Does anyone buy custom cakes regularly or sell them?

[jenkins]

Just wondering if you have had custom cakes made, what size where they and how much did you pay etc?

I have been making them for family just for the cost of ingredients but have also had a few orders and I am really struggling with what to charge!

It's so hard because of course I don't want to over charge, but it has to be worth my while iykwim, as I put so much time and effort into them.

I have just made a halloween cake for my little sister to raffle off in school for charity and have had people asking how much it is for them to buy one - and I don't know what to say

Have attached a pic in case anyone would like to give me their opinion lol!
If it was for a paying customer I would make sure it looked a bit more polished. Its sponge, 6", 4 internal tiers. All edible apart from the spider web and all handmade.

thanks in advance

 

[tina3747]

See kittyventura, she makes and sells cakes!

 

[special_kala]

If i were going to buy a cake like that i would expect to pay 30-£40 if not more

 

[Rainbow82]

No idea what you should be charging but just wanted to say that the cake looks amazing, you're really good.

 

[lucy_x]

Absolutly amazing cake! im really impressed.

Iv seen these sell for around £30 (or more) per time on the 'stuff for sale sites' - im always intrigued to know what the cost/profit margin would be (not that i can make them, i just like seeing margins in business haha)

 

[jenkins]

Absolutly amazing cake! im really impressed.

Iv seen these sell for around £30 (or more) per time on the 'stuff for sale sites' - im always intrigued to know what the cost/profit margin would be (not that i can make them, i just like seeing margins in business haha)

Aww thanks

This cake has 4 tiers so quite a lot of ingredients. It cost about £20 in all including the cake board and box.

Then you've got your cooking time, electric, hot water, use of all your materials and of course the time it takes it decorate.

A rough guess would be say £5 for the above, so you're looking at £25 without including any time, the design and the massive clean up afterwards!

That's why I'm struggling in a way because I could make it cost less with smaller cakes, take less time on the detail and try and work quicker but I also want people to be really happy with the finished product too!

All the equipment is so expensive too, it really adds up.

 

[KayBea]

my friends last halloween cake was a bit like that except it was polished off & it didnt have the figures like yours it had sick coming out its mouth (sorry tmi) she paid £45 for it. xx

 

[Kate&Lucas]

I'd pay around £40 for a cake like that

 

[Lellow]

If that cake [which is amazing by the way] was just a little more polished, id easily pay between £45-50.

I know your a private seller but ive seen some sites that charge much much more for a cake of that sort of standard and design.

Its fab tho, well done you

 

[Eternal]

I'd expect to pay 35-40. But I would expect it to be really good.

Looks fab by the way.

 

[lucy_x]

Absolutly amazing cake! im really impressed.

Iv seen these sell for around £30 (or more) per time on the 'stuff for sale sites' - im always intrigued to know what the cost/profit margin would be (not that i can make them, i just like seeing margins in business haha)

Aww thanks

This cake has 4 tiers so quite a lot of ingredients. It cost about £20 in all including the cake board and box.

Then you've got your cooking time, electric, hot water, use of all your materials and of course the time it takes it decorate.

A rough guess would be say £5 for the above, so you're looking at £25 without including any time, the design and the massive clean up afterwards!

That's why I'm struggling in a way because I could make it cost less with smaller cakes, take less time on the detail and try and work quicker but I also want people to be really happy with the finished product too!

All the equipment is so expensive too, it really adds up.

Ahh right thats really interesting, I honestly didn't think they cost that much to make, although in the few times i have decorated something (not as well as that i may add!) it does all add up.

How many do you think it would serve, because based on your profit margin, i would be expecting to sell for about £40....Obviously Halloween wouldn't be your biggest market (unless people are really into it) but i bet you could make FAB birthday cakes and people don't mind spending that bit more on birthday cakes!

Have you made anymore cakes? id really like to see some other pictures

 

[Lellow]

Yes, if you have more cakes to show, do upload them for us to see.

 

[Ceejay123]

I bought an amazing three tier one for £90! Loved it x

 

[jenkins]

I'd love to share pics and get any feedback

The very first cake I did was at the end of August for Lo's birthday. He really loves Curious George and I just couldn't get one anywhere or even toppers etc that I liked so I thought 'ah well I'll just have a go!'

I watched some utube vids and looked at loads of cakes online and it actually turned out really well

Everyone said it tasted really nice too, so that's where it all started really.


This is the 2nd cake I made which was for my little sister as she has just had baby Scarlett

 

[jenkins]

these are my 3rd and 4th cakes, they just said the themes and I just had a go

 

[jenkins]

this is my 5th cake, which I found really really hard but was so proud of it in the end!

 

[jenkins]

I've also done cupcakes too

 

[jenkins]

Sorry for the overload lol!!

I have got a few other pics of cupcakes but don't want to bore you lol!

I have learnt so much doing each cake and hopefully will get better and better and learn new techniques etc.

 

[TennisGal]

They are brilliant...I think you could easily charge £40-50.

Maybe start a bit lower, establish your market, and gradually increase prices. And definitely have a price structure for more complicated cakes etc.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I had one made for my son almost the same as the congratulations baby one. I paid £40 and was happy with that price x