Hey everyone, Im new to this whole scene and just starting out Im finding it very hard to put a price tag on cakes. Any suggestions on pricing do's and dont's? Any info would be great! [/img]

I am pretty new to pricing cakes too. I have had many people say to add up your costs and multiply that by three and that is what you should charge.
For example If your costs were $20:
$20x3=$60 That would be how much you charge.

I am sure that you will get a lot of different answers. Just remember not to undercharge. It takes a lot of time and skill to bake and decorate cakes. You will have people that don't want to pay what you charge. Don't let them get to you; these people don't know how hard you work.

as I always post I would check with bakeries around you and try to stay around thier price and perhaps give a 5 dollar off type special until people realize how great you are.....

My theory is that what I do is special. If someone wants the same old walmart/safeway cakes, they are welcome to go get one. If they want something one of a kind and special they should be willing to pay for it. Right now I just do cakes for gifts and fun, but when my second child starts school and I have time to do this as a "business" I plan on charging more than the grocery-stores. Remember, all of their cakes come from a 50 pound bagged mix, they buy everything in bulk at a hugely discounted price, we don't.

If you are talking about wedding cakes then I would set a price according to the wilton cake chart size 1 1/2 x 2" so much per slice. I think that 2.00 for buttercream and 3.00 for fondant is pretty fair.

As far as occasion cakes go I think they are in a whole different category than wedding cakes.
Then you have to do some research at the bakeries and such.

Kathy R

Depends on your area. You can check to see what everyone else charges and price competitively with them. Never price yourself too low, especially below what the grocery stores charge. You are giving the customer a better product than that. We charge $3.25 per serving for BC, and $4.25 per serving for fondant. That is very reasonable for this area (going by our main competition that is).

Good luck,
Suz

When I was doing this as a business.. My buttercream wedding cakes started at $3.50 per slice and fondant was $4.50 per slice. Occasion cakes were priced based on the design..I'll have to look up my price sheet for the base prices.

The more you do this the easier it will become to price cakes...After you have worked your tail off on a cake and hardly make a profit you'll start to think differently!!