Here We Go Again...average Rpice For A 30 Serving Cake?

Decorating By pinky73 Updated 24 Mar 2010 , 12:40pm by TheDomesticDiva

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pinky73 Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 7:36pm
post #1 of 9

I am positive that this question has been asked numerous times but here goes: I was just asked to do a babyshower sheet cake to feed 30 people. Since I am pretty new to this, I really don't know what to charge..well, what I think I should charge seems way too much. I have a friend that has had me making cakes for her and usually I give them as gifts (for her wedding, rehearsal, showers, family anniversaries, etc) She keeps telling me to charge but I'm not comfortable doing that yet. BUT, this will be for a friend of hers that needs a baby shower cake and she wants me to give her a price later today. Just WASC or maybe 1/2 chocolate, half WASC, buttercream, a few little buttercream flowers. She has no specific requests such as a filling..it's been left up to me to decide and let her know what I would charge. I have a feeling this will become a more frequent request so I'd rather not low-ball it but seems my thoughts of what I would charge per serving makes it very expensive. Thoughts?

8 replies
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TheDomesticDiva Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 7:45pm
post #2 of 9

It really depends on the cost of your ingredients and the time you put into it. A 9x13 serves 45 people. It also depends on what the going rate is for your area. Here, I'd expect at least $1.80 per serving, so that'd be $81.

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pinky73 Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 7:52pm
post #3 of 9

Thank you for the advice...and so quickly too! ( I noticed that I mis-spelled the word "price" in my title..awesome.) Anyway, yes, I need to calculate my ingredients and time..not sure what you charge for time though...minimum wage? Anyway, I will do some calculating and try to figure something out that is reasonable for the gal.
Here's another question: 9x13 by 2" tall or 4"tall? Just wondering.
Thanks again!

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TheDomesticDiva Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 8:17pm
post #4 of 9

2 inches tall. That was just for a one-layer basic sheet cake without filling. Just a slab of cake covered in buttercream. You could add in a filling and do a double-layer cake if you wanted to though.

The question about how much to charge for your time unfortunately does not have an easy answer to it. It just depends on how much you value your time. I personally value my time at way more than just minimum wage. But the way I look at it is that for every single second I spend on a cake for a customer, that's taking away time I could be spending with my little boys. Is taking that time I'll never get back with them away worth $5.25/hour?? Not a chance!

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pinky73 Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 8:23pm
post #5 of 9

Gotcha...I agree that our time is precious and we never get paid accordingly. Thanks for the clarification about the height...that makes a huge difference for me.

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KHalstead Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 8:31pm
post #6 of 9

I consider a 9x13x2 to be 24 servings and I charge $20
a 11x15x2 is 35 servings and I charge $30
a 10"x4" round serves 35 and I charge $35 ($1.00/serv.)
a 2 tiered 8", 6" cake will serve 30 and I charge ($2.25/serv.) $67.50

so it really depends on what type of cake she's after

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TheDomesticDiva Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 9:25pm
post #7 of 9

KHalsted, what chart do you go by to determine servings? I only ask bc I've been going by the Wilton party-servings one, and they seem small, esp compared to yours being 24 servings for the same size. Is there a link to a better chart??

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indydebi Posted 23 Mar 2010 , 10:41pm
post #8 of 9

Do the math (and I round down to an even number to keep it easy):

9x13x2 ... I will use 8x12x2.
Standard size servings for single layer are 2x2x2".
Cake would be cut in 4 rows by 6 columns (each 2" wide) = 24 servings.

Standard size servings for double layer are 1x2x4" (notice it's the same 8 cubic inches):
Cake would be cut in 8 rows by 6 columns = 48 servings.

If you do the math, based on the size of cake you use as a standard serving, you can figure the number of servings for any rectangle or square cake. You never need to refer to a chart for rectangles/squares.

Just do the math! thumbs_up.gif

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TheDomesticDiva Posted 24 Mar 2010 , 12:40pm
post #9 of 9

Thanks Debi!!! icon_biggrin.gif

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