How Much Would You Ask For This Cake.
Decorating By LearningCurve Updated 12 Jun 2007 , 11:09am by LearningCurve
I am pretty new to cake decorating and I am trying to learn all the ropes so that when my kids get a little older and I get more practice I can begin selling cakes. So to start getting a feel for pricing I was wondering how much you would have charged for this cake.
10" square. Chocolate cake with 1" layer of toffee bar cheesecake for filling. chocolate-caramel BC icing, RBC wedding dress, fondant roses, pearl dragees for necklace.
This was my first paid cake in the sense that she paid me $20 to cover the ingredients. It was for a family members bridal shower.
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=630323
Thanks for looking and for any help with pricing.
Amanda
I'm not sure as I haven't started charging for cakes yet. I hae only made 2 decorated cakes so far and will be making 3 this weekend for father's day (maybe 4).
I think it would also depend on where you live and the market for decorated cakes. I do, however, think that $20 was too cheap for that cake. It looks like you took time to make it.
Veronica
2-layer 10" square cake serves 50 (1x2x4" servings, which is the wilton chart, which I go by) at $2.50/serving = $75 plus whatever you would charge for the fondant and special filling.
A note to add: The wilton chart is the standard serving. I understand that some people may be used to larger pieces at a shower, but I go by the wilton chart for pricing. The client is more than welcome to cut them any size they need, but if that means they need more cake, then they should plan for it and buy more cake.
If you order a chicken strips meal at KFC, you get 3 pcs of chicken. If you are used to eating more than that, you have to buy more chicken. KFC is not going to just throw in 2 extra pieces for customers who just want a bigger serving.
First off thanks to everyone for their replies.
Second, WOW do you really think someone would pay that much for a cake like this ($90-$125)? I do have a lot to learn with pricing.
slb1956 when you say the rule of three the costs of ingrediants were about $20 so you would sell for $60.00 then? Is that how that works??
Can anyone give me any constructive critisism as to the cake itself? I really am in the practice stage to prepare myself for selling at one point and want this time to truely be a learning experience so I can be good enough to actually get paid to do it. Please any thoughts as to what I could do better would be appreciated.
Thanks again for all your help,
Amanda
.....Second, WOW do you really think someone would pay that much for a cake like this ($90-$125)? I do have a lot to learn with pricing.
They are not paying $90-125 for a cake. They are paying $90-125 for a dessert TO FEED 50 PEOPLE!!!!!!
As I tell my brides: Dad's are very good at figuring that taking 6 people to dinner at $15 each will cost him $90. But dad's are HORRIBLE at figuring taking 100 people to dinner at $15 each will cost him $1500. HE IS FEEDING 100 PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!! But all he sees is the $1500 check he has to write.
Again I want to thank everyone for taking a look. This has been an eye-opener for me!! In a good way.
Does anyone have any constructive critisism for this cake. Besides family birthday's this is only the second cake I have truely decorated so please be honest I really want to learn from each cake.
Thanks you guys are the greatest,
Amanda
Second, WOW do you really think someone would pay that much for a cake like this ($90-$125)?
If they want the cake and that is what it cost then they will pay it. Set your prices and stick to it. It cost a lot of materials and of your time to make a cake, expecially with the speciatly fillings/icing you did.
This may sound dumb, but what does the R stand for in RBC?
Leily thank you too for your reply. I am so glad I asked this question it truely has been a learning experience.
sugarMomma the R in RBC is rolled.
Amanda
Learning Curve,
I know you are looking for feedback on your cake and it truly does look beautiful. I have seen the cake you got your inspiration from and yours really does measure up!! Great job and I am so jealous that you are that good after only two cakes!!! Keep it up, you will be a pro soon...
Steph
2-layer 10" square cake serves 50 (1x2x4" servings, which is the wilton chart, which I go by) at $2.50/serving = $75 plus whatever you would charge for the fondant and special filling.
