Cake Pop Pricing

Decorating By Cargen Updated 4 Apr 2015 , 3:30pm by BrandisBaked

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Cargen Posted 22 Mar 2011 , 11:43pm
post #1 of 52

I had a customer ask me to make cake pops for her two daughter's birthdays. She said they are going with a red carpet theme and would need about 120. I have NO CLUE how to price these and thought I would go to others to ask for advice and see what you charge.

Thank you so much for your help!

51 replies
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TinkerCakes Posted 22 Mar 2011 , 11:57pm
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I hope to sell them one day so I am always searching for what others charge. It seems average is $2.00 each. That's just what I've seen, hopefully some people that actually sell them will start replying.

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pounds6 Posted 22 Mar 2011 , 11:58pm
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I would say if you do cakepops with just sprinkles on a stick then about $2 or $2.50 each. If you do some kind of face or character on them then $2.50-$3.50 each.

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Mfattore Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 12:01am
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Starbucks sells plainly decorated ones for $1.25, I might start there and then add on for custom colors or designs. Included in the $1.25 might be white or chocolate coating with an alternate drizzle. I would add on for "designer" colors or for any themed pops ala Bakerella. Maybe topping out at$3.50 or $4.00.

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MamaMia808 Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 1:09am
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I start at $2.50 and range depending on the decoration.

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dukeswalker Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 1:41am
post #6 of 52

I just gave a quote today for $1.50 each (plain, simply dipped)

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Cargen Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 1:06pm
post #7 of 52

Thank you for all your help guys! That at least gives me a place to start when I call her back. I'll have to let you know what happens.

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dukeswalker Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 1:35pm
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on a side note - I rcvd word from the person I gave a quote to that $1.50 was too much $ to spend for 30+ cake pops. She wanted to know if I could give her a bulk discount...I told her if she ordered 50 or more I could do $1.25 each - she still didn't take the offer. (which is fine by me! cake pops are a pain to make!)

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Mfattore Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 2:38pm
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That's better anyhow. I don't believe in bulk discounts unless it is a standing/regular type order of a large number. Not to mention that even 50 cake pops isn't that many. No bulk discount for 50 servings of cake so why on the pops.[/url]

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Cargen Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 7:43pm
post #10 of 52

This party is going to be for 60 little girls between the ages of 8 and 10 with a couple of adults mixed in. How many cake pops do you think I would need? Would it really take 2 pops per person or something like 1.5 b/c you would assume some people would eat 2 and others would only eat one?

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linstead Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 7:57pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dukeswalker

on a side note - I rcvd word from the person I gave a quote to that $1.50 was too much $ to spend for 30+ cake pops. She wanted to know if I could give her a bulk discount...I told her if she ordered 50 or more I could do $1.25 each - she still didn't take the offer. (which is fine by me! cake pops are a pain to make!)




I don't understand what a "bulk discount" is when making cake??????More ingredients, more time - sound like more cost and time to me icon_rolleyes.gif

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Mfattore Posted 23 Mar 2011 , 8:01pm
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For a party of 60 I would probably suggest 70 pops. Most people only eat one but one or two may fall on the floor or someone may take one home. A few may eat two but not many. 10 extra usually covers things.

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pounds6 Posted 26 Mar 2011 , 2:32am
post #13 of 52

I believe anything that requires me to "prepare" each individual serving should cost a little more not less. Cake pops are tiny but they take a bit of time to make, if the object is to make money, not just break even can you do that at $1.25 each.

If it takes an hour to make the batter, bake the cake, cool it, crumble it, roll it into balls. It will take another hour to freeze them for 15 minutes, and dip and roll them (24 of them) and if you decorate them it will take more time than that. If you pay yourself a $10 an hour that's 20 dollars right there, plus the cost of making them, the sticks, the candy melts, the sprinkles, the electricity, bags and ties etc......can you make a profit if you make 24 at $1.50? That's $36 and if you charge $1.25 you make $30. There has been quite a bit of discussion on CC lately about pricing. I just dont see how you make a "profit" at that price. At one time I had to examine what I was charging for my products and I came to the conclusion that I wasnt running a profitable business, I was just doing favors. I'm just encouraging everyone to get over our fear of charging a price that is fair for what we do. Best Wishes!

