Frequently Asked Questions
Everything we get asked most — ordering and lead times, gluten-free and vegan options, cake and pie pricing, catering and weddings, Pie Club, and classes. Can’t find your answer? Email criminalbaker@gmail.com or call 707-395-5395.
Ordering & Payment
How do I place an order?
Shop online right here, or email criminalbaker@gmail.com or call 707-395-5395 with your order details, questions, and phone number. For menus, take a look at our Cakes & Cupcakes, Sweet Pies, Savory Pies, and Catering pages.
How much notice do you need?
We require a minimum of 5 full days’ notice on all orders — and the more notice the better to guarantee a spot on our schedule. The same 5 days applies to pre-ordered take-n-bake pot pies.
How does payment work?
All orders receive a confirmation and an invoice via email. Payment is due at the time of ordering.
Can I order something for today?
For day-of breakfast, lunch, coffee, or a take-n-bake pie, call the cafe directly at 707-888-3546 or email criminalcafesr@gmail.com. The cafe at 808 Donahue Street is open every day, 7:30am–3pm. Custom and catering orders still need their 5 days.
Are there order minimums?
On some items, yes:
- 2 oz petite pies — minimum 12 per flavor
- 5" mini sweet pies — minimum 6 per flavor
- Savory minis — minimum 6 per flavor
- Hand pies — minimum 12 per flavor; half hand pies — minimum 18
- Cupcakes — one dozen per flavor (some exceptions made)
- Anything mini on a dessert bar — minimum 12 per item
Boxed lunches are built for groups of 6 or more, but there’s no fixed minimum — we’re happy to work with you on a menu that fits.
Is the cafe the same business as catering?
Not any more. In April 2025 Irma and her family purchased the cafe at 808 Donahue Street. Dawn, who created Criminal, remains the managing owner of catering and wholesale, and also started Criminal Pie & Pantry. Place pre-orders for pastries, cakes, quiche, pies, breakfast, lunch, and catering at criminalbaker@gmail.com or 707-395-5395.
Dietary Needs & Substitutions
Do you offer gluten-free and vegan options?
Yes — a wide variety, and always clearly labeled. All cakes are available gluten-free, and all layered cakes are also available vegan. Cupcakes come vegan or gluten-free in every flavor. We also make many gluten-free and vegan dessert bar bites, and can accommodate lower sugar when possible.
What does gluten-free or vegan cost?
Cakes and cupcakes are +10% for gluten-free or vegan, and +15% for both. Full-size 9" sweet pies are $48, regular or gluten-free or vegan. Full-size 9" savory pot pies are $54, regular or gluten-free.
I have a food sensitivity. Can you work with me?
Please tell us up front — on catering orders, let us know who needs gluten-free versions or has a sensitivity and we will do our best to accommodate. Email the details to criminalbaker@gmail.com with your order.
Are your pestos nut-free?
Yes. There are no nuts in our pesto — it appears in the Chicken Pesto & Mozzarella Pot Pie, the Chicken Pesto sandwich and galette, and the turkey finger sandwiches.
Can salads and boards be made vegan?
Several can. On the spinach salad with quinoa and roasted veggies, we substitute beans for the goat cheese to make it vegan, and the roasted veggie & hummus finger sandwich is vegan as made.
Cakes & Cupcakes
What sizes are your layered cakes, and what do they cost?
Round layered cakes are 3 layers:
- 6" (feeds up to 12) — $80
- 8" (feeds up to 18) — $90
- 10" (feeds up to 24) — $125
- 12" (feeds up to 36) — $175
Sheet cakes are 2 layers:
- Quarter sheet (feeds up to 25) — $175
- Half sheet (feeds up to 50) — $300
Specialty shaped cakes are 3 layers — the Vintage 8" Heart Cake (feeds up to 14, includes up to 3 colors including any writing) is $125.
What about single-layer and specialty cakes?
Our Specialty 1-Layer Cakes are $80, or $88 gluten-free. They are all 10" and feed up to 14 people.
Cheesecake and Flourless Chocolate Cake are priced by size instead: 6" (serves up to 8) $50, 9" (serves up to 14) $80, or a half dozen minis $60.
How are tiered or long cakes priced?
By the serving, because of the additional work, materials, and set-up required. Please inquire for a quote.
What do extras cost?
- Writing — no charge for brief messages (some messages must be written on cake boards)
- Added color — assessed per project
- Extra layer — +20%
- Gluten-free or vegan — +10% (+15% for both)
- Fresh purchased flowers — +$20–50 depending on cake size
Do you work with fondant?
No. We don’t work with fondant on cakes or cupcakes. Our garnishes are candied fruit, fresh herbs, garden flowers, petals, and dried or pressed flowers, sometimes with small amounts of color. To get a feel for the style, visit @criminalbaking on Instagram.
How do cupcakes work?
Minimum order is a dozen per flavor, with some exceptions made. A dozen is $60, or $66 gluten-free or vegan and $69 for both.
Pies & Pot Pies
What sizes do sweet pies come in?
- 2 oz petite pies — $5 (great for dessert bars; minimum 12 per flavor)
- 5" minis — $12 (minimum 6 per flavor)
- Full size 9" — $48 (regular, gluten-free or vegan)
What sizes do savory pies come in?
- Hand pies — $9.75 (minimum 12 per flavor)
- Half hand pies — $5.50 (minimum 18 per flavor)
- Minis — $14 (minimum 6 per flavor)
- Full size 9" — $54 (regular or gluten-free)
How many people does a 9" pot pie feed?
