Family-owned in Hixson · baking since 1974
Chattanooga's favorite
bakery.
Family-owned by the Ainsworths since 1974. People drive for miles for the freshness and rich, delectable taste of our cakes, cookies and pastries, still made from our original recipes.
straight from the case
A little of everything good.
Cakes decorated to order, cookies by the dozen, danish pulled hot each morning. Tap any photo to look closer.
what we bake
Eight cases
worth the drive.
Everything is made from the Ainsworths' original recipes, the same flavors Chattanooga has driven to Hixson for since 1974.
Browse the bakery caseDecorated & Wedding Cakes
Birthday, celebration and wedding cakes decorated to order in our buttercream, since 1974.
Pastry Cakes
Italian cream, German chocolate, coconut, strawberry, red velvet, Monte Carlo & carrot.
Pound & Snack Cakes
Buttermilk, lemon, chocolate-chip, poppy-seed almond & strawberry cream cheese.
Cupcakes
White, chocolate, red velvet, strawberry & carrot, by the cup or the dozen.
Petit Fours
Bite-size almond cakes in smooth poured icing, a Federal Bake Shop tradition.
Thumbprint Cookies
Our signature pecan shortbread in vanilla, strawberry, lemon & chocolate, shipped nationwide.
Danish & Morning Pastries
Fruit-filled danish, cinnamon rolls, sweet breads & glazed morning pastries.
Cookies, Bars & Savories
Coconut macaroons, cheese straws, steak rolls, bars & German pretzels.
now shipping
Our thumbprint cookies, at your door.
Pecan shortbread iced in vanilla, strawberry, lemon and chocolate, the cookie people drive across the county for, now boxed and shipped anywhere in the country. Call the shop and we'll arrange it.
- ✦Thumbprint cookies
- ✦Petit fours
- ✦Almond white cake
- ✦Italian cream
- ✦Coconut macaroons
- ✦Cheese straws
since 1974
A Hixson institution.
Federal Bake Shop opened in Chattanooga's Northgate Mall in 1974 and has been the Ainsworth family's bakery ever since, moving to our home on Northpoint Blvd in 1994. Same family. Same recipe box. Same reason people keep driving back.
We've iced 50 years of birthday cakes, wedding cakes and Sunday-table petit fours for the greater Chattanooga area, and we still make every one from scratch.
loved for 50 years
4.7★ and counting.
300+ reviews across Google & Tripadvisor. Here's what folks say.
I love love love their petit fours, the most delicious I think I've ever tasted in my life.
I have been coming here for 50 years. Love the cakes!
The cake was so moist and the cream-cheese frosting was delicious.
The softness and almond flavor reminded me of Italian cake from long ago.
Best tasting cakes and pastries ever. Everything here is A++++ quality, every time.
The best bakery in Hixson, we won't go anywhere else for our cakes.
a few things folks ask
Before you order.
Do you take custom cake orders?
Yes, call us at (423) 870-2255 to order custom birthday, celebration and wedding cakes. Please give us a few days' notice for decorated cakes, and more lead time for large or detailed designs.
Can you ship your thumbprint cookies?
We can. Our signature thumbprint cookies ship nationwide, call the shop and we'll arrange shipping anywhere in the country.
Do you make wedding cakes?
We've been making Chattanooga's wedding cakes since 1974. Call to set up a consultation and tasting.
Is there an allergy notice?
Everything is made in a kitchen that also handles wheat, eggs, almonds, peanuts, tree nuts and milk, so cross-contact is possible. Please tell us about any allergies when you order.
What are your hours?
We're open Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30am–6pm, and closed Sunday & Monday. Fresh-baked goods go fast, come early for the best selection.
Where are you located?
1966 Northpoint Blvd in Hixson, serving the greater Chattanooga area since 1974. We started in Northgate Mall in 1974 and have been at our Hixson location since 1994.
come see us
Order a cake, or just stop in.
We're at 1966 Northpoint Blvd in Hixson, just behind O'Charley's. Tell us what you need below, or call the shop: custom cakes, wedding cakes, big trays and nationwide cookie shipping.
Get first dibs on seasonal cakes.
Be first to know about seasonal cakes, holiday cutoffs & new flavors.