I did a cake for a lady this past weekend. Originally her referral came from a friend of hers who had ordered the dumptruck cake in my photos - that cake was done in May. She contacted me immediately after and gave me her date then for her March party - yeah 10 months in advance, and I'm not even that busy, usually people just tell me a week or so ahead of time, lol.

I talked to her thru e-mail a few times, and told her I'd do the cake, but to contact me closer to the deadline with the details. She had cupcakes and cookies from me in September (which are the polka dot cupcakes and coordinating cookies) at the same friend's house for a mom's group party, and since then e-mailed me pretty often to talk about what she wanted, etc. I did her cake Saturday, it's the space cake in my photos. Today I got this e-mail from her:

"Hi, Julie. Thank you for bringing the cake. I'm sad to say that I thought it did not taste like the cupcakes I devoured at _____'s house. The buttercream just didn't taste like buttercream to me. How were ___'s cupcakes made? Was it different frosting? What type are you planning for Friday? Thanks! L"

Uh...I use doctored cake mixes, this was white cake and so were the previous cupcakes...I still used buttercream frosting with the same flavors I always use - almond and vanilla...but I did recently switch to SugarShack's icing recipe...which really tastes the same as my old recipe - the Brite white recipe on here (altered without the salt, icing base, vinegar and creme bouquet and subbing in almond and vanilla)...and very good, I like sugarshack's better because it smoothes better and handles easier...I am so at a loss, I've never had a complaint, and this lady had ordered ahead 5 dozen cupcakes and 2 dozen cookies for her son's school b-day party this friday...what do I tell her? how should I respond? HELP!!

Sounds like maybe it is the new buttercream recipe that she isn't crazy about. Try using the old recipe just for her order. I've tried tons of buttercream recipes and I must say there are some I prefer over others. Good luck!

Teresa

Tell her you switched icings, but you understand she doesn't like it so you will switch back for her order.

I agree with both armywifebryan and julzs71. Explain that you had switched recipes because you felt it was better, but that you will go back to the original recipe for her order if that is her preference. If I were your customer, I would be satisfied with that response.

I would definately consider switching back to your previous BC, even if it's just for her order. Based on her email, she was very nice about telling you she didn't care for your new recipe.

BTW where is your shop in Texas? I just moved to the Dallas area a couple months ago so I'm just curious.

Whoops---double post!

I agree with the other two comments. I would switch back to the old icing for this order.