Ordering Questions
First, we do not sell cheesecakes based on weight, they are sold based on Flavor, Size and Extra Toppings. Having said that, this question is variable based on many, many issues including Size, Flavor and Toppings added:
The weights shown with each size cheesecake are for generic purposes only, based on the approximate Pre-Baked weight of all ingredients and are rounded up to the next whole pound for brevity. Chocolate cheesecakes are heavier. Cheesecakes with cookies, brownies, cake or cinnamon rolls can be lighter. The pre-baked weight is approximate only and not guaranteed based on the gram weights we use in the bakery. The actual weight of ingredients changes daily depending on humidity, moisture content and random factors such as egg weights.
Typically, cheesecakes will lose weight during baking from moisture loss and other factors (anywhere from 15% to 22%), the average Final or Packaged Weight is as follows, not including toppings since those vary wildly:
6x2 750g (1.65 lbs); 6x3 1,110g (2.4 lbs); 8x2 1,264g (2.78 lbs); 8x3 1,964g (4.32 lbs);
9x2 1,610g (3.54 lbs); 9x3 2,610g (6.2 lbs); 10x2 2,158g (4.75 lbs); 10x3 3,108g (6.84 lbs)
Unlike other companies, our weights are based on actual ingredients only, and do not include any toppings, the cardboard cake bottom, cardboard collars, wrappings, the cake box or promotional inserts.
Shipping box and packing material weights can ADD anywhere from 5lbs to 20lbs depending on the required box size, amount of insulation used and of course the amount of dry ice used. Keep in mind the weight of dry ice is not constant since it evaporates. By the time your cheesecake arrives 4lbs to 10lbs of dry ice WILL have sublimated (evaporated).
ABSOLUTELY NOT! All of our Cheesecakes are Baked Fresh in our Commercial Bakery in Pittsburgh. Our bakery is fully licensed and inspected by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Allegheny County Health Department.
Yes, we bake cheesecakes fresh everyday.
Cheesecakes for local pick-up are routinely baked a day or two prior. When you arrive, besides your name, our most important question when we hand over a cheesecake "when are you planning to eat this?"
The instructions given are always to keep it in the refrigerator and then take it out about an hour prior to serving. We will tell you that the cheesecake is really, very cold! We always tell customers to treat cheesecake like it's ice cream. Keep it cold!
If you are not planning to eat your cheesecake for a few days, then we suggest keeping it in the freezer, then take it out 24 hours prior and let it defrost in a refrigerator.
Are fresh baked cheesecakes chilled? Yes. We use a blast chiller to rapidly cool them, well below 40 degrees fahrenheit in order to "maintain freshness."
There are standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Allegheny County Department of Health which govern food safety. The most important is Food temperature, what is referred to as "the safe zone".
Selling cheesecake which is fresh dairy containing eggs has more restrictions due to rapid spoilage and enhanced bacterial growth. We have to make sure that the product stays safe to eat later when you get home or at the party, not just when you pick it up! Which means a temperature substantially below 40 degrees fahrenheit.
We have customers who come from Ohio, West Virginia and Central Pennsylvania for pickup driving an hour or more. Or local customers who pickup and then run other errands before getting the cheesecake refrigerated again, especially if its a warm or hot day.
Now 40 degrees is the maximum temperature, knowing full well that customers rarely pickup their cheesecake with a cooler, ice or gel packs, and routinely put the cake on the seat in a "warm" car where cheesecake temperature control is non-existent for an hour or more.
Cheesecakes for pickup are not ready to eat immediately in your car because they are really cold! Cheesecakes ready to eat are usually semi-chilled with a rising temperature thus leaving the safe zone. You would be surprised how fast a cheesecake can spoil or develop harmful bacteria if not kept properly chilled.
We make sure that any cheesecake for pickup is properly chilled, yes they are kept "very cold" on purpose. But they are fresh and delicious.
For Local Pick-Up, we can have a cheesecake freshly baked for pick-up in as little as 24 hours.
We bake Cheesecakes 7 days a week. It takes a minimum of 2 Days after you place your order for a Freshly Baked Cheesecake to be ready to SHIP; PLUS 1-3 Days for Shipping depending on your address. So a minimum of 4-5 Business Days.
During Checkout you will be given the option of selecting a Preferable Delivery Date. Its best to select a delivery date as close to when you need the Cheesecake in order to maximize freshness! The preferred date is not a guaranteed delivery date due to Weather, Holidays, Carrier issues, etc... However, we strive to do do our best to get the cheesecakes delivered on those dates.
If you have an event with a large order, please call us first to confirm scheduling and production time. Yes, you can pre-order for an event up to 90 days in advance.
Yes, we can do almost anything, all you have to do is ask. 412-652-7791 Custom sizes, custom flavors, custom toppings!
Keep in mind we are Nut Free Bakery, so nothing with nuts.
Yes, they can be ordered online through our website. Gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash. Gift cards cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. click here to order gift cards
Yes, we offer Personalized Messages which are printed on the Packing Slip for Shipments, this option is available during checkout under NOTES.
We do not use Packing Slips for Local Pick-Up, so personalized messages are not included.
Due to temperature of Cheesecakes we cannot add decorator writing to the surface since it will not stick properly.
Due to the nature of our shipping and packaging, we cannot offer Gift Wrapping.
Yes, we work with restaurants, caterers, event planners and corporate accounts. Give us a call or send an email for more information. Discounts are based on your overall order volume.
Yes, all of Our Products are Kosher Dairy. Kosher K כָּשֵׁר Dairy!
Yes! Actually ALL of our Cheesecake Batter is made 100% Gluten Free! Its the crust, added cookies or brownies which contains Gluten. So your Gluten Free Cheesecake flavor options are ginormous...
OPTION 1: Our Bitty Bites have no crust, they are just pure baked cheesecake enrobed in Dark Chocolate. So Gluten Free!
OPTION 2: Oooooh a traditional graham cracker crust you say? Well almost, no whole wheat graham flour, instead a gluten free flour blend, cinnamon, sugar, molasses, various sugars including honey and some other yummy stuff. We offer both Gluten Graham Cracker Style and Gluten Free Oreo Cookie Style crusts, all made in-house.
OPTION 3: You can always request a custom made cheesecake with no crust.
*Note: Our Cheesecake, Flavors and Chocolate coatings contain no gluten. These ARE MADE in a facility that also processes dairy, egg, and WHEAT. Anything labeled as "Gluten Free" is NOT strictly Celiac safe! Baking pans, work surfaces, tools and equipment used to produce these items also come into contact with products containing gluten.