Would Anyone Share Their Menu With Prices?
Decorating By SueW Updated 7 Oct 2007 , 7:16pm by purplebutterfly1234
I am having a really hard time trying to figure out what to charge people and was wondering if anyone would share their price list with me? I am new to this and have only really sold a few round cakes and lots of cupcake cakes but pricing is a problem for me. I work for hours on a cake then charge next to nothing because I "feel bad". People think this is a little hobby for me and don't realize the time it takes to do "custom" designs they want to spend 20$. I'd really appreciate it just to give me some ideas. Thanks!
Sheet cakes, defined as single layer, not torted or filled, $1.50/serving based on a 2x2 serving size.
Non-sheet cakes, defined as anything not falling into the description above, $3.00/serving, based on a 1x2x4 serving size (i.e. Wilton Wedding Cake Serving Chart).
Delivery not included in sheet cakes. Delivery is included in non-sheets over a certain size (i.e. wedding cakes or large commercial customers.) My biz is 99% weddings, so I don't have that many birthday or other non-wedding cakes anyway.
I try to avoid doing cupcakes at all right now. Whether I do them in the future is yet to be determined.
I am the odd man out because I dont' charge extra for different cake flavors, fillings, or design elements such as basketweave. I dont' do fondant but if I did, I would charge extra for that.
indydebi
you're not the odd man out, I don't charge extra for those things either.
99% of my sheet cakes are the one layer size. I do cupcakes occasionally. When I lived in NC I usually had between 5 - 15 cakes due every weekend, most were sheet cakes. I usually had 10-20 weddings a year (just the cake, no food) Since we have moved I am trying to build my business back up, not to that level though
jibbies
Thank you, anyone else? I just had two "customers" friends tell me today I am underpricing 
and could get a lot more. I have had only cupcake orders lateley as I am a mom of toddlers and so are most of my customers. Please help, I am trying to come up with a menu so Idon't have to keep making up prices as I go along. I am using really good ingredients from Williams sonoma etc and only charging 1$ a cupcake and getting ripped off, I think 
If you are buying supplies at W/S, I doubt you are making much profit! I love that place but, $$$$$$$!
Anyway, the first thing I would suggest is lay out everything you need to bake, decorate, and package whatever you are making. If it's a sheet cake, figure the cost of the cake, including eggs, oil, etc., frosting, decorations, board, box, everything and then see if you're making any money. If so, great, if not, then you do need to raise your price. It's going to be different for everyone because we are all shopping in different places, using different brands, etc.
I would also suggest writing yourself up a sheet with exactly what you want to offer, size-wise and extras like cupcakes, etc. Then you can hone those things and begin to build on that, have the supplies you always need and be more prepared when people call at the last minute and put you on the spot.
I offer 5 sizes of sheet cakes ranging in price from $14.50 to $42.50. Extra decorating can cost extra, but that's a basic price. Then there are round layer cakes, cupcakes, cupcake cakes, cookies, cookie cakes and of course wedding cakes. Do what you like to do, but don't overdo the variety, it can overwhelm people.
-HTH, Lori
I would love to know everyone else's imput also!
There is the cake boss that helps you to determine what to charge based upon different methods, like ingredients, time,servings .......
I hope to get that soon. Also helps you to be organized, which I am not!
Curious to know what is good to start out with and keep up with at first 
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