"Wow! That's a CAKE? How long did it take you?"

I HATE THAT QUESTION!!! I never have a good answer and I don't really want to tell them anyway!

What do you say when people ask you this?

Also - when they ask "How?" what do you say? I really don't want to tell them my methods or even the broad idea of it.

I know they mean well and I appreciate the sentiment, I just don't have a good response for it.

I sort of answer in a vague way...especially when people think you can get a cake all done the day before (baking and making icing included - they just don't understand that freezing cakes and making BC a few days ahead is OK and actually almost absolutely necessary).

I say something like it took a few days and I finished last night, etc. As far as how - that's tricky too. You can make a joke about how you don't want to share your secrets! Or even say something how every cake is different and it just takes planning...something similarly vague.

It takes hours of different stages

chang the subject

I hate that question, too!

I always say that I do things in stages, especially with gumpaste models as they need to be made in advance and time allowed to dry.

I have always said that i never add up how long each one takes - not a lie really as if I did I think it would be quite a shock sometimes!!

I personally am flattered when they come back with responses like that....or "Is it all edible?" ..."even this part?" ...."even that part". It means I've delivered the "wow" factor I was hoping for. When they ask how long it took, I definitely tell them. It definitely starts to take people away from the "it's just a cake" mentality we've discussed on cc before. As far as instruction, I just give vague answers and people don't press it. Most don't truly want to know step by step what you did with the intention of going home and trying it.

That response means you've done a helluva job...IMO you should proudly answer!

For the how long question I usually give a rough estimate of hours, but I don't go into detail about anything.

For the "how did you" do it question, I say "very carefully." That usually shuts them up.

Tomoore - Oh I DO truly LOVE the "Is THAT cake??" part!! That is really great.

It's just I wish I had a nice (polite) snappy answer for the "how long" and "how" parts. I aways stumble all over myself and sound like a blithering idiot trying to answer Just something that doesn't sound too modist or too snooty. I love hearing the compliments, just not very good at responding to them LOL!

It's not a real question. People aren't expecting a real answer. It usually an amazement question.
Just smile and say a while. If they ask again tell them.

I usually try to give a broad ballpark of hours including that I do it over a few days. I think it helps people understand why a cake from me costs more than a cake from walmart.

I always have said that it took longer to make than it will to eat.

Peachshortcake - THAT'S a great answer!!!