Amelia's Cakes is a boutique bakery business started by one mom with a sweet tooth and her friends. They make a selection of popular treats for all seasons and occasions, including white butter cake, chocolate layer cake, carrot cake, German chocolate cake, red velvet cake, birthday cupcakes, and more. Orders can be made by phone or online, and must be placed three days in advance.

Baskin Robbins and its 31 flavors has been around for a long time. It has never tried to be fancy, which is one reason we like its ice cream cake. It's good, basic, reasonably priced, and ready for pick up any time. One particular favorite is the mint chocolate chip ice cream and oreo combo. B-R will decorate a cake on request.

This frosty franchise, known for its commitment to world-wide social causes, turns out dairy confections like no other. With funky names like Chunky Monkey and Wavy Gravy, this honest-to-goodness ice cream is worth its weight in flavor. Sold in regular cones, waffle cones, and quarts.

You can also pick up an ice cream cake (or order in advance, if you have something special in mind), or try the sundaes, shakes, and fruit smoothies.

Cake Delivery Express delivers cakes (with flavors like truffle, rainbow, mocha, german chocolate, and more), cookies, pies, and pastries - baked to order by the Watergate Pastry Shop. For an additional charge you can have writing, flower decorations, and edible photos printed on the cakes.

Deliveries are made in the DC metro area; same-day delivery is available, although the cake selection might be limited. All cakes are delivered with your choice of six 12" latex balloons, or three 18" long-lasting mylar (foil) balloons.

CakeLove bakes a tempting array of goodies from all-natural ingredients every day. While cakes are the specialty, the bakery also produces mouthwatering cupcakes, brownies, eclairs, and more - not to mention some fun creations like Buzz Balls, Crunchy Feet, and Bedrolls! Cakes can be ordered in advance and can also be delivered with advance notice. Although the bakery doesn't do custom decorations (each cake has it's own decorative style), it will do personalized inscriptions at no extra charge, and also does wedding cakes.

At the LoveCafe, cakes by the slice are available, as well as an assortment of baked goods, beverages, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The cafe is smoke free, has free wireless service, and indoor and outdoor tables.

CakeLove bakes a tempting array of goodies from all-natural ingredients every day. While cakes are the specialty, the bakery also produces mouthwatering cupcakes, brownies, eclairs, and more - not to mention some fun creations like Buzz Balls, Crunchy Feet, and Bedrolls! Cakes can be ordered in advance and can also be delivered with advance notice. Although the bakery doesn't do custom decorations (each cake has it's own decorative style), it will do personalized inscriptions at no extra charge, and also does wedding cakes.

At the LoveCafe, cakes by the slice are available, as well as an assortment of baked goods, beverages, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The cafe is smoke free, has free wireless service, and indoor and outdoor tables.

CakeLove bakes a tempting array of goodies from all-natural ingredients every day. While cakes are the specialty, the bakery also produces mouthwatering cupcakes, brownies, eclairs, and more - not to mention some fun creations like Buzz Balls, Crunchy Feet, and Bedrolls! Cakes can be ordered in advance and can also be delivered with advance notice. Although the bakery doesn't do custom decorations (each cake has it's own decorative style), it will do personalized inscriptions at no extra charge, and also does wedding cakes.

At the LoveCafe, cakes by the slice are available, as well as an assortment of baked goods, beverages, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The cafe is smoke free, has free wireless service, and indoor and outdoor tables.

CakeLove bakes a tempting array of goodies from all-natural ingredients every day. While cakes are the specialty, the bakery also produces mouthwatering cupcakes, brownies, eclairs, and more - not to mention some fun creations like Buzz Balls, Crunchy Feet, and Bedrolls! Cakes can be ordered in advance and can also be delivered with advance notice. Although the bakery doesn't do custom decorations (each cake has it's own decorative style), it will do personalized inscriptions at no extra charge, and also does wedding cakes.

At the LoveCafe, cakes by the slice are available, as well as an assortment of baked goods, beverages, breakfast items, sandwiches, soups, and salads. The cafe is smoke free, has free wireless service, and indoor and outdoor tables.

