I was asked to make a gromms cake for a coworker. She said she would pay me, so I have no idea what to charge for the cake. It will be a bass fish that looks like it is jumping out of the cake. So it will be some detailed work. I have made several cakes for birthdays showers and 1 wedding cake, but i never charged anyone they are usually my gift. So how much should I charge?

This is a very simple response.
This, like most $ questions has lots of variables. You could call around to your local bakeries and see what they go for in your area.
In my area buttercream cakes average around 3$ a serving 4$ serving for fondant, 6$ serving for sculpted cakes. If your skills are as good as a professional baker then charge the same if not charge less. Just don't undercut them so badly that you piss them off. If you are not licensed I would recommend you do it for price of ingredients and just use it for more practice, or trade it for services. If someone turns you in you could get a fine, more likely a warning. This lousy economy is hurting businesses and I think you could be taking a risk by doing this without license.

cakes like that are charged more for the talent and the time than they are for the number of servings. What's the value of your talent? How much time (TOTAL time!) will you have invested in this?

Thanks for your reply. No I am not licensed so thats why I have never charged anyone. I will probably do it at cost as a favor! Mybe one day I could go Pro!

You do realise that doing it "at cost" is still charging right?

I wouldn't NOT charge simply because U R not licensed. If you were approached then you should be compensated in some way. Time is of value.... licensed or not.