Candle Ready Cakes Introduce
**Introduction / Overview: Your Go-To Destination for Gourmet Desserts in Dubuque, IA**
For residents of Iowa, particularly those in the Dubuque area and the tri-state region, **Candle Ready Cakes** stands out as a highly-regarded and essential local sweet spot. Identifying as a dedicated Cupcake Shop, Bakery, and Cake Shop, this women-owned business has built a stellar reputation for delivering visually stunning and incredibly delicious confections for all occasions, from everyday cravings to major life events like weddings. Located in the heart of downtown Dubuque, this establishment is renowned for its commitment to both quality and customer care.
Candle Ready Cakes operates with a strong focus on fresh, daily offerings, ensuring a constantly exciting selection for walk-in customers. Beyond the daily parade of specialty cupcakes—which include tantalizing flavors like **Caramel Toffee Pecan**, **Monster Cookie**, and **Chocolate Covered Raspberry**—they are masters of custom celebration cakes and wedding desserts. As highlighted by numerous satisfied customers, the team, led by owner Jill Schrempf, offers exceptional, personalized service, often going the extra mile to ensure every celebration is perfect. Furthermore, their dedication to inclusivity is evident not only in their welcoming atmosphere (LGBTQ+ friendly and a Transgender safespace) but also in their menu, which features praised **Gluten-Free Friendly** options, ensuring that everyone in the Iowa community can enjoy a delicious treat.
**Location and Accessibility**
Candle Ready Cakes is strategically situated in the vibrant downtown district of Dubuque, Iowa, making it highly accessible for both local residents and visitors to the city. The central address is:
249 W 1st St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Being on West 1st Street places the bakery in a location that is convenient for quick, in-store shopping or for picking up large catering orders. For Iowa customers, accessibility is a priority here. The premises are fully equipped with **Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Parking Lot, Restroom, and Seating**, ensuring a welcoming experience for all patrons. While parking is available as **Paid Street Parking**, the central location means it is easily integrated into a visit to other downtown Dubuque attractions. Furthermore, for those who require their treats delivered for events in the greater Dubuque area, the bakery offers **Delivery** services, providing convenience right to your event venue or home.
**Services Offered**
The bakery’s service portfolio is diverse, catering to both spontaneous indulgences and meticulously planned events:
- **Daily Changing Cupcake Menu:** At least eight flavors of gourmet cupcakes are offered daily, including classics and rotating specials. Customers are encouraged to check back daily after 10:30 a.m. for the freshest items.
- **Specialty Cake and Wedding Services:** Full-service creation, **Delivery, and Onsite Set-Up** of custom cakes, tiered wedding cakes, and large-quantity dessert tables (cupcakes, cake pops, and cake balls) for events.
- **Grab-and-Go Desserts:** Offering a wide array of ready-to-enjoy individual items, including Macarons (5- and 10-packs), various Cookies (Chocolate Chip, M&M, etc.), Cake Pops, and Cake Balls (Tiramisu, Salted Caramel Toffee, etc.).
- **In-Demand Edible Cookie Dough:** A highly popular modern treat, **Just Dough Edible Cookie Dough**, is offered in multiple flavors, including **Gluten-Free Friendly** and **Vegan** options.
- **Convenient Shopping Options:** Providing **Delivery, In-store Pickup, In-store Shopping, Onsite Services, and Takeout** to accommodate various customer needs and schedules.
**Features / Highlights**
Candle Ready Cakes has several key features that set it apart as a premier bakery in the Iowa market:
- **Outstanding Gluten-Free (GF) Options:** The GF-Friendly offerings, particularly the cupcakes and cake slices, are repeatedly praised by customers as "some of the best GF cupcakes she’s ever had," making this an inclusive destination for dietary needs.
- **Personalized Wedding Service:** The commitment to focusing on only a limited number of weddings per day ensures that each couple receives highly focused attention, including customized design and professional delivery/set-up, as lauded in testimonials.
