Mama Ward's is a niché cake company specializing in Southern Little Layer Cakes.  My name is Sunnie McCain and Mama Ward was my great grandmother. Born and raised in Bainbridge, GA, Mama Ward baked this Southern staple- the "little layer cake"- as did most of the ladies in her town. If you didn't know how, you weren't far from someone who did, and the number of layers mattered greatly. The history of this thin layered, stacked cake can be traced back to the early 1800’s - CENTURIES OLD - BEFORE THERE WAS A CAKE MIX OR AN ELECTRIC BEATER TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALIONG, MIND YOU - in Alabama and Georgia.  When Mama Ward passed away, the technique had not been learned by the next generation and the tradition, we thought, was lost. Besides having a great cake at every family function, we lost a connection to our past celebrations, gatherings, and our many treasured memories as a family.  We could not find a source in Charlotte and our closest access point was Atlanta though no one was driving 4 hours to get the goods. too many years had passed without a chocolate little layer cake; I had just birthed my third babe, and was on a mission to make this cake simply because, mama had needs, honey. In 2013 I jumped into the messy endeavor of recreating my childhood, and my family's, memory of this delicacy! The original flavor is as humble as ever. I think everyone can identify with a yellow cake and chocolate icing in some construct, regardless of where you’re from, in this world. The real difference lies in the historical boiled icing and the thin layers stacked high - no shortcuts. When I bake for someone, I love hearing the memories associated with their particular cake; because those memories are the exact reason I began my journey. These cakes are a reminder of celebrations passed, of loved ones and of home; wherever home may be. now, in 2024, the secrets of these cakes have made their way into the hands of each of my children, making us 5 generations deep in the art of a little layer cake.

Building community through cake is my passion. being open to and present in day to day interactions with others creates a strong compassion for humanity. From my table to yours,

let's have some cake!
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