Canton Cakery, Canton

The bakers at Canton Cakery know that romance is a flexible construct. To some couples, it might mean a miniature Valentine's Day pink-velvet cake, embellished with hearts and raspberry-cream filling. For others, it might mean an elaborate birthday cake on their husband's 40th birthday: an edible scene of him catching a fish in the great outdoors.

These are just two examples of the cakery's custom creations, which follow nearly any theme and add delicious flair to events. The cake's base flavor, usually hidden beneath beautifully sculpted fondant, can range from a mix of chocolate and vanilla to caramel or red velvet, with creamy fillings such as vanilla and strawberry.

The elaborate exteriors are even more diverse. Wedding cakes might balance their buttercream-covered tiers on pillars, with lacework that matches the bride's gown or the groom's favorite doily. On the other hand, children's cakes sport superhero logos, soccer balls, and even photographs of Justin Bieber. Canton Cakery also makes large batches of cupcakes to stack on towers with topper cakes and cookies.