Do You Give Out Your Cake Recipes?

Baking By Danilou Updated 26 Jul 2013 , 9:09pm by JacklynM

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Danilou Posted 22 May 2013 , 2:46am
post #1 of 38

My sister asked me for my chocolate cake recipe and I said I would give it to her as long as she doesn't give it out to anyone (i.e friends, cousins etc). I told her I'd put too much work into trialing recipes (and putting on kg) to just hand out my recipes. Is anyone else the same? The funny thing is I wouldn't care about sharing them on cc though...as most of you live another continent away....lol

37 replies
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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 2:59am
post #2 of 38

AI've PM my buttercream recipe to quite a few people here but I probably would never share it with any family except probably my daughter who at the age of 17 doesn't really care about buttercream right now except to eat it ...lol

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sweettreatsbysandra Posted 22 May 2013 , 3:07am
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i usually direct them to the website where i got the recipe from... 

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osorio Posted 22 May 2013 , 3:25am
post #4 of 38

I feel the same as Danilou y also put to much work (also time and money) on trailing recipes. I don´t like to give away my recipes because is also the "secret of a business".  When someone ask for a recipe I tell them that I sell cakes so I can´t give them the recipe because is my bussines even if I really do this for a hobby. But I really hate when someone asks for a recipe because I don´t want to be rude to anybody. 

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Danilou Posted 22 May 2013 , 3:37am
post #5 of 38

I know what you mean. I'm afraid ppl will think I'm a bit up myself and that I think my cakes are something special. I only do this as a casual thing (because I work and have 3 little kids) but still my recipes are worth something to me!

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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 3:40am
post #6 of 38

AI do notice that a lot of people come on here and ask for your recipes and kinda expect for people to be forthcoming and freely give up their best recipes. ... sometimes I give them out sometimes not just depends on my mood at that given time.

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AnnieCahill Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:07am
post #7 of 38

I have no problem sharing my recipes with friends and family (that includes you guys).  I have PMd my buttercream recipe to several people, and it was given to me by someone else.  I think you're doing someone a service by sharing with them a tried and true recipe.  Now if you're a pro and a competitor asks you for a recipe, that's a different story.  But just in general, I don't think it's a big deal.

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ApplegumPam Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:19am
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I don't think it is any threat at all to give out a recipe

 

Those that actually feel the need to ASK will more often than not need a little bit more than a recipe! haha

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Annabakescakes Posted 22 May 2013 , 12:55pm
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A

Original message sent by ApplegumPam

I don't think it is any threat at all to give out a recipe

Those that actually feel the need to ASK will more often than not need a little bit more than a recipe! haha

Yeah, I have noticed a lot of the people ask for recipes, ask for tutorials, ask for how long to bake, what should so and so look like, where can they get a whozit, how far in advance can they do it, and what do they do since it fell over, and what should they tell the bride who is demanding a refund but they spent the money on supplies?

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yortma Posted 22 May 2013 , 1:24pm
post #10 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annabakescakes 


Yeah, I have noticed a lot of the people ask for recipes, ask for tutorials, ask for how long to bake, what should so and so look like, where can they get a whozit, how far in advance can they do it, and what do they do since it fell over, and what should they tell the bride who is demanding a refund but they spent the money on supplies?

 

...and it's their first cake!!   I love helping people out the few times I can. We all get stuck now and then, and benefit from the experience of others.    I am not a professional, and have been greatly helped by fellow CCers as well, but it takes time and effort and a significant learning curve to become proficient.  It cannot be handed out on a silver platter.   All my Go To recipes have at least a dozen (and some of them many more) tried and tossed attempts behind them. (I also agree 100% with ApplegumPam that the recipe is not the final cake).   I really appreciate those who have tried before asking.

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VicB213 Posted 22 May 2013 , 6:34pm
post #11 of 38

As I collect and work from "antique" recipes I will not share my recipes with anyone.  I have been told that I am rude and disrespectful... but know the time, money and engery I put into getting these recipes just right I can not just hand them away.  I use to volunteer to make it for them if they purchase the ingredient and that is when they usually hit the roof.  So, I have just started with I don't give out my recipes... in a firm tone.

