| Author |
Message |
playingwithsugar
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 4917
Location: Happy Birthday, Scorpions!
Birthday: Nov 20
|
 Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 4:10 am |
  |
Thanks to Mamakau for bringing up this subject.
Here's my story:
Two years ago, my neighbor requested that I bake her grandson's birthday cake. She was willing to pay me for my work, and then added, " and I will need an 8 inch smash cake. The smash cake is free, right?"
I was very new to cake decorating at the time, and with my son already an adult, I had never heard of a smash cake, as nobody did them back in his youth. I told her, "No, I would have to charge you for the additional cake." Needless to say, she went elsewhere.
Do all of you provide the smash cake free? What size cake do you offer as a smash cake? How many layers? An 8 inch smash cake sounds awfully large to me, and more like she was trying to get several extra servings free of charge.
Thanks Bunches -
Theresa  |
|
|
     |
 |
|
|
|
VickiC
Regular Member
Joined: Jul 27, 2004
Posts: 154
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 4:14 am |
|
I usually have enough batter left over to make a 4 inch cake similar to the birthday cake. I don't charge for this cake. |
|
|
|
|
|
LittleBigMomma
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 05, 2005
Posts: 538
Location: Alabama
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 4:23 am |
|
As a rule, a smash cake is intended for the First Birthday only.
IMHO, an eight inch smash cake is waaaay too big! I would charge for one this size.
I usually use a 4" or 6" single layer. Sometimes, I'll stick a cupcake on for a tiered effect.
Since a smash cake can usually be made with "left-overs", I don't charge for them. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sherry0565
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 15, 2005
Posts: 373
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Birthday: May 24
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 4:49 am |
|
I make 6in smash cakes usually, and I never charge. This is because I usually have a 6in frozen in the freezer at all times. (that's what I do with left over batter)
I think you are probably right about her just trying to get a few extra servings.
Sherry |
|
|
 |
|
|
CakemanOH
Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 05, 2005
Posts: 348
Location: Ohio
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 4:54 am |
|
I charge especially if they want this decorated. Most the times it is requested to match the bigger cake. No way I am not charging at that point. |
|
|
|
|
|
bonjovibabe
Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jan 27, 2006
Posts: 2374
Location: Quickstepping across the ballroom, cake in hand!
Birthday: Sep 20
Gallery Supporter Member
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 5:05 am |
|
I offer a 4in 1 layer smash cake that will complement the main cake, but will almost certainly be far less intricate - after all it's just going to get destroyed!!! I don't charge for this though. |
|
|
 |
|
|
cindww
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 22, 2005
Posts: 322
Location: Northern New Jersey
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 5:06 am |
|
I'm doing my first smash cake today. The customer didn't even know what it was! Its her son's first birthday and truthfully, I want to try out my new 4" pan so I won't charge [/i] |
|
|
|
|
|
Loucinda
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Posts: 1717
Location: Central Ohio
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 7:50 pm |
|
I always make a 4" or 6" - 1 layer smash cake for the first birthday cakes I make, and it ties in with the main cake (decorated nicely too) I charge $5. for it. Not a money maker, but not expensive either.....and everyone loves them. |
|
|
|
|
|
pinkbunny
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 23, 2005
Posts: 972
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Birthday: Sep 28
|
| Posted:
Sat May 27, 2006 9:05 pm |
|
I do a 4" smash cake to match the bigger cake....but also w/a less intricate design. It is free for 1st bday onlys! I've a few people request them for other bdays...but I charged them for it..$8! |
|
|
|
|
|
tanyab
Junior Member
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 34
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 4:42 am |
|
I offer a free 6" single layer smash cake for first birthdays. |
|
|
|
|
|
debbie2881
Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 826
Location: Ocoee, FL
Birthday: Oct 28
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 8:13 am |
|
if someone asked for a smash cake and wants it fully decorated like the birthday cake then i would definately charge regular cake price but if its a small 1 with minimal decoratons i still wouldnt give it for free but i wont charge that much. $5 would be enough like Quadcrew says. it still takes time and ingredients to make this cake and decorate it. If they are getting a very expensive main cake then i would not charge at all. so i guess it depends. |
|
|
|
|
|
TamiAZ
Forum Addict
Joined: May 01, 2005
Posts: 612
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 8:19 am |
|
Yes, an 8" smash cake is too large... I would do a simple 4" or 6" for free. Did she want a double layer 8"? If so, she was trying to scam you for extra servings. |
|
|
|
|
|
pinkopossum
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Feb 07, 2006
Posts: 1250
Location: Gloryland (inside joke)
Birthday: Jan 18
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 10:32 am |
|
| TamiAZ wrote: | | Yes, an 8" smash cake is too large... I would do a simple 4" or 6" for free. Did she want a double layer 8"? If so, she was trying to scam you for extra servings. |
I totally agree here with Tami. I smell a rip-off if a layered cake is requested.
if the order is large enough or I want to cut the person a break and make their day, I'll normally give a smash cake for free. |
|
|
|
|
|
mamakau
Regular Member
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 185
Location: Hilo, Hawai'i
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 12:41 pm |
|
I'm having trouble doing the math, where does the left over batter come from to make the smash cake? Lets say, if you made a 2 layer 10" main cake and a 4" smash cake, would there really be enough leftover batter from the main cake to make the smash cake? I think i'm measuring my batter all wrong, I usually just divide it between the two pans, should I be measuring it by the cup? |
|
|
|
|
|
HeatherMari
Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 21, 2005
Posts: 547
Location: Michigan
|
| Posted:
Sun May 28, 2006 12:55 pm |
|
I always give a smash cake for free for first birthdays only! For instance, I made a set of ball cakes for a first birthday and made a very small tennis ball cake as the smash cake (for free). The same weekend I made a Veggie Tales sheetcake and they wanted a Bob the Tomato cake just for the birthday boy (turning 2) so I charged them for that one. I figure a free first birthday smash cake is no different than not charging a couple for the anniversary tier of their wedding cake. It is something customers appreciate and as long as I am making enough off of the main cake, it doesn't hurt me to do it. Just my thought and way of doing things!
HTH,
Heather |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
