What is the usual charge per serving for a 12" Birthday cake?
I quoted her $40.00. She wants a 12" decorated cake with fondant and fondant roses. But when I quoted her the price she said maybe she should call safeway and see how much their cakes cost. Is my quote too high?

Thanks,
Lazy_Susan

I don't think $40 is too high at all, in fact it might be a little low. Customers will try to get you to lower your price by telling you they are going to check elsewhere. I doubt she's going to be able to get Safeway to make her a 12" cake with fondant and fondant roses anyway. I would stick to your price because its not worth it to do that kind of cake for any less.

Are you torting and filling it also? I charge $60 for a 12" double layer, torted and filled cake. I don't do fondant ( I don't like it and haven't even had a request for it anyway), I frost with buttercream or a stabilized whipped cream.

Definitely do NOT go any lower!!! People do not understand the cost and time that fondant takes. I'm not even sure the grocery store bakeries do fondant.

i truly doubt safeway will even do fondant covering, let alone fondant roses.

remember: time is money, and the people are paying you for your time and your skill.

fondant covering and roses take LOTS of time, unlike a safeway (or similar mass market grocery store cake) that gets done in 20-30 minutes top (go stand at your local WM/safeway etc and watch how fast they churn out the decorations on a cake!)

consider it this way: their cakes are like off the rack clothes, our cakes are "bespoke" (just love that British term) i.e. custom tailored from scratch for one particular customer. ----> interesting experiment to try. find a dress at WM or similar you like, note price. Now call a tailor/seamstress in your town and ask for same kind of dress custom made for you. Note the big price difference. Ditto for cakes.

Hi,

I usually charge $40 for 12" torted and iced with buttercream. If you are going to cover with fondant and decorate with a bow I will not go lower than $60 - $65. Fondant is more expensive.

She is not going to find a better price! believe me!!

Here is the cake she wants. But only the bottom layer in a 12" size along with the fondant roses and a large fondant bow on top. I told her that since I am still learning and practicing that I would cut her a deal. But going less than $40.00 I think I would be more like cutting my throat! lol

Your quote is fine, but the woman may not have realized how much more the fancy design and fondant would cost. If you are used to pay $15 for a 1/4 sheet cake at the grocery store (not fondant, but still pretty flowers) and suddenly you hear $40 for the same amount of cake....it might catch you a bit off guard.

I'd charge $40 just for all those roses.. LOL!

There's no way she's going to get that cake at a grocery store, stick to your guns, and explain that if you were charging her FULL price, it would have been more like ... 12" round serves 45 wedding size, so say 30 b-day size pieces... $3/serving (cheap for fondant covered cake!)... $90 MINIMUM!

It's really not worth it to undersell yourself too much, even as a "novice" ... you'll just end up frustrated and angry because you put all this time and effort into your cakes for nothing more that bragging rights. Also, you set up the expectation that this is all that cakes are worth!

Be clear that this cake is actually WORTH $90 from you, that a bakery would probably charge her over $100, and that you are giving her a deal on it because you are new to fondant. Safeway cannot provide THIS cake, and you are not in business to compete with Safeway!

I definitely agree with MelC. You are giving her a steal!!!!! That cake is worth much much more. I understand giving people a deal because your new but make sure you tell them that!! I would say, "Most cake decorators i've talked to would charge X amount, but since i'm still learning this technique I'm willing to do it for X this time." People like to feel like they are getting a deal but make sure they know you will master this skill and then they better bring the money!!!

I agree.....I would charge at least the $90 liek MelC said....fondant roses are a lot of work....my wilton instructor once told me that when she does wedding cakes she charge $3.00 per fondant rose!!!!

I have to agree with everyone else dont sell your self short your time is worth that much.

That's for sure...
I have people at church that think they should get the cakes for just about nothing.. I DON"T THINK SO!!!!
And now I tell them...hey...the price of natural gas went up soooo high I have to raise my prices...it takes a long time to get all those cakes baked...Everything keeps going up, and they want you to lower your prices...NO WAY!!!!
I don't make cakes for just anyone., either.

stick to your quote!

I didn't realize she wanted a fondant bow, too. Add $25.00 to that price. I wouldn't do it for less than $65.00.