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Annabakescakes Posted 22 May 2013 , 6:38pm
post #12 of 38

A

Original message sent by yortma

[QUOTE name="Annabakescakes" url="/t/758708/do-you-give-out-your-cake-recipes#post_7396178"] Yeah, I have noticed a lot of the people ask for recipes, ask for tutorials, ask for how long to bake, what should so and so look like, where can they get a whozit, how far in advance can they do it, and what do they do since it fell over, and what should they tell the bride who is demanding a refund but they spent the money on supplies?[/QUOTE]

...and it's their first cake!!   I love helping people out the few times I can. We all get stuck now and then, and benefit from the experience of others.    I am not a professional, and have been greatly helped by fellow CCers as well, but it takes time and effort and a significant learning curve to become proficient.  It cannot be handed out on a silver platter .   All my Go To recipes have at least a dozen (and some of them many more) tried and tossed attempts behind them. (I also agree 100% with ApplegumPam that the recipe is not the final cake).   I really appreciate those who have tried before asking.

yep! I change my recipes every months or years as I learn and perfect, so I may give out an old one, lol.

Original message sent by VicB213

As I collect and work from "antique" recipes I will not share my recipes with anyone.  I have been told that I am rude and disrespectful... but know the time, money and engery I put into getting these recipes just right I can not just hand them away.  I use to volunteer to make it for them if they purchase the ingredient and that is when they usually hit the roof.  So, I have just started with I don't give out my recipes... in a firm tone.

I don't have a problem with that ;-)

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VicB213 Posted 22 May 2013 , 6:49pm
post #13 of 38

Thanks Anna!!

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vgcea Posted 22 May 2013 , 7:39pm
post #14 of 38

AI tried, but when a person is one who believes that you can sub ice cream for milk in a scratch recipe without accounting for the HUGE change this brings to the balance of the recipe, it's a lost cause.

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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 8:01pm
post #15 of 38

AYeah it drives me crazy when I give someone a recipe and they say will I can just substitute this for that and it will turn out the same right.....arg.

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IAmPamCakes Posted 22 May 2013 , 10:24pm
post #16 of 38

AI don't give my recipes out. It may sound stingy to some, but I have tested & adapted recipes for my uses. There have been many hours, and lots of trashed cake in the process.

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liz at sugar Posted 22 May 2013 , 10:43pm
post #17 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by IAmPamCakes 

I don't give my recipes out. It may sound stingy to some, but I have tested & adapted recipes for my uses. There have been many hours, and lots of trashed cake in the process.


Same here.  In a big corporation, all that hard work is called research and development. :) 

 

Liz

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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 10:52pm
post #18 of 38

AI use to give out my buttercream recipe here quite frequently but some people here don't like using high ratio shortening or shortening at all for that matter so I started PM it to people but I hardly give it out any more because I take the time to type it all out just to have the person say well ill just use crisco and it will be fine.....nope Crisco is gross and the recipe taste completely different. I do still give it out sometimes but not as much as I use to and I've never given to anyone in my family and they've asked.

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liz at sugar Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:18pm
post #19 of 38

I should clarify that sharing recipes, tips and techniques on a world forum is quite nice, and helps us all.  My real issue is a customer asking for a recipe so they can bypass ordering from you - not very nice at all.

 

I try to make a joke of it - "Oh, I can't - it is a secret recipe and locked in the filing cabinet with the Colonel's secret spice blend."

 

Liz

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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:22pm
post #20 of 38

A

Original message sent by liz at sugar

I should clarify that sharing recipes, tips and techniques on a world forum is quite nice, and helps us all.  My real issue is a [B]customer asking for a recipe[/B] so they can bypass ordering from you - not very nice at all.

I try to make a joke of it - "Oh, I can't - it is a secret recipe and locked in the filing cabinet with the Colonel's secret spice blend."

Liz

Lol Todd Wilbur has KFCs recipe published in his recipe book, my family loves it when I make the chicken oh I just looked it up you can buy the recipe on Todd Wilbur website for .79 cents....I have most of his books I love his recipes.

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liz at sugar Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:42pm
post #21 of 38

AI have that book - Top Secret Recipes. If you like Twinkie filling, his take on it is pretty close.

