Going Rate For Cupcakes??

Baking By forheavenscake Updated 22 Aug 2011 , 11:18pm by sweet_tooth85

forheavenscake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
forheavenscake Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 1:14pm
post #1 of 32

Just curious. . .what does everyone charge for cupcakes? per dozen, 2 dozen etc?

I am still trying to get my pricing in order and I just never thought it'd be that difficult! LOL As of right now I have a "basic" cake for $25 which includes an 8" cake with buttercream. . .filling is extra etc. This is obviously more of an "economy" cake and a way to grab publix customers. LOL

so based off that how do I price my cupcakes (not custom cupcakes). the batter for an 8" cake makes about 2 dozen cupcakes, so should i charge the same price as the basic cakes for the 2 dozen cupcakes? Argh.. .

Anyway. . .would LOVE some input on what others charge.

Thanks!

31 replies
jason_kraft Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jason_kraft Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 3:37pm
post #2 of 32

Cupcakes require less labor than cakes, so we charge less for them ($30/dozen). Our 8" round cake with 2 layers starts at $44.

We calculated our prices by adding ingredient cost, labor cost (including an hourly wage and hourly rent at a commercial kitchen) and overhead on a per-order basis (license fees, insurance, etc) then adding 20-30% for a profit margin. If selling food from home is legal in your area (CA requires a licensed commercial kitchen) your overhead would be lower.

LoveMeSomeCake615 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LoveMeSomeCake615 Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 4:04pm
post #3 of 32

we charge $2.00 per cupcake (Same as our basic cake per serving price) for basic buttercream cupcakes, or $24/dozen.

MollyHammond Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
MollyHammond Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 4:15pm
post #4 of 32

I charge $2.00 a cupcake for the 1st dozen and $1.50 a cupcake for 2 or more dozen. These are the basic cupcakes with buttercream. They are not filled. So for 2 dozen it would be $42.00. People in my area will pay that.
Molly

RussellsCakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
RussellsCakes Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 4:22pm
post #5 of 32

I need to move....or change my pricing and see what happens. I charge $35 for a basic cake. However, my cupcake pricing starts at $18 with a minimum of 2 dozen cupcakes. My overhead is fairly low as I use a friends commercial kitchen for free. I can get 2 dozen out of a batch of batter which costs me about $4. I don't figure bake time in my hourly rate because I can be doing other things while they cupcakes are baking, and I am typically decorating a cake or working on something else. So between mixing the batter and icing, that is MAYBE 15 minutes.

forheavenscake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
forheavenscake Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 6:43pm
post #6 of 32

Thanks for the responses. . .I am just so torn. I am a home baker (just became legal here!!) so I don't have the over head cost of others. I was originally thinking $24/dozen, but I can get 2 dozen out of one batch of batter. . so what do I do with the other dozen?? I am so new to all of this and it's VERY hard to figure it all out. . LOL harder than I thought.

Some of my recipes are scratch recipes and some are doctored mixes. .. on the doctored mix recipe's how do i cut those in half? I've always been afraid to just use half a box of mix because you just don't know how everything is proportioned, ya know?

My head is spinning! LOL

brenda549 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
brenda549 Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 6:53pm
post #7 of 32

My cupcakes cost $25 per dozen for basic and $36 per dozen for custom decorations or timely piping/fondant work.

I use scratch and doctored mixes as well. If someone wants only one dozen, I measure out the dry mix by weight and use half. The other half I store in a zip top bag. I have also read about other bakers preparing the entire mix and freezing the portion they do not use. In either case you can store the unused prepared mix or dry mix in a zip top bag in your freezer until you need it.

You could also just go ahead and prepare all of the mix, bake the cupcakes and use the extras for any tastings (if you offer them).

forheavenscake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
forheavenscake Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 7:42pm
post #8 of 32

Thanks for the input on the mixes!!

I think I'll stick with my original feeling then. . >$24/dozen.

ApplegumPam Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ApplegumPam Posted 2 Jul 2011 , 8:29pm
post #9 of 32

Cupcake with ganache or buttercream swirl: $4.00 cupcake
Cupcake with ganache or buttercream swirl + basic decoration $5.00 per cupcake
Cupcake with buttercream and fondant top(plain) $5.50 per cupcake
Cupcake with buttercream and fondant top + basic decoration $6.00 per cupcake
Cupcake with individual figurine topper $10 - $16 per cupcake

Minimum order of 12

BEFORE I AM JUMPED ON FOR HIGH PRICING -

I am based in Australia, these prices are based on MY COSTS, what I charge for MY time and what people here are prepared to pay for MY cakes

baserban Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
baserban Posted 3 Jul 2011 , 12:30am
post #10 of 32

