Day 85 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this one’s so, so special to me. Sade from CakeOut MD is such a gem, and it was a privilege to sit down with her and learn more about CakeOut. This incredible home-based Filipino bakery run by Sade and her sister out of Columbia, Maryland, and what they’re doing is seriously impressive.
These are some of the fluffiest, most delicately flavored cakes I’ve ever tasted, nothing’s overly sweet, and every bite has a lightness that’s really hard to find at most bakeries. Sade accepts orders through Bakesy, and the menu includes her iconic chocolate dreamcake, ube flan (the bestseller), caramel cake, and more Filipino-inspired treats. If you love custom cakes done with real care and intention, you NEED to know about CakeOut MD.
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What Makes CakeOut MD a Standout Filipino Bakery in Columbia
CakeOut MD specializes in Filipino-inspired cakes, and if you’ve never had one before, they’re in a class of their own. Sade’s Instagram bio says it best: she specializes in “copying cakes from the Philippines so we could all enjoy it in MD.” Her cake flavors lean delicate and nuanced, the textures are light and fluffy, and nothing gets overpowered by sugar. It’s a really distinct style that sets her work apart from standard bakeries.
What makes CakeOut MD even more special is the story behind it. Sade works night shifts as a nurse, then comes home, naps, and starts baking. She runs the bakery with her sister, and it’s genuinely her dream to open a brick-and-mortar one day. After tasting her food, I hope for all our sakes she does. There’s real passion in every slice, and you can taste it.
If you’re a fan of Filipino baked goods more broadly, Gwenie’s Pastries in Rockville is another Filipino bakery in Maryland well worth adding to your list.
For the broader sweep, my roundup of the best Asian bakeries in Maryland has ten spots including CakeOut, Gwenie’s, and more across the state.
What to Order at CakeOut MD
Sade generously treated us to a tasting, so here’s everything I got:
Chocolate Dreamcake
I’m just going to say it: this cake is life changing, lol. It’s fluffy, not dense, and it’s the perfect amount of sweet. The texture is SO light, nothing like what you’d expect from a chocolate cake. This is my personal must-order from CakeOut MD, and the one I’d come back for on repeat. If you’ve never had a cake that makes you do a double-take, this is your moment.
Ube Flan (Bestseller)
This is CakeOut MD’s bestseller, and after one bite I completely understand why. Ube flan is a Filipino dessert that layers two iconic Filipino sweets: leche flan (a silky, rich egg custard) on top of a soft, fluffy ube (purple yam) cake. The contrast of that custardy top and the soft purple ube base is what makes this one so special. Whether you grew up with Filipino desserts or this is your first time, the ube flan is a must-try. Absolutely a must-try.
What Is Ube Flan, Exactly?
Ube flan (also called ube flan cake or ube leche flan cake) is a beloved Filipino celebration dessert. “Leche flan” refers to the silky steamed or baked egg custard that sits on top, and “ube” is purple yam, a staple in Filipino desserts known for its vibrant color and mildly sweet, slightly nutty flavor. When the two are baked or layered together, you get a dessert that combines the richness of custard with the lightness of cake, and it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful things to look at, too.
Caramel Cake
The caramel cake’s a bit harder to get since it’s not always on the Bakesy menu, but if you see it, grab it. Def worth ordering alongside the ube flan if both happen to be available when you check.
For another great dessert spot over in Columbia while you’re in the area, Good Karma Creamery is also worth checking out.
Meeting Sade Was One of My Favorite Moments of This Series
We filmed at @madamnica’s beautiful home, and sitting down to taste everything with Sade was just a genuinely joyful experience. She’s SO humble about her work, and it really is a family operation. These aren’t just good cakes; they’re cakes made with real intention and love for the craft.
I’ve been a fan of CakeOut for years, so featuring her on the 100 Asian Restaurants in Maryland series was a no-brainer. And now that she’s on here, I hope a whole new group of people discover what she’s doing. She deserves every bit of the recognition.
The Vibe and Experience
CakeOut MD is a home bakery, so there’s no storefront to visit. You’ll place your orders and requests directly through Bakesy at bakesy.shop/b/cakeoutmd-llc. The best move is to follow @cake.outmd on Instagram so you know when orders are open and what’s currently available. Sade’s menu extends beyond the three cakes I mentioned, including Brazo de Mercedes (a Filipino meringue roll dessert) and other seasonal items. Plan ahead because these cakes go fast.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 Columbia, Maryland (home-based bakery; no walk-in storefront)
- How to order: Via Bakesy at bakesy.shop/b/cakeoutmd-llc; follow @cake.outmd on Instagram to know when orders are open
- Bestsellers: Chocolate dreamcake, ube flan (bestseller), caramel cake, Brazo de Mercedes
- Style: Filipino-inspired cakes; fluffy, light, nothing overly sweet
- Availability: Home bakery; order windows vary; check Instagram for updates
- Area served: Columbia and DMV area (local pickup; check with Sade for delivery options)
Is CakeOut MD Worth It?
Without question. The chocolate dreamcake is one of the most memorable things I’ve tasted during this entire 100 Asian Restaurants in Maryland series, and the ube flan is a dessert you’ll talk about long after you’ve finished it. If you’re in the Howard County or Columbia area and you love custom cakes done right, CakeOut MD’s the spot. Sade and her sister are doing something really special here, and I genuinely can’t wait for her to open that brick-and-mortar one day.
Have you guys tried CakeOut MD yet?! Drop a comment below and let me know, Nomsters. And if you haven’t heard of her before, send this to your dessert-loving friends because these cakes need to be experienced.