Six to eight people.
Can I choose the crust?
Fruit pies come in our all-butter pastry crust — please specify a crumb or lattice top when you order. Cream and custard pies come in a shortbread crust, or a pastry crust on request, and are finished with whipped cream. Dark chocolate ganache can be added to a cream pie for +$5.
Do you sell frozen take-n-bake pies?
Yes. Frozen take-n-bake sweet and savory pies are available at the cafe and in the freezer at Criminal Pie & Pantry. To guarantee the flavor you want, order online with 5 days’ notice.
Catering, Weddings & Events
What kinds of catering do you do?
Four menus, all from-scratch: Breakfast Catering (morning baked goods, deep dish quiche & frittatas), Boxed Lunch Catering (focaccia sandwiches, galettes & salads), Family Style Salads & Boards, and Dessert Bar Bites & Dessert Boards. We also build custom breakfast buffets for larger events.
What comes with a boxed lunch?
Boxed lunches are custom made and built for groups of 6 or more. Sandwiches and galettes come with a side salad, and every meal comes with a small chef’s-choice dessert.
What do custom boards cost per person?
Roughly $12–14 per person for a vegetarian board, and $15–16 per person with charcuterie.
How does the wedding process work?
Five steps: (1) send us your wedding details through our contact form; (2) we send you a menu of flavors to select from; (3) book a tasting; (4) send 2 or 3 inspiration photos to criminalbaker@gmail.com; (5) check our Instagram @criminalbaking to see what we make. We can’t give an official price quote until the style, size, and flavor of cake are decided.
What do wedding tastings cost?
Tastings start at $60 to-go and $80 in-person, and include a sampling of flavors in cake, pie, cupcakes, dessert bar bites, or a mix. They are held at Dawn’s licensed home kitchen, or picked up there to enjoy at your leisure. You can also order a Wedding Tasting Box online.
Do you deliver and set up weddings?
Yes. There is a $200 minimum for wedding deliveries, and fees apply based on distance. We will travel out of area to make a custom cake.
Can we add flowers to the desserts?
Locally sourced flowers can be added. We love placing them and find inspiration in the fresh and dried abundance of our region — we also candy fruits and use herbs.
Pie Club
What is Pie Club?
A monthly pie membership — from $40 a month. You pick your tier — sweet only ($40), savory ($50), or sweet & savory ($90), with savory available meat or vegetarian — and one pickup weekend (the 2nd or the 4th), and we have your pies waiting at Criminal Pie & Pantry every month. Want two pies a month? Set the quantity to 2. See the schedule and join.
Where and when do I pick up?
At Criminal Pie & Pantry, 327 South A St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 — open Friday–Sunday, 10am–4pm. You choose either the 2nd or the 4th weekend of the month. Pickup only for now.
What do members get?
10% off all Pie & Pantry purchases and cooking classes, a monthly Pie Tasting Event, and if you’re not feeling this month’s pie you can trade it for anything in our market freezer at pickup — no questions asked.
When does it start?
Subscriptions are open now. Pie Club starts October 1, with the first pickups on October 9 and October 23. The menu is published through February 2027.
Cooking Classes
What is a class like?
Casual and very fun. Classes are held near downtown Santa Rosa in the SOFA neighborhood and include snacks, 2–3 hours of instruction, and delicious take-aways. Group classes run $80–100 per person.
What should I wear, and can I bring my kids?
Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting messy. Kids make great students and are welcome at 8 years or older; they must be accompanied by an adult if under 14.
Will my class definitely run?
Four or more sign-ups are required to run a class. Classes with low enrollment will be rescheduled.
Can you do a private or corporate class?
Yes — for individuals, private parties, and corporate or team-building groups. Whether you’re exploring the Sonoma County food scene, planning a bridal party, or any reason at all, email criminalbaker@gmail.com for pricing and date availability.
Anything else I should know?
Pricing does not include tip, and we do not sell or serve alcohol. Let us know if you are gluten-free — we can accommodate you.
Visiting Us & Keeping in Touch
Where are you, and when are you open?
Criminal Cafe & Bakery — 808 Donahue Street, Santa Rosa. Open every day, 7:30am–3pm. 707-888-3546 · criminalcafesr@gmail.com
Criminal Pie & Pantry — 327 South A St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Open Friday–Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Catering & wholesale — 610 Brown Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, by appointment. 707-395-5395 · criminalbaker@gmail.com
What is the cafe like?
Our cafe-bakery sits in the Historic West End neighborhood in central Santa Rosa, just northwest of Railroad Square. There’s a casual indoor dining room surrounded by local art, or a laid-back meal on the front porch — and the West End dog park is across the street. We serve breakfast, lunch, smoothies, and fresh coffee drinks all day, plus two cases full of sweet and savory things that make a great quick meal on the run.
Do you sell wholesale?
We do. We offer mini savory and sweet pies, scones, brownies, and more for resale and delivery, and we cross-promote our wholesale partners on social media. Custom items may also be possible. Email criminalbaker@gmail.com for a price list and to set up a time to talk — see Wholesale.
Do you do anything besides baking and catering?
Yes — personal cheffing, meal preparation, pantry overhauls, food business consulting, and private cooking lessons, in your home, business, or private event. Details on Other Culinary Services, or email criminalbaker@gmail.com.
How do I hear about new pies and classes?
Our Pie & Pantry Menu goes out every other week with specialty products, sweet and savory pie flavors, and upcoming classes and dinners. Sign up at the bottom of any page, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram @criminalbaking, and Dawn’s Substack, Baking Human.