Founded in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, Cake Bloom is a sister-owned and mom-led bakery-café in the heart of Charlottesville. Owner Susan Sweeney, new to town at the time, began baking 4″ baby cakes from home. As families sought ways to stay connected, Susan’s cakes quickly became heartfelt gifts, complete with handwritten notes—a tradition that still continues today.
With its cozy storefront, Cake Bloom offers cake by-the-slice, espresso, and a seasonal lunch menu Thursday through Sunday. Locals and visitors alike return for the warm hospitality, carefully crafted flavors, and community-centered events.
Memorable Moments for All Ages
From Afternoon Tea services to Cake Tasting Flights and collaborative events like “Scrappy Hour” with Sugar Bear Ice Cream, Cake Bloom creates experiences that delight customers of every age. Their 8-Slice Variety Box, available for nationwide shipping, lets families near and far enjoy a slice of Charlottesville sweetness.
Cake Bloom’s menu also includes whole cakes by pre-order for weddings, birthdays, and just-because celebrations—ensuring there’s something for every occasion and every member of the family.
A Mom-Owned Business Rooted in Heart
As a mom and entrepreneur, Susan describes her business as “a second child,” one that’s taught her as much about time management and perseverance as parenting itself. “Being a parent has made me a better entrepreneur,” she shares. “It keeps me motivated to improve operations and teach my daughter that she can be both a ‘mom’ and a ‘boss.’”
What the Mompreneur Grant Means for Cake Bloom
With a small but passionate team—where staff often juggle multiple roles—Cake Bloom sees the CharlottesvilleFamily Mompreneur Grant as a chance to refine their marketing efforts, expand their customer base, and continue creating meaningful moments for families.
“Marketing is essential, but time and expertise are in short supply,” Susan explains. “Expert guidance would be a game-changer for our growth in 2025.”
Learn more about this sweet business: www.cakebloom.com
CAKE BLOOM’S MINI BERRY PAVLOVA
INGREDIENTS
450 grams sugar
9 oz egg whites
1Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
TOPPINGS
16 oz Heavy cream
½ cup sugar
Fresh fruit
Optional: Fresh mint,
edible flowers
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 250 °F
2. Line two baking sheets
3. Combine sugar and egg whites and whisk to combine. Place sugar and egg mixture over a pot with 2 inches of simmering water, making a double boiler.
4. Cook until sugar is fully dissolved (6-7 minutes) and reaches 165 °F. Remove from heat and pour through a fine mesh sieve into the bowl of a standing mixer or medium sized mixing bowl.
5. Using a mixer, whisk mixture into stiff, shiny peaks.
6. Add vinegar, cornstarch, and vanilla. Continue whisking until smooth.
7. Dollop large spoonfuls or use a piping bag to make round circles about 1” thick and 2-3” in diameter. Pipe a ring on top of the edge to make an indentation for fillings.
8. Bake meringues until the exterior is crisp and easy to remove from the baking tray (60-75 minutes). Turn off the oven and let meringues cool completely with the oven door cracked open for another hour.
9. Just before serving, prepare the toppings. Combine heavy cream and sugar in a chilled bowl and whisk until thickened. Combine fresh berries with vanilla extract and chopped mint. Spoon or pipe whipped cream on top of each meringue, top with fruit and garnish. Serve immediately.
Meet the 2025 CharlottesvilleFamily MOMpreneur Grant Finalists & Semi-Finalists!
We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional women selected as this year’s CharlottesvilleFamily MOMpreneur Grantfinalists and semi-finalists. These inspiring entrepreneurs are building family-focused businesses that uplift our community with innovation, compassion, and purpose.
Finalists:
– Cake Bloom
– Empowered People® Coaching & Consulting
– Flow Lactation
– Foster Art
– Karyn Wolfe – Life & Image Coaching for Teens
Semi-Finalists:
– Central Virginia Nutrition Counseling
– Chanterelle Café
– CoreAlign Financial, LLC
– Malleable Studios
– Milkmade
– On-Point Animal Rehabilitation Therapy
CHARLOTTESVILLEFAMILY EDITORS are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents as well as teachers, journalists and publishing professionals who serve alongside our readers in the PTO and band boosters, coaching sports teams, helping out at preschool and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.