Nobody does it quite like Karena. I met her 4-5 years ago when I desperately needed a cake for graduation and she not only made the cake in a two days notice, she completely blew my mind! If I didn't move to San Diego, she would still be my consistent cake lady. I absolutely love her! When I first ordered, she had followed-up asking if the cakes were up to par with the taste and if they lasted well. I had to say, not only was it pretty to look at - it didn't taste bad either! Usually it's a sacrifice for one or the other! I've ordered over 6+ cakes with her and will definitely continue whenever I'm in the area. The amount of buttercream flavoring choices and real fruit used inside the cake... you really can't go wrong if you order from Karena! read more

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Have you ever looked up beautiful pieces of artwork and wondered how the artist did it? Even more so, if that artwork could be placed in your hand and be given as a gift? Karena is incredibly talented. I can't even begin to talk about my wonderful experience. I showed her a few pictures of inspiration and she told me what she could and couldn't do. Once we agreed on an inspiration picture and idea she put my specifications to work and low and behold, an absolute masterpiece! The detail on each part of the artwork was outstanding. The person I gifted it to was ecstatic. If you take a look at each picture printed and cut out perfectly, the teacup molded to the perfect size, each colored detail intricately placed, absolutely every single thing done with prose and care. Talk about a passion for what she does. You absolutely won't be disappointed. Talk about a date, talk about a time, and she will work it out with you. She communicates incredibly quickly and will be sure to make you happy! read more

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Karena is very nice and responsive. I told her the theme of the party and sent her the style of the cake I like. She found some more pictures for me to choose from. She was also able to print the photo I sent her on edible white chocolate. I was successfully surprised the birthday boy when he saw his own photo on the cake! More importantly, it was delicious in chocolate favor with fresh mix fruit, and not too sweet! I can't wait for order custom cake from Karena again after she is back from her vacation! read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

I ordered a 6" round 1st birthday cake for my son. Not only was it beautifully made, but it was also very delicious! It was a matcha cake with light whipped cream frosting, filled with strawberries. The cake was very light and not too sweet, similar to cakes from Chinese bakeries. It was absolutely perfect. The beehive was made with Rice Krispies covered in fondant. I provided an example photo for Karena, and It was made exactly like the photo. I am very pleased with the results. The only reason Im giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because it's a bit on the pricey side. The cake cost $108. Other than that, everything else was superb. read more

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Karena's cake is a MUST if you wanna have a perfect party. I had birthday cake and cupcakes from her. They look exactly the way how I want it and I am super super super happy with it. 1: for the LOOK SO PRETTY!! all my friends are impressed by this, Karena really focus on details and it all comes out nice and beautiful! 2: for the TASTE To be honest, I am very picky about my food and dessert, I love how the cupcakes has different filling in it, and the top part is so yummy!!! The cake is super moist！I LOVE IT!!! read more

Cakes by Karena - Birthday cake - Desserts Near Me

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I ordered a cake and half a dozen cupcakes from Karena, and let me just say this is the best service and quality of cake flavor and design I have EVER had. Karena was wonderful in listening to what I wanted and delivered beyond my expectations! Truly a gem of a baker! I ordered a succulent design cake in matcha flavor and the cupcakes in vanilla. Beautiful and delicious! I will definitely be ordering from her again and again ! read more

Cakes by Karena - 6" cake and half a dozen cupcakes - Desserts Near Me

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Not sure how my wife found this place, but the work Karena does is fantastic. My wife and I were more than pleased with the cake that we ordered. Not only did it look great, but it also tasted fantastic. Karena will give you specific instructions as to the best way to store and serve the cake after you pick it up as well. Will definitely be a repeat customer here! read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

I would highly recommend Karena if you want to customize cakes. The cake is amazing and so beautiful and tasty. There're some little cute and thoughtful things like balloon and macaron. We love it so much!!! I would like to thank Karena a lot as I ordered the cake for my wife in a very short notice (two weeks ahead), Karena kindly took my order and was super patient with me to go through process and figure out the design. We had messages back and forth discussing details and stuff. Everything became extremely smooth. I'm really grateful. Thank you so much Karena to make it happen. read more

