Quick answer: For old-school butter cake that hits the spot like your grandmother’s, these seven local bakeries keep the tradition alive. Love Confectionery sells fluffy rainbow-sprinkled slices at $1.70; Lana Cakes is the atas choice for chocolate fudge at celebrations. Ng Kim Lee and Big Bakery bake small batches daily, while Rich and Good delivers island-wide. Each place has its own loyal following and a story worth knowing.
This is one of 51 guides in Best Cakes, Bakes & Desserts in Singapore — start there if you would rather compare before you commit.
Sometimes, you just need a slice of something buttery and comforting, with no fuss. These shops are where aunties and uncles have been going for decades—and for good reason.
Love Confectionery
This Alexandra stalwart has been churning out buttercream cakes since 1979, and the rainbow sprinkles are still a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. A slice is $1.70—try the blueberry and cream combo, die die must try. The cake is so soft it almost melts before you even chew.
Peanut, chocolate, and almond flavours also make regular appearances, all topped with homemade spreads that keep things simple and satisfying. It’s the kind of place you drop by on a lazy Sunday morning before they close at 1pm.
Address: 122 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-60, Singapore 150122
Hours: Mon–Sat 12pm–6pm, Sun 10.30am–1pm
Price: $1.70 per slice
Website: facebook.com/loveconfectionerysg
Great for a quick tea-time treat when you are in the Bukit Merah area, especially if you want something light and soft that will not leave you jelak.
Also worth a look: Best Pies in Singapore — for the savoury kind, done properly.
Also worth a look: Best The Ultimate Guide to the Best Bingsu in Singapore — for when it’s too hot to eat anything else.
Ng Kim Lee Confectionery
With a 70-year history tucked away in Bukit Timah, Ng Kim Lee feels like walking into your grandmother’s kitchen—if your grandmother was a Teochew pastry master. Their mini butter muffins are 70 cents each, and the strawberry and jam versions are damn shiok with a cup of kopi.
Every day they bake fresh batches, so the buttery softness is consistent. The traditional Western cakes are equally reliable, made without shortcuts. If you are running errands along Chun Tin Road, just grab a box for the office kakis.
Address: 4 Chun Tin Road, Singapore 599591
Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 9am–1pm
Price: Mini muffins from 70 cents each
Website: facebook.com/pages/Ng-Kim-Lee-Confectionery
None of these are sponsored placements. If you belong on this list, tell us what you do.
Big Bakery
Big Bakery lives up to its name in Tai Seng, not just in ambition but in the big, honest flavours. They have been making classic butter cakes and apple crumbles since 2006, all in small batches so each piece gets the attention it deserves. The butter cake is straightforward, no fancy layers—just the kind of slice that makes a weekday afternoon feel less sian.
They open at 5.30am on weekdays, so you can chope fresh bakes before work. Over 40 affordable items rotate through, including sugar doughnuts and other old-school numbers. It is a tiny family-run shop with a loyal morning crowd.
Address: 99 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534825
Hours: Mon–Fri 5.30am–6pm, Sat 10am–3pm
Price: Budget-friendly
Website: facebook.com/p/Big-Bakery-99-100064053971626
If you are into old-school treats, our Singapore’s Premier Butter Cookies roundup might be your next stop.
Sembawang Confectionery
Near Lavender MRT, Sembawang Confectionery has been doing preservative-free bakes since 1968. Their Traffic Light cake is a playful throwback—layers of buttercream in red, yellow, and green that look like a party. But the flavour is seriously rich, with a spice-infused twist that sets it apart from the usual suspects.
Marble cakes and tarts round out the offerings, all made daily without any artificial nonsense. If you appreciate robust, no-nonsense butter cakes that taste exactly like they did fifty years ago, this is your stop.
Address: 6 Beach Road, #01-4869, Singapore 190006
Hours: Daily 7.30am–6.30pm
Price: Good value
Website: facebook.com/SembawangConfectionery
Lana Cakes
This is the atas one, the cake you bring to a birthday when you want to impress. Lana Cakes has been synonymous with chocolate fudge since 1964, run by the same family in Bukit Timah. The sponge is light, the frosting creamy, and the whole thing is moist without being overly sweet—a balance that generations of Singaporeans have grown up on.
Beyond fudge, pastel buttercream piping on celebration cakes is a signature, and their Lana-to-Go jars make the indulgence portable. They are closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan your visit.
Address: 36 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289239
Hours: Tue–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm (closed Sun & Mon)
Price: Premium
Website: lanacakes-since1964.com
To pair your cake with a proper meal, see our guide to Fine Dining Restaurants in Singapore.
