If you bake for friends, do you expect to get your cake tin back?

[SkaterGrrrrl]

I have lost 2 cake tins recently (posh Emma Bridgewater ones that were wedding presents -weep) when people I have baked for assumed I was giving them the tin as well. Once when I made a birthday cake for a friend and again when I made muffins to thank neighbours who walked my dog.

Am I being silly assuming people will automatically return a cake tin?

No, I would always expect to return it. Whether I did or not would be down to my forgetfulness so maybe you can approach them from that angle....?

Nope, I'd change friends or hint very pointedly. I'd always return and depending on the cake put in a wee box of chocs or whatever.

I know you're not looking for that but if it was fancy birthday cakes or whatever I would.

Ask for the tins back they might have forgotten. Of course I would expect them back, you are not being silly (but I would also try to get the cake out first though)

Write your name on the underside/inside in marker pen.

You always get them back then.

I would definitely expect it back! Although not immediately, I would just expect it back the next time I saw them.

You should have asked for the tin back if the cake recipient didn't have the nouse to realise an expensive container wasn't for keeps.

ASK FOR THEM! Wow, that would drive me crazy! But then I have some very nice tins I was given as a gift. Alternatively, start using pretty paper plates. )

Oh poor you - I would certainly expect them back, but probably would be too embarrassed to ask. I don't give cakes in expensive tins, but I am very, very protective about my good cake storage boxes, and tend to only give cakes if I go with them (iyswim) and then I can decant the cake and retrieve the box.

I suspect you just need to ask.

Somone has just emailed me to remind me that they have my caketins and can we meet up so I can get them back.

I would expect to get it back - just casually mention the next time you see them that you haven't had your cake tin back yet and that you can't bake them another CAKE as a present until it's returned

The neighbours might have forgotten, so I'll pop round next time I sign for a parcel for them.

But the friend went "Oh, cake! Lovely! And I love my tin!". And I was too English and shame-faced to correct her.

Writing name on the tin is a good idea.

Behold the loveliness of my former cake tins (just one lonely one on the shelf now, like a spinster in a Bronte novel)

i too have recently lost an emma bridgewater one sob

yes i do expect them back

think i will marker pen the rest of them (had never even though of that!)

I wish i had a cake tin as nice as SkaterGrrrrrls (is that enough r's?) Mine are all a bit tupperware. Maybe thats why mine come back - not pretty enough

You have just given me a great idea for my mother's birthday - cake tins! Lovley.

I'm surprised that anyone would even think about keeping the tin. I've never known that to happen. Then I only use old Christmas sweetie tins. I like those spotty tins....I wonder what your friend uses it for!

skatergrrrrl I have lost one of those ones too still sobbing

I don't like asking, so now I "wrap" them instead.

Buy a roll of cellophane and some cheap silver cake bases. Wrap with lots of spare at the top esp if the cake is iced, fasten with an elastic band and then cover the elastic band with some pretty ribbon.

Looks sensational, really like a present and you don't have the worry of getting anything back.

And btw.....a few weeks ago I bought the EB Black Toast set of 3 tins which were on sale half price in Lakeland......might be worth a look?

I use disposable tins from Pound Stretchers for this purpose. Would never put them in a tin I wanted to keep.

Most of the time if I give a cake (to the school fair, friend who has had a baby etc) I now give it in a "disposable" tin. e.g. at Christmas keep a few empty Roses tins or similar, lots of people will happily give them to you when they have eaten their Christmas tins of chocolates.

Or as others have said put on cheap plate/base and wrap it.

Only exception is my mother. We both have gorgeous matching cake tins (stainless steel with glass lids). Anyway we have a system that works for me. Every time I see her she gives me a cake in one of the tins, and in the same moment I hand her my empty identical one! (disclaimer I do give presents to her too)

It's p*rn for the baking minded!

I would use a cake box. These can be bought quite cheaply from specialist cake/sugarcraft companies. The cake is nicely packaged (not Emma Bridgewater I know) and you don't have to worry about getting it back. Look here or here.