Christmas Cake Baking...

purplephoenix85

Hi,

A few of my friends have asked me to make homemade Christmas cakes for them, for themselves and to give as gifts at Christmas. While I'm flattered that they're willing to contribute to the costs of making the cakes as it could leave me pretty out of pocket, I'm unsure about the rules for accepting money contributions for this.

I understand that I'd need to declare any money I get from these, and intend to do so... but it's other little things that are niggling at me.

a) I don't want to run a business and it's not really a hobby, just a one-off batch baking session... do I need to go to the extremes of health and safety certificates, food safety certificates, insurance, etc?

b) If the cakes contain alcohol, would I need any licenses?

c) If there are any ingredients that may cause a reaction (gluten, nuts, egg), would it be sufficient to put a label clearly stating that it contains (gluten, nuts, eggs) so the recipient can clearly see whether or not it's good to eat/share? The intended recipients don't have any known allergies/intolerances, but it would be a responsible thing to do, right?

d) Should I put a date on the cake label? I.e. the date it was made.

I just want to make sure all bases are covered before I say yes or no to those who have asked Any help is appreciated, thanks.

laurajayne

Hi there,

I'm a cake decorator, and can see no one has answered yet.

When I first started up, and baking for people I know, then my EHO was fine, I didn't need to register with them, as they don't class it as commerical.

I think the bit where you're on a sticky wicket, is if your friends then give as gifts - labels and the like don't need to be on there if your selling directly to that person, but if there's a third party involved, they become needed. It also ups the ante, on having to get inspected and insured.

You don't need a licence for cakes that contain alcohol, such as fruit cake.

purplephoenix85

Thanks for the reply!

To clarify the third party involvement, if I made a downsized cake for friend's own consumption, and they shared that portion with another (and friend is already fully aware of what's in it) would that still make me liable? I don't think I could give a friend a Christmas cake and ask them not to share a slice :rotfl: That said, I do see where you're coming from, what's okay for one may not be okay for another.

It seems worst case scenario for me at that point would be a friend giving away something I baked for them personally, and something happening to the other person

pinky2681

Personally if you tell your friend you'll make a cake for them, its up to them what they do with it - and if she was to share it make sure the person doesnt have allergys. You could also give your friend a list of ingrediants so she can tell people if they ask. Most people with allergys know to ask "does it contain...." etc so i dont think you can be held responsible unless you were clamining "guarenteed nut free" etc. As for the money side - if the friend isnt paying you they you dont have to declare it - she/he is giving you money for ingrediants to buy for them , if she is giving you a 'gift' as a thank you thats her choice. Alcohol baked in a cake doesnt contain a VOL so you wouldnt need a license. You would need a certificate if you were baking for a buisness but your making one or 2 for friends! I make one for my mum every year and teachers at school as a present. Sorry if not helpful but i think you need to look at this more simply.

purplephoenix85

Thanks pinky! I get kinda anxious when I'm taking on new things, but I think you've just given me the peace of mind to go ahead and do it