When Samantha Holman started Cakes & Shit four years ago, she initially envisioned the project lasting about six months, maybe a year at a stretch. Having recently stepped away from her career in the corporate sector, Sam sought an outlet where she could show off her personality and sense of humour, the latter of which was likely not office appropriate. To Sam, her passion for baking seemed like a logical avenue to explore, but the budding entrepreneur wanted to ensure that any confection she created had to be a reflection of her tongue-in-cheek, sassy and sometimes dirty playfulness. When Cakes & Shit first opened in Bakery Lane in 2018, it instantly became one of the more singular sweet shops in town. The store’s cabinet was filled with cookies stamped with crude words and cakes shaped like various bits of anatomy – a far cry from the frilly and flowery accents found in conventional cake shops, but it was also exactly what Sam wanted. The driving force behind Sam’s R-rated range was a desire to make people chuckle with cake by injecting her naughty desserts with the same love and humour one might share with a good friend. Though Sam acknowledges that the concept was a gamble at the start, it didn’t take long for it to pay off. The reception to Cakes & Shit has been overwhelmingly positive, so much so that the concept has outlived its projected lifespan and outgrown its Bakery Lane digs. With a team of nine employees now under her wing, a newly launched online store and the upcoming release of an acrylic merch range on the horizon, Sam has decided to move Cakes & Shit to a larger home, snagging a plum spot on Given Terrace in Paddington.

Cakes & Shit’s new home, formerly a tattoo parlour, has been given a colourful makeover, with vibrant murals, neon lights and textural decorations giving the semi-subterranean store a grungy hypercolour vibe – think 1980s skateboarding. Guests are greeted by the cake cabinet, cookie shelf and retail section upon entering, while a dining area to one side doubles as Cakes & Shit’s workshop space (a couple of tables are also set up street side for sun-dappled sweet eating). Despite the crude nature of the stock, all adults-only items are positioned above eye level of kiddies, ensuring the space is largely child friendly. Cake cravers can pop in and order from the cabinet selection, which includes cookies, slices, brownies, tubes of cookie dough and brownie batter, and cakes (including some shaped like boobs, others like boners). Whole cakes are also available for purchase, though folks seeking something with a more elaborate and personal touch are encouraged to order ahead. Over in the retail space you’ll find Cakes & Shit’s popular bags of dicks and boxes of Misfortune Cookies, while a nearby coffee machine punches out barista-brewed cups of caffeine from The Black Lab Coffee Co.

Cakes & Shit officially reopens in Paddington today! Head to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and contact details.