Would You Share You Most Prized Recipe?

Baking By SweetStuff30 Updated 4 Sep 2012 , 3:06pm by Kathy107

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SweetStuff30 Posted 23 Aug 2012 , 2:56pm
post #1 of 24

Question! Would you share your most prized recipe with another fellow baker who lives in another state or country so that they can also benefit from your amazing recipe creation?? Perks would be that they are no competition whatsoever for you as they live far far away? Just wondering how everyone feels about that! icon_smile.gif

23 replies
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TaraLynRRT Posted 23 Aug 2012 , 8:28pm
post #2 of 24

If you don't live in Maryland please feel free to share with meicon_smile.gif

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dawnybird Posted 23 Aug 2012 , 8:40pm
post #3 of 24

I think it would be very sweet and generous of you to share with someone, especially if they won't be your competition! You should feel flattered that someone likes your creation so much they want to use it! icon_smile.gif

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shanter Posted 23 Aug 2012 , 8:49pm
post #4 of 24

I'm confused. Is the OP is asking us to send her our most prized recipes? Or is she thinking of giving someone else her recipes? Personally, I worked long and hard and paid for plenty of ingredients to perfect my recipes and I'm not giving them to anyone. Except maybe my niece. But only maybe.

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ApplegumPam Posted 23 Aug 2012 , 9:42pm
post #5 of 24

I would share recipes and I have - hasn't affected my business at all !

Yes, I worked long and hard to perfect them.... BUT I have also benefited from 'tutorials' or 'how-to's' along the way - all given to the global cake decorating community for FREE

A recipe is only a blank canvas for a decorater - and 7 bakers can make the same recipe and have 7 different results

I don't see a problem

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scp1127 Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 2:57am
post #6 of 24

I do it all the time and my business keeps growing and growing. Goodwill goes much farther than holding on to a recipe. We all have "prized" recipes. They are as plentiful as there are bakers. In this age of the world wide web, no one needs any baker's recipe when so many are so willing to share their great finds and creations.

My business was built on goodwill and I can trace every growth spurt and branch of new business to sharing, giving, helping, etc.

I have given recipes, even my best, to all who have asked in pm's for the last two years. I wish them the best with those recipes, whether they are for retail or personal use.

We all have phenomenal recipes. What we do with the structure of or businesses and how we conduct business will determine success or failure, not some secret recipe. And honestly, any great baker can taste a dessert, analyze it, and come close to duplicating it, most of the time making it better than the original.

So keep your recipes to yourself. No one really needs them with so many others happy to share.

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Normita Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 3:48am
post #7 of 24

Past customers have asked me but I haven't given them up because then they won't get cake from me!! However, I have no problem sharing my recipes and offer suggestions to fellow bakers on cake decorating forums icon_smile.gif I have some recipes that are my best sellers and if another baker is looking for that same flavor I always share

If anyone is willing to share any of their recipes that would be cool icon_smile.gif

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ApplegumPam Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 7:01am
post #8 of 24

My most popular one is the one in my signature!

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Bluehue Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 8:16am
post #9 of 24

Yes, a few of us on here have done that....
I don't mind sharing with other Cakers.....
However i do draw the line with customers...... icon_rolleyes.gif

Bluehue

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ApplegumPam Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 8:57am
post #10 of 24

Customers can use Google to find my recipes anyway icon_wink.gif

As I said, I really don't think just having a recipe is going to lose you a customer. If they could bake AND decorate the way we do then they could/would make their own cakes. The number of capable cake decoraters has increased ... oh I don't know about 500% over the past 10 years - when I first started cake decorating we were few and far between - now it seems every man and his dog AND the dogs fleas is doing cake decorating in one shape or another. People can purchase ready-made AND coloured fondant, tools that make caking a punch and press game, they can purchase toppers from Etsy/Ebay, cheap asian made gumpaste flowers and any number of other aids to make cake decorating something the average Mum can do.

All of this SHOULD mean that there is less work out there for all - but instead what HAS happened is that more and more people are wanting 'designer cakes' for all sorts of ocassions and sometimes 'just because'. There is a bit of a problem with people being so eager to make a cake that they are not only prepared to do it cheap - they offen unknowlingly end up paying somebody to take the cake (ie spend more than they charge)

Taking all of this into account - my business has still remained static over the years - I have slowed down at times when my life priorities changed and picked up again when I chose.

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Evoir Posted 24 Aug 2012 , 10:34am
post #11 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

I do it all the time and my business keeps growing and growing. Goodwill goes much farther than holding on to a recipe. We all have "prized" recipes. They are as plentiful as there are bakers. In this age of the world wide web, no one needs any baker's recipe when so many are so willing to share their great finds and creations.

My business was built on goodwill and I can trace every growth spurt and branch of new business to sharing, giving, helping, etc.

