Nine Cakes, a new bakery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, offers layer cakes and cupcakes with a classic, retro look. Owner Betsy Thorleifson, who makes all of the baked goods, can create custom flavors for dessert stations, events, or corporate gifts and offers a standard menu that changes throughout the year. Although her sweets have an old-fashioned appeal, Thorleifson mixes things up with inventive flavor combinations. Options include the Turkish Delight, almond cake topped with rosewater buttercream and sprinkled with Turkish Delight candy, and Little Turtle, dark chocolate cake topped with caramel buttercream and toasted, salted pecans. A 10-inch cake (which serves 16 to 20 people) costs $70; miniature cupcakes are $15 a dozen; standard-size cupcakes are $33 a dozen. Free delivery is available in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
