- Attraction: Federal Bake Shop Inc
- Location: 1966 Northpoint Blvd, Hixson, TN 37343
- Industry: Bakery
- Website: https://federalbakeshop.com/
Federal Bake Shop is where the Ainsworth family has been baking up generations of sweet memories since opening their doors in 1974.
What started as a modest shop in Northgate Mall has blossomed into a Hixson institution, moving to its current location in 1994 and maintaining its commitment to never changing what works.
The secret?
They’ve kept their original family recipes exactly as they were five decades ago. While other bakeries chase trends and reinvent their menus, Federal Bake Shop stands firm on the tried-and-true formulas that made them famous.
Their signature almond-flavored white cake, thumbprint cookies, and chocolate chip cookie cakes taste exactly the same today as they did when your parents were kids, and that consistency keeps customers driving from across the Chattanooga region.
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Thumbprint Cookies: These are the crown jewels of Federal Bake Shop, and once you try them, you’ll understand why they now ship them nationwide.
Each cookie starts as a buttery shortbread base studded with pecans, then gets topped with colorful icings in vanilla, strawberry, lemon, and chocolate.
The texture hits that perfect balance between crispy edges and a tender center, while the nutty pecan flavor complements the sweet icing without overwhelming it.
At just over $8 per dozen, they’re perfect for parties, gifts, or sneaking a few for yourself on the drive home.
The Almond Cake: This is what loyalty is built on. The cake itself is incredibly light and airy, almost cloud-like in texture, topped with their signature creamy almond icing that’s been made from the same recipe since day one.
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Discover MoreSome find the almond flavor quite pronounced, so if you’re not a fan of almond extract, you might want to explore their chocolate, red velvet, coconut, or carrot cake options instead.
But for almond lovers, this cake borders on addictive. It’s become such a tradition that families who’ve moved away from Chattanooga still insist on having it shipped for birthdays.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cakes: Imagine your favorite chocolate chip cookie, but supersized and decorated for celebrations. These beautifully presented treats combine the nostalgic comfort of homemade cookies with the festive appeal of a decorated cake, making them an instant hit at parties.
Strawberry Cake: When you want something fruity and fresh, this is your answer.
The strawberry flavor shines through beautifully, and when paired with their buttercream or cream cheese frosting, it creates a harmonious blend that’s celebratory without being too heavy. Wedding parties and spring birthdays seem especially drawn to this option.
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Keep Exploring →Petit Fours: These delicate little cakes pack a surprising punch of flavor. Soft, moist layers get enrobed in perfectly smooth icing that’s sweet but not cloying. The almond notes appear here too, reminiscent of old-world Italian cakes, and they disappear quickly at parties.
Coconut Macaroons: Chewy, dense, and loaded with coconut flavor, these treats feel almost heavenly to coconut enthusiasts. They strike that ideal balance where the exterior gets slightly crisp while the inside stays moist and tender.
Cheese Straws: Not everything here is sweet! These zesty, crispy cheese crackers offer a savory counterpoint to all the desserts. They’re perfect for parties, especially when you need something to balance out all that sugar.
Custom Decorated Cakes: Whether you’re celebrating a 90th birthday, a wedding, or a graduation, Federal Bake Shop creates stunning custom designs.
You can taste different flavors before committing, which takes the guesswork out of ordering. The cakes consistently arrive beautifully decorated and photo-ready.
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Cake Slices: At under $5, individual cake slices are generous enough to easily serve two people.
This makes Federal Bake Shop perfect for satisfying a sudden sweet tooth without committing to a whole cake. The variety of flavors available by the slice means you can try different options before ordering a full cake.
Packaged Treats: Small packages of cookies, mini loaves of bread, and other individually wrapped goodies line the cases. For busy parents needing a last-minute treat for work or school events, this setup is genius. You can dash in, grab what you need, and be out in minutes.
Yeast Rolls: These come in specialty pans that let you select exactly how many you want, then pop them in your oven at home for that fresh-baked warmth and aroma. At about $7 for a dozen, they’re an affordable way to elevate any meal. The texture is flaky, buttery, and practically melts in your mouth.
The Space And Experience
Classic Bakery Vibes: The moment you walk through the door, that unmistakable bakery aroma hits you, the kind that makes you instantly hungry even if you just ate. The space has that nostalgic, old-school bakery feel without trying to be trendy or Instagram-perfect. It’s comforting and authentic.
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Keep Exploring →Display Cases: Everything is neatly arranged behind glass, letting you see exactly what you’re getting. The presentation is clean and professional, with each item looking fresh and appealing.
Sweet Tooth Central: Be warned that just breathing inside this place might feel indulgent. The concentration of sugar and butter in the air is real, and your willpower will be tested by the sheer variety of treats surrounding you.
What To Know Before You Go
Pricing: Federal Bake Shop sits in that comfortable middle range where the quality clearly justifies the cost without feeling extravagant.
A dozen thumbprint cookies runs about $8, cake slices are under $5, and full custom cakes are competitively priced for the area. Prices have increased somewhat in recent years to match rising ingredient costs, but the value remains solid.
Parking: Located in a shopping plaza next to the Hixson Goodwill, parking is plentiful and stress-free. You won’t spend 10 minutes circling the lot looking for a spot.
Hours: The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, operating Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 6pm. Plan accordingly, especially if you need something for a Sunday or Monday event.
Ordering Custom Cakes: While they handle last-minute birthday cakes beautifully, larger custom projects like wedding cakes require advance notice. During peak seasons, they may limit certain services, so calling ahead is your best bet.
Delivery: They do offer delivery service for cakes to event venues, though the fee can be steep at around $100. For smaller orders, pickup is definitely the more economical choice.
Freshness Guarantee: Items are baked regularly throughout the day, so what you’re getting is genuinely fresh. This commitment to quality explains why customers have remained loyal for decades.
Family-Friendly: This is absolutely a place where kids are welcome. Birthday cake shopping often becomes a family tradition, with children growing up making annual trips to pick out their special cakes.
Federal Bake Shop Inc
📍 1966 Northpoint Blvd, Hixson, TN 37343
