Candy Apple Wedding Favors..what Would You Charge?

Decorating By Kiddiekakes Updated 24 Sep 2009 , 5:28pm by Deric

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 4:11pm
post #1 of 56

I have a customer inquiring about 100 candy Apples for wedding favors.Wrapped and tied with ribbon...Any idea of what you would charge per apple?What type of Apples? Homemade candy coating or store bought?Where to buy sticks? Ahhhhh..never done these before but don't want to say no!


Indydebi...please chime in!!!



Laurel icon_smile.gif

55 replies
fancyface Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
fancyface Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 4:15pm
post #2 of 56

I would say $ 4.00 each easily (rocky mountain chocolate factory charges abouit this much) and they use Granny Smith apples
HTH

ebear Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ebear Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 4:28pm
post #3 of 56

Hi there..You can buy sticks at Michaels or even the $ store. Kraft has a recipe for caramel apples. You can also buy the caramel wraps at some groceries stores.

HTH.. icon_smile.gif

-K8memphis Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
-K8memphis Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 4:44pm
post #4 of 56

I know this goes against the grain--but I highly recommend that you make one first. Then price it.

Like give a generic price and say something vague about market price of the apples at the time--the way they price lobster in restaurants.

Then asap get the stuff and make one.

You will have a good grasp on how you should price.

Some people cannot make these to save their lives. It's like petit fours or baby blocks --what's the big deal? Try it and see.

Just a candied thought for you.

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 4:53pm
post #5 of 56

Thanks K8...I actually have made them for my kids last year but I used a package candy mix from the store....They were quite easy but messy....I just don't want to say yes and then way under estimate my time etc...


Laurel icon_smile.gif

Win Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Win Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:03pm
post #6 of 56

Last year, I made chocolate covered apples like the ones seen in shops,etc. Is that what your client wants? I don't sell products, but the ones I see similar to the ones I made sell in shops , packaged in cellophane, for 10.00 - 15.00 each --depending on how many ingredients.
They are very labor intensive.

mine:http://www.freewebs.com/chroniclecakes/apps/photos/photo?photoid=16690214

Apples recommended: Fiji, Jumbo Granny Smith --crisp and tart

Sticks are just the same you find in Kraft Caramels, etc. They can be found in bulk in the hobby stores in the kid's craft aisle.

indydebi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
indydebi Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:06pm
post #7 of 56

Agree with K8. People think "it's just a carmel apple" but that falls right in there with "it's just flour and sugar!"

These also use way more carmel than you think. When I'd make these for the kids when they were little, I NEVER had enough carmel for the number of apples the bag said I'd get. You really need a LOT of carmel ... you want to be able to submerge the entire apple in the melted carmel to get a perfectly smooth finish ..... like dipping strawberries only WAY bigger! icon_lol.gif

Do you have counter space for 100 apples while they set before you can bag them?

I'm not a fan of those carmel wraps. For the family, they are fine. But for a wedding favor, I think they look cheap.

Make 6 or 12 for your family and really gauge your time and costs. Fruit is more perishable than most products, and as I understand it, once the skin is punctured, they start to turn even faster. So this is also a product that you have to make all at the last minute.

I wouldn't do them for under $5-7 each.

Just as an idea, for a wedding, I'd want to dress 'em up a bit by coating the outside with nuts or choc chips or other candies. Something that makes them unique. (My thought process is "if you can get just a plain 'ole carmel apple anywhere, then I need to give you a reason to buy mine instead."

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:07pm
post #8 of 56

Win...Yes I have seen the gourmet ones as well..They were featured on a episode of unwrapped last year...The lady sells them at fairs etc...I would say you would have to charge alot for those for all the caramel and chocolate drizzles.

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:09pm
post #9 of 56

I've made them with granny smith apples, covered with carmel and chocolate & nuts. This really adds up and is more so time consuming. I couldn't see doing them for just $4.

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:11pm
post #10 of 56

Indi...some excellent points to ponder.....I will consider all of this before I comitt to anything!!

Thanks Everyone for your valuable Input!!