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Customcakebites Posted 25 Feb 2013 , 1:31am
post #14 of 52

Please do not take Starbucks as a starting point for pricing cakepops! I agree with all of the comments, start at 2.50 for retail. Those who have taken the cost of materials and labor involved know this is no easy task when done right. If your business model involves wholesale that is a different story all together. If this is a hobby by all means give them away, a business is a business and needs to make a profit to grow and succeed.

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Norasmom Posted 25 Feb 2013 , 2:25am
post #15 of 52

60 cake pops for 60 people is plenty.  They are so sweet and rich.  Make additional in case a few fall apart, of course.  $1.50 is reasonable.  It's all about target market and what people are willing to pay.  I say charge what you want to charge!    I wouldn't give a bulk discount, it takes longer to make more...so it's more work for you!icon_smile.gif

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chickscreations Posted 25 Feb 2013 , 4:55am
post #16 of 52

AStarbucks cake pops don't even compare to a good handmade cake pop and I would not use them as a price point starter. I do $1.50 each for plain simply dipped, $2 each for more gourmet versions salted Carmel , pink champagne and then add accordingly for decorations between $2.50-$3.50 each depending on the complexity of the design. I do however give a dozen discount for instance for a dozen of the $1.50 cake pops I charge $15 a dozen and so on. Hope that helps.

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chickscreations Posted 25 Feb 2013 , 4:56am
post #17 of 52

ABy the way someone will always complain they are too much but you can't work for free:)

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ellavanilla Posted 25 Feb 2013 , 6:18am
post #18 of 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by pounds6 

I believe anything that requires me to "prepare" each individual serving should cost a little more not less. Cake pops are tiny but they take a bit of time to make, if the object is to make money, not just break even can you do that at $1.25 each.

If it takes an hour to make the batter, bake the cake, cool it, crumble it, roll it into balls. It will take another hour to freeze them for 15 minutes, and dip and roll them (24 of them) and if you decorate them it will take more time than that. If you pay yourself a $10 an hour that's 20 dollars right there, plus the cost of making them, the sticks, the candy melts, the sprinkles, the electricity, bags and ties etc......can you make a profit if you make 24 at $1.50? That's $36 and if you charge $1.25 you make $30. There has been quite a bit of discussion on CC lately about pricing. I just dont see how you make a "profit" at that price. At one time I had to examine what I was charging for my products and I came to the conclusion that I wasnt running a profitable business, I was just doing favors. I'm just encouraging everyone to get over our fear of charging a price that is fair for what we do. Best Wishes!

 

You're so right. I was thinking that cake pops are so labor intensive. I charge $1 a piece for mini cupcakes, and that's because they take mere moments to create. Cake pops? $3 each. You're talking about a mini work of art. Don't want to pay for it? Hey make em yourself. 

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Habanero1 Posted 19 Jul 2013 , 11:47pm
post #19 of 52

Totally. You cannot afford to charge pricing to accommodate the masses. Personalised baking is a premium service just like a Ferrari is. If you cannot afford it you don't buy it. If you really want it you will save for it. Do not charge the same as a local fast food place that has things machine manufactured. Do you really need to do cake pops for nothing. I rather not have the headache of dealing with them or the people who expect all that work for nothing. Same goes for cupcakes. All of those things take far more work than a full cake. Stand your ground. Have a policy of not price negotiating. I far rather clean toilets and get paid for it than have to negotiate with someone who does not appreciate my hard work and skill. That is not at all fulfilling. 

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7sweets7 Posted 21 Jul 2013 , 7:29am
post #20 of 52

AI sell cake pops from $1.75 to $2.25

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lkern777 Posted 21 Jul 2013 , 3:55pm
post #21 of 52

AI offer cake pops, but I hate making them, so I charge $3.00 each for dipped, drizzled and sprinkled only. I don't do shapes or decorated. I know people can go elsewhere and get them cheaper and that is fine with me. I figure if I have to make them it will be more worth my time.

