To expect to be paid more than half? (Pic included)

[MrsA2015]

Background: I'm a home baker using decent/top quality ingredients in my cakes, friends and family buy off me for special events and am trying to kick start a little baking business from home ( after receiving loads of compliments and encouragement which I'm thankful for!) A friend has requested a cake (pictured) and offered well below the asking price knowing what quality I use and usually the one to berate others if they take the mick when it comes to price. I don't over charge and usually find I've undrecharged when adding up costs ( new to this). How much would you expect to pay for this cake? I'm just feeling a little upset really, I love her and will still make it just surprised at asking to pay less than half. I understand mates rates and all...
Before you ask
Yes she can afford it
I don't buy wholesale ingredients
No I didn't stick to my price (out of shock)

Please post a picture when you've made it!

Not to derail the thread or anything, but just as a quick aside to those of you who are keen home bakers...

If you fancy baking a cake every once in a while for someone who genuinely deserves it, but whose family might struggle even to buy them one in Asda, have a look at Free Cakes for Kids to see if there's a group in your area. I am the coordinator for my local group and it is the most rewarding thing - the children we bake for are referred to us by our local women's refuge, children's centres, the foodbank, social services etc, and often from families who are really struggling for various reasons. The volunteer bakers donate all the ingredients and their time to bake cakes - but only when they can, there's no pressure to bake unless you feel able to.

We have a team of 32 bakers, and we've baked over 150 cakes since we launched in 2014. If anyone would like any more information on the organisation (which I actually first heard about on Mumsnet), please contact me!

There was a lovely thread just yesterday from a mum who'd received a cake from a Free Cakes group - she was so chuffed with it. It's a very small thing - some people can't imagine their child not having a cake on their birthday - but sometimes it just isn't possible, so it's nice to be able to bring joy to a child on their special day.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention it...hope you don't mind OP .

It's a fantastic idea tkband but sadly the nearest one to me is over 50 miles away so isn't feasible. I'd love to join in!

You could always set up your own group Imnotaslimjim . I'd be delighted to help you if you fancied it... (I do realise this may not be feasible due to other commitments, but if you were interested and wanted to find out more, do PM me).

tkband that sounds brilliant, I'll have a look in to it too!

I've received 2 orders due to this cake being put on Facebook! One of them being vegan, where do I start on vegan baking?!

Not something I could do at the moment sadly as I'm about to start as a nursing student. I'll keep it in mind for the future though!

MrsA You need to make sure there is no animal products in your baking - so no eggs, milk, butter or gelatine. You need to use a replacement of some sort (soy milk etc) and use an egg free sponge mix. I'll be honest, I've never successfully made an egg free sponge. Others might have some advice for you though.

Sorry, meant to add, cake looks awesome!

The website parsleysoup has lots of vegan baking ideas.

Cake looks fabulous

I've hurtled through this thread at a rate of knots skimming some posts but mainly looking out for OPs updates. I feel as if I've been on a roller coaster ride(slightly queasy from scrolling too fast) but I am delighted at the outcome.
Well done MrsA!

Cake looks great!

tkband3

Thanks for that link, I had never heard of this, and I would love to get involved. Im in the West Scotland so have emailed the Glasgow link!

Cake looks great MrsA!

Are those colours true to life MrsA, or is it just the lighting?

The cake looks amazing MrsA. Can't help with vegan cakes though I'm afraid, although I have made decent dairy free buttercream using (I think) a soya based spread and trex instead of butter.

Quite understand Imnotaslimjim .

Happy to help/answer any questions if anyone would like to know more about Free Cakes for Kids. Here's my group's Facebook page, just in case you'd like to see some of the amazing cakes our bakers have made.

zoeturtle yea I'd say they are although it does blend better in person, I've put gold lustre dust over the gold buttercream before covering the kitchen applying the gold sugar, wasn't the easiest of cakes Ive done I will admit

I have an awesome vegan chocolate cake recipe, it gets complimented all the time.

200g plain flour
200g caster sugar
4 table spoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
250ml water

Whisk all together and bake at 180C and bake for around 45 minutes. Easy af and absolutely delicious.

There are loads of vegan butters and milks around now if you need them, just check a supermarkets freefrom section. Be careful if you use red (anything) as a lot are not veg/vegan friendly. Also lots of items can substitute eggs, you can google a conversion chart.

(cake looks awesome btw)

That looks seriously wow! Well done you!!!

Looks lovely!

Fab cake - well done. Glad you got a better price then originally

A friend of mine told me that you can use the liquid from a can of chickpeas as a substitute for egg white when you are making meringues - I wonder if this would apply to cakes as well?

You've done a beautiful job there Mrs A - I did look at the original & think applying the sugar was going to be a real PITA, so kudos to you. They still got a real bargain though.

Glad you got more orders on the back of this though & I agree, vegan chocolate cake is easy & surprisingly nicer than normal chock cake I've made vegan cupcakes using a recipe very similar to the one posted & I used coconut oil as a butter sub for the buttercream icing. Just add a tiny bit more flavouring essence.

Do up your price a bit for the vegan one though, coconut oil is more expensive than butter & the cake can work out a bit more too, though I used cocaoa in mine as its a richer, more chocolately taste, without the dairy

Well done for getting a better price and well done for the beautiful cake and new orders!

Hurrah for happy ending and look forward to seeing final cake.
MRsA if you still have it, give your friend the receipt for all your ingredients and glitter and icing etc. She should still be aware of how much this all costs especially agter the 80p flour remark!

Milk Allergy Mom has a great cake recipe which may be the same as the one that SuperMan posted, or similar. The recipes with oil and vinegar sound bonkers but really work.

I have used this one for cake at many birthday parties (DD has a highly allergic friend) and none of the non-allergic guests have ever complained. It may be a little drier than your standard cake. I find the chocolate version the best.

www.milkallergymom.com/2016/07/milk-free-and-egg-free-cake.html

There are also recipes for icing on there.