- **Creative and Diverse Flavor Menu:** The constantly rotating and extensive list of flavors—across cupcakes, cake balls (Irish Cream, Butterfinger), and seasonal items (Pumpkin Snickerdoodle, Cake Roll Slice)—guarantees a fresh and exciting experience with every visit.
- **Community Inclusivity:** The business proudly identifies as **Women-Owned** and maintains an **LGBTQ+ friendly** and **Transgender safespace** environment, reflecting a deep commitment to serving all members of the Dubuque community.
- **Central Downtown Convenience:** The accessible location on West 1st Street, combined with available **Wi-Fi** and a design conducive to a **Quick Visit**, makes it perfect for downtown workers and visitors alike.
**Contact Information**
Whether you are placing an order for a large Iowa wedding or simply checking the daily cupcake flavors before a quick visit, the bakery can be reached through the following details:
**Address:** 249 W 1st St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
**Phone:** (563) 845-0794
For special or custom cake orders, it is highly recommended that Iowa customers call to schedule an appointment and book their date well in advance, especially for weekend events, as the bakery's personalized service means their schedule can fill up quickly.
**What is Worth Choosing: Unmatched Service and Inclusive Quality**
For Iowa users, choosing Candle Ready Cakes is not just about purchasing a dessert; it’s about investing in a guaranteed exceptional experience. What is truly worth choosing is the combination of **unmatched personal service** and **inclusive, gourmet quality**.
The commitment to only doing a select number of weddings per day speaks volumes—when you book with them, you are their focus. This is exemplified by the customer who recalled the owner, Jill, adding buttercream flowers last minute to match their theme when the client forgot to bring the real ones. This level of care and attention to detail is invaluable for event planning across Iowa.
Furthermore, the quality extends beyond beautiful decoration. The rave reviews for their **German Chocolate cake**, the moistness of their general cupcakes, and the standout **Gluten-Free Friendly** options eliminate the worry about accommodating guests with dietary restrictions. The sheer variety of high-quality items—from classic cookies and French macarons to innovative cake balls and edible cookie dough—ensures that every taste and every occasion in the Dubuque area can be satisfied under one roof. By supporting this women-owned, community-focused bakery, Iowans are choosing a business that consistently delivers deliciousness, professionalism, and true customer joy.
Candle Ready Cakes Cake
Cupcakes
- Our Item Options Change Daily. Please Place Your Orders For Same Day Delivery. Or Check Back On The Day You Want After 10:30am To See What Fresh Items We Have Available To Order. $0.00
Our item options change daily. Please place your orders for same day delivery. Or check back on the day you want to order after 10:30am to see what fresh items we have available to order.
- Classic Chocolate Cupcake $3.00
Chocolate cake, topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
- Classic White Cupcake $3.00
White cake, topped with vanilla buttercream frosting and sprinkles.
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cupcake $3.00
Pumpkin cake with cinnamon cream cheese filling, topped with cinnamon frosting
- Caramel Toffee Pecan Cupcake $3.00
white cake with toffee and pecans baked in & filled with caramel, topped with buttercream frosting and covered with toffee and pecans
- Chocolate Covered Raspberry Cupcake $3.00
chocolate cake with raspberry filling, topped with chocolate buttercream, chocolate curls, and a fresh raspberry
- Monster Cookie Cupcake $3.00
peanut butter chocolate chip cake, topped with oatmeal, brown sugar, M&M frosting
- White Chocolate Blueberry Cupcake $3.00
white chocolate cake with blueberry filling, topped with blueberry frosting and fresh blueberries
- Red Velvet Cupcake $3.00
Red velvet cake, filled with chocolate ganache and topped with cream cheese frosting
Cake Pops
- Individual Vanilla Cake Pop $2.00
- Individual Chocolate Cake Pop $2.00
- Individual Red Velvet Cake Pop $2.00
Cake Balls
- Confetti Cake Ball $2.00
- Butterfinger Cake Ball $2.00
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake Ball $2.00
- Tiramisu Cake Ball $2.00
- Peanut Butter Cake Ball $2.00
