Hi my fellow bakers! So this is my problem. My sister in law who has never order a cake from me or asked me to make her a cake before (she ALWAYS get walmart cakes and is very used to box cake mixes) called me and asked me to make her a cake for her husband's birthday which is this coming Saturday. She had no idea what flavor cake or icing she wanted, color or theme, she keep repeating to make her the cheapest more convenient cake I can make her and that she likes the ones from the store. I was about to suggest she goes and buys one from walmart then but she said her husband wants a cake from me. So here's the thing, I offered to make her the cake for Free as a gift, so when I said that she then had an idea of what she wanted for flavor and icing and decorations and that's where I draw my line and said to her that I will make the cake for free but it will be something I don't have to spend much money or time on. She agree. So now I'm thinking I don't even want to bake them a cake from scratch since they're so used to the store bought stuff they might be fine with a box cake mix and that I will decorated using homemade buttercream and simple fondant "happy birthday" cut out letters.

What do you all think about making a box cake mix and hm buttercream. I'm just planning to make a 9*3 size cake, white icing and green borders and fondant letters and a palm tree and turtle cut outs? What do you all think? Should I add more details or make a cake from scratch? I'm afraid they will prefer a store tasting cake better. My cakes are really good and moist and had never had anyone said anything bad about them, everyone loves my homemade fresh cakes but this sister in law of mines has always had something negative to say :/.....sorry this post is so long but had to share as much as possible, I'm already stressing over this cake lol. Thank you all so much for your responses! :)

I say get them hooked on high quality custom cakes to show them what they've been missing all these years. Most people who are used to grocery store cake just never realized how good a homemade cake is. Plus, your brother wants one of your cakes. So you should give them the product you are proud to make. Also, you don't want people to think you use boxed mix and cheap decorations. Just choose the recipe and design that is cheapest and easiest for you. 

Well...it's a double edge sword.....you could whip up a quick box..as it will be cheaper on you and what they are used to....or introduce them to your moist scratch cakes.   It's not like it is a new customer base you will be creating though...they probably can't tell the quality of a scratch.   It's a coin toss  to me. 

....and there is nothing wrong with box....scratch baking (that I do not do) requires a very special talent..(that I do not have the patience or interest in).   I applaud a moist scratch cake...but there is nothing wrong with box.  

This isn't for your sister- in- law it is for your brother and he is offering you the chance to show how much better your product is compared to a wal-mart cake. Will there be others there who may end up ordering from you after they taste and see what you have to offer? And most importantly will you be proud to put your name on the cake? Knock their socks off!

I'd probably make them one of the WASC  (the mix plus extra ingredients version)- everyone seems to like that cake, especially box/mix likers or even non-cake lovers.

 

I do know quite a  lot of people (in the US only it seems) that only like box/mix  cakes. It's just what they're used to- and that's okay. Sometimes I don't think it's worth  trying to change their minds about it..they like what they like- no matter what. If this person tends to be negative and likes cake mixes..then that is what I would give her. 

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a box mix. I use them and doctor them up all the time. It sounds like the issue is that because it's a free cake you don't want to spend too much and then you don't want to do a scratch cake for the sis-in-law to criticize. It all comes down to taste. If your scratch cakes taste as awesome as you say, then you should put that best foot forward. Especially if it's affordable and it's what you're familiar with. I know you're worried that they are used to store bought cakes, but you could turn that around with your scratch cake. Shoot...I might be used to eating hot dogs, but I also love a good steak! :) Be confident in your goods!

I agree with the other responses. Apparently your brother has "convinced" her that he wants one of "Your Cakes" instead of the store cake. Therefor if you were to create a box cake I can just imagine her review : "This taste's the same...I should have just gotten a store cake" even though you have created this for FREE!!! 

 

I wouldn't spend as much time concentration on the decorations. Shes probably not going to be to excited about the fondant anyways considering most "Store cakes" are BC. I would focus on the taste .

 

Don't stress yourself out over her! You can turn this negative into a positive and take her out the equation fully. It's a gift for your brother.... so put as much love and thought into it  as you would if he had request it himself! She is just the person placing the order lol!!! 

