Custom Cakes +

Three-tier tropical-themed cake with green leaf patterns, pink flowers, and gold accents on a white cake stand - custom wedding cake at Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe in Hilo, HI.
Decorative sugar cookies featuring Japanese food and love-themed messages on a white marble surface at Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe in Hilo, HI.

+ wedding cakes
+ birthday + shower cakes
+custom cookies
+specialty desserts

If you can dream it, Maria and her team will bring it to life — flawlessly.

With over 20 years of experience, Maria is the Big Island’s most trusted custom cake and dessert artist. From elegant wedding cakes to jaw-dropping birthday creations, specialty desserts, cookies, and more, every piece is handcrafted with unmatched skill, creativity, and attention to detail. When you want perfection, honest pricing, and a creation as unique as your celebration, there’s simply no reason to look anywhere else.

A round white birthday cake decorated with yellow flower-shaped frosting around the top edge, with the words "happy birthday Makaya" written in black icing on top, placed on a marble surface.
Decorative Japanese-themed items including two cartoon-like geisha custom decorated sugar cookies, pink and white cherry blossom flowers, pink cherry blossom petal print stones, and pink and white fabric flowers, arranged on a gray surface.
Mother's Day celebration with decorated cookies, chocolates, and a cake topped with a "Happy Mother's Day" sign and a green ribbon, set on a white surface near a window with a green outdoor view.
Seven cookies in the shape of hand signs, decorated with beach-themed words: four say 'Aloha' and three say 'Aloha' with colorful tropical designs, set on a sandy surface.
A beach-themed cake with a volcano, jungle tree, and surfboard decorations on top, placed on a wooden cake stand.
Pink layered cake decorated with small pink flowers and yellow sprinkles, placed on a silver cake board.
Six cupcakes decorated with colorful flower-shaped icing in pink, purple, orange, and green, on a white rectangular plate.
A tropical-themed birthday cake decorated with flower-shaped icing in purple and yellow, with a conch shell and a white flower on top. The cake has the year 2024 written on it and is set against a beach background with sand, ocean, and sky.
Four decorative sugar cookies featuring a sauce bottle and a bowl of noodles with a smiling face, set on a light surface.
A two-tiered white frosted cake decorated with orange flowers and green leaves, placed on a wooden cake stand with a blurred golden bokeh background.
White two-tiered wedding cake decorated with colorful tropical flowers including orchids and hibiscus, with a beach and ocean background.
A Mother's Day cake with two layers of yellow sponge, decorated with whipped cream, strawberries, and pink macarons. It has a topper reading 'Happy Mother Day' with a heart, placed on a gold cake board.
Decorative cookies shaped like pink cherry blossoms with small white flowers on a pink satin cloth.
Decorated cake with a cartoon dragon holding a toy, surrounded by red and yellow sprinkles, with the words 'Year of the Dragon' written on top.
A round cake decorated with white and green golfing theme; white cake with holes resembling a golf ball, green icing grass, golf balls, and golf club details.
Cupcakes with green frosting, pink flower-shaped decorations, and white sprinkles on a white plate against a red fabric background.
Two decorated cookies with printed images of a couple, placed on a white surface with a pink cloth featuring red spiral designs.
Cupcakes decorated with green piped icing resembling various succulent plants, arranged on a white doily.
Decorated cookies in the shape of flowers with pink tulips, white daisies, and purple lavender, placed on a wooden surface.

How do I know what to order?

The only limit is your imagination. Maria + her team can make just about anything come to life in the most delicious cake form! Listed pricing is for standard cakes, and customizations are subject to further charges. Most simple cakes require 3-5 days notice, while custom cake orders should be booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

FLAVORS

  • POG — signature flavor

  • German Chocolate

  • Chantilly — local favorite

  • Lilikoi Lovers

  • Red Velvet

  • Strawberry

  • Carrot Cake

  • Salted Caramel

  • Triple Lemon Bliss

Four cylinders representing cake sizes and pricing at Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe in Hilo, HI.

STANDARD CAKE SIZES

Colorful macarons arranged in a row on a glass display tray, featuring pink, yellow, green, and beige with chocolate and colorful sprinkles at Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe in Hilo, HI.
Decorative cupcakes with colorful flower and fruit designs on a white platter at Short N Sweet Bakery and Cafe in Hilo, HI.

cookies, cupcakes, macaroons + pastries

Looking for the perfect dessert for an upcoming event that doesn’t involve slicing + serving? Browse our gallery below and fill out an inquiry for and we’ll be in touch with details + options!

Decorative cookies shaped like flowers, including pink and white tulips, yellow daisies, and purple lavender, on a wooden surface.

From “Wow” to “How’d They Do That?”

  • Unmatched experience — 20+ years crafting custom cakes and desserts for the Big Island.