-K8memphis Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
-K8memphis Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:14pm
post #11 of 56

Is this for caramel apples or chocolate covered?

http://www.mrsprindables.com/store/item.asp?rectype=gourmet&item_id=30&department_id=35

^^^ These are forty bucks a pair plus shipping ^^^

http://www.mrsprindables.com/store/item.asp?rectype=business&item_id=35&department_id=37

^^^ a dozen small ones for ninety bucks--sucha deal! ^^^

Shipping runs from $23 to $45 to my address here in the US.

KHalstead Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KHalstead Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:32pm
post #12 of 56

are they gonna have any decorations at all?? A chocolate drizzle in the wedding colors....something??

I would quote right off the bat $5.00 a piece.....that'll definitely give you some extra $ after expenses........but boy are those puppies labor intensive. See if you can get DH to help dip! lol

cutthecake Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cutthecake Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:39pm
post #13 of 56

Do you mean the red, hard-candy-covered apples; chocolate-covered (like Mrs. Prindible's) with sprinkles, etc; or caramel-covered apples?
I find all three to be temperamental at times. Sometimes I can't get the coating to stick to the apple--it wants to slide off. And I wind up with a naked apple sitting in a puddle.
Definitely do as suggested above--make a big test batch. See how long it takes, how much it costs, and how successful you are. Don't underestimate the amount of time it will take to make and wrap 100 apples. And they will use more coating than you think they will.
Good luck.

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:52pm
post #14 of 56

Thanks K8 for the links... icon_wink.gif

KHalstead.....I'm not sure yet...she hasn't emailed me but I got a heads up from the lady who gave my number out. thumbs_up.gif

Cutthecake....Yes..the red candy ones.I never thought that the coating might not stick icon_eek.gif ...Oh great..I really need to think this one over.... icon_confused.gif

panipuri Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
panipuri Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 5:55pm
post #15 of 56

And with the caramel too, the caramel starts to slide off after a day - so youmight want to play around with candy melts instead of caramel - and see if that sticks. Good luck.

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:04pm
post #16 of 56

Good idea Panipuri..I never thought of candy melts....

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:07pm
post #17 of 56

Let me make a suggestion, if candy slides off the apple, it's cause apples come covered in a lite coating of wax. You can gently scrub this off (time consuming) or get organic apples that don't come covered in wax. Candy melts just don't taste as good as real chocolate.

LaBellaFlor Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
LaBellaFlor Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:07pm
post #18 of 56

Let me make a suggestion, if candy slides off the apple, it's cause apples come covered in a lite coating of wax. You can gently scrub this off (time consuming) or get organic apples that don't come covered in wax. Candy melts just don't taste as good as real chocolate.

KHalstead Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KHalstead Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:09pm
post #19 of 56

oh you're making CANDY apples........I saw the headline and immediately thought of caramel apples lol Dont' put chocolate on them that wouldn't be good with the candy apples.

However, it would be so cool to dye the candy to a color that matched the wedding.

KHalstead Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KHalstead Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:13pm
post #20 of 56

oh and I just wanted to add another tip on saving money......see if you have a pick your own apple farm somewhere near you............last year I picked at least 100 apples and only paid around $12 for them and they were all perfect because I picked them out (so none of the waste involved with store bought apples where you always get a couple that are soft/bruised)

AND then you don't have to worry about the whole wax deal too! Just an idea!

indydebi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
indydebi Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:24pm
post #21 of 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by KHalstead

oh and I just wanted to add another tip on saving money......see if you have a pick your own apple farm somewhere near you............last year I picked at least 100 apples and only paid around $12 for them and they were all perfect because I picked them out (so none of the waste involved with store bought apples where you always get a couple that are soft/bruised)

AND then you don't have to worry about the whole wax deal too! Just an idea!




As I tell my brides ... decide if you have more time or money. If you have the time, then you can do a lot yourself and save money.

Me? I'd be much happier to pay the extra money so I don't have to pick my own! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

(Not an outdoor person .... if you want me to shoot myself tomorrow, then all you have to do is force me to work in the yard today. I am not going to be one of those little old ladies who likes to "putter around" in the flowerbeds. My retirement will be spent in a condo with no yard and no flowerbed! icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif )

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:33pm
post #22 of 56

Ha! Ha! Indy.....Me too...I hate gardening and the plants seem to hate me also...I live in Alberta...All the fruit trees grow in BC so I'm outta luck in picking my own.

