Thanks to Mamakau for bringing up this subject.

Here's my story:

Two years ago, my neighbor requested that I bake her grandson's birthday cake. She was willing to pay me for my work, and then added, " and I will need an 8 inch smash cake. The smash cake is free, right?"

I was very new to cake decorating at the time, and with my son already an adult, I had never heard of a smash cake, as nobody did them back in his youth. I told her, "No, I would have to charge you for the additional cake." Needless to say, she went elsewhere.

Do all of you provide the smash cake free? What size cake do you offer as a smash cake? How many layers? An 8 inch smash cake sounds awfully large to me, and more like she was trying to get several extra servings free of charge.

Thanks Bunches -

Theresa

I usually have enough batter left over to make a 4 inch cake similar to the birthday cake. I don't charge for this cake.

As a rule, a smash cake is intended for the First Birthday only.

IMHO, an eight inch smash cake is waaaay too big! I would charge for one this size.

I usually use a 4" or 6" single layer. Sometimes, I'll stick a cupcake on for a tiered effect.

Since a smash cake can usually be made with "left-overs", I don't charge for them.

I make 6in smash cakes usually, and I never charge. This is because I usually have a 6in frozen in the freezer at all times. (that's what I do with left over batter)

I think you are probably right about her just trying to get a few extra servings.

Sherry

I charge especially if they want this decorated. Most the times it is requested to match the bigger cake. No way I am not charging at that point.

I offer a 4in 1 layer smash cake that will complement the main cake, but will almost certainly be far less intricate - after all it's just going to get destroyed!!! I don't charge for this though.

I'm doing my first smash cake today. The customer didn't even know what it was! Its her son's first birthday and truthfully, I want to try out my new 4" pan so I won't charge [/i]

I always make a 4" or 6" - 1 layer smash cake for the first birthday cakes I make, and it ties in with the main cake (decorated nicely too) I charge $5. for it. Not a money maker, but not expensive either.....and everyone loves them.

I do a 4" smash cake to match the bigger cake....but also w/a less intricate design. It is free for 1st bday onlys! I've a few people request them for other bdays...but I charged them for it..$8!

I offer a free 6" single layer smash cake for first birthdays.

if someone asked for a smash cake and wants it fully decorated like the birthday cake then i would definately charge regular cake price but if its a small 1 with minimal decoratons i still wouldnt give it for free but i wont charge that much. $5 would be enough like Quadcrew says. it still takes time and ingredients to make this cake and decorate it. If they are getting a very expensive main cake then i would not charge at all. so i guess it depends.

Yes, an 8" smash cake is too large... I would do a simple 4" or 6" for free. Did she want a double layer 8"? If so, she was trying to scam you for extra servings.

I'm having trouble doing the math, where does the left over batter come from to make the smash cake? Lets say, if you made a 2 layer 10" main cake and a 4" smash cake, would there really be enough leftover batter from the main cake to make the smash cake? I think i'm measuring my batter all wrong, I usually just divide it between the two pans, should I be measuring it by the cup?

I always give a smash cake for free for first birthdays only! For instance, I made a set of ball cakes for a first birthday and made a very small tennis ball cake as the smash cake (for free). The same weekend I made a Veggie Tales sheetcake and they wanted a Bob the Tomato cake just for the birthday boy (turning 2) so I charged them for that one. I figure a free first birthday smash cake is no different than not charging a couple for the anniversary tier of their wedding cake. It is something customers appreciate and as long as I am making enough off of the main cake, it doesn't hurt me to do it. Just my thought and way of doing things!
HTH,
Heather

I only do smash cakes for 1st birthdays, and they are always 4" single layer cakes. I always have some on hand in my freezer (I bake them when I bake wedding cakes or other cakes where there is leftover batter). Unless the person requests it, I don't do chocolate smash cakes, since there is some controversy over what age it's ok for a baby/toddler to eat chocolate. I usually stick to white, yellow, or french vanilla. I never do intricate decorating ... I always do the piping in bright colors that match the actual birthday cake, and I write a "1" on the top of the cake. IMHO, I think it's kind of silly to go much bigger than a 4" cake, especially if you're not charging. After all, it's just going to get smashed and not really eaten. I've never had any complaints, and my customers are usually pleasantly surprised that I provide smash cakes for free.

