Me again... doing my second cake for pay.

This cake was requested by a football Mom who I do not know that well. She emailed me two different ideas that she found online and wants to know what I would charge for them. There are not that difficult to do (I would have preferred more of a challenge) so I really don't know what to charge. She wants a 9x13. Our local bakery charges $20 for a basic 9x13 and it goes up from there. Obviously my cake would be much better tasting than the bakery version! Out of my flavor list, she chose French Vanilla with Strawberry filling. The cake would be covered with buttercream. I am assuming I would do a frozen buttercream transfer for the one design, and a fondant grad cap and scroll for the other design.

I live in rural Manitoba, Canada...so I could never charge what they do in LA or New York! Having said that, I want to balance charging enough to make it worth my while but not charging so much that I can't build a business.

Aren't the specialty bakeries around you charging at least $3-$3.50 per serving? I'd think your base price should be at least $50 plus additional charges for your extras.

The finished cake is in my pics. The customer ended up changing the flavor to WASC with Key Lime Filling. (Yum!) She was very happy with the end result, and offrered to recommend me to her friends.

Now that the cake is done, and everyone can see what I did, what price would you suggest?

Hello- A little advise that I got when I first started to decorate cakes.

Call a bakery and ask for a quote on exactly what the customer wants. Most bakeries give free quotes.

From there, add the cost of the supplies that it took to make your cake.

There you go.




P.S.~ If you are going to call more than once, call a different bakery.

Good advice...and I did try that...but the local bakery wouldn't give a quote because they couldn't make what the customer wanted!

try calling a bigger city bakery

I live in rural Nova Scotia, and my 8" rounds, 1 tier with 2 layers, BC iced and filled with minor work fondant accents, go out for $55.

That's as cheap as I can go.

One layer 8" rounds in our grocery store bakery are $9.99.
White, whipped frosting-y iced, 1 rose, shell border, rose buds in other corner. Piping gel writing.

9x13" sheet cakes, two layer, start at $24.99 for them.

My ingredients for that cake are in the $12-15 range, and my time is broken down into:
1) Make the fondant accents - colour, roll and cut out, a while ahead.
2) Make the cake - 15 minutes.
3) While cakes are cooking/cooling, make the BC, and get out cake boards. Reorganize the fridge
4) Fill with BC, crumb coat - 20-30 minutes depending on how many times the phone rings
5) Chill over night
6) Delivery day - final BC coat, border, writing, ribbons (if needed) supplied by them, and given to me 2 weeks ahead. Add dried fondant accents.
7) Clean up, clean up, clean up.

So $40 for my time ain't a whole lot.

...and I would charge extra for the grad cap - excellent work, by the way

Flowers? Forget it.
Order them online....and charge all costs associated with that.
I'll do the BC roses, and buds if they want them, but no fondant accents.

Now, depending on what you did end up charging, maybe I should think about raising my rate!! LOL

HTH!!!

Thanks CBMom. It is reassuring to hear what others charge and why. I live far enough away that I won't be underselling you! If I make another cake like this, I will charge a little more.

I guess I would rather make a cake a week with a decent profit margin than a cake a day for very little profit.

You're welcome

I should have been more clear that it is my 8" round cake that ingredients cost $12-15.

It's eye opening when you actually add up costs:
1 cake mix - I try to get them at WalMart on sale for $1.50, and stock up.
1/2 instant pudding - $0.50
1/2 cooked pudding - $1.00
4 eggs - $1.00
1/2 pkg of Dream Whip $0.50
Icing sugar - one bag $3.00
Canola oil - 1/2 cup, I think...say $0.25
1/2 pound butter $2.50
1/2 pound shortening $1.50
Vanilla, butter favouring, apple cider vinegar, foil, disposable icing bags, electricity, fondant costs vary, cake boards, cake pan release, dish soap (have any idea of how much dish soap we go through while making a cake?? Trust me, I go through a lot!! LOL! )etc, etc.

And that's not even taking into account the cost of pans, or any of the other "fun" stuff that I had to have

Once I actually added it all up, I stopped trying to "compete" with anyone else, including the grocery store!! LOL!

One lady here makes cakes and charges the SAME price as the grocery store bakery.

She does lovely BC sheet cakes, and whips 'em out like nobody's business...

I think she must be affected by all the powdered sugar!! LOL!

Here's my website - I'm almost ready to "go live" - just need some more pictures uploaded to my gallery. Feel free to let me know what you think!
www.aceilidhcake.weebly.com

Goodness, I've rambled on!!

Happy Caking!

CBMom, just had a peek at your website and I thought it was great, very friendly. The only point I would make is that I found it less obvious where your gallery was! I did find it, but maybe you could put it before your pricing so that customers see your work and then check out your cost. Just a thought

CBMom, I have checked out your website, and I would have to agree that your cake gallery pics need to be more prominent. Perhaps have the gallery listed on the sidebar right below your home page. People definitely need to see your cakes before they see your prices! Also, I would put the cake serving guide in with the cake prices. Just a few suggestions. Someone else may have an even better idea!

Thanks for your ideas on pricing!

I charge $50.00 for a 9x13 and $110.00 for a 11x15.The grocery stores here like Safeway,Sobey's,Co-op and Superstore charge $24.99 for a single layer 9x13.The bigger slabs I'm not sure of.The Co-op started selling the Decopac signature 3D cakes kits about 2 years ago and they started at $49.99 but have since gone up to $69.99 so really their 3D cake kits aren't that cheap either...

I like your site...it's classy and simple...not too much information which can easily be overwhelming and a turn-off but enough of the basic info...I think you pretty much nalied it

OKAY, I know we have gotten off topic (from Cake prices to websites to cheesecakes), but as the OP, I am still enjoying this post!

"Now, I've got to go finish the cheesecake for tomorrow...hmmmm, another Ceilidh Cake page!! "

I just finished making a birthday cheesecake (White Chocolate-Raspberry) for tomorrow! Any ideas what to cover it with (other than your basic chocolate ganache)?

Definitely consider selling cheesecakes on your site.

Oh, I'm sorry...I sooooo highjacked your thread

But enjoying all the cake chat and suggestions

I'm doing Shirley and Sari's wrapping a cake in chocolate...so easy, and looks just gorgeous!!

Filling in the top with raspberries and blueberries, and drizzle white chocolate.

Yummmmmmooo!!

CBMom: "I'm doing Shirley and Sari's wrapping a cake in chocolate...so easy, and looks just gorgeous!!"

At the risk of sounding stupid...please explain! I tried to search "Shirley and Sari's wrapping a cake in chocolate", but couldn't find anything. Is it a technique on this site?

Please post a picture of the cheesecake. I have been making cheesecakes for years, but have never done much other than the chocolate ganache and whipping cream to dress them up.

Oh yes!
It's right at the top of the Cake Deorating forum...just there in the stickies..
Wrapping a Cake in Chocolate pictorial..

Just a second, I'll post a link - which I should have done in the first place!!

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-599861.html

There you go!!
Prepare to have your family fall at your feet

LOL!!!

Thanks CBMom. I will follow the link right away. Mmm, I can hardly wait!