  • Creative mastery — from classic elegance to bold, artistic designs, we make your vision real.

  • Perfect for any occasion — weddings, birthdays, showers, corporate events, and more.

  • Premium ingredients — always fresh, high-quality, and full of flavor.

  • Flawless presentation — cakes and desserts that wow before the first bite.

  • Personalized service — we listen, design, and deliver exactly what you’re dreaming of.

  • Trusted reputation — the island’s most sought-after cake artist, loved by locals and visitors alike.

  • Fair, honest pricing — no surprises, just exceptional value for unforgettable results.

  • Made with aloha — every dessert is a work of art, baked with care and island spirit.

FAQs

  • Easy as pie (or cake)! Visit our Custom Cake Order Page and fill out the form with your dream cake details. The more info you share—theme, flavors, colors, size—the better we can make your cake fantasy a reality.

  • Only the most delicious ones!

    The following is just a small sample of flavors available. If there is a flavor that you are interested in that is not listed here, please let us know.  All cakes, buttercreams and fillings are made from scratch, from the freshest ingredients. 

    POG: FRESH ORANGE CHIFFON CAKE FILLED WITH GUAVA BAVARIAN CREAM AND ICED WITH LILIKOI ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

    GERMAN CHOCOLATE: GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE FILLED WITH CLASSIC COCONUT PECAN FILLING AND ICED WITH VANILLA ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM 

    CHANTILLY: A LOCAL FAVORITE! OUR GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE FILLED WITH CHANTILLY AND ICED WITH VANILLA ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM 

    LILIKOI LOVERS: LILIKOI CHIFFON FILLED WITH LILIKOI CURD AND ICED WITH LILIKOI ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

    TRIPLE LEMON BLISS: LEMON CHIFFON FILLED WITH LEMON CURD AND ICED WITH LEMON ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

    RED VELVET:RED VELVET CAKE FILLED AND ICED WITH VANILLA ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM 

    STRAWBERRY:    STRAWBERRY CAKE FILLED AND ICED WITH VANILLA ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM 

    CARROT CAKE: CARROT CAKE FILLED AND ICED WITH VANILLA ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM.; AVAILABLE WITH OR WITHOUT NUTS

    SALTED CARAMEL: CARAMEL CAKE FILLED WITH SALTED CARAMEL AND ICED WITH SALTED CARAMEL ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM

    Fillings range from fruit compotes to rich creams and custards. Want something specific? Just ask!

  • Prices vary based on design complexity, size, and flavor combos. Custom celebration cakes start at $125. Wedding cakes and sculpted cakes are priced individually. We’ll provide a quote once we’ve got all the sweet details.

  • We recommend at least 2–4 weeks’ notice for custom cakes. Planning a wedding or large event? Book months in advance to secure your date. Last-minute cake emergency? Call us at 808-935-4446—we’ll do our best to help!

    Short N Sweet operates as a “small-batch bakery” to maintain the freshness and quality of our pastries for our patrons. You are encouraged to book as soon as possible to guarantee purchases as availability is limited. Many of our clients book at least a month in advance, so dates (especially weekends!) fill up quickly.

  • While are NOT able to offer fresh flowers we do handcraft life like, edible sugar flowers for our cakes. We also offer custom cake toppers (some require extra lead time), and extras like gold leaf, or edible glitter. Let’s make your cake Instagram-ready.

  • Yes! From realistic objects to character cakes, we’ve done it all. Unicorns, dinosaurs, handbags, even a kidney stone cake (true story). If you can dream it, we can buttercream it.

  • We do offer gluten-friendly and vegan-friendly options upon request. However, please note we are not a certified allergen-free kitchen, and cross-contact may occur.

  • We LOVE inspo pics! While we don’t copy cakes exactly, we’ll use your ideas to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece with our signature Short N Sweet style. Upload your reference photo when you order or bring it in!

  • Yes—we offer cake delivery in Hilo and select surrounding areas on the Big Island. Delivery fees apply based on location and timing.

    For off-island visitors please note that our shop is located on the east side of the island in Hilo.

  • If you choose to pick up your cake and transport it yourself, we are not liable or responsible for the cake once it has left the bakery. You should prepare your vehicle so it is clean and free of items that could roll or slide into the cake. We do everything in our power to provide a well-structured cake, but please note that cakes are very fragile and break easily, drive carefully and slowly.

  • We would love to talk to you about your special cake and give you our undivided attention when doing so.  To that end, please understand that we cannot accommodate drop in visits. Please schedule an appointment by emailing us at mail@shortnsweet.biz

  • A non-refundable retainer of 50% of the order is required to reserve your date.  The balance is due four weeks before the event date.

  • Your initial retainer reserves your event date and is non-refundable or transferable. NO refunds will be issued under any circumstances.