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I order the teddy bear cheesecake it look smaller then what it seem in the pic but the cutest and the taste made up for it. Love how detail it look so realistic and the taste was great not too sweet just perfect and strawberries were fresh. Over experience you have no regrets getting it. read more

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Karena was wonderful to work with when customizing a cake, she's a true professional! Here is what I texted her with some pictures! It was wonderful and memorable. Everything came out wonderul! The cake was delicious and the cupcakes where delicious too! Thank you so much for all you baked! Here's the end result! I forgot to get candles and the sparkles you gave us was perfect! The little detail with the balloon was so cute!! Perfect! It was like the cherry on top! I loved the way you boxed the cake as well. It was all gorgeous! read more

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My uncle was turning 25 and I have always wanted to order a custom cake, so I figured this was a great opportunity to do that. I stumbled upon Cakes by Karena and was immediately blown away by how beautiful her creations were! I messaged her and she responded back the very same day, and we were able to come up with something for my uncle. It was very well decorated and my uncle was blown away by how cute it was Karena is also very polite and i will definitely be contacting her in the future for any other custom cakes I may need. You definitely won't be disappointed by her read more

Cakes by Karena - Uncle was born in the year of the pig, so I thought this suited him very well! - Desserts Near Me

I requested a custom cake from Karena for my co-worker's birthday. I ordered a Kakao Baby Apeach cake with macaroons with a balloon. Throughout the messaging process with Karena, she was very responsive. She was never once frustrated even with the many changes I had for the custom cake. There's time to time that she doesn't respond as quick but it's understandable since she has so many requests. You just need to re-message her and she'll reply back to you right away. As for how the process went, I messaged her at least 1 month earlier to get an estimation of how much the custom cake would be. She usually takes requests 2 weeks in advance. It is best to text message her rather than to call her. I re-contacted her when it came closer to the date that I needed the cake. I confirmed my changes with her as well as letting her know the size of the cake and the flavors. I went with the 6" cake and vanilla with organic fresh fruits fillings. She then confirms the pick up date and time with me. I wasn't sure with when I exactly needed the cake but Karena was patient with me and waited until I figured it out. On the day of the pickup, I messaged her to get an update on the pickup. She sent me pictures of the cake and made sure it's how I wanted to come out. It came out really cute and better than I expected when when I arrived to pick up the cake. It was packaged in a clear box, she included 2 candles and 2 extra macaroons. Before the pickup,I was running many errands so by the time that I had to pick up the cake, it was pretty sunny and hot. The cake did melt a bit under the heat and became a bit slanted and 2 macaroons fell off but that was easily fixed only cause my Uber driver drove carelessly that day. Regardless of the those 2 things, the cake was still wonderful. My co-worker and everyone else enjoyed the cake. The cake wasn't overly sweet, it had a simple and subtle sweetness which was really nice since most cakes can be very sweet. I appreciate Karena's hard work on the cake, she puts a lot of effort in customizing the cake. She is willing to accommodate any changes or requests. She is very kind, diligent and has great customer service. I would definitely request for more custom cakes from Karena :) Just realized how long this review was lmao read more

Cakes by Karena - Birthday girl with the birthday cake :) - Desserts Near Me

Okay first of all Karena is so nice, all I can see from the reviews she is very patient and take care customer very well. I order a month before to make sure I got the spot availability. I ordered the Star Wars design and I brought to her the cake decoration. I got chocolate cake with mixed fruits inside and it comes with strawberries, mango and some blueberries . It taste good and not to sweet which is plus point. Overall I'm happy with the cake. She also give me free 2 pieces macaroons to try. read more

