Little Sweets Cake Design

As a sit-on-the-counter-baker child, I baked cakes with my mother while licking the batter spoon. My grandmother and aunt shared their secrets for baking from scratch in their kitchens on yellowed paper recipe cards, and I enjoyed nothing more than to share wonderful food and baked goods with the people I loved. These memories define who I am today and I still think about them every time I bake. But... the journey to this business didn’t begin with cake, it began with art.

I was a college art student at St. Ambrose University with a secret obsession for desserts. (Well, maybe it wasn’t a secret... ask anyone how much I love ice cream!) After college, I taught high school ceramics for 7 years. I baked in my kitchen at home for friend and family birthdays - but - I couldn’t allow my daughter’s birthday cakes to look and taste like they came from the grocery store. I was a hobby baker who discovered a way to combine dessert with my background in 3D design. There has never been a better union! I posted a few photos of cakes on Facebook and was completely shocked by the responses of friends and family. In fact, I am still in awe of the support and cannot thank everyone enough!

My cake business officially started in early 2018 with a Facebook business page. I was still teaching all day and baking all night, though my students and colleagues weren’t complaining about all the cake they got to taste. In March of 2019, I enrolled in pastry classes in Paris and decided it was time to resign from teaching high school art. I wanted to be a full time artist, and cake art was it. It finally clicked.

The cake should be the highlight of your celebration — and we at Little Sweets can create something memorable for you! When you receive your cake, my hope is that you will notice the passion I have for baking and designing. If you are also a person who enjoys sharing exceptional food with the ones you love, then we will get along juuust fine.

I wish you all peace and cake, scrumptious cake.

-Addie

Who is Little Sweets?

The face of Little Sweets is my daughter, Roselan. She’s my biggest fan and most biased taste-tester. How could I not name my business after her when she says, “Mama, you make the best cakes in the world!” Since the age of 3 she has been the kitchen helper and destroyer, the motivator, and the sweet face that gets me through the day.

I attempted to make her first birthday cake look like a fairy garden. I had no clue how to stack cake tiers, the fairy garden turned into green blobs. That cake started the journey, the research, the practice, and the passion for edible art that today you can find in every Little Sweets creation!

Browse Addie's Favorite Designs

Frequently Asked Questions

I need a cake/dessert for an event I’m planning, but I’m not sure where to start. What should I do?

As soon as you have an inkling that you need that special cake, please reach out! Phone calls or emails are preferred. We would love to have a 2-3 week notice for most cakes, but we suggest inquiries for large events to made many months in advance. If you are planning a wedding or large celebration, please submit your answers on the contact form. Inquiries for smaller celebrations do not require the responses on the questionnaire, but this is a great way to begin planning with us. Please expect at least 48 hours for us to respond to your calls and emails — we’re busy cranking out gorgeous cakes!

I want to meet in person and taste some cake. Can I do that!?

Let’s schedule a tasting consultation! Tastings are scheduled for weddings/large events with a $25 fee (that is applied to your deposit for an order over $400 if you choose to book with us). Simply choose 3 flavors from our list and start dreaming… contact to schedule! We can accommodate a total of 3 people at the tasting consultation.

How does pricing work?

No two cake orders are the same, so we will ask you a series of questions to accurately quote your custom order. Your price is determined by the size you are requesting and the type of design. Our consistent communication will ensure that you are in love with your cake!

Please note: All custom cake orders start at a $75 minimum (cupcakes and other desserts by dozen are priced differently). Smash cakes for 1 year birthday parties are sometimes an exception, please inquire with a photo sample if you have one!

What does a cake with a $75 minimum look like?

A cake with a $75 minimum** is completely customized for your celebration. This would include: -- any flavor choices: www.littlesweetsqc.com/cake -- a 7” cake or larger (7” feeds at least 15) *$75 size depends on design -- fondant or buttercream details -- sculpted/edible details, lettering, flowers, and cake toppers (depending on style) -- customized design and color(s)

Click here to inquire about your cake idea and let’s begin planning! **Price increases from $75 when a larger cake is desired, or if details are added to significantly increase the materials and labor for the design.

I’m ready to place an order. What should I do?

YES! We couldn’t be more excited. Contact us ASAP via email or phone, or complete the questionnaire. Expect a reply within 48 hours.

What are my delivery options?

Delivery is free in the Quad Cities** for orders over $400. When planning your wedding or big celebration, you should not have to worry about safely transporting your cake! We will deliver your cake/desserts to the venue and ensure the entire dessert display is ready for your event. For orders below $400, pick up at our bakery is made by appointment (133 1st Ave W in Milan, IL). There is a $20 delivery charge for orders below $400 that will be added to your invoice.

During wedding season (May-October) we unfortunately are not able deliver small orders. **Including Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Milan, Davenport, Coal Valley, and Bettendorf. Delivery to surrounding areas is .89 cents per mile in 2026. Mileage is determined from the starting location of 133 1st Ave W. Milan, IL. Mileage is charged to and from the bakery.

PLEASE NOTE: for a small order made during wedding season (May-October) we may require pick-up and will not be able to deliver. Also, an out-of-town wedding that orders a single or 2 tier cake (and no other items) will need to pick up the order. Our large event contract states that we will be the sole dessert vendor for the event for items we make in order to deliver and set-up. For example, if we provide the 2 tier cutting cake and there are sheet cakes/cupcakes for the guests ordered from another bakery, then the order with us needs to be picked up from our bakery. Thank you for your understanding!

Does Little Sweets offer gluten free or sugar free options? Or Keto??

We certainly do! We offer any flavor of cake in a gluten free and/or sugar free version. Addie thinks that the chocolate & red velvet cakes taste the best in modified recipes. We also make dairy free and egg free cakes, or vegan.