Whatever you decide to do, please don't take your SIL's negativity personal. If she does say something negative, it's probably because she is envious of you. I'm sure your scratch cakes are delicious. Do your best. Remember, this is for your brother's birthday and you are honoring his request. Not hers.

AOff topic here but the OP never actually mentioned a brother- just SIL husband....

AI also didn't think this was for the OPs brother, given that she referred to him as 'her husband' rather than my 'brother'.

OP do you have any idea why she suddenly wants one of your cakes rather than simply getting a store bought one? That might help decode what her expectations really are.

 "I was about to suggest she goes and buys one from walmart then but she said her husband wants a cake from me."

 

This is in her first post...the husband wanted her cake...

Thank you all for your responses!! :)

It's my husband's sister so her husband is not my brother lol. I'm afraid of making a scratch cake for her since she's just used to the store ones and it's so hard

to please, she is very judgmental and always finds something to criticized about lol. The other thing too she wants something completely nut free and my specialty

cake is almond/amaretto cake with a amaretto syrup and it's the one I get so many compliments about but I'm planning to make a yellow scratch cake I had made before

that I put cream cheese and a pudding box mix on it and it came out flavorful and moist. Thank you all for your support! I will make this scratch cake recipe on a sheet cake and decorated simply but nicely. Other people will be trying my cake and who knows I'll get some new customer lol.

Let me clarified, I don't think there's anything wrong with box mix as a matter fact I worked for a well known bakery before and they made most of

their cakes from box mixes and only a few recipe where made from scratch. I just won't make it for my customers unless they specifically ask for.I'm hooked on homemade ;) but I do use box mix for cupcakes most of the time and will occasionally make one for home if in need something quick  :)

BTW my SIL husband wants a homemade cake because he's tried my cakes before when coming to my home for an activity so he asked her to order his from me.

AWell how about you make that same cake that impressed him so much and keep the decorations minimal. Simple BC with borders. Forget fondant for this one.

I can't make the cake that impressed him so much because it's the almond/amaretto cake with the syrup and his wife which is my husbands sister said not to make that one because there will be people allergic to nuts at the birthday party. I'm not making fondant decorations just the "Happy Birthday" lettering :)

I will post a picture of the cake and will let you all know how it went :)

Hi, Sorry I think I started the brother trend. I just saw sister-in-law and my mind filled in the blanks! Good luck with your cake.

A

Then just make the yellow cake version subbing vanilla where you would use almond flavors in the cake and syrup if possible.

Ok so here's the cake I made him, took the advised about not worrying to much about the decoration but do on the flavor and that's what I did. It's a vanilla cake which I added cream cheese and a pudding mix box to enhanced the flavor and make it moist because she wanted a moist cake but no syrup which is what I'm used to making. The icing it's hm vanilla buttercream which was a pain to work with today because the temp is 90 where I'm and my ac broke down on me last nite :(. Those are his favorite colors ( my husband asked him lol) and he likes palms and turtles lol. What do you all think?? Let me tell you I know it's not my best work, but for having a migraine and taken the relpax, the heat and my 5 year old trying to help I hope I did well lol.

Thank you all for your responses and support! This is such a great forum for beginners or pros, I find it really helpful and stress relieving too :) Happy weekend!!

 

BTW, I'm curious to know how much will you price this cake? I don't have sheet cakes on my menu so I don't have a price for them, but in case I

get any orders I might think about making sheet cakes and will like to know how much should I charge. Thanks ;)

I think you did a very nice job on that cake.  Everyone should be happy with it.  I'm not a scratch baker but it would be nice to hear from you what the feed back is on the taste & decorating.

ALooks nice.

AIt looks beautiful. Let us know what feedback you get from them.

AWell done!!! After all that stressing and look how great it turned out!!

AHelp i need maroon color and it looks pinkish right now what color do i need to add

AHelp i need maroon color and it looks pinkish right now what color do i need to add

AI am pretty sure you would add a bit of black to it to get that deeper maroon color. Give it a try as black is known to deepen any color as long as you only add a little bit at a time!!