How Much Should I Charge for a Custom Cake?
A custom cake price is ingredients and packaging plus your time: baking, cooling, filling, decorating, cleaning up and talking with the client. Decorating is where the hours go, so a tall, detailed cake costs far more than a simple one of the same size.
Reference Rates: Custom Cakes
Based on a reference of $35 an hour for custom cakes & baking at an intermediate level, in a state with average living costs. These are starting points, before materials, travel and card fees.
| Experience | Per hour | Birthday cake (4 h) | Tiered cake (10 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just Starting less than 1 year | $24.50 | $100 | $250 |
| Intermediate 1 to 3 years | $35 | $140 | $350 |
| Experienced 3 to 8 years | $47.25 | $190 | $480 |
| Expert top of your field | $63 | $260 | $630 |
By State (Intermediate Level)
| State | Per hour | Birthday cake (4 h) | Tiered cake (10 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $39.20 | $160 | $400 |
| New York | $37.80 | $160 | $380 |
| Texas | $33.95 | $140 | $340 |
| Florida | $35.70 | $150 | $360 |
| Illinois | $35 | $140 | $350 |
| Pennsylvania | $33.60 | $140 | $340 |
| Ohio | $31.50 | $130 | $320 |
| Georgia | $32.90 | $140 | $330 |
Working in a big city or its metro area, add about 8%. For your exact case, including any other state, use the calculator above.
Ingredients Are the Smaller Part
Home bakers often price a cake at "ingredients times two", and end up earning very little per hour. Butter, eggs and good chocolate add up, but your time is usually the biggest cost. Add ingredients, boxes and boards under "Materials" and put the full time on the job.
Delivery and Setup
Delivering a cake takes time and care, especially tiered cakes that need setup at the venue. Charge for delivery separately or add it under "Travel". Many bakers also charge a deposit to hold the date, because they turn down other orders.
Check your state's cottage food rules before you sell from home.
What's Usually Included
- The cake in the agreed size and flavors
- Basic decoration
- A cake box and board
What to Charge Extra For
- Detailed decoration and sugar work
- Toppers and figurines
- Delivery and setup
- Stands and rentals
- Rush orders
Common Pricing Mistakes
- Pricing only by ingredients
- Not counting decorating time
- Free delivery across town
- Taking orders without a deposit
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I charge for a birthday cake?
Add ingredients and packaging, then multiply your hours (often 3 to 5 for a simple custom cake) by your rate. The calculator does the math.
Should I charge per slice or per serving?
Many bakers quote by servings, because it scales with size. Work out the price for your most common size and divide it by the servings.
Should I ask for a deposit?
Yes. A non-refundable deposit of 25% to 50% holds the date and covers your ingredients.