In Jesse’s Virginia kitchen, cake was never just dessert—it was celebration, comfort, and the centerpiece of every gathering that mattered. His grandmother’s coconut layer cake. His mama’s red velvet for birthdays. The buttery pound cake that appeared on Sunday tables without fail.
Those cakes brought people together. They turned ordinary days into occasions. They said “I love you” without words.
That’s the heart of CakePeak: Southern cakes that celebrate life’s moments, big and small.
THE FOUNDER’S STORY
From Sunday Tables to Your Kitchen
Jesse Wiley learned to bake in a Virginia kitchen where hospitality wasn’t optional and dessert was sacred.
Growing up, he watched his grandmother transform simple ingredients—butter, sugar, eggs, flour—into towering layer cakes crowned with mile-high frosting. These weren’t just cakes. They were family traditions, the desserts people requested by name, the recipes passed down with reverence.
But Jesse noticed something: newer bakers felt intimidated. They saw those perfect layers and assumed they needed professional equipment, culinary training, or years of practice.
Jesse knew better. Great cakes don’t require perfection—they require good technique and a generous heart.
So he founded CakePeak to share the Southern baking wisdom he grew up with: how to cream butter until it’s actually fluffy, why room-temperature eggs matter, and the secret to frosting that stays put. The kind of practical, warm guidance that makes you feel like you’re baking alongside someone who genuinely wants you to succeed.
Today, CakePeak brings Southern cake mastery to home bakers everywhere—from first-time frosters to seasoned pros looking to perfect their layers.
OUR MISSION
Y’all Come Bake With Us
We believe:
🎂 Cake brings people together – Every slice is an invitation
🎂 Southern hospitality is baked in – Generous portions, warm flavors
🎂 Technique beats trends – Classic methods create timeless cakes
🎂 Celebration doesn’t need an excuse – Tuesday deserves cake too
🎂 Everyone can bake beautifully – With the right guidance
Every recipe on CakePeak is:
Celebration-ready – From everyday treats to showstoppers
Triple-tested with love and butter
Written clearly – No assumptions, no missing steps
Southern-inspired – Flavors with soul and tradition
MEET THE TEAM
Your Southern Cake Family
PART OF THE GLOBAL HEARTH COLLECTIVE
The Cake Guild
CakePeak is proud to stand alongside three sister cake sites within The Global Hearth Collective:
- CakePeak – Southern celebration cakes (Jesse Wiley) ← You’re here!
- CakeHalf – Vintage small-batch cakes (Teresa Flagler)
- MeltCake – Mediterranean syrup-soaked cakes (Mehmet Ugur)
- CakeSavor – Quick easy cakes (Meagan Nashman)
Together, we prove that cake expertise comes in many forms—and they’re all worth celebrating.
Explore our Cookie Guild, Candy Guild, Pie Guild, and Chocolate Guild at TheGlobalHearth.com
SOUTHERN BAKING PHILOSOPHY
What Makes a Cake “Southern”?
Generosity: Southern cakes are never stingy. Tall layers, rich frosting, flavors that don’t hold back.
Hospitality: These cakes welcome everyone to the table. No snobbery, no exclusivity—just good baking.
Tradition with Heart: We respect the classics but aren’t precious about them. Grandma’s recipe can handle a little bourbon.
Flavor First: Decoration is lovely, but if it doesn’t taste incredible, it’s not leaving our kitchen.
Made to Share: A cake isn’t complete until it’s surrounded by people you love.
OUR VALUES
What Guides Every Recipe
✨ Warmth – Every recipe, every word, feels like kitchen hospitality
✨ Excellence – Southern cakes deserve proper technique
✨ Accessibility – Fancy ingredients optional, big heart required
✨ Celebration – Life’s sweeter with cake
✨ Community – Y’all are family here
PULL UP A CHAIR
Bake With Us
📧 Subscribe to Jesse’s Kitchen Newsletter: Join the Table
📌 Follow on Pinterest: @cakepeak
📸 Follow on Instagram: @cakepeak
💌 Contact Us: Let’s Talk Cake
Questions about a recipe? Want to share your cake success?
Email us: hello@cakepeak.com
