Hi All,
I've just started to make cakes for people on the side. i wouldn't call it a business...at least not yet

i have a great chocolate cake recipe that i love. But I'm wondering what should be my other standard recipes? I'm guessing a white and yellow cake? Do you have recommendations for these? Something dense enough to decorate, but still moist enough to eat!

Also, question...I have a great pound cake recipe from my mother in law. The only problem, I've only ever made it in a tube pan. Do you think it could be seperated out into 3 9in rounds? I'm not sure if it would change the cake at all. It starts in a cold oven and typically bakes for 1 hr 20 mins. Thoughts?

Thanks!! All recipe recommendations greatly appreciated!!

Since everyone can get different results with the same recipe, the best way to establish your standards is to test them. There are a few books that have many reliable recipes, but even then, one can out perform the others from the same book.

Same goes for your pound cake. Try baking it in other pans, but I would use a heating core (inverted flower nail) to be sure the center bakes even with the sides. Also, use bake even strips, if you have them. You would need to adjust the baking time, it won't take over an hour to finish.

Also, keep in mind in most states you need a licensed kitchen in order to sell home baked goods.

Go to the recipe section here on CC and look for the four and five stars. The most requested cake I have is the WASC (white almond sour cream).There is a flavor change recipe on recipezarr.com ( just type in WASC).That will give you the chocolate,strawberry,lemon,etc.. recipe changes.
MY BEST ADVICE : PM JANH AND TELL HER YOU ARE NEW TO CC AND YOU WILL RECIEVE A LOT OF HELPFUL INFORMATION.
Go to forums, member look up, JANH, and then click the PM button.Like email for us here on CC.

How exciting for you! You've got the right idea. I have a basic white cake (that has never failed me) which can also be made into a yellow cake by adding the whole egg (as most can). I also have my favorite chocolate cake, a red velvet cake and a cheese cake which are my standards. My cakes are all from scratch as this is what I prefer. As was stated, everyone has their favorites and once you find the ones that you work for you they are easy to alter to suit your needs. Adding flavorings and other ingredients... Do experiment with your pound cake. Pound cake will usually turn out well in any pan but you need to make sure. Just make sure the recipes you choose as your standards are ones that you really like as if you love them, that comes across to the client and it is so much more fun to make a cake you really like. I just love the smell of my white cake as it is baking. There is nothing better! Good luck; you're going to love being able to make people happy with food.

I totally agree about looking up WASC, I use that now as my standard and just change is according to the flavor they want. I have tried many others but that one is easy and tastes great to me

WOW! Thanks everyone!! Thanks for the links JanH!!! Looking forward to exploring!!!