Liz

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kazita Posted 22 May 2013 , 11:49pm
post #22 of 38

A

Original message sent by liz at sugar

I have that book - Top Secret Recipes. If you like Twinkie filling, his take on it is pretty close.

Liz

Yeah I have most of his books and have tried several of the recipes most of them turning out pretty close to the original recipes.

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tabathaba Posted 23 May 2013 , 12:39pm
post #23 of 38

It really depends on how someone asks me for a recipe. I have finally perfected a gluten free (and dairy free) white cake recipe and I posted a picture of my little trail cake on my facebook. One of my friends was like, "Oh, I need that recipe because my MIL is gluten free".

 

That bothers me. If she had just pm'd me and nicely asked I might have given it to her. But I spent a LOT of money on special ingredients and tried 4-5 different recipes that all flopped before I figured this one out. It just seems rude to me.

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MsGF Posted 23 May 2013 , 12:57pm
post #24 of 38

I strictly bake Gluten-Free and all my recipes are from scratch.  I have worked them out through lots of trial and error.  Lots of cash and lots of trash.  Now that they are perfected, I will never give them out.  

 

If I give them out then I will no longer be "the lady with the yummiest Gluten-Free Cakes ever".  My customers love my cakes and so does my family, so I keep them close to my heart.

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scrumdiddlycakes Posted 23 May 2013 , 3:28pm
post #25 of 38

A few recipes I use,  like my favourite IMBC, are not my recipes, and I made no alterations, so if someone asks I direct them to the website or cookbook I found it on.

Obviously that person wanted his/her recipe shared, and I like to make sure they get the credit for it. I will never type up a recipe for someone for that reason, but I will tell them where they can find it.

 

Now if it's a recipe that I have developed, or one of the few that other chefs have gifted to me with the understanding that I keep them to myself, I never share those.

An huge amount of time, money and effort went into those, and to be honest, it simply ticks me off when someone expects me to just hand over years of hard work because they don't want to do it themselves.

I'm a grouch like that.

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osorio Posted 23 May 2013 , 9:10pm
post #26 of 38

AI agree with Liz. The problem is a costumer asking for a recipe. Sharing reciipes atvmong bakers is nice.

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AZCouture Posted 23 May 2013 , 10:10pm
post #27 of 38

A

Original message sent by osorio

I agree with Liz. The problem is a costumer asking for a recipe. Sharing reciipes atvmong bakers is nice.

Yep. As long you don't live within a 200 square mile radius of me.:-D

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icer101 Posted 23 May 2013 , 10:27pm
post #28 of 38

I share my recipes on here and try others recipes from here. I thank all that will share. Some decorators from this site, that has gone on to be pretty famous, has shared many a recipe for all on here. I appreciate giving and sharing.

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Roseyrod Posted 7 Jun 2013 , 4:07pm
post #29 of 38

AI have been baking for years from scratch and the one recipe that I have always covet is the one for Puerto Rican cake because it's super moist and wetlike and I have quite a few people ask for it but when I ask a fellow baker if they know the recipe they will say yes but their grandmother gave it to them and made them promise not to give it out. I swear that I have asked at least 10 bakers and no one will let loose this recipe. I always share my recipes. I don't get it but I understand the need to keep that promise.

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marya92 Posted 7 Jun 2013 , 5:04pm
post #30 of 38

Interesting thread.... I wouldn't want to give out my recipes to other decorators who live near me or to a customer who doesn't want to pay for a cake, but I don't see how giving my recipe to someone who doesn't bake and decorate for a living would really hurt my business. Most people I know who bake a little bit don't have enough know-how or experience to execute a recipe the way a baker or decorator can. It's amazing how few people actually follow a recipe to the letter. Just because I give a recipe to someone doesn't mean they'll be able to execute it. And just because they know how to bake a cake doesn't mean they'll know how to properly prepare it for decorating. Lots of people who tell me about their baking efforts say they end up with sloppy cakes because they don't know how to prepare the pan and turn it out of it without the cake crumbing. Also, I would assume that anyone who doesn't bake and decorate cakes for a living wouldn't do as nice a job icing and decorating the cake as someone for whom it's a vocation. So, I wouldn't be worried about competition from sharing one of my cake recipes with a relative or friend.

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