Here are today's cakes...It looked so yummy before I decorated, I almost wanted to sink in and eat it then!!

It is a 3 layer white cake (from scratch) with vanilla buttercream (Martha's Recipe) and Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse (mom's recipe)--frosting in bittersweet chocolate buttercream (Martha)--and then topped with chocolate dipped strawberries (hiding under the chocolate shavings) and dark and white chocolate shavings...

It is 12inch round, and almost a 12 inches tall too!!

I live in the DC (expensive...) area...what do you think I should be charging?

not less than $100, and that's low.

$75.00....especially with all that chocolate and the strawberries, etc. Maybe even more if your market allows...up to $85 or so, I'd say, but no less than $75 for a 12' round with all those expensive ingredients. Looks crazy yummy!!


***edited to add: After seeing cakeman's post, I guess I'm a low-baller...lol But I don't really know what your market allows for cakes. Go for $100 if you think you can get it in your area!!

haha, well, I've got 7 cakes out and 3 ready to go in the oven right now... I'm crazy with numbers as I speak.

That is a beautiful cake!! I was going to say in the $85-$90 range, but I guess I'm pretty low too. I agree, if you can get $100 definitely charge that.

Gorgeous cake! I'd charge $100!! How did you do the side of the cake?

Yeah, how do you do the checkerboard? Very cool!

I'd say at lease $100 too. It's hard to price properly. I had a lady pick up a cake yesterday tell me that I didn't charge enough.

My wilton teacher told me that it also depends on your area where you live, she looked in the wilton 2006 year book a 12 inch cake 2 layers serves 40 for party and 56 for wedding cake. So then for 1 layer x 3 = $ 60.00 or 56 + 28= $ 84.00 which is 1.00 per slice or say 84 x 2.00 per slice +168.00 you can charge up to 4.50 the slice it all depends where you live. Just an example, I went to a cake supply store and they also sell wedding cakes and I asked for a price on a cake I was making 2 layers each 8 and 12 round cake and they gave me a price for $ 280.00 I'm like wow, I sold it for way less than that price for a friend but just to give you an idea. By the way your cake is very elegant and pretty.

I would say about 125.00 Just a guestimate.

Unbelievable cake!!!!! Remember you live in an area that will support a higher price. Take a look at cakelove.com (that's the sugar rush host's site for his bakery in dc) They don't do half what you have done here and charge a fortune!!!

Gorgeous, gorgeous! We gotta know how you got that checkerboard! My gut reaction was $100, but then again, I just moved from the DC area and I know how expensive everything is there. Maybe $125. Charge $100, and if you get bombarded with orders, that's a good sign you charged too little.

i have no idea on the charging for your area- i just wanted to say wow

Ok, I live in a small town and was thinking wow $100 for a cake? ...kinda high, but...

I started looking this up in MY pricing guide. 2-layer 12" round wedding cake, I charge $84 (iced in buttercream), and add another layer that would come up to $126! I also charge $10/lb on chocolate covered strawberries, so that is bringing my price up to a minimum of $136.

And keep in mind...I live in a town (of about 5500 people), tiny place. Charge accordingly for your area, they WILL pay it!

As to how the chequerboard effect is achieved, I would hazard a guess. If it is using all buttercream - apply the white buttercream and let crust. Then use a chequerboard stencil, which you can make yourself using a sheet of acetate and craft knife, and 'paint' the brown buttercream. Alternately, if the base is white fondant, use the same method. Could also just paint on melted chocolate.

I saw this cake last night and was very impressed with it! I think the checkerboard is a chocolate sheet. I think I read that somewhere.

Anyway...I think the cake is well worth 100.00.

Let us know how much you ended up charging for it!

I've seen things that look similar to the checkerboard, but were made out of chocolate. They're called chocolate wraps. Not sure if this is how this cake was done but it's a way to get the look. Great cake!

Great job! Go for $100.00 more if you think you can in your area. I live in the Midwest and area does make a difference. Chocolate is expensive and time is precious, but knowing what to do is so hard sometimes. Beautiful!

I agree. Gorgeous cake!!! Don't know how to price it, but a minimum of $100 seems to be the consensus.

Definitely more than $100.00!!!! It's gorgeous Please tell us how you did the Checkerboard.

Lazy_Susan

Cool cake! I am curious as to how you cut a cake 12inches high and make the slices still fit onto a plate.

Yep we are all waiting to see how you made the checkerboard.

I would never charge less than $2/serving for that fancy of a cake! So you should be getting WELL over $100 for it.

I'd start by taking what my cost was and then calculate how much time I spent on the cake. Figure out what you want to pay yourself for your labor. For most cakes I just double what my cost is, but if it's labor intensive, I'd calculate what you think you're time is worth then multiply that figure times the number of hours you spent, then add the cost of your supplies and ingredients. See what you come up with. It's also easier to explain the price to your customer this way! Good luck and Cool Cake!!!!