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Why do bakers charge so much less for sheet cakes?

post #1 of 9
8/20/10 at 12:40pm
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I just got a call for a cake for 75 people. I quoted $3.00 per serving which is $225.00. When we start talking about design, she wants a sheet cake and I know she can get a full size sheet cake in this area for $100.

Why do bakers charge so much less for sheet cake? It's the same amount of cake for crying out loud. Now I feel bad about quoting her $225.00.
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post #2 of 9
8/20/10 at 12:46pm
Sheet cakes involve less labor than tiered cakes. Look at your total cost (ingredients and your labor) for a sheet cake compared with a tiered cake with the same number of servings.
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post #3 of 9
8/20/10 at 2:32pm
Also most sheet cakes are 1 layer of cake not filled. Just iced and decorated.
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post #4 of 9
8/20/10 at 7:40pm
Yep, I charge less for sheet cakes. Less time, less ingredients. Not as much fun but easier. I have a set price for basic sheet cakes. Everything else is per serving.
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post #5 of 9
8/21/10 at 4:57am
I charge the same amount per serving as a 4" tall cake.

The only "time saver" is that i don't have to put a filling between two layers. I use the same amount of ingredients per serving (whether it's 2x2x2 or 1x2x4 it's the same amount of cake). I still have to mix the cake, prep the pan, make the icing, ice the cake, decorate the cake. My boards and boxes cost a litte more because the cake takes up more area than my standard 8" or 10" cakes that are 4" tall.

I also charge the same amount per serving because i'm not trying to compete with the grocery stores, if i do a 2" tall cake that is what most people want in my area, a cake for grocery store price.
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post #6 of 9
8/21/10 at 7:35pm
I charge less because first of all no one would buy them if I didn't, and they are a whole lot easier.

I feel like there has got to be different options for different budgets, and I provide that with sheet cakes.
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post #7 of 9
8/21/10 at 8:03pm
i should also specify, that i charge the same amount because i don't want to do them (nothing against them for others, but i worked in a grocery store bakery for 2-3 years and that's all I did, i've had my fill). When someone finds out they can get a cake with filling and what they call fancier (because it's 4" tall and a different shape) they're happy.
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post #8 of 9
8/22/10 at 10:18am
I just do not do them at all. Namely because people expect them to be dirt cheap and yes it's the same darn amount of ingredients be it 1x2x4 or 2x2x2 and it is still takes time and effort to decorate - a little less yes but not a HUGE HUGE difference.... not the kind of difference they expect to see in the price. So I just say "oh, everything I do is custom and around here you know people associate sheet cakes with the grocery store... so I stay away from those. I could make you a beautiful round, square, heart, or hexagon. If your concerned about ease of cutting I suggest a square."
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post #9 of 9
8/23/10 at 8:53am
The only time I charge less that the standard $2.50/serving I normally charge is when the cake is used as a kitchen cake - so 0 decorations. Just iced.
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