CakeLove bakes a tempting array of goodies from all-natural ingredients every day. While cakes are the specialty, the bakery also produces mouthwatering cupcakes, brownies, eclairs, and more - not to mention some fun creations like Buzz Balls, Crunchy Feet, and Bedrolls! Cakes can be ordered in advance and can also be delivered with advance notice. Although the bakery doesn't do custom decorations (each cake has it's own decorative style), it will do personalized inscriptions at no extra charge, and also does wedding cakes.

Given that Carvel's mascot, Fudgie the Whale, has his own MySpace page, it's clear that even after 70 years, the pioneering ice cream company wants to stay cool. So when kids scream for ice cream, the nearest franchise is a good bet.

Carvel stores churn out hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream in classic cups, cones, sundaes, novelties, and shakes, but the company may be best known for its dependably good ice cream cakes, which can made to order or plucked, ready to go, from freezer cases filled with take-home treats. Carvel uses only kosher ingredients in its products.

Use the store locator to find the Carvel nearest you.

Given that Carvel's mascot, Fudgie the Whale, has his own MySpace page, it's clear that even after 70 years, the pioneering ice cream company wants to stay cool. So when kids scream for ice cream, the nearest franchise is a good bet.

Carvel stores churn out hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream in classic cups, cones, sundaes, novelties, and shakes, but the company may be best known for its dependably good ice cream cakes, which can made to order or plucked, ready to go, from freezer cases filled with take-home treats. Carvel uses only kosher ingredients in its products.

Use the store locator to find the Carvel nearest you.

Cenan's Bakery provides "bread and fine baked goods formed from all natural ingredients without a trace of preservatives."

Cakes, tarts, imported chocolates, and mousses are featured in addition to artisanal breads, croissants, danishes, scones, muffins, cookies, Turkish pastries, gourmet sandwiches, salads, and more.

Cenen's offers made-to-order cakes for
birthdays and other special occasions. Choices include Mixed Fruit Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Carrot Cake, and Cheese Cake. A large assortment of mousse cakes (and Tiramisu!) are also available.

Special orders must be prepaid by cash or credit card - at least one day in advance for 8-inch cakes and two days in advance for larger cakes.

Cold Stone Creamery offers a huge variety of ice cream, made fresh daily, and tons of mix-in choices.

In addition to choosing from standard combinations, visitors can make their own creations, with choices like fresh strawberries and other fruit, brownies, sauces, and all sorts of candies.

Children's celebration cakes - with popular cartoon characters as cake toppers - are available in both rounds and rectangles, and can be customized with names and special occasion messages.

Cold Stone Creamery offers a huge variety of ice cream, made fresh daily, and tons of mix-in choices.

In addition to choosing from standard combinations, visitors can make their own creations, with choices like fresh strawberries and other fruit, brownies, sauces, and all sorts of candies.

Children's celebration cakes - with popular cartoon characters as cake toppers - are available in both rounds and rectangles, and can be customized with names and special occasion messages.

Cold Stone Creamery offers a huge variety of ice cream, made fresh daily, and tons of mix-in choices.

In addition to choosing from standard combinations, visitors can make their own creations, with choices like fresh strawberries and other fruit, brownies, sauces, and all sorts of candies.

Children's celebration cakes - with popular cartoon characters as cake toppers - are available in both rounds and rectangles, and can be customized with names and special occasion messages.

Creative Cakes makes custom cakes for all occasions. Cakes float within buttercream frosting, with flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, almond, butter rum, lemon, orangeo, or spice. Chocolate, cream cheese, mocha, and parve icings are available at an additional charge.

During the month of December, Creative Cakes hosts two-hour Gingerbread House Decorating Parties. Each child receives a constructed house and all the materials needed to fully custom-decorate the house. Call to reserve a space well in advance for these!

Custom Cake Design can come up with a cake idea for just about any occasion.

Sheet cake sizes range from 24 servings to a massive 108 servings. Also available are cut out shapes, sculptured, three-dimensional artwork, and color air brush portraits.

Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, lemon, orange, almond, butter rum, spice, and marble. You may mix flavors or add a filling for an additional charge.

Who doesn't love a Blizzard?

Because the majority of Dairy Queen restaurants are individually owned and operated franchises, quality, hours, and offerings vary greatly - you probably know what you like (or don't) about your local store.