A note to add: The wilton chart is the standard serving. I understand that some people may be used to larger pieces at a shower, but I go by the wilton chart for pricing. The client is more than welcome to cut them any size they need, but if that means they need more cake, then they should plan for it and buy more cake.
If you order a chicken strips meal at KFC, you get 3 pcs of chicken. If you are used to eating more than that, you have to buy more chicken. KFC is not going to just throw in 2 extra pieces for customers who just want a bigger serving.
I just LOVE your comparison here!! I'm going to have to remember that one!! 
I have a question about pricing also. I have a violin cake due and she said it needs to feed 50. She also wants it to be all cake, no styrofoam or anything and covered in buttercream. I want to know what size sheet I should start with so I can still have the 50 servings and how much should I be charging her. I told her $125 and was thinking that might have been kind of high. I don't want to rip people off. But I will be using fondant accents.
Badeerah: The 12x18 sheet cake serves 54 people and you will need 3 boxes of cake mix for that size pan.
I can totally relate to this problem!!! I have only been doing this about 6 months so right now I am just happy to get any order from friends and family that I can, just for the practice! But now that I am getting more confident (and busy! I am booked up till late July!) I am finding that people have been paying me on average about $20 more that the price that I tell them because the appreciate all the effort.
So it was a little strange when the other day Igot a call from a lady I used to work with and she wants me to make her a tiara cake (like the one in my photos) and thank you cookies for 40 people. I told her it would be $50 total. Even though she didn't say anything I got the feeling that she thought it was a lot. It is just so hard because you want to be fair and especially for friends and family, give them a good deal, but at the same time I know it will take me about 10 hours to do it all! I is just really difficult to price these things!!!
I know that really doesn't answer your question, but I just thought it would be comforting to hear what another mom with little ones is going through. Good luck and great Great Job! I think your cake it just beautiful!
I'm green with envy. What an awsome cake. I do think $20 was a little short on the price. I've paid $20 for a plain 6" mud cake that said happy birthday on it (which is why I now make my own cakes) from a bakery.
So much effort and what a great result.
Leigh
Learning Curve - I hope you don't mind but I really plan on making this cake. I think it's a great idea and you did an awesome job!! 
AND I am going to charge at least $100 for it. If people don't like the price then they can go to the grocery store and get a dry cake with boring roses on it! 
Brea, You have to be kidding me....$50.00 for that cake AND COOKIES. The cake alone is much more than 50 bucks. I also saw your work and it's awesome. You should not hesitate to up your prices. Please make that the last time you price a cake like that, too much work and time
Cynita
Brea-There is no way that anyone would think that $50 is overpriced for your tiara cake! Plus cookies.......maybe she was in shock because the price was so low 
Going off my price list I would charge approx $125 for the cake alone and the cookies would be an additional $40 or so depending on how fancy they are decorated and if they are individually wrapped.
I saw your pictures and you are super talented...you deserve to be paid for it! 
If you order a chicken strips meal at KFC, you get 3 pcs of chicken. If you are used to eating more than that, you have to buy more chicken. KFC is not going to just throw in 2 extra pieces for customers who just want a bigger serving.
AND
As I tell my brides: Dad's are very good at figuring that taking 6 people to dinner at $15 each will cost him $90. But dad's are HORRIBLE at figuring taking 100 people to dinner at $15 each will cost him $1500. HE IS FEEDING 100 PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!! But all he sees is the $1500 check he has to write.
Once again (no wait that's twice!)! You wow me with your logic! Thank you for this!
edited to add another quote!
Thank you again to everyone. You guys are great and I can't imagine if I hadn't found cc.
Indydebi you had me cracking up at your KFC quote.
Brea I think dominique26 is right she was in shock because it was so low!!
twooten173 I don't mind at all. It was not my original design. Arosstx had one that I used to make mine. Check it out she did a fabulous job!
Anyway I appreciate all the replies!!
Amanda
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