The frog cake was introduced by Adelaide bakery Balfours sometime in the 1920s, likely inspired by fondant-covered petit fours a Balfour family member encountered on a trip to Paris — it was formally recognised as a South Australian Heritage Icon in 2001, and remains a nostalgic, occasional treat for locals.
Best Bakery
Balfours
Best Area
Adelaide Central Market
Price Range
A$4–A$7
Must Try
Frog Cake
Also on myycity.blog: 🥪 Sandwich Guide · 🍳 Full English Guide · 🍔 Burger Guide
🎂 What Makes Adelaide's Cake Different?
A small sponge cake with jam filling and a mock-cream dome, entirely covered in fondant icing and piped to resemble a smiling frog's face.
🍰 Anatomy of a Adelaide Cake
🍰 Sponge
Light, airy sponge — the base for most Australian and New Zealand celebration cakes
🍓 Fresh fruit
Fresh strawberries, passionfruit or kiwifruit are common toppings
🥥 Coconut
Desiccated coconut coats several of the region's best-known cakes
🍫 Chocolate icing
A simple chocolate icing is the default finish on many local classics
☕ Pairing
A flat white alongside is the standard order at any decent café
🎂 Must-Try in Adelaide: Frog Cake — A small sponge cake with jam filling and a mock-cream dome, entirely covered in fondant icing and piped to resemble a smiling frog's face.
📍 Where to Get It in Adelaide
Balfours — The original home of the frog cake since the 1920s — now under new ownership (Australian Pie Co, since 2023) but still producing the cake that made it famous.
- 🎂 Balfours (South Australian bakery chain)
- 🎂 Stalls inside Adelaide Central Market
💷 What You'll Pay
| Format | What to Expect | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Café Slice | A single slice with coffee or tea, eaten in | A$4–A$7 |
| Small Whole Cake | A personal-size cake to take home | A$16–A$26 |
| Celebration Cake | A birthday or party-sized cake, serves a group | A$32–A$50 |
| Bespoke / Wedding Cake | Custom-designed, multi-tier, starting price | A$180+ |
💡 Adelaide Cake Tips
- Frog cakes traditionally come in green, pink, or brown fondant — green is the original.
- The recipe has changed hands a few times since 2008; long-time locals sometimes debate whether it still tastes the same.
❓ FAQ
What is the best frog cake in Adelaide?
Balfours is widely regarded as one of Adelaide's best spots for frog cake. The original home of the frog cake since the 1920s — now under new ownership (Australian Pie Co, since 2023) but still producing the cake that made it famous.
How much does a good cake cost in Adelaide?
Expect roughly A$4–A$7 for a café slice, rising to A$180+ for a bespoke or wedding cake.
What makes frog cake unique to Adelaide?
A small sponge cake with jam filling and a mock-cream dome, entirely covered in fondant icing and piped to resemble a smiling frog's face. It's a style closely tied to Adelaide's own baking history rather than a generic cake you'd find anywhere.
Where's the best area in Adelaide to find one?
Adelaide Central Market is generally considered the strongest area in Adelaide for frog cake and bakeries generally.