I have searched and searched CC and cannot find the answer, so I am begging the great minds of CC for help.

How do I price a doll cake? My cousin is asking for one and I have no clue where to start. I will be using a full size doll, which I will make her supply or pay me for in full, but then do I charge per serving for the cake portion? Or is there a better way to determine how to price it?

Any opinions would be greatle apprectiated.

Katherine

It will depend a lot on how you are going to decorate it. Sometimes the hardest part is the bodice of the dress, getting it smooth, especially if you are using buttercream. I would start at least at $40 or more if it is an intricate design or fondant.
HTH -Lori

Could you explain what type of doll you are talking about? Is it the barbie-type doll cake from the wonder mold pan?

CelebrationsbyLori, thanks for your help. I was kind thinking about the same price.

KathysCC, She hasn't given me all the detail yet, but it would be a barbie doll type of cake. I would use a full barbie since I have one of the Betty Crocker bake n fill pans. I would be covering her in MMF and adding whatever additional decorations would be needed to make her fit their plan.

Thanks transki,
I definitely think $40 is a good price or you could go slightly more if you are doing a lot of detail. I am making one of these in a couple of months. I will be placing it on a sheet cake to feed more people.

You might want to check your height with the Betty Crocker pan. A full Barbie has really long legs (Brat!) and you might have to add an extra layer underneath to make her waist not stick out the top. Her hips need to go all the way in to make it look right. With the wonder mold pan, I usually end up having to add a single layer round underneath to get her all the way in! If you do have to do that, you might need to add a little to the price for the extra cake. HTH -Lori

I charge $45.00 for the skirt and if I add an extra 10 inch layer below for more servings..I charge $65.00

Wonderful, thank you for all of your help. I was thinking I would need to do a single layer cake under her dress so I will probably go towards $50.

OK not pricing but - I used to use a full Barbie in the doll cakes until I read on CC to use the Wilton pick but switch her head with a regular Barbies. Much prettier without the hassle of getting her legs and hips in and avoiding cake surgery. So much easier! [Pardon me if you already knew that but I wish I had known that 4 Barbie cakes ago! : )]

I didn't know that and I've been making doll cakes for 15 years. I even teach it to the kids, Its one of their favs. Thanks for sharing

I never heard of switching their heads, thats a great idea, thanks!

I've been wanting to try one too. I saw the Wilton picks but wondered if kids would freak out when they find out there's only half a Barbie in there lol. Has that come up?

Glad to be able to pass that along! It is such a great help for me.

I just keep the body of the Barbie whose head is being borrowed and all of the accessories that went with it and give it to the Mom, but I've not had a problem like that.
Another thing I like about doing that is you can stick the Wilton pick into a piece of styrofoam when you are decorating her bodice - it's easier for me that way when I'm using fondant. Of course if it were BC, I'd decorate it actually on the cake.

I always use a full barbie, because then the little girl gets the Barbie at the end of her party. I also give all the clothes and accesories to the mother. price for me depends on how much I paid for the Barbie as well.... some are more expensive than others... and I like to get a hairdo that is up if I can.

I apologize, I kind of got off the question. What to charge for the cake. I charge the same for my doll cakes as I do for any other tierred cake. $2.50 per person for Pastry Pride (imitation whip cream) or $3.50 per person for fondant.

AHow many servings does this cake feed?

that's less than $2 a serving--for example two chocolate lava cakes from dominos pizza are five bucks-- so $2.50 per serving and they will neither be the centerpiece of an event nor become a sculptured cake requiring additional work time on your part-- so you are potentially underpricing by a long shot--

and for another thing--that post you quoted is seven years old-- so ka-ching ka-ching