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Original poster

How much to pay a friend to make a Birthday cake??

157 replies

Pipercloe · 12/10/2024 20:54

My friends son, who is 16 bakes lovely cakes.

I asked if he would mind baking one for DH birthday.

He is excited to make the cake, but I have no idea how much I should pay for this, I have no clue how much even the ingredients would cost for a cake. I’m on a bit of a budget currently, so don’t want to pay lots but also don’t want to under pay.

What is a reasonable price? 😬

OP posts:
Original poster
Pipercloe · 12/10/2024 21:03

I think he is planning on a 3 tier cake, with lots of chocolate accessories and some fondant accessories.
I cant imagine the ingredients would cost that much, but I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️
It won’t be a huge sized caked, it’s just for us not a party of people.
I asked mostly because I was trying to boost his interest in baking, I’m really not that bothered by a cake, I would happy buying a supermarket one.

OP posts:
MumChp · 12/10/2024 21:03

The same as a similar handcrafted cake bought at a shop.

Girasoli · 12/10/2024 21:02

Maybe £30-40? £10 for ingredients £30 for his time (even a simple cake will take a couple of hours)

Chowtime · 12/10/2024 21:01

I'd say £20 an hour is reasonable.

coffeesaveslives · 12/10/2024 21:01

It depends on how big it needs to be and how complex the design is.

WiddlinDiddlin · 12/10/2024 20:59

How many tiers, how much decoration, what kind of decoration, how many will it serve.

Ask him to cost up the ingredients for the cake he plans on making to meet your brief.

Then add some for his time. How much is going to depend on what sort of decoration - just covering a plain one tier round or square cake in fondant is not going to take anywhere near the same time as multiple tiers, buttercream finishes, edible decorations, piped illustration type stuff..

Chromey · 12/10/2024 20:55

Do you have a specific cake in mind? If so price up the ingredients and add a bit on for his time. Alternatively tell him an amount you're willing to spend and see what he produces.