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I ordered a cake for my best friend's baby Gender Reveal Party last week with Karena. I sent some pictures of ideas and let her know how I want the cake to look like. Karena gave me useful and great suggestions and the cake turned out to be a piece of amazing artwork! The cake inside is pink (since it's a baby girl) and she made it with organic strawberries that are fresh and sweet. The cake is super delicious and not too sweet. Karena is really thoughtful! Since the cake is for gender reveal party, she wrapped it with both pink and Tiffany blue ribbon so we can't tell the gender until the cake is cut. My friends and I really had a great time and we all enjoyed the cake! Thank you so much Karena and I will definitely come back for cakes in the future! read more

Cakes by Karena - Love how it looks! - Desserts Near Me

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Karena made the perfect baby shark cake for my daughters 1st bday! The cake was center of attention at the party. It made the dessert table look good. She was quick to respond, very accommodating to my requests, and did a really great job with every little detail I wanted for the cake. She designed it exactly how I visioned it. The cake was so cute I can't get over it! The best part is the cake was affordable. I would most definitely order all my future cakes from Karena. She is so friendly and easy to work with. Look at how cute the cake was! The baby shark was chocolate too! Yum. read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

Truly the best birthday cake I have ever had. I ordered a customized Elsa cake and bunch of cat themed cup cakes for my daughter's birthday and when the cakes were brought out, it was a big "wow" moment. They are just so delicate and there are lots of nice details. The taste was so good that everyone in the party finished the cake. They were super fresh and smooth with the right amount of sweetness. It's like those high tea cake quality. Communication was a breeze through text message and the packaging and pick up process are perfect. I guess I will order cakes from Karena for all my future events. read more

Cakes by Karena - Elsa cake - Desserts Near Me

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I ordered Teddy Bear Cheesecake for my husband to celebrate his birthday with our little one for the first time. So I wanted something that cute and related to baby, and this cake was perfect for what I expected! My husband at first didn't notice it was a cake at all. The cake turned out super cute and tasted very fresh and yummy! I can say the quality of this cake is far better than the one from local bakery shops around the area. And if you can't hold much of sweetness but still love to enjoy cake, this is the cake that you should go for. Also, the shop owner, Karena, is very sweet and super talented! She will do all her best to reach what you desire and you will never be disappointed! Will definitely recommend to friends and would love to do business with her again! read more

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It's the second time that Karena made a birthday cake for my daughter. She is the best! Everyone in my daughter's party was WOW when they saw the cake. My daughter is allergic to many things. And Karena is the only one I can trust. She is a very sincere person and easy to communicate with. Perfect PJ Masks cake ever! Thank you so much! read more

Cakes by Karena - My daughter's Birthday Cake by Karena - Desserts Near Me

I recently ordered a cake from Karena on Dec. 7th. The cake looked great and Karena also prepared heart-shape firework along which made the whole process more enjoyable. The box that contained the cake was sturdy so it didn't mess up the cake while I was driving it to the destination. The fruits are seasonal, so make sure to ask Karena which fruits you would like, and you choose 3 of them plus a flavor for the cake. The sweetness of the cake was on point for my girlfriend because she didn't like sweet things a lot. I'd definitely go back to Karena in the future for another birthday cake. read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

Ordered a Subaru themed cake for my boyfriend's birthday and it was perfect! It came out to be exactly what I'd hoped for and I trusted Karena 100%. Everyone thought the cake (vanilla with fresh strawberries) was delicious. I will definitely be placing future orders. EDIT: I should probably note that the backwards heart was intentional haha. It's an inside thing read more

Cakes by Karena - 6" round cake - Desserts Near Me

The cake look good taste good!! just ordering the third one very delicious and unique....she used honey for the top layer of the cake, and the cake is soft and the cream is just right....not too sweet N if u have any other request (eggless, sugarless) she will gladly honor read more

Cakes by Karena - It tastes good! Look good! My daughter LOVE it a lot!! - Desserts Near Me

