How much would you charge for this cake? I made it for my sister's baby shower and someone wants one just like it.

The bear is made out of chocolate cake with chocolate BC frosting. The "mattress" is a 9x13" vanilla cake (3 layers) with bavarian cream filling and Whippped Cream BC frosting. The blanket and flowers are fondant. This cake took me about 12 hours to decorate.

The bars on the crib are from plastic dowel rods. For supplies alone, it cost me about $30-$35. Thanks for the help!!

Leslie

I would say $50-$55.

Wow, three layers? I would say $65.00.

I think you need to go much higher than that. For just cakes in those sizes, I charge at least 20 each (and that would be per layer for the 9x13) with buttercream frosting and decorations only. That puts you at 80. Then add the cost of the other supplies (dowels and other non-edible decorations).

I'd say a cake like that (which is really 4 cakes plus extras) would be worth a minimum of $85 - 95.

Hi All!

I am more in tune with the last listing. If you don't get 80-90 min, you didn't get enough for your time alone. That is alot of cake. I would'be charged at least $110. and my friends tell me that I am not charging enough. My problem, is that I don't add in my time and I should. NOw that I have become much faster, it isn't as much an issue.

Cake looks really good by the way. Keep up the good work

Bestest,
Dawn

I'm with Birdlady I would be charging around $110. If they want it cheaper I would not do it and let them pick something cheaper or try to get it somewhere else. Which wouldn't happen. Nonetheless all that time and energy is only worth it if they pay for your time in the end. For 12 hours if you only charged $50; that is about $1.50 an hour. Why do cakes if you only get paid that. I charge $12 an hour for detailed cakes. And that isn't even enough; but one of these days people will know me and pay more. Right now I make reasonable prices.

Thanks everyone! I was thinking $100 myself, but I always seem to doubt myself when it comes to pricing. Thanks again!

Leslie

Thanks Dawn! I really enjoyed making this cake!

I also agree with $100. or more price. That is a lot of cake in the first place, quality filling and icing. Then the added decoration. Not that I have made anything like that or even close, I just think that you also have to value your work and charge accordingly...

I wish a lot more people would realize that by charging such small fees for their cakes says something about you and how you view your work. It can show that you don't have the confidence in your work and that you don't value your time. If you don't then why should they? And they are going to get something for as cheap as possible. You are not Wal-mart and shouldn't be expected to be treated as such. Wal-mart doesn't do these kind of cakes and if they did they would taste aweful as usual. But they can't and so many people settle for less; saying that they know no one that would pay that much for a cake. Then find someone who will; you can't need the money that bad; b/c you would only be making $5 to $10 anyways if you charged that little. And you make more than that hourly working at McD's. I am glad that you know your value. I just wish more that I see on this board and others would recognize theirs also.

BTW the cake looks great!

Hmmm.... a little offended that you say a small price shows I do not have confidence in my work and do not value my time. As many of us here on this board, we are new to this and really do not have a clue as to what to charge. I am in that boat and am still learning what the value of each of make cakes is. I have complete confidence in my work and certainly value my time!

Well then I am sorry that you are offended that I say everyones work is good and should be valued higher but you think otherwise. I am new to this also; but am not willing to sacrifice time and money for this; I do it for fun but want it to be worth it in the end. When you consider all the pans and tools you buy also and all the practice cakes you make; you can lose a lot of money. Research here before giving a price if you just don't know yet what to charge. I don't either many times; so I multiply what I want to make per hour on the cake and add that to the supplies cost. It was not said in a hostile way but a sad voice that people don't charge enough. I have not seen a cake here that does not deserve a good price.

Ok and now I reworded a little to say what I was saying but maybe you took offense to. That it can show that you undervalue. And once you get in the boat of charging small prices it can be hard to get out of. People always want something for nothing. Don't let that be you that is on the receiving end

Josie,

That maple cake in your gallery looks sooooo yummy! I think I will look up those recipes also. and I saw that 50th cake recently when you posted it and think that it is beautiful. I figured if I needed one ever I could type in the keywords and pop it up. Thanks!

Ok Patton78 I just saw your photos and don't know why you are having any trouble at all. I think they are great! I love the barrel one! Just keep up the good work and ask about pricing here.

CakeswithAttitude...thanks for the comments on my photos. I really had a lot of fun making that barrel cake. It was last minute, I was just bored and wanted to practice with MMF. I have never charged a price for my cakes yet but I have my first paid cake due on Friday! It is for a close friend so I know I completely undercharged but I am really excited for my first paid cake!

Well we all do that. close friends and family are just $5 profit cakes . But don't let that be the only cakes you do. Let everyone know that you will be willing to make them a cake for a reasonable price; but let them know up front if they ask how much that these are custom cakes so they do cost more than grocery stores b/c of the details and freshness of the cake. Let them know that grocery stores receive all their cakes baked and iced already and freeze them for months . That way they can understand better why it is better to pay more for freshness and your time. but as for family and friends; it is just too hard to charge them; sometimes I only charge for my supplies if I know they can't afford it and are family or really close friends. But I don't do that very often or I would get burned out.

Thanks for the tips! I did not know grocery stores did that! I will post the cake when I am done with it and ask for opinions on how much I should've charged for it.