- Irish Cream Cake Ball $2.00
- Salted Caramel Toffee Cake Ball $2.00
White cake mixed with salted caramel and toffee pieces. Topped with white chocolate and toffee
Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies $2.00
- Peanut Butter Cookie $2.00
- Sugar Puff Cookie $2.00
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie $2.00
- M&M Cookie $2.00
- 5 Pack Of Macarons $11.00
Variety of flavors - Chefs choice
- 10 Pack Of Macarons $21.00
Variety of flavors - Chefs choice
Flavors of the Month
- Brownie Square $5.00
September flavor-Rainbow Galaxy
- Cake Roll Slice $4.50
September flavor- White Chocolate Mocha
- Cake Slice $6.50
September flavor- Strawberry Crunch Bar
- Gluten Free Friendly Cake Slice $7.50
September flavor- Strawberry Crunch Bar
Just Dough Edible Cookie Dough
- Gluten Free Friendly - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Salted Nut Roll Cookie Dough
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Monster Cookie Dough
- Red Velvet Cookie Dough
- Vegan - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Killer Brownie Batter Cookie Dough
- Chocolate Candy Cookie Dough
Drinks
- Bottled Water $1.25
Candle Ready Cakes Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- In-store shopping
- Onsite services
- Takeout
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
Candle Ready Cakes Photos










Candle Ready Cakes Location
Candle Ready Cakes
249 W 1st St, Dubuque, IA 52001, USA
Candle Ready Cakes Reviews
weddingmacaronsgluten freeflavorspricescake popscookie doughfillingfrostingholiday
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Amazing!! They came early and made sure everything was set up. All of our guests raved about the macaroons and cupcakes and my husband and I loved our personal German Chocolate cake!! I have attached a photo of our cake, but I highly recommend for anyone having their wedding, great price and quality!!Also: my mom is gluten free and she said their cupcakes are some of the best GF cupcakes she’s ever had!!
May 20 · Mikayla HeathI’d like to lead off my review with the fact that they only do one wedding per day. If you are fortunate enough to be that one wedding, then you are their focus for that day. Now the good stuff, even though that was good. We scheduled a tasting, and my mother-in-law was not able to make it so We brought my 15-year-old sister-in-law to be and my son to be stepdaughter who was six at the time. Jill brought out all the flavors and we tried and talked and came up with a Cake/cupcake menu for our wedding. You would think Jill would want to focus just on the cake and flavors, but she was Focused on everyone around and made my soon to be sister-in-law and stepdaughter feel like they were VIP’s which made my day. We paid our deposit And had our date locked in. Jill reached out a month before the date to check on any changes and lock in our order.We were supposed to bring flowers to put on the cake for Jill to add, but we didn’t get them. Jill added Buttercream flowers to the cake to match our theme. Last minute, Jill did that. I cannot recommend this bakery enough. The cake was delicious. They brought them and set them up and they did an amazing job with that. Our wedding was in June and yes, this is a late review, but I was sitting here watching a cake show thinking about the amazing cake we had for our wedding and I didn’t give Jill And her team kudos. Thank you to Jill and all the team at Candle Ready Cakes for making this such an amazing day for us. We have a slice of cake in our freezer for our anniversary and I promise I won’t hold you to the same standard in a year lol
September 14 · JasonCandle Ready did a phenomenal job on a custom order cake! The theme was an espresso martini birthday and they made it perfect. The store is decorated so cute and the staff is very friendly. Not only did the cake look beautiful but it tasted great as well!
March 19 · breanna gonzalesI ordered my boy's second birthday cake from this store. My son loved it so much that our family was happy. A month later, he says he still like lion cake.
March 04 · Solji KimEvery special moment I need something sweet Candle Ready is the place I go! They made my wedding in 2015 so memorable, guests still talk about the cupcakes. They recently did some cupcakes for my daughter’s 1st birthday and they were gorgeous.
June 22 · Martha Cosgrove
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