What we like is DQ's take on the ubiquitous children's meal concept. In most stores, not only can parents substitute applesauce for French fries (if they're lucky), but the meals come with a coupon for a free treat (small Dilly bar, ice cream sandwich, or $.49 off a Blizzard) so the dessert part of the meal can stay cool, and out of reach, until the "healthy" part of the meal has been consumed.

Of course, the chain's ice cream cakes are practically required equipment for some kids' parties, and some stores offer discounts on birthday parties held on site.

Most Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide participate in annual (and more frequent) fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network. Eat up.

Decorate a Cupcake party hosts come to your home or party location and keep children entertained for 90 minutes decorating a yummy work of art and a gift box.

Edibles Incredible offers a huge variety of scrumptious pudding cakes, cupcakes, truffles, fudge, and other candies as well as custom designed gift baskets.

Cakes come in 7" or 10" sizes and can be custom ordered (at least five days in advance) for birthday parties or any special occasions. Wedding cakes are also available.

Flour Power Desserts aims to help busy parents keep home baked desserts on the table. Desserts and custom cakes are designed with children's tastes and parent's health concerns in mind. All of the desserts are baked to order, composed of all kosher ingredients, and peanut free. Gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and egg free recipes are available upon request.

Please place orders for decorated cakes at least one week before your event. For other baked goods, a minimum of 24 hours' notice is required.

Furin's runs a small cafe as well as full-service catering and a bakery. The bakery turns out cakes for all occasions, from mini-cakes to full sheet-cakes. Local delivery is available for an additional charge.

Since 1938, Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. has been using the finest ingredients to serve homemade super-premium ice cream and candy, with classic rich creamy tastes that hark back to earlier times. The founder, John Nash Gifford, spent years perfecting his recipes to ensure the highest quality and unique flavors, and Gifford's proudly carries on this tradition for new generations. And not only is Gifford's committed to producing the very best ice cream, each store has gone green and is wind powered.

In addition to some fabulous ice cream and sorbet, Gifford's offers homemade candies (such as hot fudge, Swiss, and butterscotch), mints, caramels, sauces, and ice cream cakes. The cakes are topped with a layer of marshmallow paste, which allows Gifford's to imprint almost any image on the cake. Stock cakes are available in the stores, but custom cakes must be ordered in advance. Gifford's products are also available at their manufacturing facility in Silver Spring and through their online store at www.giffords.com.

Since 1938, Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. has been using the finest ingredients to serve homemade super-premium ice cream and candy, with classic rich creamy tastes that hark back to earlier times. The founder, John Nash Gifford, spent years perfecting his recipes to ensure the highest quality and unique flavors, and Gifford's proudly carries on this tradition for new generations. And not only is Gifford's committed to producing the very best ice cream, each store has gone green and is wind powered.

In addition to some fabulous ice cream and sorbet, Gifford's offers homemade candies (such as hot fudge, Swiss, and butterscotch), mints, caramels, sauces, and ice cream cakes. The cakes are topped with a layer of marshmallow paste, which allows Gifford's to imprint almost any image on the cake. Stock cakes are available in the stores, but custom cakes must be ordered in advance. Gifford's products are also available at their manufacturing facility in Silver Spring and through their online store at www.giffords.com.

Since 1938, Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. has been using the finest ingredients to serve homemade super-premium ice cream and candy, with classic rich creamy tastes that hark back to earlier times. The founder, John Nash Gifford, spent years perfecting his recipes to ensure the highest quality and unique flavors, and Gifford's proudly carries on this tradition for new generations. And not only is Gifford's committed to producing the very best ice cream, each store has gone green and is wind powered.

In addition to some fabulous ice cream and sorbet, Gifford's offers homemade candies (such as hot fudge, Swiss, and butterscotch), mints, caramels, sauces, and ice cream cakes. The cakes are topped with a layer of marshmallow paste, which allows Gifford's to imprint almost any image on the cake. Stock cakes are available in the stores, but custom cakes must be ordered in advance. Gifford's products are also available at their manufacturing facility in Silver Spring and through their online store at www.giffords.com.

Since 1938, Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. has been using the finest ingredients to serve homemade super-premium ice cream and candy, with classic rich creamy tastes that hark back to earlier times. The founder, John Nash Gifford, spent years perfecting his recipes to ensure the highest quality and unique flavors, and Gifford's proudly carries on this tradition for new generations. And not only is Gifford's committed to producing the very best ice cream, each store has gone green and is wind powered.

