I am unlicensed and only do decorated cakes at this time. I would like to add candies and mints to my menu. Indydebi also suggested that I add cookies and I am thinking about that as well.
However, an acquaintance here at work suggested that I also make dessert cakes, coffee cakes, and muffins. She said that her department often has breakfast meetings and instead of stopping at Krispy Kreme, they could get coffeecakes and muffins from me. Also, she thinks that people might sometimes want a dessert cake vs. a decorated cake. What do you all think?
Heres my issue though. I have long been a believer in finding 1-2 things that I do well and sticking to those. I wonder if I add too much, I wont be able to do any of them well. But the extra $$ from the breakfast items and dessert cakes would be nice, especially since my decorating business is either feast or famine.
Thanks!
I've had a similar situation...and I agree, I'd rather do a few things well, than stretch myself just to be accomodating.
I do offer muffins and breakfast breads, but just in about 5 flavors; I make only 2 specific dessert cakes...cheesecake and flourless chocolate torte (though I do have about 30 regular cake flavors!).
I've also added scones, which are as easy as muffins, but I only do 3 flavors of those right now.
Oh, and cinnamon rolls...
I'm not helping, am I?
If you don't need the business, don't stretch yourself so that you come to resent the order.
JoAnnB wrote
Many of those requests will be last minute. They can stop at the donut store on the way to work. You can't keep everything ready to go from your home kitchen.
I haven't thought of that but you are exactly right. If I decide to add more items, they will have to plan ahead and order at least 1-2 weeks ahead.
To be honest, I am not completely sold on the muffins and coffeecake suggestion. I wouldn't mind making dessert cakes or cookies.
I offer decorated cakes, brownies, cupcakes, CCC, candies (candy melt candies), and cookies... right now my cookies are basic recipes lol chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, no bakes, and sugar. I haven't tried to do any cut outs or anything like the people here at cc do with cookies but I would like to one day be able to do those as well...
I think you should branch out slowly. Add things you know you can handle one or two at a time. If you don't want to do something don't feel you have to offer it. If they can get it elsewhere they will. Plus they may not like your prices once you start offering those special things lol
the breakfast items will not be profitable unless you are making large amounts at a time. One coffee cake and 2 dozen assorted pastries will not make you any money unless you are making it in large quantities.
mpc
www.mypastrychef.com
I pondered this question also but decided that my goal is to decorate cakes. Wedding - special occasion. However I did design a very elegant but simple and small 8" round dinner cake that I offer that is very affordable. I call it my signature cake. That way when a customer calls and needs a last minute or not very expensive cake I can offer them my signature cake. This has worked several times when they call wanting a sheet cake. ugh! I hate sheet cakes. It also gets a great tasting cake in their home and hopefully when they have a special occasion they will think of me. I also sell a lot of cake truffles to ladies having meetings and small gatherings. They are a good way to pass samples around too. If you perfect your recipe for those you will have them eating out of your hands! Pam from Bama
Yes I agree with Pam on the cake balls part lol. I got a last minute request wednesday night from hubby for a cake and cake balls... they are having a going away party for two people that are leaving for a short period of time (one 3 weeks for surgery and one 6 months on maternity leave) and the boss' wife said they were all to attend a pot luck type lunch on friday (day off for hubby and a few others so it's strickly over time! WOOHOO! lol) and eveyrone was to bring something and she looked and hubby and said "James! I've heard so much about your wifes cakes and I think YOU should bring the dessert haha! and I would like to try these cake ball things my husband can't stop raving about he's been talking about them since christmas and I haven't a clue what they are, how to make them, or anything! and something to make my husband go that crazy has got to be good! thank goodness your wife is already married or I'd be in trouble HAHAHA" I was like ok... short notice but I can throw it together. Hernia man and Pregnant lady said they wanted chocolate (which I knew she would.... she wouldn't let me down lol the other guy wanted pineapple upside down cake 
lol) so I got to make an 8" round 2 layer chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream filling and icing, and chocolate hazelnut w/vanilla candy melts cake truffles and vanilla raspberry w/milk chocolate candy melts cake truffles last night lol.... I'm waiting till lunch time on the edge of my seat for feedback lol...
Find something they like and stick with it 
certain ones will keep coming back... one guy at hubby's work wants this nasty cake.... german chocolate with cherry pie filling in the middle and coconut pecan icing.... EWWWWWWW!!!!!!! but I make it for him and he's come back with one paying order for it since... and is talkin about ordering another one lol.... Find what they like do what they like and they'll come back... but only do it if it's profitable for you and your business. Don't do something that is going to take too much time and not even break even in the end
Thank you all so much for your responses! I was off today and was out getting hair cut, running errands, etc. and I was thinking about this. I definitely want to add candy mints (I enjoy making them) and cake truffles.
I am also going to add my old fashioned coconut cake (dessert cake) since I've had a couple of requests for those. A coworker ordered one last fall for her husband's birthday. She said her husband hadn't had a good one since his mother died five years ago (what pressure for me!). She reported the next day that he declared it just like his mother's.
Thank you again for your responses! I do appreciate it!
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