Thiam Yian Confectionery
Thiam Yian has been blending Chinese and Western baking since 1988 from their shop in Tai Peng Gardens. They are known for wedding cakes and traditional pastries, but their everyday buttercream slices are equally worth the trip to Upper Serangoon. The butteriness is well-balanced—aromatic but not overwhelming—and the bakes feel genuinely handmade.
They stay open until 10pm most days, which is rare for an old-school confectionery. Perfect if you need a last-minute cake for visiting relatives or a humble weeknight dessert.
Address: 1004 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534742
Hours: Tue–Sun 8am–10pm (closed Mon & public holidays)
Price: Check with the business
Website: thiamyian.com
Rich and Good Cake Shop
Rich and Good started in 1997 and quickly became a household name for Swiss rolls and cakes that taste like they came from a home kitchen—in the best way. Their walnut cake and pandan chiffon are steady favourites, but the butter Swiss rolls in durian and mango are where things get interesting. Everything is made in small batches with pure ingredients.
The real draw? They deliver island-wide. So when you are feeling lazy on a weekend, a box can arrive at your door. Multiple outlets exist, but the flagship is on Kandahar Street.
Address: 24 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198887 (multiple outlets)
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5.30pm (varies by outlet)
Price: Check with the business
Website: richngood.com
How to choose
Your pick really depends on what mood you are in. If you want old-school buttercream with sprinkles and a price that makes you smile, Love Confectionery or Sembawang Confectionery are your best bets. For something denser and more Teochew-inspired, Ng Kim Lee’s muffins and cakes hit differently. Need a celebration centrepiece? Lana Cakes’ chocolate fudge is legendary. If you cannot get out of the house, Rich and Good’s delivery makes it easy. Big Bakery and Thiam Yian are neighbourhood gems for everyday indulgence.
Price-wise, most slices stay well under a few dollars, while whole cakes range up depending on size and design. Always call ahead if you are after a specific flavour or a custom order—these are small operations, not factory lines. Some shops like Big Bakery open before sunrise, so you can grab breakfast on the way to work. Others like Thiam Yian stay open late, ideal for a post-dinner stop. Check opening days carefully: Lana Cakes closes Sundays and Mondays, while Love Confectionery has a short Sunday window that ends at 1pm. If you are ordering for a large group, ask about advance ordering—most places will set aside a whole cake with a few days’ notice. For butter cake lovers who also enjoy baking, some of these shops sell their spreads and pastries separately, which can be a nice way to bring a bit of that old-school flavour home.
| Business | Signature Item | Price Indicator | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love Confectionery | Rainbow sprinkle buttercream cake | $1.70 per slice | Walk-in only |
| Ng Kim Lee Confectionery | Mini butter muffins | From $0.70 each | Walk-in only |
| Big Bakery | Classic butter cake | Budget-friendly | Walk-in only |
| Sembawang Confectionery | Traffic Light buttercream cake | Good value | Walk-in only |
| Lana Cakes | Chocolate fudge cake | Premium | Pickup only |
| Thiam Yian Confectionery | Traditional cream cakes | Check with the business | Walk-in only |
| Rich and Good Cake Shop | Walnut cake & Swiss rolls | Check with the business | Island-wide delivery |
None of these are sponsored placements. If you belong on this list, tell us what you do.
Summary
These seven neighbourhood confectioneries prove you do not need fancy packaging to enjoy a proper butter cake. Whether you are picking up a simple slice for tea or ordering a whole cake for a celebration, the taste of real butter and handmade care is what makes each one special. Swing by, support a local business, and rediscover a flavour that never gets old.
Disclaimer: Details like operating hours and prices may change, so do confirm with the business before heading down.
Frequently asked questions
Which butter cake shop in Singapore is the most affordable?
Love Confectionery sells slices from $1.70, and Ng Kim Lee offers mini butter muffins at 70 cents each, making them the most budget-friendly choices on the list.
Do any of these bakeries offer delivery?
Rich and Good Cake Shop provides island-wide delivery for their Swiss rolls and cakes. The others are predominantly walk-in; contact them directly if you need a larger order transported.
What makes these butter cakes different from regular sponge cakes?
Butter cakes rely on real butter and sometimes buttermilk for a denser, richer crumb, while sponge cakes use oil or whipped eggs for a lighter texture. These old-school bakeries use butter generously for that nostalgic flavour.
Are these butter cakes halal?
Halal certification varies among these family-run bakeries. It is best to contact the shop directly or check their social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
Can I order a custom butter cake for a birthday or wedding?
Thiam Yian Confectionery specialises in wedding and celebration cakes, and Lana Cakes also takes custom orders. Call ahead to discuss design, size, and lead time.
Which shop has been around the longest?
Ng Kim Lee Confectionery has a 70-year legacy, making it the oldest. Several others, like Love Confectionery (since 1979) and Sembawang Confectionery (since 1968), also have deep roots.