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LeTorte Posted 25 Jul 2013 , 5:37am
post #22 of 52

I say they are worth what the customer is willing to pay.  some markets support $3.00 pops others maybe only $1.50.  I give them options.  Plain ones are cheaper then decorated, cause more time means more money.  I also use the cake pop roller, I know there is some debate over it, but honestly I can roll hundreds in an hour if I needed to so I don't really care that they were not the original size I started making them as. (when I hand rolled them they were a bit bigger or smaller depending on how fast I was going:)  But that's the point, with the roller they are all consistent sizes and its faster which means, I'm not losing 4 hrs of work to hand roll a few dozen inconsistent cake balls anymore. Some people say they are a fad...its going on 3 yrs of me making them....haven't gone away yet, and now all the other bakeries in my area are starting to make them, not to mention all the FB pages dedicated to them.  I really don't think they are going anywhere...charge what you can get for them, we are in business for profit:)

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carlacakes Posted 19 Aug 2013 , 3:41pm
post #23 of 52

ASorry I have a question also in regards to pricing. I have a lady who wants 30 cupcakes decorated as monkeys so I was charging 2.50 per cupcake, and she also wanted 30 cake pops shaped as monkey and I was charging 2.00 per cake pop for that. Is my pricing ok for that? She emailed me back today asking if she can have a discount and if that price total included delivery. For me I add 10+ for delivery depending on where it is. I've had customers before that have had no problem with ny prices. Is this lady just wanting lower prices or are mine too high ?

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BatterUpCake Posted 19 Aug 2013 , 3:58pm
post #24 of 52

You need to search the pricing threads. There are too many variables for someone to tell you what to charge.

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Smckinney07 Posted 19 Aug 2013 , 3:59pm
post #25 of 52

A

Original message sent by carlacakes

Sorry I have a question also in regards to pricing. I have a lady who wants 30 cupcakes decorated as monkeys so I was charging 2.50 per cupcake, and she also wanted 30 cake pops shaped as monkey and I was charging 2.00 per cake pop for that. Is my pricing ok for that? She emailed me back today asking if she can have a discount and if that price total included delivery. For me I add 10+ for delivery depending on where it is. I've had customers before that have had no problem with ny prices. Is this lady just wanting lower prices or are mine too high ?

I wouldn't change your pricing for one customer. I don't know what your costs are, not just for your ingredients and time but utilities, wrappers or boxes, etc.

Your prices don't sound too high. I'm not sure how your decorating your pops or cupcakes, it depends on the detail as well. Look into Jason's pricing website or search under pricing in the forums if you think you're off, more often people realize they aren't charging enough! Not everyone is going to be your customer.

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kikiandkyle Posted 19 Aug 2013 , 5:30pm
post #26 of 52

AAny time I take cake pops to a party the kids have 3 or 4 each, and there's usually other cake and desserts there too. I've seen them given out singly as favors but not served as the main cake at one per kid.

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BiancaA Posted 20 Oct 2013 , 9:24pm
post #27 of 52

I Charge $24 a Dozen ($2 Ea) For Simple Round Cake Pops (Sprinkle or Drizzle/Swirl Design) and $30 a Dozen ($2.50 Ea) For More Complicated/Character Cake Pops. Making Cake Pops Are Veryyy Time Consuming and Costly. You Have to Consider The Chocolate, Cake Mix/Ingredients, Sprinkles, Sticks, Bags, Ribbon and Display (I Usually Do a 3 Tier Styrofoam Display.) If You Want You Can Also Charge a $15 Material Fee. EX. If Someone Orders a Dozen Simple Cake Pops ($24) and I Spend $15 on Material I Would Technically Only Make $9. Don't Cheat Yourself. Happy Baking :)

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BiancaA Posted 20 Oct 2013 , 9:28pm
post #28 of 52

^^^ You Also Have to Factor in How Many You're Making and Up The Price on The Material Fee.

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Cakery2012 Posted 20 Oct 2013 , 10:50pm
post #29 of 52

Starbucks cake pops taste like Dog-POO ! 

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ashley508 Posted 1 Nov 2013 , 4:18pm
post #30 of 52

omg i love how you put all that to sense everything thanks i sure took advice on this

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