I have given recipes, even my best, to all who have asked in pm's for the last two years. I wish them the best with those recipes, whether they are for retail or personal use.

We all have phenomenal recipes. What we do with the structure of or businesses and how we conduct business will determine success or failure, not some secret recipe. And honestly, any great baker can taste a dessert, analyze it, and come close to duplicating it, most of the time making it better than the original.

So keep your recipes to yourself. No one really needs them with so many others happy to share.





You've always been more than generous with your recipes, and I have always loved comparing notes with you!! Thank you icon_smile.gif

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SweetStuff30 Posted 25 Aug 2012 , 3:53pm
post #12 of 24

I havent checked back here in a bit, and i see lots have answered! Thank you! I was just putting a question out there in general not for me to give out, or for people to give me their recipes. I just had a thought one day as i was looking through other peoples webpages and saw some super yummy looking cupcakes and was wondering if people would share their recipes with someone on the other side of the country kinda thing. Like do a swap, for example if someone dosnt have a recipe for an orange cupcake, but has a great recipe for a super good red velvet then why not do a swap? Thats all icon_smile.gif

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BakingIrene Posted 25 Aug 2012 , 4:04pm
post #13 of 24

Well if you are looking at webpages then you are looking at shared recipes. The idea of a "swap" kinda doesn't hoid when they are all posted online.

People use www.google.com to find just about everything that has ever been written down. Google has gone out of their way to make that happen. If you want a recipe, try google. You will get more recipes than you can bake in a year. Of course there's no guarantee that they will be any good.

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gatorcake Posted 25 Aug 2012 , 5:43pm
post #14 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

IGoodwill goes much farther than holding on to a recipe. We all have "prized" recipes. They are as plentiful as there are bakers. In this age of the world wide web, no one needs any baker's recipe when so many are so willing to share their great finds and creations.

So keep your recipes to yourself. No one really needs them with so many others happy to share.




Given your emphasis on goodwill and generosity I am curious why you require people to ask for your recipes. This board has seen you used the freely published work of others to make some of your prized creations and then keep it close to the chest so that you can make money of it. Sure you indicated that you would share with anyone who asked but they still have to ask which means you still control where the recipe goes. Indeed this is simply a matter of degree you still attempt to assert control, less control but control nonetheless.

And that is fine, however, I findthat you are disapproving of others who choose to keep recipes to themselves, particularly when some of your creations are indebted to the freely published work of others. If generosity and goodwill are your benchmarks then there is simply no reason to require others to ask.

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scp1127 Posted 26 Aug 2012 , 3:45am
post #15 of 24

gator, I always know that you take every opportunity to oppose anything I post. I am used to it.

But for your information, I will tell you why I do it the way I do.

First, I know that the people who consistently make a habit of just posting the opposite of what I post, no matter which side I'm on (yes, we all know who are in that "opposite of scp group"), I am assured of never having to share with that group that I have no desire to share with.

Second, my business is growing exponentially, opening my retail store in about 8 weeks in the most desired spot in the city. My site and my store will be much more high profile and I have always planned to post more recipes on my site. I do not want searches to come to CC. When I am ready, the searches will be to my site.

Which leads to the third reason. CC threads and posts eventually become search results. When a recipe is shared publicly, it is shared worldwide. I control the recipes from being public by sharing in pm's.

Fourth, I have written two books that I will consider publishing after my store has been open and I expand from there. By sharing in pm's and all of those who have received them have been kind enough not to publish, I still have control over which I will publish on my site and which will be shared in a possible book. By the way, neither book is a cookbook.

But in the mean time, I have no issues with sharing with the great people I have met on CC and any customer or friend that needs a good recipe.

I still maintain that there are an infinite number of great recipes on the web. If you can read a recipe and determine the outcome, it becomes very easy to see just how many incredible recipes are being shared. One person's recipes are not the Holy Grail of recipes. There are too many great bakers out there.

Sharing, giving, helping, teaching... these are all of the things we can do to promote our businesses on a personal, and sometimes one-on-one level. I have seen this form of business growth prove successful so many times in my career. My father was the greatest promoter of goodwill I have ever encountered. I learned it from him. His businesses and his life were a testament of someone who always went the extra mile and always was willing to give. Goodwill really comes from the heart and wanting to give and share. I don't think you can do it by greedily planning it to be a marketing tool.

I'm not preaching and I don't really care what anyone else does. I will be doing a diary blog on my site detailing how I came into the opportunity to open my retail store. I hit the jackpot with this opportunity. And every turn of events can be traced to something I did that was good for someone else or good for someone else's business. Even in my negotiations, thinking of other surrounding businesses and how we affect each other has been a top priority for me. And I am being repaid in kind.

I won't share the blog about the shop for about another month. The shop will open the last week of October or the first week of November.

I practice what I share and my growth in a very short period of time validates my knowledge in the subject.