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I'm late on my review, but almost a year ago she made me this amazing cake I couldn't be happier with the outcome it was everything and more! And it taste super good.!!! She's amazing at what she does. Will be ordering another soon read more

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Ordered a mermaid cake for my daughter's birthday and Karena made it exactly as how my daughter liked . The cake was not only beautiful but also very delicious . Everyone loved it . I even bought another cake from another place but it could not be comparable to Karena's . Everything was perfect from the look to the taste . I'll definitely come back to her when I need another cake . Thanks Karena ! read more

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Karena's cakes are amazing, beautiful and most importantly it is sooooo delicious!! Working with Karena was soo easy, she response quickly and can help you design once you give her some ideas what you looking for. The attention of details Karena put on her cakes are much appreciated. The cakes are also ridiculously delicious, she also puts fresh fruits inside so it has a great balance. Picking up is also very easy, Karena is very flexible on when to pick up the cakes and the location is very easy to find. She also put in an extra touches with the cake which makes it so much fun. So far I ordered two cakes from Karena and will definitely come back for her. Thank you Karena!!! read more

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Delicous cake by Karena! I pre-orded a Frozen bday theme cake and she made an excellent cake! The decoration was on point and my little one was so excited to eat her cake. My cake was made with fresh strawberries and cream and had cute snowflakes. I think Karena can custom bake anything and she is responsive to my messages and I can rely on her service in a timely manner. read more

Cakes by Karena - Cake came in a big clear box with sparklers and glitter crown - Desserts Near Me

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I've been ordering different types of cakes from Karena these years and I really want to show my support for her during this difficult time! She never disappoint me with all the cakes I ordered so far... they were all just amazing! She made the cake better than I expected, and I also love each flavor, I've tried them all! Trust me, you will not want to order cake from any ordinary bakery anymore after you try one from Karena! read more

Cakes by Karena - Baby shark theme cup cakes - Desserts Near Me

Karena did an amazing job on this cake for my Mom's 60th! It was hard enough to plan a family bday surprise for my mom (I was driving down from NorCal for the weekend). I messaged Karena a week before asking her to put together something cute. My parents loved the cake, normally cakes are too sweet for their taste but it was perfectly soft and well balanced in flavor and texture. Thanks Karena for making this bday a success! read more

Cakes by Karena - Chocolate cake with fruit filling - Desserts Near Me

Karena is a very talented and creative baker! I ordered a cake for my parent's thirtieth wedding anniversary, which is pearl year. Not only that the cake ends up being beautiful, but it also edible ( the pearl on the cake). Karen is a very responsible and honest baker, she will let you know if fruits in season or not so it would risk the outcome of the cake being disappointed. My parent enjoys their durian cake, which is not a common type of cake that can be brought outside, let alone a custom cake. It's a bit on the pricier end, but it worth it with all the custom style and taste. My overall experience with cakes and Karena was fantastic! read more

I personally dont get seconds. ever. But cakes by Karena, I always get seconds or more. Her cakes are not that sweet which I absolutely love. If you have a sweet tooth, I suggest giving her a heads up otherwise it comes perfectly with my taste. Not to mention, simply be prepared to see the best cake. ever. You can literally see the love n effort she puts into every cake. I've seen more than three cakes made by her and it's always a shame to have to eat it ! Disclaimer though, her cakes certainly aren't the most affordable cakes but you certainly get what you paid for. So if its quality you're looking for. I strongly recommend cakes by Karena. read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

Thank you Karena for the amazing wedding cake and delicious cupcakes! They were absolutely beautiful and tasty! Everyone loved the variety of flavors Karena's cakes provided. I would definitely recommend for a wedding and/or any other occasion! Also orders for Christmas special cupcakes and cookies. Karena Rocks read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

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It was really a good experience to buy a birthday cake here! Having a nice and memorable birthday under this tough year. Search online to find this beautiful birthday cake and she made it! The pink is my favorite color and there is a crown on it. It looks splendid beautiful and taste very good! Fresh fruits and tasty cream! Is the best birthday cake is Los Angeles! Do not need to wait to order, she can design everything you need and as you expected! Recommended! read more

