Cakes By Bella

Located in the heart of Harvard, Illinois, **Cakes By Bella** serves as a cornerstone for specialty desserts and authentic baked goods across the Northern Illinois region. This distinctive establishment is proudly a **woman-owned** business, bringing passion and creativity to the art of baking. Cakes By Bella operates with a unique dual focus: it functions as a highly specialized **cake shop** known for its elaborate custom creations and a fully-stocked **bakery specializing in Mexican breads and pastries** (*Se habla español*). This combination makes it a valuable and comprehensive destination for Illinois locals seeking everything from a simple daily treat to an elaborate centerpiece for a wedding or milestone celebration.

The core mission of Cakes By Bella centers on delivering personalized products of exceptional quality. Whether customers are ordering a themed chocolate birthday cake that looks exactly like the online picture—such as a beloved Sonic the Hedgehog design—or stopping by for a selection of Mexican sweet breads, the business maintains a focus on handcrafted excellence. This commitment is supported by a customer service philosophy that has been described as "outstanding," even going "out of their way to deliver" in special circumstances. For residents of McHenry County and beyond, Cakes By Bella offers a blend of traditional expertise and modern custom cake design, all under one roof, making it a truly unique culinary fixture in the Illinois bakery landscape. The long daily operating hours, starting as early as 5:00 AM, are a testament to their dedication to serving the community throughout the day.

Cakes By Bella is conveniently situated in the charming Northern Illinois town of Harvard, placing it within easy driving distance for customers across McHenry County and the greater Chicago exurbs. The precise location is central and easy to locate for both repeat customers and first-time visitors seeking specialized baked goods.

The full address for the establishment is:

**19 N Ayer St, Harvard, IL 60033, USA**

The bakery’s extensive operating schedule is a significant convenience feature, catering to both early-morning commuters and late-evening dessert seekers. The standard operating hours are highly accommodating for the local community:

• Tuesday through Saturday: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

In line with its dedication to serving all community members, Cakes By Bella offers essential accessibility features. This ensures that every customer, regardless of mobility needs, can comfortably access the building for in-store shopping or pickup. The primary accessibility feature provided is:

• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** Dedicated parking is available, providing convenient and safe access from vehicle to storefront.

This commitment to accessibility and long operating hours reinforces the bakery's status as a customer-first, community-focused institution in Harvard, Illinois.

Cakes By Bella provides a robust array of customer-centric services tailored to accommodate diverse ordering needs, from spontaneous purchases to fully customized, large-scale events.

The comprehensive services offered include:

• In-Store Shopping and Takeout: Customers are welcome to visit the shop for **in-store shopping** to browse the daily offerings of freshly made Mexican breads, pastries, and daily treats. The option for **takeout** is always available for quick, efficient service.
• In-Store Pickup: All pre-ordered custom items, including cakes, cupcakes, and large orders of Mexican pastries, can be picked up directly at the Harvard location.
• Advanced Custom Ordering: The bakery maintains clear, organized policies for specialized orders to ensure product quality and timely delivery.
  • Online orders must be placed a minimum of **48 hours in advance**.
  • Specialty cakes and detailed fondant creations require at least **one week's notice**.
• Booking Deposit Policy: For custom work, a **50% deposit is required at the time of order** placement, with the remaining balance due prior to the event. This policy is standard practice for specialty cake shops and helps secure the required time and materials for complex designs.
• Flexible Payment Options: A wide range of traditional and modern payment methods are accepted for convenience:
  • Checks
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay)

Cakes By Bella is defined by its ability to merge two distinct and highly sought-after culinary specialties—custom American-style cakes and traditional Mexican bakery items—under one roof, all while maintaining an exceptional focus on customer satisfaction.

The key features and highlights that make this Northern Illinois bakery worth visiting include:

• Signature Buttercream Excellence: The bakery’s unique buttercream frosting has received rave reviews, described as having a **"sugary zing"** with a distinct **"rich, buttery, creamy finish."** This unique flavor profile sets their cakes and cupcakes apart from many other local bakeries, moving beyond simple sweetness to deliver a rich, memorable taste.
• Authentic Mexican Breads and Pastries: A significant feature is the dedicated specialization in **Mexican breads and pastries** (*pan dulce*). This selection provides Harvard and surrounding Illinois communities with a daily source of genuine, handcrafted ethnic treats, rounding out the menu beyond custom cakes. Customers who have tried their custom cakes have noted a strong desire to return specifically to try the daily baked treats available in the store.
• Outstanding Custom Design Capability: Cakes By Bella excels at specialty cakes that perfectly match customer expectations, consistently delivering designs that look **"exactly like the picture from their website."** This reliability in execution is vital for high-stakes items like birthday and wedding cakes, as exemplified by the highly-rated Sonic the Hedgehog cake.
• Proactive and Compassionate Customer Service: The owner’s commitment to service is a core highlight. On one occasion, the business went **"out of their way to deliver"** an order to a sick family, demonstrating a high degree of empathy and flexibility. Even when a temporary product issue arose (attributed to a COVID-related vanilla ingredient change), the business immediately offered a **free replacement cake**, showcasing a dedication to customer resolution and standing behind their work.
• Moist Cake Quality: Excluding the one reported temporary supply issue, the quality of the cake itself is consistently praised, with customers noting the **moist texture** of their signature recipes, especially the chocolate cake.

For inquiries, placing custom orders, or confirming the availability of daily treats, please use the contact information below. The team is also fluent in Spanish (*Se habla español*).

Address: 19 N Ayer St, Harvard, IL 60033, USA

Phone: (815) 770-0350

Cakes By Bella is undoubtedly worth choosing for residents throughout Northern Illinois for several compelling reasons that solidify its standing as a must-visit destination in Harvard. The primary draw is the extraordinary **dual-concept value**—you get a master cake designer specializing in beautiful, modern custom cakes, alongside a dedicated **Mexican bakery** offering authentic daily treats and breads. This combination means that whether you need an elegant wedding cake for a Chicago-area event or a bag of fresh *pan dulce* for Sunday breakfast, this single, woman-owned shop can meet both needs with proven quality.

The consistent praise for the **unique buttercream and moist chocolate cake** ensures that the foundation of their specialty desserts is superior. Furthermore, customers are traveling an hour or more specifically to visit, stating the drive is **"definitely worth it,"** a strong indicator of the unique quality and value provided. The exceptional customer service record—including the willingness to offer personalized delivery and free replacement cakes in the event of any product issue—demonstrates a business culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction above all else. This reliability gives Illinois patrons confidence when ordering high-investment items like wedding or specialty birthday cakes.

While a single public review noted a specific instance of a dry, milk-soaked vanilla cake, it is critical for customers to view this event within its full context: the issue was immediately attributed to a **temporary, COVID-related supply change** that affected their vanilla cake recipe, and the business immediately sought to remedy the situation with a free replacement. The fact that the customer noted the *frosting* and *strawberries* were still excellent and that they still recommend the business, asking patrons to "Give her a try," strongly suggests this was an isolated incident handled with outstanding professionalism. For those seeking high-quality, customized baking with a unique, authentic ethnic component and an established record of amazing service, Cakes By Bella remains a highly recommended destination in the Northern Illinois region.

Cakes By Bella

19 N Ayer St, Harvard, IL 60033, USA