Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: Pros: charge for a doll cake?
I just did my first doll cake (supposed to be a princess; we'll see if the RI crown works out without breaking). It turned out nice, but took me 4 hrs. start to finish--and the icing was already made and colored. This cake is a gift, but I know someone is going to ask me what it would cost. With the time and effort I want to say $70, but I can just imagine the bug-eyed "but this is for a 4-yr-old" response. I don't normally have a problem with pricing, but this one is throwing me. I'm sure I'll be faster in the future, so that will help the overall profit per hour.
Author: FromScratch, Location: on an island in the sun...Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:18 am Post subject:
The wondermold pan is 20 servings... charge accordingly. Idon't make doll cakes, but if I did I'd charge no different for them. I don't like baking in the Wondermold, so I'd start with round cakes and carve and I'd charge no less than $125.00 depending on decoration.
4 year old or not, it doesn't change the work that goes into it.
Author: leah_s, Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:40 am Post subject:
I'd have a base price of $100, but that also depends on if you're using a doll pick or hand modeling something. I really only do bride dress cakes with the hand molded mannekin and fondant dress with lace and dusts. Those cost upwards of $200.
Author: Kiddiekakes, Location: Calgary,Alberta,CanadaPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:
I charge $5.00 per serving ...so the wondermold serves 20....at least $100.00
Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:29 am Post subject:
Whew! Now I feel better. RI crowns all were very brittle and broke immediately. I made one from GP and it's in front of a fan--dampened it to adhere rainbow sparkle. I have three hours until delivery, so we'll see (cold and damp today). I'll try to attach a photo later to see if you all still think it's worth it. Any of you going to be at the ICES convention? All three of you have been most helpful now and in the past, and I'd love to meet you.
Author: leah_s, Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:52 am Post subject:
crown? You mean something tiny to sit on the doll's head? Or more like lifelike child's head size crown? I charge $40 minimum just for a topper. Any topper.
Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:01 am Post subject:
Tiny to sit on the doll's head (using a doll pick).
Author: DianeLM, Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TexasPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:45 am Post subject:
Regarding your royal icing crown... Did you use freshly made royal or rebeaten? It's not recommended to use rebeaten royal for something as structurally dependent as a tiara or colorflow piece. Save the rebeaten stuff to use as glue or cookie decor.
I make royal icing tiaras for my doll cakes, too. A little royal or bc tinted the same color as the doll's hair will hold the tiara on nicely.
Author: Pauldo, Location: Smyrna, TNPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:00 am Post subject:
Oh Lord....and I was going to say $35 or $40. I REALLY got to get my pricing together!!!
Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:
Ok, let's see if I'm capable of getting this photo up. In the past it's always just given a link, so if all else fails that should at least show up.
Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:
Author: Mensch, Location: The Diogenes ClubPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:
I charge about $100, for a simple one.. I only do them in fondant, and tort twice and fill. Takes me less than 2 hours total to whip one out.
Author: handymama, Location: Traverse City, MIPosted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:49 am Post subject:
Diane--thanks for the tip about the RI Yes, it was older and had lost its "muscle tone". The GP worked fine and was maybe stronger in the end, but I had to have it in front of a fan to dry in time.
Mensch--does your 2 hrs include the time to mix, bake, make and color icing, prepare the board and everything that goes into it from start to finish? If so, that's great! I didn't include clean-up time, but did include the rest.
Author: MLand, Location: NCPosted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 6:17 am Post subject:
When they bug their eyes over the price, bug yours back over the fact that YOU are the talented one baking and decorating it, and tell them to check around to see where else it is available!
Author: Mensch, Location: The Diogenes ClubPosted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:
Yes, it does, handymamma. I don't count time in the oven and time cooling. I make both batter and icing in my 10l mixer, so I don't mix up one batch especially for a doll cake. I do batter for lots of cakes at once. I only use fondant on dolls.
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: Pros: charge for a doll cake?