Evoir, and I am always amazed at your incredible talent.

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Bluehue Posted 26 Aug 2012 , 6:32am
post #16 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

gator, I always know that you take every opportunity to oppose anything I post. I am used to it.

First, I know that the people who consistently make a habit of just posting the opposite of what I post, no matter which side I'm on (yes, we all know who are in that "opposite of scp group") Susan... there have been times when i have

disagreed with you and other times when i have agreed with you.... and in all honesty its not that i must disagree with you but that my view on a particular subject varies to yours.... and i can assure you that i know of no group that is called the "opposite of scp group". I would be very surprised if there was such a group - why would there be - none of us are that important on here to have a group named after themselves...unless some think they should have such a group ...
To say that to Gator is uncalled for ..... we are allowed to have our views....

I am assured of never having to share with that group that I have no desire to share with....You are assured !!! - so does that mean that "some" have told you there is such a group just for you and the selected few? - Susan, please... this type of statement smacks of being apart from all fellow CC's by choice. Sure there are those who think they are far more important than others - but thats a mind set - not a reality..and can be found on any forum i'm sure......every one has something to contribute on this Forum - it doesn't mean they have a status of importance....or a group - good grief - i would think that very self serving of someone if they thought that.
Indeed you are more than willing to offer your advise to many and share your Caking knowledge and i also see often that you are thanked and thought of kindly for doing so.

Perhaps many think that if we stand as an individual and make up our own mind on a subject then it makes us opposing to what you/others think - no, i believe it shows that we don't all have to be sheep following each other and having the same mind set.... I believe that we gain our views from our own lives travelled - and expieriances - so to think that we must disagree with Susan shows that we haven't had expieriances or gained our own knowledge..... of course no two Cakers are the ssme - and who wants to be the same as someone else - not me - How my business grows and suceeds is Bluehues way - and i am very happy and proud with what i have strived and built - as we all should be. I also fully understand that what works for me in my Town - State and Country is different to what what works for a Caker in another part of the World. Especially when it comes to pricing and how i get to my pricing structure....it doesn't mean that i am any better or wiser - just savvy for my corner of the World. Please, don't think that there is a section of people on here who must disagree with you - .................Lolllll, if there was, some would think that i may lead that group for our clashes have been typed on here for all to see.... Perhaps you have a *they are not in my group*, i don't know - lollll - for me... noone is that important on here to class themselves in a group and as i mentioned above - if anyone has a following or group named after themselves then that is their mind set... and a pointless power trip on their behalf.

Aren't we all on here to learn and help where we can.. without expecting grandure in return?

Bluehue


Second, my business is growing exponentially, opening my retail store in about 8 weeks in the most desired spot in the city. My site and my store will be much more high profile and I have always planned to post more recipes on my site. I do not want searches to come to CC. When I am ready, the searches will be to my site.

Which leads to the third reason. CC threads and posts eventually become search results. When a recipe is shared publicly, it is shared worldwide. I control the recipes from being public by sharing in pm's.

Fourth, I have written two books that I will consider publishing after my store has been open and I expand from there. By sharing in pm's and all of those who have received them have been kind enough not to publish, I still have control over which I will publish on my site and which will be shared in a possible book. By the way, neither book is a cookbook.

But in the mean time, I have no issues with sharing with the great people I have met on CC and any customer or friend that needs a good recipe.

I still maintain that there are an infinite number of great recipes on the web. If you can read a recipe and determine the outcome, it becomes very easy to see just how many incredible recipes are being shared. One person's recipes are not the Holy Grail of recipes. There are too many great bakers out there.

Sharing, giving, helping, teaching... these are all of the things we can do to promote our businesses on a personal, and sometimes one-on-one level. I have seen this form of business growth prove successful so many times in my career. My father was the greatest promoter of goodwill I have ever encountered. I learned it from him. His businesses and his life were a testament of someone who always went the extra mile and always was willing to give. Goodwill really comes from the heart and wanting to give and share. I don't think you can do it by greedily planning it to be a marketing tool.

I'm not preaching and I don't really care what anyone else does. I will be doing a diary blog on my site detailing how I came into the opportunity to open my retail store. I hit the jackpot with this opportunity. And every turn of events can be traced to something I did that was good for someone else or good for someone else's business. Even in my negotiations, thinking of other surrounding businesses and how we affect each other has been a top priority for me. And I am being repaid in kind.

I won't share the blog about the shop for about another month. The shop will open the last week of October or the first week of November.

I practice what I share and my growth in a very short period of time validates my knowledge in the subject.


Evoir, and I am always amazed at your incredible talent.