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I looked at Karena's cakes on Yelp and loved her style. I asked her to make a Dodgers themed cake for my son's 1st birthday and she completely nailed it. She is very communicative and flexible. We love the cake and mini cupcakes. She even added extra touches. The cakes tasted amazing! Would definitely order again for upcoming events. Definitely recommend her cakes. read more

Cakes by Karena - a cake with a baseball theme - Desserts Near Me

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Karena's cake was amazingly fresh and delicious! I ordered a 6" drip style cake with matcha and strawberries. My sister loved the cute Grizz (We Bare Bears) cake. It was a tasty pairing with fresh strawberries and the airy cream had the perfect amount of sweetness. I love the details she added and appreciate her professionalism and service in our communication on what I wanted. She was so kind and patient with me throughout the whole process even after I picked up the cake! read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

Karena is the best baker I ever had for my birthday parties !!!! Every time the cake is on point yummy and CUTE !!! Def telling all of my friends to order from her ! read more

Cakes by Karena - Teddy Bears cake with birthday writing - Desserts Near Me

Karena was amazing! I had texted her on a Sunday night to see if she was able to make a cake for me for that Friday coming up. She was quick to respond and was able to make my daughter's birthday cake. I had sent her a few pictures I found from her yelp page. She was able to give me the price right away. When we picked up the cake on the day of, it was exactly what it looked like in the picture. It came with a star sparkler, a cardboard gold glittery crown and a macaron. She boxed up the cake in this see through box wrapped with pretty ribbons. We had ordered chocolate cake with strawberry filling. The cake was soft and spongy. It wasn't too sweet which was perfect! The strawberries were fresh and sweet. Will definitely order with her again! Thank You Karena! read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

Karena reminds me of "The Great British Baking Show", that she will earn your praises by been a great communicator, professional, and willingness to take feedback. So far, I have tried the Tiramisu and a cake with fresh flower decor. Both cakes are must-try. On the Tiramisu, I like the moisture and the balance of liquor. Our waitress at The Strand (Manhattan Beach) could not resist to try the very last piece, and she loved it. On the flower cake, I am definitely entertained by having fresh flower on special occasions, my friends and I don't mind taking the flowers off right before cutting the cake. As I view the pictures to try out new cake, I have to say Karena has absolutely fantastic piking skill, and ability to custom made to requirement. Her attention to detail is the best I have met in town and I know I can count on her for getting my friends birthday cake and extra special cakes. Thank you so much! read more

Supporting local businesses! At the last minute I decided to have something special to share with the hubby for our anniversary. With the limited time I have, I searched and searched, and came across Cakes by Karena. She is amazing! So easy to work with. I shared what I was looking for and she did not disappoint. The cake looks exactly the picture, just the right size for us. It tasted good, just how we liked it. The color almost matched our wedding invitation. It was absolutely beautiful! Thank you Karena! read more

Cakes by Karena - Desserts Near Me

My dad and mom loved itttt . Highly recommended, the cake tastes good not too much sugar tho and inside it has fruits either. Yummy yummy read more

Cakes by Karena - Cake - Desserts Near Me

Found Karena on Yelp for my kids' birthday cakes. The cakes turned out beautiful like pieces of artwork. The packaging was so pretty too. She included a cute balloon and sparklers with each cake. We didn't expect too much with the taste of the cake but we had a pleasant surprise.. the cakes were very yummy. We chose chocolate cake for one of the cakes and vanilla for the other.. both with fruit filling. The cake was very moist and soft. The fruits were very fresh. The sweetness was just right, not too sweet. I just finished the last piece of leftover cake in the fridge and it was still very moist and fresh after several days! She was very accommodating with our pick up day/time and was very responsive the entire time. read more

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Ordered for 2nd for Fathers Day. Chocolate cake with money roll inside. And it was a big hit! read more

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