WOW!!! I must live in the low rent district. I charge $1.00 per cupcake and I am told I am too high. The going rate around here is .80 to .85 cents per cc. Thank goodness my cakes taste so good the people are willing to pay my "sky high" prices. lol

korensmommy Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
korensmommy Posted 3 Jul 2011 , 1:02am
post #11 of 32

$1.75/cupcake, minimum 2 dozen (going up to $2 soon)
My very basic 9" round or 1/4 sheet starts at $50

I don't know how other people cover their basic costs (supplies, gas, water, their salary, etc.) with such low prices. This is my business, I'm doing this to make money, not to give away cake for free (or even worse, I've seen some bakers actually *lose* money!)

Applegum Pam, I love to see other bakers like me not be afraid to charge what they are worth!

mplaidgirl2 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mplaidgirl2 Posted 3 Jul 2011 , 1:25am
post #12 of 32

I charge $2 for basic cupcakes
$2.50 for filling
$3 for basic fondant toppers

I'm in NYC... so I can probably charge more..
Most basic cupcakes here start at $2.50-$3

sugarandstuff Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
sugarandstuff Posted 3 Jul 2011 , 1:38am
post #13 of 32

$1.75 to $2 for basic $2.50 for filled $3 for simple fondant toppers
1 doz min order for each flavor

scp1127 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
scp1127 Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 1:21am
post #14 of 32

My minimum is a dozen and they are $30 for basic and $36 filled. These are scratch.

divadidelights Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
divadidelights Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 1:35am
post #15 of 32

I charge $2.00 each for plain with buttercream
$2.50 for a topping or sprinkle
$4.00 each for a handcrafted fondant topper like the cars in my photos and
$4.50 each if they are the same but are filled
I seem to be selling okay
Everything is from scratch no mixes

scp1127 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
scp1127 Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 2:08am
post #16 of 32

We are all over the globe, literally, with price. This doesn't really help you.

You need to price the cupcakes in your area, taste every one yourself, and find where you truly fit in the market, YOUR MARKET. This will help you the most. Then price your ingredients and overhead. What's left is your gross income/profit. From there you can decide if the market is conducive for your cupcakes.

Bluehue Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Bluehue Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 2:21am
post #17 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

We are all over the globe, literally, with price. This doesn't really help you.

You need to price the cupcakes in your area, taste every one yourself, and find where you truly fit in the market, YOUR MARKET. This will help you the most. Then price your ingredients and overhead. What's left is your gross income/profit. From there you can decide if the market is conducive for your cupcakes.





thumbs_up.gif Bluehue

scp1127 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
scp1127 Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 2:32am
post #18 of 32

Hey Bluehue, I like it when we agree! icon_biggrin.gif

Bluehue Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Bluehue Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 3:01am
post #19 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

Hey Bluehue, I like it when we agree! icon_biggrin.gif




icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif - i thought as i was posting...............*this is a first* icon_smile.gif

Blue.

scp1127 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
scp1127 Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 3:14am
post #20 of 32

I think I like us agreeing better, but we do banter well.

Bluehue Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Bluehue Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 3:48am
post #21 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

I think I like us agreeing better, but we do banter well.




Banter is healthy -
Blue

Cupcations Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Cupcations Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 3:56am
post #22 of 32

I agree with both^^^^ thumbs_up.gif

According to the replies you can price your CCs from $0.80 to $16 lol.... ( I would NEVER buy a Cc for $16 @ least not in this life time... unless it was made out of pure gold icon_biggrin.gif )... Although I completely understand high pricing... Your work, your price

You cant ask for help when it comes to pricing... Thats what I learned
You & only you know: how much hours you're putting, how much ingredients, the cost of the ingredients & how much bakeries in the same area charge.
IMO its more of a research/ mathematics thing....Lol Good luck icon_smile.gif

Wildgirl Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Wildgirl Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 4:06am
post #23 of 32

I just want to say - I'm a soapmaker by trade, not a baker (ok, a wannabe maybe, but no where near yet). I LOVE that someone here can ask a question like this and get honest non-snarky answers. You are wonderfully helpful people! You have to be very careful what and how you ask on the soap forums I've been on - it's just so nice to see how helpful you all are!! icon_biggrin.gif

Bluehue Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Bluehue Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 4:41am
post #24 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildgirl

I just want to say - I'm a soapmaker by trade, not a baker (ok, a wannabe maybe, but no where near yet). I LOVE that someone here can ask a question like this and get honest non-snarky answers. You are wonderfully helpful people! You have to be very careful what and how you ask on the soap forums I've been on - it's just so nice to see how helpful you all are!! icon_biggrin.gif





Welcome to CC Wildgirl -
We do our best altho sometimes we get a bit icon_rolleyes.gif at each other - icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif as we all have different points of views about varying subjects -Our intentions are good and try to help/assist those who are asking the question.

