I had offered my cake matrix on the wilton site so I get several people who email me asking for a copy and sometimes they will ask me questions, which is cool, but I"m stumped on this one. I of course directed her (as I do many of the people) to this site, but now I am wondering for myself...

"Also what about dummy cakes-the bride wants a dummy cake with a real top cake. what would you charge for doing dummy cakes?"

I don't do cake dummies. I figured I almost might charge MORE since doesn't a cake dummy cost more than the cake batter. Sure you save baking time, but if the dummy costs more also it might balance out a little. When you buy cake you aren't really buying cake you are buying our time and talent and it wouldn't take her any less time or talent to decorate a dummy than a real cake.

Thoughts?

I'm new to making cakes and recently had this come up. My Wilton's teacher, who's been in the business for over 20 years, says a dummy should cost the same as if it were real cake. So, she says starting at $4 per slice, plus flowers, decorations, etc. I agree with you, batter costs next to nothing but a dummy costs more. Plus, it's the decoration that really takes up time and a dummy requires just as much decoration as the real thing. So, don't charge any less than your regular price for that sized tier.

THANKS! That is totally what I thought!