Which Charlotte grocery store has the best price on sheet cake? We checked
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Charlotte Observer visited 10 grocery stores in Charlotte on May 13.
- Walmart sold premade eighth, quarter and half sheet cakes priced from $14.64 to $34.98.
- Whole Foods half sheets ranged $49.99–99.99; Publix’s were $55.99.
It can be a lot of work (and a lot of butter) to make a sheet cake. But summer is coming, graduation season is here and there is a lot to celebrate, so The Charlotte Observer checked the price of sheet cakes at various grocery stores.
Sheet cakes are typically measured as eighth-size, quarter-size, half-size and full sheet. According to Southern Living, the sizes are generally:
- Quarter-size sheet cake: 9 x 13 inches
- Half-size sheet cake: 13 x 18 inches
- Full sheet cake: 18 x 26 inches
There may be some variance by brand, recipe or frosting. None of the stores The Observer visited carried a premade full sheet cake, so we checked for vanilla or yellow cake half-size and quarter-size buttercream sheet cakes.
Stores we visited
We visited 10 grocery stores in Charlotte during the day on Wednesday, May 13:
- We checked Aldi, Walmart Supercenter, Target, Whole Foods Market, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market, Food Lion, Lidl, Publix and Trader Joe’s.
- Aldi, Target, Fresh Market and Lidl did not carry sheet cakes. (Fresh Market and Lidl have bakeries that carry other goods, but not sheet cakes.)
- Trader Joe’s only carries mini sheet cakes (they come in a variety of flavors and a gluten-free option) that won’t feed such a large crowd.
How we price checked
We recorded the regular prices for each item, even if some cakes were on sale.
In-store deals and rewards accounts could change these prices for many shoppers once they’re at the register.
Our results
We found that a premade half-size sheet cake is cheapest at Walmart, and a pre-made quarter-size sheet cake is cheapest at Food Lion.
It may be worth noting, to some, that the Food Lion cake had whipped frosting, rather than buttercream.
Here’s a full breakdown of sheet cake prices in 10 Charlotte grocery stores:
Sheet cake prices at Charlotte grocery stores
Walmart offered three sizes of white buttercream cakes in-store without preorder or custom lettering:
- Quarter-size sheet cake with sprinkles for $29.42
- Half-size sheet cake with sprinkles for $34.98
- Eighth-size sheet cake with sprinkles for $14.64
Harris Teeter also offered half-size, quarter-size and eighth-size sheet cakes for purchase without preorder:
- Half-size sheet cake with buttercream cost $43.99
- Quarter-size sheet cake with whipped topping cost $31.99
- Eighth-size sheet cake with whipped topping cost $18.99
- Made-to-order cakes are also available, but may vary based on frosting and decoration choices.
Food Lion only offered quarter-size sheet cakes without preorder. The cake labels did not specify the style of frosting. Both Mother’s Day themed cakes and frosted cakes with sprinkles cost $19.99. Made-to-order cakes are also available, but may cost more based on frosting and decoration choices.
Whole Foods and Publix did not have any pre-made sheet cakes, but the store bakeries do make made-to-order cakes of varying prices. It is possible that pre-made sheet cakes would be available by location.
Made to order sheet cakes
Whole Foods cakes are available for order online. Popular cakes such as the berry chantilly are available in a variety of sizes, including as sheets. According to a Whole Foods employee (and a very special thank you to this person for seeking out these price ranges and writing them for me on a sticky note):
- Half-size sheets in Charlotte are $49.99-99.99 depending on the style and type
- Quarter-size is $29.99-59.99
- A full sheet cake is $89-179
Publix had a price breakdown available for made-to-order cakes:
- A full sheet cake with buttercream is $96.99
- Half-size is $55.99
- Quarter-size is $29.99