CakeMakar Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
CakeMakar Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 6:58pm
post #23 of 56

What about using the "baby" apples? I don't know if your stores sell them, but ours have mini apples, maybe a bit bigger than a golf ball.

At hockey games they sell the "gourmet" apples here - dipped in caramel then drizzled with chocolates (dark, white, milk) and the bottoms are in nuts or mini m&m's. Those sell for $7-9 each. Just the caramel or candy ones are $4.

Kiddiekakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Kiddiekakes Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 7:01pm
post #24 of 56

Cake maker..Thanks for the price tips!!! I have never seen mini apples...Neat!! That would be good for my kids since they never fully eat a standard apple.

blessedist Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
blessedist Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 8:06pm
post #25 of 56

I do a lot of apples as gifts and also people purchase them They are $7 a piece for nothing but caramel. Ususally run $15ish for a pretty 1. I usually put them in the apple box (buy them online). Do you know how hard it is to get caramel and the red candy dip to the right temperature and consistency?! icon_mad.gif It is not easy and I use large apples because it's harder for the stick to stay in regular sized apples. You also have to get the wax off the apple or your candy won't stick. You can use vinegar, rub it with dry dish rag (a long time), or buy the veggie wash (easiest). I find the best apples are at the flea markets (do you have any there?) because they are fresh and don't have all the wax on them, are cheap, and you can pick the best ones out of the surrounding baskets and trade for your uglies icon_wink.gif HTH

Darth_Aerdna Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Darth_Aerdna Posted 9 Sep 2009 , 11:00pm
post #26 of 56

Every year for work I make about 250 caramel and candy apples to sell at out community Halloween event.

If you just search the web for "Candy apple supplies" you should be able to find lost of places to get the sticks, mix and wrap or boxes to put the apples in.

I cant remember off hand where I ordered everything from last year- But I remember that it all came as a kit- sticks mix and wraps.

I think we sold them last year for $3.00 and apple......

Good Luck!

cylstrial Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cylstrial Posted 10 Sep 2009 , 1:25am
post #27 of 56

My friend makes gourmet carmel apples - in tons of different flavors. She offers M&M, butterfinger and tons of other flavors. Anyway, her's start at $5.50 an apple and I think they go up to $6.50 an apple.

They are absolutely delicious!

Deric Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Deric Posted 10 Sep 2009 , 1:40am
post #28 of 56

I have never liked the idea of passing out food as wedding favors ( www.sunflowerfavors.com/products_by_event/wedding_favors). You don't want the chance that something is old and rotten and most people won't eat it before it goes bad anyways. Not everyone likes the same types of treats, either. I like the idea of providing a wedding favor that will last forever. Does anyone else share my same thoughts?

heavenlys Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
heavenlys Posted 10 Sep 2009 , 1:52am
post #29 of 56

we make an apple with caramel chocolate and toasted almonds and toffee pieces. We use a fuji apple. I buy 5 lb blocks of caramel from sysco cuz unwrapping a million little caramels is a horrible form of torture!
We charge $5 each but I am in a town of 5000 in Iowa so our market is a little lower than other places.

indydebi Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
indydebi Posted 10 Sep 2009 , 2:06am
post #30 of 56

Deric, I have the opposite view. I tell my brides if they're going to spend money on wedding favors, then get edible favors because then the money won't be wasted. Since I'm at most of my weddings, I see too many favors go right in the trash.

I've cleared tables and 70% of the guests leave their favor on the table when they leave; I watch people leave and they drop it in the trash can by the door. Kids gather them up and play with them in the corner of the room. One bride gave away packets of seeds (they were tree-hugger types) ..... the seeds were on a tray and they asked each guest to pick one up. Over half were left at the end of the night.

What a waste of money.

Here's my blog where I address this very issue: http://cateritsimple.blogspot.com/search/label/favors

I personally don't need more clutter in my home. This stuff that "lasts forever" just gets thrown in a drawer somewhere so my children can trash it when I die. So trash it now or trash it later.

(and personally, I find a framed photo of the bride/groom such an "odd" gift. I'd like to say 'tacky' but that's in the eye of the beholder. "Here, folks, I'm going to give you a gift to thank you for coming and LOOK! It's a picture of ME!" I don't know .... rings a little narcissist to me. icon_rolleyes.gif )

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%