Bluehue.

JessiesCreations Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
JessiesCreations Posted 4 Jul 2011 , 11:21pm
post #25 of 32

Look at what your local competition is charging and that should help with pricing. When I first started looking at pricing I went to a few homebaker websites in my area and saw the going rate was $2 per cupcake. I know my cupcakes taste a million times better than grocery stores so I don't even factor in those places..my cupcakes are gourmet and my customers know the difference.

bailes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
bailes Posted 9 Aug 2011 , 10:16pm
post #26 of 32

I have been struggling on this issue as well. I am competing with a local bakery at 75 cents for plain vanilla/choc. and a gourmet home one for 55 cents each. There is no way that I can compete with that and even at $1 each, I think that I may not be charging enough. It's such a struggle when others charge such a small amount.

rwarren Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
rwarren Posted 14 Aug 2011 , 3:42am
post #27 of 32

My basic cupcake is $15/dozen ($1.50 each), for that you get a swirl and a little flower in fondant or icing. deluxe flavors (i.e. the ones I created for the Iron Cupcake contest, with more expensive ingredients) are $20/dozen ($2 each). One dozen minimum, and that is for what my mom calls "muffin size" (the largest size).

I am a hobbyist decorator, I bake from scratch. Pastry shops / cupcake shops near me charge $2.50 - $3.95 per cupcake, depending on flavor and fanciness of part of town. Theirs are butt ugly and taste awful.

and I have very few cupcake orders. people are quite happy to have free cupcakes but balk at paying for them. I've had several arguments with people in my dinner group why they cannot order just one cupcake, or 6 all different flavors. what do I do with the rest? "well that's your problem." yet these same people have no problem buying them at the frou-frou shops.

the only place I can reliably sell cupcakes (especially with the magic word "vegan") is at the university art show, and that's only twice a year. At the monthly flea market, at today's farmer's market, they just sit there looking oh so pretty but oh so unsold. Did someone declare a boycott on chocolate that I don't know about?! icon_razz.gif

AliBakes6167 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AliBakes6167 Posted 15 Aug 2011 , 4:12am
post #28 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwarren

At the monthly flea market, at today's farmer's market, they just sit there looking oh so pretty but oh so unsold. Did someone declare a boycott on chocolate that I don't know about?! icon_razz.gif




Tell me about it! I've started sellling cupcakes at my local market 2-3 times a month......lot's of people say "wow, they look gorgeous!", but then just keep walking. grrr.

sweet_tooth85 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
sweet_tooth85 Posted 22 Aug 2011 , 11:04pm
post #29 of 32

slparker, the only way to be 100% sure that you are selling them for the right price is to find out what they cost you to make (raw costs - ingredients, decorations etc). Once you know that, you can be confident about your sell price and also when you can afford to REDUCE your price as a favour/gift/donation etc.

Here's what I did.....it was time consuming, but I think it was worth it. First, I took my recipe and worked out exactly how many cupcakes it yielded. Then I looked at the ingredients and worked out what it would cost me to buy everything. For example, a 2kg bag of flour costs me $1.78. So per 100g, that flour costs me about 89c. My recipe needed 260g, so that came to a total of 22c for the flour.

If you work through all your ingredients (some, like vanilla and baking powder will be such a tiny amount) then you will be left with your total cost per batch. In my case, it was $1.83 per batch and I get 16 cupcakes from that. That means each cupcake only costs me 12c!!!! So when I charge $2.50 - $3.00 per cupcake, I KNOW I'm covering my costs and giving the customer a reasonable price. And never under estimate the customers willingness to pay for QUALITY. If they know you will deliver something that looks and tastes amazing, they will be happy to pay you.

AliBakes6167 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AliBakes6167 Posted 22 Aug 2011 , 11:10pm
post #30 of 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweet_tooth85

That means each cupcake only costs me 12c!!!! So when I charge $2.50 - $3.00 per cupcake, I KNOW I'm covering my costs and giving the customer a reasonable price.




Yup & make sure you pay yourself too. I try to pay myself by the hour, for me in NZ it's $15 cash per hour I want to aim to pay myself minimum.........minimum wage is i think $14/hr so make sure you are getting at least that. I'm talking the time it takes you to bake/decorate tehm & your time sitting at the markets selling them too.

There are some great recipe calculator's out there, it's worth figuring out all of your costs! icon_smile.gif

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%