In addition to some fabulous ice cream and sorbet, Gifford's offers homemade candies (such as hot fudge, Swiss, and butterscotch), mints, caramels, sauces, and ice cream cakes. The cakes are topped with a layer of marshmallow paste, which allows Gifford's to imprint almost any image on the cake. Stock cakes are available in the stores, but custom cakes must be ordered in advance. Gifford's products are also available at their manufacturing facility in Silver Spring and through their online store at www.giffords.com.

Birthday cakes from the Heidelberg are hard to beat. You can choose from a raft of in-stock buttercream cakes (vanilla, chocolate, lemon, mocha, or raspberry), or special order a wide variety of cakes and pies (the bakery requests at least 24 hours' notice).

Computerized color photos can be incorporated in the icing for an additional fee, or check out the bakery's other cake design options.

A Mt. Pleasant fixture since 1922, Heller's is a treat for the tummy. In addition to fresh bread, Heller's produces delicious pastries, cakes, pies, and cookies. And if you want something a bit less sweet, you can pick up a sandwich, slice of pizza, or some tamales or empanadas as well. There is a small seating area that will accommodate strollers with a bit of rearranging.

Heller's produces a wide range of specialty cakes, including designs for weddings, showers, and birthday parties. There are prices for many on the website, but not many pictures, so it's best to stop in and talk with someone and leaf through their book...plus that way you can get a flaky croissant or creamy French pastry just for yourself!

Find the party paraphernalia you're looking for online at iparty.com. Packages for birthday parties and special occasions could be a life saver when you're pressed for time and ideas.

Halloween costumes in all shapes and sizes are available here, too.

The JumpWorks Family Entertainment Center, located inside the Carteret Mortgage Boys and Girls Club, offers indoor inflatable parties and open play time for families and groups on such fun and colorful inflatables as the Dragon's Tower, the Buccaneer, the Bouncer of Monkeys, and the Princess Club. A free play area is also available, where children can enjoy basketball and other floor games or take a ride on one of the pony-hops.

Birthday parties include invitations, 75 minutes of private bouncing, 45 minutes in a private party room, table settings, and set up/clean up help - for 26 kids! Add ons, including cakes, ice cream, pizza, cotton candy, and more are also available.

Note: The center is scheduled to open in early December, but party reservations can be made now.

Loudoun Fun Bounce hosts two-hour birthday parties in a private arena complete with an array of exciting, challenging, and engaging inflatables that kids love. They take care of almost everything, including set up, help during the party, supervision of the kids in the inflatables, and clean up after the party ends. At your option, pizza can be ordered. Drinks (juice for the kids) are provided by Loudoun Fun Bounce.

Aside from lots of yummy flavors of ice cream and cones to choose from, MaggieMoo's has a very child-friendly gimmick - your toppings of choice are actually mixed into your ice cream, so you can have your toppings and eat them too! In addition to the ice cream - made fresh at each location - MaggieMoo's has shakes, smoothies, sundaes, and cakes. Special occasion cakes can be picked up at the store, or take advantage of MaggieMoo's catering service.

Aside from lots of yummy flavors of ice cream and cones to choose from, MaggieMoo's has a very child-friendly gimmick - your toppings of choice are actually mixed into your ice cream, so you can have your toppings and eat them too! In addition to the ice cream - made fresh at each location - MaggieMoo's has shakes, smoothies, sundaes, and cakes. Special occasion cakes can be picked up at the store, or take advantage of MaggieMoo's catering service.

Aside from lots of yummy flavors of ice cream and cones to choose from, MaggieMoo's has a very child-friendly gimmick - your toppings of choice are actually mixed into your ice cream, so you can have your toppings and eat them too! In addition to the ice cream - made fresh at each location - MaggieMoo's has shakes, smoothies, sundaes, and cakes. Special occasion cakes can be picked up at the store, or take advantage of MaggieMoo's catering service.

Aside from lots of yummy flavors of ice cream and cones to choose from, MaggieMoo's has a very child-friendly gimmick - your toppings of choice are actually mixed into your ice cream, so you can have your toppings and eat them too! In addition to the ice cream - made fresh at each location - MaggieMoo's has shakes, smoothies, sundaes, and cakes. Special occasion cakes can be picked up at the store, or take advantage of MaggieMoo's catering service.