I charge $10 for each smash cake. I use Wilton's Singles pans if the shape is what they want, or I do a 4" or 5" round, never anything larger. The smash is decorated to match the big birthday cake, unless the client requests something different for the child. I was an ER nurse for 10 years and I also have a wariness about chocolate for babies. I always recommend yellow cake unless the client insists on chocolate. I have done small individual cakes for older children as well. But I always charge for everything.

I've only had one call for a smash cake and I did not charge the customer for two reasons. One, she's a regular customer and orders all her cakes for her family from me. Second, she never worry's about the price, and usually orders elaborate cakes.

However, I don't think that I will charge for these little cakes because I think giving them will get the word passed on faster to other mommies who will be needing baby's first cakes AND a smash cake. It's not really that much of an expense and will help you gain far more than what you can sell it for.

Sometimes, just the joy of giving a little something is far greater than what you can gain in money. This is one small way we can give and bring joy without it hurting us.

I do a single layer 6inch (round, square or hex ) whichever matches the main cake.
I don't charge for these even if I have to use and extra mix. I figure it is the same as not charging for the top tier of a wedding cake.

An 8inch is definitely too big for a smash cake and they are only for 1st birthday. I have never seen them done for other birthdays.

I have only started doing wedding cakes this past year.....and I have told the brides that I will provide a small 6" cake on their anniversary for free - that way they can have a fresh cake to celebrate with. They need to contact me a week prior to the anniversary to get it on my calendar though. I can see doing the free cake in this instance.....since the wedding cakes are so expensive.

I am having a "duh" on these posts though.....please straighten me out here......

1. Do you charge for the top layer of the weddding cake? (I do)

2. If you do not charge for it (the top layer), you do that one for free AND give them a small cake for free too?

Sorry to get this off-topic.....I am new to the wedding stuff and want to make sure I am charging properly!

OK - I understand it now (I think!) Thanks Jen.

I have only started making cakes for folks (a whole whopping 3 orders so far)....only one was for a first birthdy and did a small 3" smash cake with the extra batter I had from doing the regular cake. Ended up with a double layer smash, but only put buttecream in/on it as I heard young children should not eat strawberries. Decorated same as larger family cake, and did not charge extra for it, mosttly because it was extra batter, but for my first year I want to be able to entice folks to buy cakes. Next year when I revamp my price list, the free smash cakes will probably be gone. It would be worth $3-5 as it is decorated also and that takes time.

I am still doing cakes for what is costs me for the experience. I did a b-day cake for a co- worker's son's 1st b-day They wanted a sports theme cake so I did a double layer 8 inch round as a basketball and the smash cake was a 6-inch round like a baseball. I told the wife I would only charge for the ingredients but when they picked up the cake they refused to pay me less than $20. I felt uncomfortable about this but they called later and raved about the cakes. I guess my question would be for those of you who do 4-inch smash cakes (a 6-inch seems to me to be too big for this purpose) where do you get a 4-inch pan? I would love to offer free smash cakes that have a simple design with a 1st b-day order but it would seem more cost effective to do a 4 inch instead of a 6 inch.

I got my 4" pan off Ebay. I'm sure you can also get them from cake suppliers, my suppler has them from time to time, but would be happy to order them if someone specifically asked. If you can't get one off Ebay, I'll be happy to send you my supplier's contact info, they will be happy to ship anywhere. I've also got a 2" round pan, it's sooooo cute! I've only used it once, and that was when I made a small cake to sat in a 3-D Elmo's lap, (see my photo's). - Ellie

I agree that if she's looking for a free smash cake, it should be something small. Who in the world would let their kid smash an 8" cake anyway? What a mess!

She seems to be looking to get some free servings.

I have done smash cakes, but only upon request, and I actually do charge for them, but only a very small fee.