Cash from Baking??

Clutterfree

For the talented crafters amongst you, there is a cupcake box tutorial on this blog:
http://countryheartandhome.blogspot.com/2009/02/cupcake-gift-box.html
and a double box here:
http://countryheartandhome.blogspot.com/2009/02/double-cupcake-box.html

Probably too fancy for every day, but lovely for a cupcake gift.
I've no idea how difficult they are as I am not crafty at all.
Her blog is well worth a look as there are recipes as well as crafts on there.

Moominmamma

Thanks Esmer, I'll have to have a look in Sainsburys ~ didn't think of in there. I love the look of those cupcake pods, why do they have to be so expensive :~( I sorta feel like if I'm gonna wipe out 20p of my profit I'd rather do it with decorations or really lovely cases that people will take more notice of...

Thanks for the box template too Clutterfree, I just had a look and it frazzled my brain :rotfl: I might try and get dh to make me some in time for Crimbo though, as you say, they'd be lovely for gifts.

Anyway, I'm back off to Black Friday watch

M x

PRINCESSX87

Hi all,

I hope you don’t mind me joining, I have a mounting full of questions for all you experts!

Ok, I’m interested in making birthday / Christmas & wedding cakes.
However, I don’t know if I’m good enough baker. I have tried in the past & tbh I think many of my family & friends would just say what I want to hear!

I’m hoping to move to a new property this month, But nothing confirmed as yet, So I will miss any Christmas custom – However, During the year I have many family & friends b/days where I can make the lost trade.

I have looked EVERYWHERE for a baking course. There is nothing on the customizing size neither. So I will be completely new to everything.

Ok so here is my questions:-

How many of you rent from a LA or LL? Was there any obligations you had?

What start up costs am I looking at – I currently have no income I can spare?

Do I have to pay for a trade licence from E health? What does the checks include?

What insurance is needed?

How do you set your price list?

Do you bake to order? Or provide samples?

Sorry for the essay, I’m really interested in starting this!

Thanks for all help in advance!

Princessx87

Pembroke

Could you buy a pack of the Sainsbury's boxes and take one apart to see if it's relatively simple to recreate ? If so then I'm sure there are Ebay sellers who can sell you card in the correct size and loads of different colours although you may have to look for colour fast ones or line the boxes with greaseproof paper or similar.

hayley11

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

Hi all,

I hope you don’t mind me joining, I have a mounting full of questions for all you experts!

Ok, I’m interested in making birthday / Christmas & wedding cakes.
However, I don’t know if I’m good enough baker. I have tried in the past & tbh I think many of my family & friends would just say what I want to hear!

I’m hoping to move to a new property this month, But nothing confirmed as yet, So I will miss any Christmas custom – However, During the year I have many family & friends b/days where I can make the lost trade.

I have looked EVERYWHERE for a baking course. There is nothing on the customizing size neither. So I will be completely new to everything.

I taught myself a lot of stuff using sites I had found on google or watching videos on youtube.

Ok so here is my questions:-

How many of you rent from a LA or LL? Was there any obligations you had?

I rent from my LL, he just said as long as it was on a small scale it was fine.

What start up costs am I looking at – I currently have no income I can spare?

You will need some cash to buy equipment, icing, ingredients but if you ask customers to pay upfront or a deposit, then you could use this money to buy anything you need.

I bought things whenever I could afford and there's still lots of things I need to buy.

I wouldn't pay anything out though until you've got permission from your LL and been approved by EHO.

Do I have to pay for a trade licence from E health? What does the checks include?

You don't have to pay but you do need to register with the EHO, contact your local council. You are supposed to do this 28 days before you trade.

When they came to do mine, they basically looked at my kitchen, checked I had my baking ingredients seperate from everything else, checked I had anti bacterial handwash and worktop cleaner etc.

They also check if you have the food hygiene certificate, I did mine at school so they said that was ok for the time being but I do need to update it (really MUST do that!)

What insurance is needed?

I think public liability insurance, I haven't got any insurance at the moment though, again something else I must sort out.

How do you set your price list?

I set up a spreadsheet with all the ingredients and their cost on, then worked out how much cake, cupcake etc costs to make, including boxes, cases, piping bags etc then I add a bit extra on so I make a profit.

I also had a look at what people local to me were charging to make sure I wasn't over/under charging.

Do you bake to order? Or provide samples?

I only bake to order, I don't freeze anything as I think it ruins the taste/texture. I have given samples out in the past but generally I don't.

Sorry for the essay, I’m really interested in starting this!

Thanks for all help in advance!

Princessx87

Hi Princess, welcome to the thread, i've answered your questions above, hope it helps

bulloch1972

karenccs67 wrote: »

wow this fantastic you should be really proud, can i be cheeky and ask how much you charged for it please? x

babyplum wrote: »

Wow! AMAZING cakes!!! :T

In picture 13 there is a cake in the background covered in buttons which i LOVE! I wonder if you can buy button shaped cutters...?

Thanks for sharing bluefire. That dragon one is so funny!

I am new to the forums and have been looking through them as i am trying to start selling my cakes. I hope you don't think i am being cheeky, but you should have charged way more than £20 for the halloween cake...it is stunning ...that wouldn't even pay for your time...next time think debt !! That's what i'm planning, as i hate the money side of it. I have had one sale so far and i was mortified taking the money !!!

stardrops42

Hi Guys

Here is a couple of cakes I've made recently. One was for my sisters graduation and the gift box cake is for my niece and her friend who are having a joint 18th party tonight. I know this thread is called "cash from baking" but I'm thinking it should be changed to "debt from baking" as I always seem to be out of pocket instead of making any money:rotfl:

karenccs67

stardrops42 wrote: »

Hi Guys

Here is a couple of cakes I've made recently. One was for my sisters graduation and the gift box cake is for my niece and her friend who are having a joint 18th party tonight. I know this thread is called "cash from baking" but I'm thinking it should be changed to "debt from baking" as I always seem to be out of pocket instead of making any money:rotfl:

wow theyre amazing. x

esmer

Cakes are amazing Stardrops.

Bluefire

It's been a busy week, I had a stall at the Christmas lights switch on in our town, and my first 'official' cupcake order through the website for 50 cupcakes!



The stall went brilliantly - I took 130 cupcakes & sold out just after the lights had switched on. What made it even better is that there was another cupcake seller there too - I was really worried about the effect that would have on sales!

There's some more photos on my Facebook site if anyone would like to have a look: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Market-Drayton-United-Kingdom/Cookes-Cakes-Market-Drayton/119866558075281?v=wall

Stardrops42, I absolutely love your cakes. When I (hopefully) move on from cupcakes to celebration cakes I'd be happy to have half of your talent!