The best way to do that is to use a cake-cutting chart. Most caterers use the Wilton chart, but feel free to use whatever suits since there are a lot of charts out there. Once you’ve picked the chart, stick with it to keep your prices consistent. Then memorize it, so you can easily quote servings and prices per tier.
Full Answer
How to make your own cake serving chart?
Square Cakes
- Remove the top tier if you're keeping it.
- Cut the second tier straight across, approximately 2 inches in from the outer edge of the cake.
- Slice the 2-inch strip into 1-inch pieces.
- Continue cutting 2-inch wide strips and cutting those strips into slices that are 1 inch across until the cake is completely cut.
How much should I charge for cakes?
How Much To Charge For Cupcakes? For a standard cupcake, you should plan to charge between $2 and $2.50. Though, your pricing should increase or decrease based on three factors: the event at which your cupcakes will be served, cupcake size, and decoration.
What is the price of a 4 tier cake?
Tres Sucre of Salt Lake City offers one-tier wedding cakes starting at $100, two-tier cakes starting at $200, three-tier cakes starting at $300, and four-tier cakes starting at $400. Most cake bakers charge a delivery fee to safely get multitiered cakes to their customers’ venue. These fees usually increase the farther the baker is from the venue.
How to price homemade cakes?
Key Takeaways on How To Price a Cake:
- Value your time
- Closely track the cost of your ingredients
- Build additional costs (for cake boxes, special equipment, etc.) into your price
- Understand the clientele you’re after, and work hard to grow that base
- Network with other local bakers
- Charge for delivery
- Set a standard expectation for friends and family, to avoid uncomfortable situations
How do I figure out how much to charge for a cake?
How much should I charge for my cake?First, estimate how many hours is this cake going to take - 5 hours.Then, calculate the cost of ingredients - $20.Next, determine the labor cost - $20 x 5 = 100.Add utilities cost - $5.Sundry cost (small cost) - $5.Then, calculate the total cost: 20 + 100 + 5 + 5 = $130.More items...•
How much does a normal cake cost?
Average cost of wedding cake/dessert per yearYearAverage Spending per Wedding2017$4182018$4162019$4132020$32113 more rows
How much should I charge for a 12 inch cake?
ROUND CAKESSIZESERVINGSPRICE8 inch8-12$55.0010 inch16-20$70.0012 inch30-40$80.0014 inch50-60$100.001 more row•Aug 5, 2021
How much should I charge for a 3 tier cake?
Wedding cake pricesGuestsTiers*Average cost753-Tier$250 – $5001003-Tier$280 – $6301203-Tier$350 – $8001304-Tier$500 – $86010 more rows•Jan 26, 2022
What are the 3 types of cake?
Cake TypesSHORTENED CAKES: contain fat, frequently in a solid form Three basic types.UNSHORTENED CAKES: contain little or no fat High ratio of eggs to flour and fall into three categories.American Butter cakes#1: No Fat Angel food cakes Meringues3 more rows
How much is a 3 layer cake?
DescriptionServingsTiersPrice602-Tier$205.00753-Tier$250.001003-Tier$325.001253-Tier$400.0010 more rows
How Much Should I charge for Homemade Cakes?
This is probably one of the dreaded question every new home baker has!!
Basic Formula
Now how many times have you fallen prey to multiplying your ingredients x 3??
DIRECT COST
As the name suggests simply calculate the total price of each and every ingredient you would use to make your cake.
2. OVERHEAD (Indirect Costing)
Overhead is basically the charges that you need to calculate for the electricity, water and rent charges that you might be paying additional to run your business.
How to Charge for Theme Cakes
Say for example you are making a theme cake or dessert table or anything that needs extra detailing and attention would call for more hours ultimately more wages.
3A. PROFIT
When you are running a business you definitely need to allocate some amount to profit.
Friends And Family
I know it becomes difficult to charge for friends or really close family members.
When charging per serving, should you consider providing clients with a cake serving guide?
The guide will allow them to understand the serving sizes you're going off and the size the cake will be . It also makes it easier for you to determine the pan's length, width, and height you need to fulfill every order.
What is fondant made of?
However, fondant is typically made from sugar, water, and corn syrup, and takes a lot of time to prepare. Don't be afraid to charge clients an extra fee for choosing a frosting that requires numerous ingredients and additional time to make.
Do bakers charge the same for round cakes?
Most of the cake orders you receive are for round or square cakes. Many bakers charge the same per slice for a round and square cake. If a client requests a shape that requires more labor or special equipment, consider increasing the price per serving.
Is fondant cake cheaper than buttercream?
Many bakers have two different starting price points for buttercream and fondant cakes, with fondant cakes being more expensive. Buttercream is cheaper because it's easy to make and only consists of sugar and butter. However, fondant is typically made from sugar, water, and corn syrup, and takes a lot of time to prepare.
Do cake bakers charge the same for each flavor?
