopla also may sell self-contained, prepackaged nut mixes. Please contact  hey@cakehoopla.com for more info about specific food allergies.

Do you offer vegan or dairy-free cakes/cupcakes?

Yes! We offer our chocolate cake/cupcakes in a vegan option!

All cakes are vegetarian.

Do you offer gluten-free cakes?

We make delightful gluten-sensitive cake and cupcakes in our signature fetti flavor. While the cake/cupcake ingredients are gluten-free, they are made in a facility that produces items containing gluten, making cross-contamination possible.

Checkout more details info parties by clicking here!

Location & Parking

Address:

Cake Hoopla is located at 7173 SW Dartmouth St., Tigard, OR 97223, at the bottom of The Overland apartment complex, near Costco, Winco, and Walmart.

Parking:

Parking is available along Dartmouth Street, including in front of Cake Hoopla's building, on 72nd. Street around the corner in front of The Overland, as well as other nearby streets. Ample street parking is available on 70th Street, just two blocks toward the I5 onramp.

Party Booking & Logistics

Minimum # of Decorators:

The base price for all party packages include decorating kits for up to 10 decorators.

• For cake parties, each additional decorator beyond the 10th is $30.
• For cupcake parties, each additional decorator beyond the 10th is $15.

We ask for the final number of decorators at least 3 days before your event so we can prepare your kits in advance.

If you end up with fewer than 10 decorators on the day of the event, you have a few options:

• Let parents or other guests decorate the extra kits,
• Take the unused kits home, or
• Receive a $10 in-store credit (via gift card) for each unused kit.

Max # of Guests:

Our party room can seat up to 18 decorators and host 6-12 non-decorating spectators. If space allows, parents and non-decorators may take a seat in the general seating or outdoor seating areas (spring/summer months only). For parties needing more space, considering booking the whole studio.

Whole-studio bookings:

Booking the entire studio for 2 hours requires a $700 minimum spend for the event. Each additional hour is $200. The purchase of cakes/cupcakes, merchandise, apron decorating, a demo by a Hoopla Helper, and beer/wine/drinks apply toward the minimum, including purchases made by guests. Tips and additional hours purchased do not apply towards the minimum spend amount.

You're welcome to bring in food and non-alcoholic drinks, set up decorations and games, and use the space however you'd like (dancing, anyone?).

We'll block out open studio time bookings a half hour ahead of the event to allow set up and for existing customers to wrap up their decorating.

To officially book the entire studio, just pay a $150 deposit, which will apply toward the balance of the event. Because whole-studio parties preclude other customers from booking any portion of the studio during the event, the $150 deposit is nonrefundable.

Payment:

Paying the $150 deposit reserves the party room exclusively for your use during the allotted time. We will apply the booking fee to the final price of your event. You'll pay the balance while in the studio on the day of the event. Deposits for whole-studio bookings are nonrefundable. Party room booking deposits are refundable per the cancellation policy.

Cancellations & rescheduling:

Parties must be canceled with at least 14 days' notice of the originally scheduled party date to be eligible for a full refund. If canceled with less than 10 days' notice but more than 2 days' notice, event credit will be issued.

Cancellations fewer than 48 hours before the start of the party cannot be refunded.

Party dates/times may be rescheduled 1 time only and at least 2 weeks before the originally scheduled party date. We cannot issue refunds on cancelled rescheduled parties unless notice of the cancellation is given at least 10 days prior to the originally scheduled party date.

Please contact us at hey@cakehoopla.com  or 971.610.6530 to cancel your booking or to make changes to the event details (like the number of cakes).

Guest Guidelines & Restrictions

Party guest drop-offs:

Parents may drop off their kids who are attending parties at Cake Hoopla, so long as they, the kid, and the party host are comfortable with that. Party hosts are responsible for monitoring and regulating their guests' behavior at all times. Cake Hoopla and its staff are not responsible for monitoring the behavior of kids attending parties in the studio.

Sorry, but we don't allow:

• piñatas
• glass containers
• noisemakers
• loose glitter, including foil glitter
• outside cakes/cupcakes or alcohol (we serve those!)
• fire hazards, like open-flame chaffing dishes. Birthday candles are okay and encouraged!

Party Room & Setup

Setup time:

Parties at the Cake Hoopla studio are booked for 1 hour and 45 minutes, plus 15 minutes of takedown time. You are welcome to arrive up to 20 minutes before the party to set up decorations. Just know that we may still be cleaning up from the last event. Please contact us if you think you'll need more time to set up for your event.

Takedown time:

Please make sure you and your guests are out of the party room promptly when your booking time ends (i.e., 15 minutes after the party), so that we have time to serve our other guests.

Decorations:

We welcome you to decorate the party room with any removable, non-permanent decorations. The party room has 3 tables, each 63"x 30" and one 32" x 32" table. Table clothes are great, though not necessary. Just be prepared for them to get messy!

Party room music:

The party room is equipped with a Bluetooth speaker from which we can play any type of music you'd like (except explicit content, which is automatically filtered out). You're also welcome to connect your own device to the speaker and play whatever suits you!

Photo booth:

The party room photo booth station allows users to take photos, gifs, videos, and boomerangs, then email, text, or scan them to a recipient. You're welcome to bring backdrops for the photo booth, but the photo booth's filters and digital stickers are also super fun.

Around Wednesday of the following week, Cake Hoopla will email the party host a link to the photos, which will expire one month from the date of the party.

