Printable Cookie Pricing Chart and What to Charge for Cookies
Real talk.
Generally it’s my policy to never use cool, young phrases like “real talk” (because I am not very cool) but when it comes to pricing, it’s only appropriate.
At the beginning of this great cookie adventure, I charged a whopping seven dollars a dozen. Yes, you read right. SEVEN DOLLARS A DOZEN. Go ahead. Faint, laugh, whatever you like. I won’t hold it against you. It still gives me palpitations to think about it.
The reason? Because I didn’t know any better.
As comfortable as I felt asking technical questions, my southern manners would not let me ask another decorator about money stuff.
Fast forward a few years and I’ve moved past the whole income taboo. I have now made it my mission to prevent other cookiers from repeating my mistake.
In the interest of preventing a few late night nervous break downs, I decided to put it all out there.
When you look at my chart, your first reaction is probably going to be along the line of, “No one would ever pay that much for cookies!” and I understand, because I used to believe that too…but it’s simply not true. These days I charge a fair price for cookies and I still sell cookies*!
I’m not selling twenty dozen cookies a week anymore, but even making half as many I can still make the same amount of money. I’m sure everyone can get down with that.
So here it is. My very own printable pricing chart (adapted from Cakes by Alana).
To print, click HERE.
Here’s a breakdown of the actual cookie sizes (as reflected by the printed chart).
Classifying cookies really depends on the individual decorator, but here’s an example of what I would consider basic, detailed and elaborate. When referring to these examples PLEASE remember that each person must make their own determination of complexity.
- Basic: 1-2 colors and consistencies of icing, no hand-cutting, minimal piping
- Detailed: 4-6 icing colors and consistencies, no hand-cutting, simple details
- Elaborate: 7 or more colors of icing, may or may not be hand cut, several piped details
If I ran the world, every single cookie decorator would AT LEAST charge these prices but I know that it doesn’t always work this way. In my experience, it’s sometimes a little easier to charge by the dozen. If this is you, here’s an idea of what to do. Keep in mind that this is a guideline. If the customer gets all crazy or particular adjust the prices to compensate.
Basically, the customer chooses the theme and the decorator creates a platter incorporating a mix of both simple and complex designs. This ensures that the best value for the money while allowing the artisan to profit from their work, which is the point of selling cookies, right?
Regardless of what you choose to charge you should always have set prices written down where people can see them. For some reason, if a customer has written prices in their hand they’re less likely to think of them as negotiable.
As as for competition, (as in other cookie decorators in your area) squash that thought right now. There is no such thing when it comes to cookies.
During my prime, I could make about 20-30 dozen cookies a week. This meant my family ate out more often or not, my husband did 90% of the household chores, and I never slept. What I am trying to say is that no one person can take every single order, meaning fellow decorators are your friend!
Rather than wasting time worrying about competition, I encourage you to make friends with local cookiers and set a pricing standard. Then everyone wins. Each person is earning a fair wage plus it never hurts being able to pass off an order when life happens.
Of course, there will always be the newbie who charges seven dollars a dozen, but after a few long teary nights I promise they’ll be jumping to make an adjustment.
I can really get preachy about this because I have been on both sides of the fence. I’ve felt a twinge of guilt over my prices at one time or another, but when I’m up until the wee hours of the morning working on a cookie design that turned out to be much more work than expected, I remember why I do. So rather than rant, I’ll just say this.
Decorated cookies are a luxury, like cars. Some people buy a Toyota, some buy a Cadillac. Both will get you from point A to point B, but there will always be the people who prefer a Cadillac. Those are the people you’re marketing to, so, do not sell yourself short. Cookies take a lot of time, and your time is money. You should never be in a position to sacrifice time with your family…holidays, little league games, without being properly compensated.
A few tips before committing to an order:
- Know your state’s baking laws
- Require that all customers contact you via email or use and order form like this one from The Bearfoot Baker so that you have the request in writing
- If you’re not sure about a price give yourself a little time to think and plan before giving a quote
- Take a little time off here and there so you don’t get the dreaded “burn out”
While we’re on the subject of pricing, be sure to check out these posts:
- Elephant in the Room, One Tough Cookie
- The Discount Trap, One Tough Cookie
- Extra, Extra, One Tough Cookie
*I do not sell my cookies on a regular basis. Under Texas law, I cannot ship so I only take a limited amount of local orders.
Hi Sugarbelle. I’ve been following you for a while because I think your cookies are gorgeous. Since you brought up the issue of cost, I’d be interested to know how you arrived at your prices. As in, what is the cost of supplies and how to do you figure out your profits?
Deep breath…It’s kind of complicated. First of all, most obviously consider supplies. Break down the cost of both your cookies and icing, and get an approximate cost per cookie. Then look at your pre-baking utility bills and compare them to your current bills, and figure about how much they’ve increased. When you’ve made it this far, chances are, you’re at a pretty high number, and you haven’t even come to the profit part. This is where it gets sticky. I add enough to make me feel like I’m making at least a little bit of money. This is really mostly personal preference. The truth is, when it comes to a craft like cookie decorating, you will probably NEVER be compensated for your time. Truth be told, I still make less than minimum wage most of the time, so it’s in my best interest that I don’t have the overhead of a storefront.
