Welcome to the 2026 Stars, Stripes, and Sprinkles Bake Off and Auction – Cake4Kids’ very own online baking challenge, just for you… our volunteers! Are you ready for your chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card or a Cricut Joy?
The Basics
What: An online, local baking contest for all Cake4Kids volunteers. Following the contest, your entries will be auctioned off to other volunteers and the general public, with all proceeds benefiting Cake4Kids.
When: Tuesday, July 21-Thursday, July 23, 2026
Where: Online
General Schedule
Tuesday, June 16 10 am Contest registration opens
Tuesday, July 14 7 pm Contest registration closes
Tuesday, July 21 7 pm Submit contest entry to Cake4Kids (online)
Wednesday, July 22 7 am Auction opens
Wednesday , July 22 2 pm Contest Winners notified
Wednesday, July 22 7 pm Auction closes
Thursday, July 23 4-8 pm Auction winners pick up cake from baker
CONTEST CATEGORIES
There will be four contest categories, with the winner selected from each category:
Best Cake
Best Cupcakes
Best Cookies
Best Professional Cake
In each of the four (4) contest categories, judges will award:
One (1) Grand Prize: $75 Amazon Gift Card
PLUS! The contestant whose entry is voted “Fan Favorite” will win a Cricut Joy
CONTEST RULES
Eligibility:
Must be a registered Cake4Kids volunteer
Must agree that your completed baked goods will be donated to Cake4Kids to be auctioned to the highest bidder, with all proceeds benefiting Cake4Kids
Need to be available to deliver the finished contest entry to the auction winner on Thursday July 23 from 4-8 pm.
Registration:
A $25 non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee is required
May only register for one contest entry, one person per contest entry
If you are registered to volunteer as a parent/teen team, you will need to enter the contest as a parent/teen team
At the time of registration, you must supply an entry title, flavor and filling details, and a description of your baked goods. If you need to make any changes to your entry description, you may do so by 12 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026.
Professional bakers – those with cottage food businesses, commercial baking businesses, or other similar business whereby you are paid for your baked goods – may ONLY enter the Best Professional Cake category
Deadline to register is Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Baking Requirements:
All preparation, baking, and decorating must be done by the registered baker(s)
Must complete one (1) cake, 2 dozen cupcakes, or 2 dozen cookies for judging, based on the contest category you entered
All cakes and frostings must be homemade from scratch and edible. No mixes are allowed
Baked goods cannot require refrigeration and must be able to be safely stored at room temperature for 2 days
Cake size must be at least the equivalent of a 2-layer 8” round cake
Decorations and special effects must be edible and visible
Structural supports do not need to be edible (dowels, etc.)
To avoid choking hazard, please do not embed hard items like candy inside the cake
All baked goods must be packaged on a cake board in a cake box, according to Cake4Kids baking guidelines
Each baker must provide a written list of ingredients with their cake box, for the auction winner’s reference
Entry Submission:
Each contestant must submit 1 photo of their completed contest entry (.png, .jpg, or .jpeg), upon which their entry will be judged
Optional: You may also submit 1 video (.mov, maximum 10 seconds in length)
Entries must be submitted online to Cake4Kids by 7pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026
JUDGING CRITERIA
All entries regardless of contest category will be judged on the following:
Star, Stripes, and Sprinkles: Entries will be assessed on how well the cake captures the essence of July holidays in appearance, including quality of workmanship, design, quality of decorations, and use of color – we’re talking stars, stripes, sprinkles, fireworks, parades, barbecues!
Please avoid any political images or language
Outside characteristics: Entries will be evaluated based on structure, consistent shape/size/surface, and overall appeal
Frosting and decorations: Entries will be judged according to the use of techniques, use of different mediums, and neatness of application
Fan Favorite voting will be hosted on the auction platform and open to volunteers and the general public for the duration of the auction.
Questions?
Contact Jessica and Kendra at UtahAmbassadors@cake4kids.org and include “2026 Bake Off” in the subject line
FAQ
Can I enter the contest with a friend?
The Bake Off and Auction is limited to one baker per entry. Only the parent and child in a registered parent-teen team may enter the contest together.
My child is interested in entering the contest. Is that possible?
The contest is only open to registered and oriented Cake4Kids volunteers, 16 years of age and older. If you are a teen registered to volunteer with your parent/guardian, you must enter the Bake Off as a parent-teen team with your parent/guardian.
If I enter the contest as a parent-teen team, are my child and I eligible to win a $75 gift card each?
No, only 1 Grand Prize of $75 gift card will be awarded for each contest category.
May I submit other types of baked goods to the Bake Off?
All contest entries must be cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. Pies, cake pops, cookie “cakes”, and ice cream cakes will not be accepted.
I don’t think I’ll be available to meet the auction winner on Thursday July 23. Is it possible to have a friend or family member to help me?
Yes, you are welcome to have someone deliver your contest entry on your behalf.
How high can the cake be? Is there a maximum number of layers?
We want to make sure the person who purchases your cake can transport it home safely so we recommend you keep the height 16” or less.
Do the baked goods need to be nut-free or follow any dietary restrictions?
No, there will not be any limitations on ingredients for the purposes of this contest. However, if you prefer to submit a baked good that adheres to a particular allergen or dietary restriction, please include that information on the baker registration form.