To start asking family for money for birthday cakes?

Oh absolutely you must,OP.

I only make celebration cakes for my DGD,DH and DD.They are at cost to me;the DGD's cake is always based on some current favourite theme and forms part of our birthday gift to her and has provided opportunities for developing new cake decorating skills. I love the challenge and the appreciation.

I've also recently made a cake for DD's in-laws for a special wedding anniversary.My DSIL paid me the cost of the ingredients for that one,he insisted.

Like you,I'm shocked at how much the price of ingredients has increased.Fondant icing especially as well as the butter,eggs (Swiss Meringue Buttercream takes up so much of both),cocoa powder,chocolate & cream for ganache,etc etc.Not to mention the extras,such as cake boards and drums,supports and extra 'hardware' such as toppers(DD always supplies one she's selected).There's always a piece of cake decorating equipment that needs replacing too plus food colourings,gels, powders,etc.etc.

Another thing that adds to the cost is postage;there is absolutely nowhere local to me that sells some of the stuff that I need so I end up ordering from online suppliers.

Cake decorating is wonderful fun(frustrating at times!) and it's lovely to be thought of as the 'cake lady's but yes,it's at a cost to you and much as you enjoy it, they are getting quite the bargain.I'm doing this 3 times a year gratis,absolute tops,but you are not and you are quite entitled to turn around now and say 'I'm going to need a contribution from hereon in',and don't apologise!!

@bakerstreetvibes yes of course ask for the ingredients to be covered! Surely your family are aware that literally everything has gone up in price over the last 2 years. Frankly, I can’t believe that not one person has had the courtesy to offer before now. Are they all a bit stingy?

Maybe Fido would like a princess cake!

This has given me a much needed laugh! 😁

Yeah this. I have a relative who lives baking and often does cakes for family occasions. I have offered her money numerous times and she has declined but I've made it clear that I understand what it costs (as I have also made cakes for occasions myself). I often get her a thank you present or we all club together to pay her ticket for the event for example so that she's not out of pocket.

Your time and the cost of cooking it are still the gift.

Yes ask for the ingredients cost. Butter, vanilla etc is so expensive now.

I would stop for at least a year or longer so they have to buy their own cakes and after realising how expensive it is, they won't mind offering you at least 50% what they'd otherwise have to pay.

To be fair I’d be more than happy to contribute if you were my relative. I bake and ingredients are more. We have a MacMillan cake sale at work soon and I went to get some bits the other night it was about £30-40 to make some simple cakes!

Yes. Of course you should be reimbursed for expenses or ask people to buy and deliver all you need. Don't start without a psyment or a delivery.

If the cake is a gift. Fine.
If not. Ask for a desent pay for your work.

It wasn't my DOG, blasted phone,it was my granddaughter!!!

I am the family baker. I don't think people realise how expensive it is to bake a birthday cake. There's usually a "theme", X box,Peppa pig,I reckon it costs me at least £30, for a Birthday cake, plus prep, I don't have a fancy mixer, and oven time. I do it because I enjoy it, and they rave about my cakes. One year, I wasn't well, and my dog(now a teenager) had a Princess Cake from Tesco,it looked more professional than mine,was cheap, but absolutely disgusting and didn't get eaten. However,if folk are requesting the cakes for say a Birthday you aren't attending, certainly,if it's a struggle,say,"I'd love to, but I cannot afford to". Let them see how much a professional would cost.

YANBU.
I would say you’re happy to donate your time but can no longer afford the ingredients so you’ll be happy to do it if they can buy the ingredients. And then give them a list

Of course they should cover ingredients and electric, you could give your time fo4 free if you like. We were discussing this yesterday and the average celebration cake around the table was £170.00 for a not elaborate sponge. £200 for a themed cake

Of course the cost of ingredients should be covered - at the very least!

Of course you are not being unreasonable. Do you even want to bake all these cakes though? It’s your time as well….

Yes and I would give everyone a heads up now that the ingredients now cost £x and you can’t afford to pay for them yourself anymore.

Yes perfectly reasonable to ask them to buy the ingredients

Of course they should cover ingredients!