The End Result
When you order a cake or cupcakes with a special icing and a vision in mind, your baker can make that happen. I can make most things happen! The end result is a delicious dessert, full tummies, and smiles from your partygoers. But that is just the end result. That is the finish line at the end of countless hours of shopping, prepping, cutting, mixing, baking, cooling, decorating, probably more shopping, and dishes…OH THE DISHES! Don’t get me wrong, I love baking enough to do the dishes, but it is my least favorite responsibility of being a custom baker. You may think my pricing is high or that you can find it cheaper elsewhere. And I’m okay with that. I’m okay with it because my time and talent are worth it.
So, because most people don’t know or aren’t aware I wanted break down the time put into my most requested item. The 3-layer, 8” round cake. I’ll even go with simple icing, no fancy stuff.
Shopping for necessary items: 30 minutes - 1 hour - These are not only the ingredients but also the colors, the toppings, the decor. This can take less time if I have most ingredients but could also take more time.
Prepping to bake: 30 minutes - I’m gathering my ingredients, measuring cups, whisks, spatulas, flavoring, bowls, pans, etc.
Mixing and Baking: 1 hour - Clearly this is where I’m mixing ingredients, pouring it into the bowls, and baking the rounds. During this time I might also do dishes, prep for the next step, or work on my calendar for future events.
Cooling: 12 - 24 hours - Now…let’s be real. I’m not actively working during this time but my fridge is. I prefer to let my cake rounds cool for 12 - 24 hours before decorating. This costs time and money. What you may think happens in 1 night, takes me at least 2 nights to complete. (This is primarily because I also work full-time during the day, so my baking happens at night. This may also explain why I sometimes have to decline orders, because my schedule is already full. Honestly, it’s probably overbooked because I hate saying no and am still trying to build this dream.)
Prepping to decorate: 1 hour - Because I take pride in my cakes being baked fresh days before the event, my icing is prepped days before your event as well. This requires more mixing, adding coloring, and filling piping bags before I can begin to decorate.
Assembly: 1 hour - I add my icing and/or fillings between the rounds and add 1 crumb coat to chill before I add another layer of icing to prep it for decoration.
Decorating: 1 - 3 hours - It takes time and precision to get super clean lines. Love the look of flowers? Time. Like how fondant looks? Takes time and more money.
Dishes: 1 - 2 hours - In order to keep baking, I need my dishes cleaned and sanitized before and after all of this starts over again for the next customer.
In total I’m spending between 6 hours - 9.5 hours to make a 3-layer, 8” round cake. I currently, as of June 5, 2023, charge $60.00 for this size cake in it’s simplest form. So, to break that down, I’m being paid $6.32 - $10.00/hour for my time. This doesn’t even include the cost of materials like the ingredients, decorating, and packaging, etc.
I AM NOT COMPLAINING. I love what I do and I’m sure at some point in the future my prices will increase and with that will come the loss of customers. I am merely informing you of what goes into those special treats you, your friends, and family enjoy! Remember, you get what you pay for.
Thank you to everyone who has ordered from me and continues to order from me! I look forward to being an external part of your family as I create birthday cakes, wedding cupcakes, graduation treats, and 1st birthday smash cakes. I appreciate your support more than I can even express.