Cake Flavor. Most bakeries charge the same for each cake flavor. However, if a client requests a custom flavor that you may not have experience making, for example, a flavor made from out-of-season fruits or exotic spices you should consider raising the price per slice.
Do you have to pay for gas when you deliver cakes?
It would be best if you gave thought to charge clients a delivery fee based on their distance. The further away they are from you, the more you should charge them. Delivering cakes to clients requires you to pay for gas, tolls, and it takes up your time.
What should I consider when baking a cake?
Size. The very first thing you should consider when someone asks you to bake a cake is how big it will be . If you’ve been to several weddings, you know that cakes can range from a single tier to several tiers, and that size usually depends on the event’s headcount.
How long before wedding do you have to order a cake?
For reference, most bakers ask couples to order their wedding cakes about six months before they tie the knot. If your customer is asking for a cake much sooner than that, you may consider upcharging. You may also charge different amounts based on whether the event is during peak or off-peak season.
Does frosting affect cake cost?
That will affect your costs. Frosting can also quickly change a cake’s cost. Traditional buttercream is often on the lower end, while fondant (that sheet-like frosting) can be a bit higher. We can split ingredients into two categories: Base ingredients.
How much do you get paid for working on a cake?
If you spent 5 hours working on your cake, you need to be charging for it. Think of it this way, if you worked in a bakery, you would get paid $10-$30 per hour. This is what you deserve to be paid even without the bakery.
What are the ingredients in a cake?
This includes on the the ingredients that you used to make the cake, i.e. flour, eggs, butter, chocolate, fondant, cinnamon, cocoa, milk, etc. It’s easiest to go through the recipe list and have assigned values for each ingredient that you are using. Calculate the indirect cost of the cake.
How much time do you need to work on a cake?
Ingredients only make up for a portion of the costs of your cake. If you spent 5 hours working on your cake, you need to be charging for it.
What happens if you don't figure out your costs?
If you don’t sit down and figure out your costs then you will be under-pricing your cakes. Have you taken the time to consider the overhead that went into baking your cake? How about the delivery costs?
Does Walmart make cakes?
Walmart is producing cakes with the cheapest materials in bulk by workers won't simply don't care about their end product. Your cake is made with care and the finest ingredients while their cake has been flash frozen months ago and shipped to a store. $12.99 cake is not even close to the types of cakes you make.
How to Price Cakes – 5 Step Guide
For anyone who has started a cake business or has decided to sell cakes on the side, the question of “How much should I charge for my cakes?” had to be asked at one point or another. This question can be difficult to answer and quite personal as it can often involve a person’s own experience, skill, confidence and self worth.
5 Step Guide on How to Price a Cake
1. Obtain a complete finished design on paper ( read our How to Design a Cake article)
How much electricity does it take to make a cake?
This equals your electricity cost per hour. If it takes you 3 hours to make an 8-inch 3-layer cake, you multiply the electricity cost per hour by 3. If you purchase a camera, edible printer, or anything else that you use for your business, take it into account.
What expenses should be included in a fraction?
You also need to include electricity, water, gas, the cost of an accountant (if you will be using one for your business), advertisement, rent, and any other business cost. All of these should be calculated at a fraction.
Do you pay more for cake decorating?
You do not pay more for your purchase and I only recommend products I trust. You started cake decorating as a hobby, you really enjoy it, and you’re really good! Now people are telling you that they will pay for you to make them a cake.
How to know how much to charge for a cake?
1. Ingredients and supplies. To know how much to charge, you must understand how much you are spending. It takes a time investment to calculate your ingredient costs, but it is vital to understanding what a cake costs you to make. Don’t forget the cost of the boards, boxes, foil, and dowels. 2.
What happens if you undercut a cake shop?
The local cake store is charging what they need to charge in order to pay rent, utilities, make payroll, and keep a roof over the head of the owner. If you significantly undercut their prices, you are not only lowering the value of cake in your community, but you could affect their business enough that they have to lay off employees, or even close. Even though you don’t have the overhead of a cake shop, you owe it to the cake decorating community to maintain the value of your goods. There is no honor or pride in being the “cheap cake lady”. Also, you run the risk of antagonizing them if you undercut their prices significantly. You never know – professional networking is a powerful thing. You may want to build a relationship with that cake shop. Professional relationships can enhance your business reputation and increase your bottom line through referrals! Don’t think: “Their prices are way too high.” Think: “Wow! Look what a custom cake is worth!”
What do you use when baking a cake?
When you bake a cake, you use your oven, your utilities, your pans, your mixer, your dishwasher, and soap. These things all required an initial investment by you, and a nominal fee for their use should be added to the cost of the cake. 4. Delivery.
Is ingredient times 2 or 3 arbitrary?
We firmly believe that the “ingredients times 2 or 3” method of pricing is arbitrary and not rooted in any kind of business theory. In our experience, this method results in grossly underpricing your product.