Hi everyone,

I've been enjoying this site for several months and now I need some help.
I'm just starting to make cakes for money and I know this has been asked a million times, but I'm trying to get a gauge on whether I'm in the right ball park for pricing. I tried to download the excel viewer to get the pricing matrix, but my dinosaur computer won't support it.

Anyway, here is what I have come up with for pricing:

6"- 15.00 9 x 13--30.00
8"- 25.00 11 x 15--40.00
9"- 30.00 12 x 18--45.00
10"- 35.00
12"- 45.00

character cakes--25.00
3D cakes--45.00

Does this sound reasonable? I think am a pretty good decorator, but
am still learning. I don't want to start out undercutting myself too much
because then people expect you to do it for nothing.

Thanks in advance for any advice...

What area are you in? That would play a factor in your pricing! Also, do you have any pictures of your cakes that you would like to post?

I'm in Memphis Tn and I would love to post some of my pictures, but again, the old dinasaur here is also on dial-up and I don't think it could take the strain.

I stay around this range, too. I'm also fairly new to decorating. I have a hard time with pricing, because each cake is so different. I'm hoping when my confidence gains, I'll be able to charge a little more.

Right, I went to the cindascreativecakes.com website just to get a gauge. A friend of mine says she charges 2.75 a slice for her cakes, but I think that is too much, at least just starting out.

I started decorating back in May and have found a new vocation. I'm taking my first semester in Culinary School also. I'll be retiring in 3 years and
this is my choice for my second career. I have always loved baking, it is very therapeutic.

Hey Cindy!

I don't know what area of the country you're in, but I'm in Miami and those prices sound like a better deal for the customer than for you.
I think you should think of adding b/w $5 - $10 more to each cake.
I know you're starting and still learning, but things still cost the same whether you're learning or an expert.
It doesn't sound like you're making any profit . . . 6" cake for $15 dollars, the supplies alone will cost you more! I just don't like seeing/hearing people under-cut themselves. Wait for more posts and see what others have to say.

Also, when calculating costs and profits, don't forget to consider electricity, cake boxes, cake boards, delivery, and your time.

A little cake might not seem like it's going to take that long to make, but after all is said and done, it can take you 3 hours total. If all you charge is $15, let's say the supplies are $10, that leaves you with $5, divide that by the 3 hours it took you to make and you just got paid $1.66 an hour! Ahhh! No way am I going to move one muscle for that amount of money.

Good Luck!

I love her website! Her cakes are all so neatly done, and I love the colors. I need alot more experience before I can charge what she charges.

Hi alengirl,

I'm in Memphis Tn and I see your point. So, you think at least 5.00 more on each cake? Of course this is a base price, not counting any elaborate decorations. I am getting my speed up a little but it still takes me a good while to decorate a cake.

I have several people interested in ordering, but I want to have some concrete price to quote, I don't
think it sounds good to be wishy washy on the price.
That way they can take it or leave it.

Hi cindy6250, I'm with you on pricing. I also agree with your thinking about having the base prices ready so your customers will know what to expect. I think your prices are very reasonable for the customer, but they don't leave you with very much profit. I live in rural Maine. People around here don't make a lot of $$ and cannot see spending a lot of $$ on a cake. I've been making cakes for a long time, but mine are far from perfect so I don't feel charging $2.75 a slice is reasonable. I do it more because I enjoy it than for profit, although someday I hope to be able to earn a living from it. So all that being said, I agree with alengirl about upping your price $5 to $10 per cake. I think she is right about all the extras some of us tend to forget about including in our price.

Thanks rvallee,

I've read all the questions about pricing on this site that I could find....It is so hard to figure out. I think being new to this, I'm a little insecure about asking too much, but then I will beat myself up if I end up not making any money or going in the hole. I have been mostly making cakes and just taking them to work for practice.

I've taken several classes over the summer and
I just love it. And this website has been so helpful. I have gotten some really useful info and some great recipes...

Hi Cindy

Yes, I think you can increase the prices at least $5.00 and see how that works for you. Like you said, if it's something very elaborate , then you'll add to the over all price on an as need basis. Try adding the $5.00, see how it works for you and give it a year. A year from now, you can re-evaluate your situation and if necessary, add another $5.00. The customers are less likely to notice the increase that way as well.

Cake baking is a love, and I do love it! There are times when I make a cake and not charge for it, but, like most people I have bills to pay and any extra money I make from my cake baking helps out a lot! You don't want to over charge your customers, but then again customers don't always realize the time and effort it takes to make some of these cakes.

For example, my vanilla rum or chocolate rum cakes are made & decorated in a 3 day process. I can spend any where from 3 to 6 (or even more on elaborate cakes) hours working on those cakes.
I have to come away with some profit after spending 6 hours making a cake!

One more thing Cindy, be careful with making deliveries. I've read too many posts here where some of our fellow cake central buddies are taken advantage of. If you make your 6" cake for $15 for example and are asked to deliver it 15 miles away from your home. . . and you get nothing extra for that delivery, you'd be really upset. There are some customers that will take FULL advantage of you and want Very MUCH from you and only want to pay VERY LITTLE. I for example, deliver for free within my 10 mile radius, anything over is $2.00 per extra mile.
You can charge whatever you think is resonable for you area considering the gas prices.

I wish you the best of luck Cindy! Remember, we're always here for you!

Thank you so much for your help. I checked your photo album and you are very talented, way out of my league. I am trying to continually practice and learn new things. I want to learn to
make the gumpaste flowers next. I made fondant roses in the Wilton class and just loved them, much easier than buttercream (my opinion).

I'm doing this as a side venture at this point, but I'm amazed that at 43yo I have finally figured out what I am passionate about. I started Culinary
classes in the fall and I have really enjoyed that also. It's not baking, but I'm learning alot that I didn't know about cooking.

Again, thanks for your help

You're very welcome! Anytime

I've always loved to bake, ever since I was a little girl!
I started baking and selling about 1½ years ago
I took theWilton classes at Michael's as well. I liked the fondant work better than working with buttercream or royal icing. In fact, I only do fondant cakes because that's the medium that I like the most.
The important thing is that you do what you love! I wish I could take those culinary classes with you! Girl, my favorite channel is the FOOD NETWORK, need I say more!

Thank you for your compliments,
Alengirl