Party schedule:

When you arrive for your event, check in at reception and let us know how you would like your party to flow. Typically, we allot about 1/2 an hour for guests to get settled, eat any outside food, and/or decorate aprons (if applicable) before we bring out the cakes. Decorating time varies and depends on the cake design and skill level of the party-goers. Expect anywhere from 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours for decorating. As guests wrap up decorating, they're encouraged to take fancy digital photos at our photo booth station.

Food & Drink

Allowed Outside Food & Drinks:

Feel free to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks for your party guests. Please no alcoholic drinks or outside cakes/cupcakes. You can purchase beer, wine, pre-decorated cakes, and more from Cake Hoopla. We welcome your themed tableware. 

Do you want guests to eat cake/cupcakes at your event?

Many party hosts want to give guests the option to eat cake or cupcakes during their decorating party, especially after singing the happy birthday song. Each guest can eat a cupcake or portion of the cake they decorated, or you can purchase pre-decorated cupcakes or cake to serve, so that guests take home their whole cakes or sets of cupcakes. Choose from our pre-decorated cake menu or let us know if you'd like something custom by emailing hey@cakehoopla.com.

Extras we provide upon request:

Upon request, we're happy to supply small compostable dessert plates and compostable forks to serve cake/cupcakes. For multiple food options or larger items, like pizza, we recommend bringing your own larger plates. We'll also help you slice and serve cake to your guests upon request. Water and disposable cups are available at a self-serve station. We also have a lighter adults can borrow to light birthday candles.

Allergens & Dietary Restrictions

Nut and other allergens:

None of Cake Hoopla's cakes, cupcakes, frosting, fondant, sprinkles, or other cake decorations directly contain tree nuts or peanuts. However, Cake Hoopla's cakes are baked in an environment that also produces items containing nuts and other allergens. Our Gluten-Sensitive Fetti cakes and cupcakes are made free from gluten products but are not baked in a gluten-free environment. Our bakers and team members take measures to prevent cross-contamination, but cross-contamination with gluten, nuts, or other allergens is possible. Cake Hoopla also may sell self-contained, prepackaged nut mixes. Please contact hey@cakehoopla.com for more info about specific food allergies.

Activities & Add-Ons

Apron decorating:

We recommend younger partygoers (12 and under) add apron decorating as a party activity. Included is a white, washable, reusable apron per decorator and permanent fabric markers to share. At only $3.00/person, it's a great way to engage young minds, extend the fun, and get some fabulous pics! And why should kids have all the fun!? Apron decorating is also available in adult sizes for $4/apron.

Cake Hoopla's preferred party vendors:

We've teamed up with some of the BEST party vendors the Portland-Metro area has to offer. From face painting to storytime to pizza, we've got you covered. Some even offer discounts to our customers! Check out the list by clicking here.

Cake Transport & Storage

Transporting cakes/cupcakes home:

Each guest will receive a cardboard cake box or compostable cupcake clamshell container to take home their delicious masterpieces.

What does a cake in a cake kit look like when I buy it?

When you order a cake kit from Cake Hoopla, the cake comes prefrosted. (If you attend a party or workshop, you will frost the cake yourself.) The baked cake has been assembled with its layers and frosting inside and a first layer of frosting on the outside. This locks in the cake guts and creates a nice, even canvas for decorating. Cakes are frosted in vanilla buttercream, most of them colored white. 

What do the cupcakes in a cupcake kit look like?

Our cupcakes are full-sized (about 2.5 inches across). They come naked and ready for you to decorate.

I want to decorate a specific design that you don' already offer. Can I make that?

Maybe! We've done myriad custom themes for folks, including company logos/colors, pop culture kids' characters, etc. We also offer a create-your-own cake and cupcake kit, where you select 2 sprinkle mixes, 2 fondant colors, and 2 frosting colors, then freestyle the final design using the tools available in the studio. If you need more guidance, let's chat! Customization fees apply.

Can I refrigerate my cake, or do I need to eat it right away?

You should refrigerate your cake/cupcakes and frosting. They’re great refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen in an airtight container or sealed plastic wrap for up to 1 month. If well sealed, frozen cakes/cupcakes can last even longer!

How do I get my cake home?

Your cake or cupcakes will be snug as a bug in our complimentary cake or cupcake box. We still recommend you drive carefully.

If I ordered a cake for shipping, what should I do when my cake arrives in the mail?

Your cake should be cold or frozen before you remove the plastic shrink wrap from around the cake. If the frosting around the cake feels soft (like you can indent it with a light touch), stick the cake in the fridge or freezer for 10 minutes before removing the shrink wrap.

If you're not ready to decorate right away, refrigerate the cake and frosting, then pull them out about 1-2 hours before decorating to bring them to room temperature. Cakes and cupcakes are best decorated at room temperature and with room-temperature frosting.

Do you have any pre-decorated cakes or cupcakes in the studio I can grab on the go?

Yes! We have a selection of ready-to-serve cakes and cupcakes available for purchase in the studio (no preorder required). But they go fast! To ensure we have you what you want, you're welcome to preorder ready-to-serve cakes/cupcakes.

Can I preorder ready-to-serve cakes/cupcakes?

A selection of pre-decorated cakes/cupcakes can be be found here. Call or email for customer orders.

Can I order custom cakes or cupcakes?

Totally - anything from popular kids' characters, to baby shower cakes, to your favorite Swiftie era, we can make you something special. Please give us at least 3 days to fulfill a custom pre-decorated cake or cupcakes; otherwise, a rush fee may apply. Call or email for customer orders.