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ellawillow Posted 27 Aug 2012 , 3:56am
post #17 of 24

Well this is probably off topic but I just wanted to say Applegum Pam - I came across your choc mud recipe and I LOVE it - every time I make it everyone comments on how nice it is so thank you so much for your generosity in sharing such a great recipe.....your blood is worth bottling. Also wanted to thank Bluehue as she also shared a recipe with me and I appreciate it like you would not believe. I for one am greatful of ladies like you who share with others. I have two beautiful friends who I have met through CC - and have received many recipes not to mention help through them both......do not know what I did without them (thank you Doris and Rachel)...... That is my 2 cents worth anyway icon_smile.gif

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vpJane Posted 30 Aug 2012 , 4:36am
post #18 of 24

Yes, I want to thank Pam and Bluehue, too. You're always ready to help, freely. and without the need for PMs or any sucking up.

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Bluehue Posted 30 Aug 2012 , 6:11am
post #19 of 24

icon_smile.gif Thankyou both.... appreciate your kind words.

Bluehue

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scp1127 Posted 30 Aug 2012 , 8:42am
post #20 of 24

Blue, I enjoy our debates and I completely respect your opinion. But what you may not realize is that there are a few members that always take the opposite view, cutting down my response, many times to the point of contradicting themselves, just for the sake of belittling, not opposing, my comments.

I can't expect for you to know this because obviously I am the one seeing the pattern. I actually get pm's about these few from quite a few people who see the pattern too, so it's not just me.

I get a good laugh at the effort by those few and so do quite a few others.

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Bluehue Posted 30 Aug 2012 , 12:07pm
post #21 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by scp1127

Blue, I enjoy our debates and I completely respect your opinion. But what you may not realize is that there are a few members that always take the opposite view, cutting down my response, many times to the point of contradicting themselves, just for the sake of belittling, not opposing, my comments.

I can't expect for you to know this because obviously I am the one seeing the pattern. I actually get pm's about these few from quite a few people who see the pattern too, so it's not just me.
I don't doubt that for one minute.... your inbox must be flowing over.....

I get a good laugh at the effort by those few and so do quite a few others. Susan.....this is what i don't like seeing.... this type of wink wink nod nod sentance..... proves no point.
One would have to be blind freedie not to know that pm's fly back and forth ......especially when a heated topic is on a roll.
As i said - i just don't see the point in stating the bleeding obvious... and if your band of merry followers gain some form of grandure from that - then all i can say (do) is...... icon_rolleyes.gif

Honestly - this *you* and *us* is so juvenile - thank the stars that i am not in a group - i thought that childish behaviour only happened at primary school........................... but then some do feel the need to seek acceptance from others ......... and belong in a *group*
How sad.... but then again -

real strength comes from standing on ones own two feet and standing by their own convictions......

Lollllllllllll - who knows - perhaps when we meet next we shall agree to agree........


icon_eek.gif ........What's that noise -
Slap forehead..the sound of many PM's flying into your inbox icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

C'mon Susan - laugh with me - you know its funny........... and true icon_wink.gif

Bluehue

......


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vgcea Posted 31 Aug 2012 , 7:15am
post #22 of 24

icon_eek.gif *Backs out of thread s-l-o-w-l-y*

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scp1127 Posted 1 Sep 2012 , 3:45am
post #23 of 24

Blue, that group is small enough to count on one hand, but still, if every time I try to share anything, someone comes along and always states the opposite, it becomes a game played by them, not me.

You and I agree and disagree, but again, I appreciate and respect your knowledgeable input. But you have never, nor would you ever, just say the opposite to anything. You say wha you know and feel. This is the difference. When the pattern proves that they even oppose themselves on different threads, it is not productive.

Back to the topic, recipes are like puppies, every one is special to a point. But thanks to the many bloggers out there, great recipes are a dime a dozen.

I have even slowed down on my cookbook buying because I love studying the recipes on the web.

My site will very soon have my favorite recipes posted. I am also going to copy some of the most popular and give them away in my store. I haven't lost one bit of business with sharing and neither have the multitudes of bakers with best-selling cookbooks. The volume of cookbooks on baking, ready for publication is getting larger too. I must have 30 in my save box on Amazon coming out in the next two months.

Before the web, maybe holding tight to a recipe was important, but no longer. I grew up in the south and the biggest compliment was for someone to ask for your recipe. The south is the birthplace of the Junior Womens Leagues cookbooks that were the Bible to southern cooks. These books are still the best of the best. Women worked hard to develop a recie worthy of being included in those books.

The person who asks for your recipe is not your customer. She is a baker. But when a conversation turns to needing a cake, that person will remember the kind gesture and refer to you for years. This is free goodwill and word of mouth. Marketing does not get any better than this.

I don't care who agrees or disagrees. But the person who may research goodwill as a part of their business plan will have another option for expanding their business.

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Kathy107 Posted 4 Sep 2012 , 3:06pm
post #24 of 24

scp1127 - Can't wait for your favorite recipes to be posted on your site. Thanks.

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