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How do I make and package mini cakes?

post #1 of 9
4/2/12 at 9:29am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

So my cousin wants mini cakes for her shower favors instead of serving actual cake. This is what she's thinking of:
http://www.artisancakes.com.au/mod/image-gallery/gallery_mini-cakes/wedding-cake-as-a-gift.jpg

So she's going to need about 40-50 and I was thinking of doing them in 4x4 boxes and then making the cakes 3x3 in size. With that said I am having a very hard time finding 4x4 clear boxes and 4x4 boards... I am in downtown Toronto and I've checked already with Mcalls, Flour confections, and Golda's kitchen and I don't see them. Creative bag has them but they are 3.5 x 3.5 in size.

Anyone know where I can get these boxes and boards?

Also, what should I charge? She's family so I don't want it to be too much so I'm thinking $5/each ?

Thanks so much in advance!
Sara's Cake Creations
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post #2 of 9
4/2/12 at 11:32am
$5 each icon_eek.gif

That price won't even cover your containers and ingredients... at least it wouldn't cover mine...

Take into account how much time fifty mini-cakes take to make and decorate as well...

I know it is your cousin, but still...

I am in the states, so I can't help you much with packaging...
I have ordered from here... they have 4x4... but I dont know if they ship north of the border or not... or how that would affect cost...

http://www.clearbags.com/4-x-4-x-4-auto-lock-bottom-archival-food-safe-box-25-pieces-fplb56.html

Please take the time to figure out what the price would be if it was for some shmuck off the street... then decide how much you want to discount for your cousin... mini-cakes are more work than you realize...
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post #3 of 9
4/2/12 at 12:11pm
These folks have the little cake boards and boxes, but I don't know about shipping to Canada.

http://plasticcontainercity.com/bakery-boxes.htm

I think you'll find that these are SO much work - - I wouldn't do them at a discount. I really like the 4" cakes, but that's about as small as I get.
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post #4 of 9
4/2/12 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAtKT

$5 each icon_eek.gif That price won't even cover your containers and ingredients...
Take into account how much time fifty mini-cakes take to make and decorate as well...
Please take the time to figure out what the price would be if it was for some shmuck off the street... then decide how much you want to discount for your cousin... mini-cakes are more work than you realize...



I agree 100% with AAtKT. I looked at your cake photos and you definitely have the skill and experience needed to knock 50 square mini cakes out, but it will still take a long time.

I would figure out the "shmuck off the street" price that gives you your normal profitability, then offer a family discount (10%? 15%) to your cousin.

Even at USA shipping rates, 50 of those 4x4 acrylic boxes will cost around $1 each. You could purchase gold covered sheet cake boards and cut them to fit (not too hard or time consuming), and you've got another $15-$20 (?). That's getting into about $1.50 PER MINI CAKE just for packaging.
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post #5 of 9
4/2/12 at 9:06pm
How much would you spend on her gift if it wasn't cake? Then subtract that amount from the 'stranger on the street" price. Don't start from what you think you should charge, work the other way to come up with your price.
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post #6 of 9
4/3/12 at 4:10pm
I charge $9.00 for the round ones if I find the packaging and 8.50 if the customer finds their own. I am doing 150 of these for an upcoming june wedding and the bride just shipped her packaging to me.

I really fear doing them bcse they are time consuming and tedious to make. I take the orders but it is scary. I once did 200 and didnt sleep for two nights and days. It was my first order for these about 6 years ago and I was inexperienced and didny know how much time it would take. I only charged 6.50 and that was soo not right. The customer has provided some little transparent bags with wedding designs on them. Dont undercharge for these, you will be sorry!

There should be some in my profile pics I do give them a little flower on top.
Hope this helps
LL
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post #7 of 9
4/3/12 at 4:34pm
Rumcake~~I loved your GP flowers. I saw your first mini cakes in the plastic bags with the tags. They did turn out gorgeous, but I agree that 200 of those suckers would be hideous!

OP~~I agree that you need to think about what you'd spend on a wedding gift, $100? You may well find that the bride may not want those "cute little cakes" once you tell her your discounted price. If you charge $10 per mini cake, including packaging-- $10x50=$500 for those little cakes, less your "gift of $100 off the price", would be $400.

My guess is that neither you nor the bride has any idea of what is involved time and cost-wise with 50 cute little mini cakes.

Good luck!
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post #8 of 9
4/7/12 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone, thanks so much for all your advice... I do realize I am probably going to be crazy with stress while doing all these but I feel that there is a 1st time for everyone. I have spoken to her and she understands I will have to go up in price. We are thinking around $7/$8 each.

With all of that said I looked at the websites above and the 1st one does carry the clear boxes but not the inserts (boards) and the 2nd website I don't see them at all... am I looking in the wrong place?

I found these on ebay and they come with inserts already:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/24-PCS-4x4x4-1-2-Favor-Tuck-Top-Clear-Boxes-W-Silver-/310258505686?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483cd917d6
Although it doesn't look like a cake board, probably just piece of cardboard folded at the edges... do you think that will hold the weight of a little mini cake?

RUMCAKE... the boxes I found on ebay looked like the ones you used... do they look the same to you? Do you mind me asking where you got your boxes?

S.
Sara's Cake Creations
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post #9 of 9
1/23/13 at 10:28am

Sara, Sorry I don't come here often and this was since early 2012 so I know  you found the boxes.

 

I think 7.50 to 8.00 is a very good price. to charge for these. You have no idea the swearing I have done when doing these and the many all nighers I have pulled because they are so time consumng and tedious. Yet, whenever I get an order I take it.

 I am  also

*http://www.facebook.com/#!/WESTINDIANRUMCAKES

 

very happy to say I SHIPPED 180 of these last year (for the first time) and they all arrive safely. The bride  tagged me with them on FB and I was elated. She went further by adding a hand tied bow to the boxes, thus raising the level of elegance to them.  I have included a copy of the cake and a link to my FB page.

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