Everything you need to know, to enjoy your treats safely and beautifully.
At Ina Bakes, every cake, cookie, and pastry is made with care in our Venice studio. We want your treats to look amazing, taste fresh, and be enjoyed safely at home or at your celebration. This guide walks you through how to store, transport, and serve each type of product — with a few important notes for our tiered cakes that include internal support.
Cookies & Treat Boxes
Storage Keep in a cool spot, or refrigerate if you’re not serving the same day.
Serving Let each piece sit out for about an hour so it can come to room temperature. Butter-based treats taste their best when softened and fragrant.
Shelf Life Best enjoyed within 2 days.
Freezing Items can be frozen individually: wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then add foil or a freezer bag for extra insulation.
Best Quality Window Enjoy within 1 month for the freshest flavor and texture.
Cookie Decorating Kit
Our cookie kits are designed to be fun, easy, and delicious for all ages. A few simple steps will help you get the best results.
Leave the icing at room temperature so it reaches the right consistency.
If the icing separates (totally normal!), gently massage the bags to bring the color back together.
Snip only the very tip of the icing bag to start. You can always cut a little more if you want a wider line.
Have fun decorating your cookies using the icing and sprinkles included in your kit.
Enjoy your cookies right away, or let them dry for 6–8 hours before repackaging or stacking.
Cookies are best enjoyed within 5 days. Store them in an airtight container.
For longer storage, cookies may be frozen.
Cupcakes
Storage Keep in a cool spot or refrigerate if not serving the same day.
Serving Let them come to room temperature for 30–45 minutes before enjoying.
Shelf Life Best within 2 days.
Freezing Freeze individually, uncovered until firm, then wrap in plastic and foil. Best within 1 month.
Cakes
Single Tier
Storage Keep your cake in a cool environment. If you’re not serving it the same day, refrigerate it.
Serving Bring the cake to room temperature for at least one hour before enjoying. Because we bake with real butter, cream, and natural ingredients, the flavor and texture shine brightest at room temp.
Shelf Life Best enjoyed within 2–3 days.
Freezing Freeze the whole cake uncovered until firm, then wrap in plastic and foil (or place in a freezer bag). You can also freeze individual slices. Best within 1–2 months.
Defrosting Thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter for a couple of hours.
Tiered Cakes With Internal Structure (Dowels)
Tiered cakes are built differently from single-tier cakes. To keep them stable and safe to serve, they contain wooden or food-safe plastic dowels inside each tier.
Important Notes
Dowels are not edible and must be removed before serving.
Each tier sits on its own cake board for support.
When cutting, lift off the top tier first, then remove the dowels from the tier below before slicing.
Storage Keep tiered cakes in a cool environment. Refrigerate if not serving the same day.
Serving Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 1–2 hours before cutting so the butter-based layers soften.
Transport Carry from the bottom, keep level, and avoid tilting. Tiered cakes are heavy and should travel on a flat surface.
Cream-Based Desserts
Storage Refrigerate at all times.
Serving Let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving.
Shelf Life Best within 3 days.
Freezing Freeze whole or sliced, wrapped tightly. Best within 1 month.
Fruit Tarts & Fresh Fruit Items
Storage Refrigerate immediately.
Serving Serve chilled or let sit for 15 minutes to soften slightly.
Shelf Life Best enjoyed the same day due to fresh fruit.
Pies
Storage Fruit pies can stay at room temperature for 1 day, then refrigerate. Cream pies must be refrigerated.
Serving Bring to room temperature for 30–60 minutes.
Freezing Fruit pies freeze well; cream pies do not.
Event & Catering Orders
For dessert tables, on-site events, or off-site catering, we provide setup instructions and display guidance tailored to your menu. If you ever need help planning or storing items before your event, we’re here to support you.
Allergy & Ingredient Information
We list all product ingredients on our website so you can review them anytime. If you have allergies or concerns and don’t see what you need, please contact us before consuming. This helps us keep everyone safe and happy.
HOW TO CUT YOUR CAKE
Cutting a cake shouldn’t feel intimidating. With a few simple steps, you’ll get clean slices, keep the structure intact, and make serving easy for everyone.
What You’ll Need
- A long, sharp knife
- A cup of hot water (for dipping the knife)
- A clean towel or paper towel
- A cake board or plate for serving
For Single‑Tier Cakes
1. Bring the cake to room temperature
Let the cake sit out for 1–2 hours so the buttercream softens and the flavors shine.
2. Warm your knife
Dip the knife in hot water, wipe dry, and make your first cut.
A warm knife gives you smooth, clean slices.
3. Cut in a grid pattern
Instead of wedges, cut straight down in rows.
This gives even portions and keeps the cake stable.
4. Wipe between slices
Clean the knife after every 1–2 cuts for the prettiest slices.
For Tiered Cakes (with internal structure)
Some of our cakes have dowels or support rods inside to keep the tiers stable. They’re food‑safe and essential for structure.
1. Start with the top tier
Lift the top tier off its board and place it on a separate plate.
Cut it just like a single‑tier cake.
2. Locate the dowels
As you begin cutting the lower tier, you’ll see small wooden or plastic dowels inside.
They keep the cake steady during transport.
3. Remove dowels as you go
When you reach a dowel, simply pull it out and set it aside.
They are not edible, so remove each one before serving that section.
4. Continue cutting in rows
Use the same warm‑knife method for clean, even slices.
🌿 A Few Helpful Tips
- Keep the cake on a flat, stable surface while cutting.
- Remove any florals, toppers, or decorations before slicing.
- If you’re serving outdoors, keep the cake shaded and cool until cutting time.