Well, my problem is that I hate baking. Haaate it. I love my job, and my business...but it's the decorating/creating that I love- NOT the baking. Lol. I recently switched to scratch baking from doctored mixes thinking maybe if I got more creative with recipes I would like it more, but nope. I've been at this business stuff for two years now, and now I'm trying to figure out the best next move!

I am considering switching over to fake cakes... I've made a few for wedding shows and such and always enjoyed the process. I was curious if anyone in business does these, or offers them and how it's working out. I'll take opinions from anyone though!

Thanks guys

Have you thought about hiring someone to do the baking for you?

Yes, that's kind of my other option.... I think part of me is afraid of giving up control. This has been my baby. I probably need to get over that.

Well... what would you DO with the fake cakes? Presumably they would go to events where real cake would be needed as well (sheets or whatever). Will you provide those then? (same boat as before) or would the customer need to go to costco? Perhaps a better alternative is to buy premade cakes and then decorate them yourself a la sam's club??

You will not be able to maintain your business on fake cakes alone- as PP said- you'll have to make sheet cakes- and then you're back baking again. Seriously- hire someone to bake- it will free up your time and creative spirit!

Also, have you thought about checking with the local culinary school for interns? Most of the time they have to do some sort of internship. Some are paid, some are not.

Maybe you could sell the fake cakes online and ship them. I've seen sites that do that.

Or you could rent the fake cakes so brides who wanted a "ta da" cake but couldn't afford it could rent yours and then get cheap cakes to serve from the kitchen.

Yes, renting the cakes is an idea where they would have to get their own sheet cakes. Or buying premade cakes would work too.. I haven't looked, but I'm sure you could even order them online somewhere..

Why don't you just get a different hobby ? The medium of a cake decorator is cake ( unless you are Duff, and that's another story). Why not take up painting or sculpting, or any of the other associated arts that don't require baking.
Would you want to buy your wedding dress from a woman who said you know what, i just hate fashion, hate clothes, I just like being creative?

Do something you enjoy doing.

I agree with PP. I never understand how people want to decorate, but don't want to bake. The art is being able to achieve a well decorated CAKE. I am a baker, then a decorator.

This is a applicable blog for your situation I just came across:

http://blog.goweddinggifts.com/2010/01/11/rent-the-wedding-cake-of-your-dreams/

Hmmm...
Me too...I'm a baker 1st, then a decorator. In fact, my favorite part is when the customer says something like "WOW...it tastes as good as it looks!".

Everyone is different.... I have hobbist friends who love to decorate so just buy the cake. Nothing wrong with that.. Luckily I like doing both.

I only make faux cakes and do not bake on the side. Most venues supply dessert as part of their package in this area. Why bake cake as well? It will only be wasted. I also love to decorate and hate to bake. My faux cakes are rented out most weekends. I have about 25 different ones that can be changed to match a bride's colours at a moments notice. I also ship them across Canada and the US. I have had inquiries from Europe as well. The market is there so go for it mariahbakes.

Diane, how much do you charge for the rent?

Thanks for all the comments...I've been away from the computer so I just got the chance to read everything.

I think I was having one of those whiney moments...I have a good friend from pastry school in Vegas that rents fake cakes and it just got me thinking. You know you didn't really mean what you said when and hour later you're thinking "why did I say that"? I don't reeeallly mean that...stop whining, Mariah!"

I really do love my job, first time ever that I can say that.

To each his/her own - no reason to be baking snobs up there. Artists have a serious place in this business - it's absurd to expect one person in the bakery to do every single thing.

To the OP, since you asked, I'd say start looking for a baker.

why don't you order your cakes in frozen just like walmart

I also hate to bake, luckily, we have plenty of business so my husband is now my baker and he bakes to MY standards and all of the cake tastes how I want it to taste.
I will decorate all day long.....another thing I hate is spending so much time on the computer answering emails, taking phone calls, going back and forth with designs...but if I didn't do that I wouldn't get to decorate!

Started looking for bakers! I don't want to purchase premade or frozen cakes, it turns customers off. Which I understand! People love the flavor and texture of my cake, that's the main reason for repeat customers. I just need to get someone in here to bake my recipes.