How Much Do I Charge For A This Cake? Updated W/picture.
Business By Trixyinaz Updated 10 Apr 2008 , 5:44pm by springlakecake
Her servings are the same as the Wilton wedding servings.. this is a chart that she posted a while back though..
http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules/Forums/files/cake_serving_guide_219.pdf
As for your pricing questions.. it will be different depending on your location. I charge $4/serving BC and $5/serving for fondant so a 10" would be $120. Remember.. it's a big cake.. it's dessert for 30 people. I wouldn't go less than $2/serving though so no less than $60. 
Vicki---
Hi again, my name is Anita (sorry to have omittted that before)
OK Ann Arbor, that explains a lot; I've been in Birmingham/ W.Bloomfield that also charge similar to Ann Arbor. A Farmington bakery close to my home charges around the 2.50- 3.50 per serving depending on the flavors, fillings,etc.
Susie---Michael's is a good place to start, hope you enjoy the lessons. I started mine back in the mid-80's at JC Penney's (who dont offer the Wilton classes anymore, but this was before there was Michaels,etc in Michigan). Sometimes you can find Cake supply stores (Kitchen Creations in Farmington, Hollie's Sweets in Redford) where the owner is a "Caker" and will offer classes
Hi Anita - nice to meet you. Yes, AA is ridiculous in pricing. But hey, if they can get that price, more power to them. I'll need to start calling around to find out what my local bakeries are charging per slice. It just seems so sneaky! 
I want to decorate so badly. Tonight I am going to make a couple cakes so that I can decorate them tomorrow. I need to get to Deb's cakes or Ideal Cakes and get some boxes tho. AARGH! I just thoguth of something. I don't have enough room in my fridge to store the cakes until Monday. What am I going to do? This throws a big kink in my plans. 
Thanks Jeanne for the information. It is very helpful! I printed it out and put it in my cake book.
Trixyinaz Hey ,So did you end up with any cake orders yet , From taking the carrot cake to work ?
Hey You! No, but I got a call today from a lady upstairs who said she had a piece of it and it was the BEST carrot cake she had ever had. She said Carrot Cake is her absolute favorite cake. She even went as far as saying, "I thought I had the best, but then I tasted yours." I was totally stoked. The first thing out of her mouth was, "You didn't get nearly as much as you should have for that cake." I guess Chris, the guy I made it for told her how much I charged him for it. She went on to say that a few of the girls up there were talking about it (she brought them a piece) and said for a cake like that - size, taste, decoration, it would easily go for $120. 
. She said they are keeping me in mind for any cakes they need. 
Where the jumping up and down smiley when you need it? 
See.. told you so.. 
I have an extra fridge in my basement.. I got it on craig's list for $100. It's huge and works great. It's my cake fridge. Don't worry too much.. everything will fall into place.
Trixyinaz.. Well thats a start, Once word travels about how good it was Im sure you will be getting some calls ! But ...tell them that was just a special ( I want people to taste my cakes price ) What you really charge is xxxx amount of $$ for that cake ! You gave Chris a deal, but that you cant continue to do that!!
Thanks guys! I love the support you all have shown. I hope the word starts getting out....heheheh
How did you all start out in the business? Did take a while for the orders to come in? Did you have to do some freebies to get people to taste your cakes?
Thanks guys! I love the support you all have shown. I hope the word starts getting out....heheheh
How did you all start out in the business? Did take a while for the orders to come in? Did you have to do some freebies to get people to taste your cakes?
I think everyone has to do some freebies! I started sending cakes to work with my husband ,next thing I knew I was gettin orders, then the word of mouth thing , that really helps a lot ! I just work out of my home. Pretty new to this at this point .
Yes.. everyone does freebies to bait the hook. Can you legally bake from home in MI? If so then I would definitely look into getting licensed before you do anything even close to advertising.
No you cannot legally bake and sell from home in Michigan. Unless you have a separate legal kitchen, that is. i just had a health inspector come over and take a look at our basement. My hopes are to put in a very small kitchen down there. It actually doesnt sound as bad as I though it might be. I mean we are still talking $1000's though! I really just try and do cakes for any occasion I can think of (birthdays, showers, holiday's, baptisms, retirement etc) to get more practice (as gifts). Like I said in another thread, I wont lie and say I have never taken money for a cake, but it doesnt feel right to fly under the radar. So I really just do them for friends and family for the most part. I think there comes a moment when you need to decide if this is going to be a hobby or if you are willing to take it to the next level and have a legal business. Believe me, I am not coming down on the home baker since I am far from having a legal business, but you do need to be careful about advertising and who you sell your cakes to. you dont want to get into trouble and you also need to consider the folks that have invested their money into a legal business.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%