In other words, I try to make sure I make enough money to pay for the supplies and a little extra, but I never think about it in terms of “real” profit, because it might be heartbreaking. I’ll always make more than I invest dollar wise, but when you add in time, not so much.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
I LOVE THIS!!! Thank you so much for another fabulous post. I have ALL of your printables laminated. LOL Looks like I will be laminating yet another 😉
I SO, so appreciate this post. I have been making cakes, and selling to friends only (my state doesn’t actually allow licensed home baking), and it’s easy to want to give everyone a bargain. BUT, like you said, my family and home suffer when I have a big order. I make great things, and I should be paid accordingly. People who know me know the quality of my work, but people who don’t, think I charge WAY too much. That’s OK, I won’t sell them a cake anyway! Cadillac people will appreciate the quality of a Cadillac treat! I’ve saved your cookie pricing chart. Great for reference!
And that’s exactly the customers you want…the ones that appreciate what you do!
Wonderfully informative and honest post! Really helpful Callye!! Thank you!
So true. I learned the hard way too and then I kept saying well they are my friends asking me to do it so I should give them a discount… but… many hours and aggravations later I learned that charging anything less then about 3.00 for a standard sized cookie was selling myself way short!!! BTW love your site, love your designs… you are such an inspiration! 🙂
Love this post! I hope cookiers around the globe will take your advice and start charging appropriately! Thanks Callye for sharing your priceless knowledge!
Oh, Callye — this is so timely for me. With the end of the year nearing, I’ve been planning to increase my cookie prices for January 1. I currently charge $15/dozen (I know, I know, FAR too little!), and have been contemplating what a fair adjustment would be. I’d like to go for $36/dozen but I worry about alienating my current (and very regular) customers that just rave about my “beautiful and reasonably priced” cookies. I love your size and “levels” of decoration breakdown — I’ve been wondering about having pricing “levels” depending on the number of colors required for the design, but I like your generalization better. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Most of mine have been very understanding if it makes you feel any better.
It does – thank you. 🙂
Thanks for the pricing advice, I have been charging $8/doz, but everyone keeps telling me that I am undercharging, guess they were right! Your chart is very helpful!
High five Callye!
Awesome!!! Thanks for posting !Your cookies are amazing thanks for sharing your prices…it will definately help me price mine at a much better rate. I have definately been selling myself short…
Thank you for this post! Really! I started out charging $10 per dozen. I recently figure out that if I charge $30 per dozen, I am only making about $5.50 per hour!!!! I am worth MORE than that. My husband says that ordering decorated cookies is like commissioning a piece of art. You get what you pay for. This is a JOB for a lot of us and we deserve to be paid fairly. This is a question that comes up SO often. It’s nice to have the answer come from the one and only Sugarbelle! Hopefully this will spread the word about what a cookie is REALLY worth!
*p.s. I found that pricing list from Cakes by Alana last year. I thought it was perfect. I printed it out, lost it and could never find it again online!!! I have searched and searched and searched. I remember the “Cakes by” part, but I could never find it. How “serendipitous” that you adapted it here!!! I am extra thankful because I can stop searching and driving myself crazy! 🙂
Lol, my brother did mine about two or three years ago and says, “Do you realize that even before supplies, you’re making about $1.87 and hour?” After telling him to SHUT UP, I had to take a good long look at what I was doing.
Amen! This was a brilliant post… not only are you a fantastic artist but you’re also a smart business woman!
Cheers.
I wish I was one of those who starts out smart. I usually have to learn the VERY hard way.
Amen, Amen and Aleluya!!! Great post. I agree with you, I rather make just a few cookies/cakes a week making profit than making many at almost no cost. I do bake from a rental commercial kitchen and can decorate at home. Cookies for friends and family I bake them at home. Prices of good ingredients are very high, plus rental spaces can charge you up to $30 an hour, and that’s cheap.
Making the cookies is not the difficul part, I would say decorate them is.
Sleepless nights,time away from family, carpal tunel and neck pain has a price!!! LOL
Thanks for sharing your chart
You said it, Kathia! I didn’t even mention $3000 I paid the chiropractor!
Thanks so much for sharing this! People have been asking me to consider making cookies for them, and they always ask what I charge. Up until now, I’ve only made them for my family and my kids’ birthdays. I’ve looked around on the internet to see if I could determine a fair price, so this chart is super helpful!! Thanks again!
Love the chart! Thanks for sharing!
Congrats, I love the topic! People don’t understand the hard work and dedication that goes into making these edible pieces of art. You and your work are amazing! Thank you for sharing.
great info, it is really frustrating when people ask for prices then freak out. I always have to explain that I am one person, no huge place to bake and my cost are higher. I turn down a lot, now, before I would take every order and lose money. Now I do it for me and if I can make money I will, if not no more stress.
You are the best! Thanks for sharing. That’s such a common “problem”… Sometimes is so depressing to see how people think you are cheating them… Buying decorated cookies for 2 or 3€ you don’t become millionaire.
Thanks! This is SUPER helpful.I am by no means a baker but about a year ago started to make cookies for special occasions. I did it often enough that several friends and family members have asked about paying me to make some for parties they are hosting. I feel bad charging them but there’s no way I can do them for free. It’s nice to have a guide of what’s considered reasonable to charge since I’m taking time to make them (no small task with a toddler and a small graphic design business).
Love your blog…it was one of my first resources I used when trying to teach myself. 🙂
=)
If we all stick to this … with a few dollars … we could RULE THE WORLD! Thanks so much for the tip.
Thank you so much for this post! I too, struggle with talking to people about money. Contacting customers through email really helps, otherwise I find myself talking down my price. Not great for making a profit!
Preach on! It needs to be said often enough so that it will eventually be heard!
Thank you! This is wonderful!!
I don’t usually do decorated sugar cookies (not artistic enough) but I do bake cookies like snickerdoodles and such. How would I adapt this pricing to reflect what I do bake?
This is kind of silly, but calculate your cost, then go to your big box store, see what they charge and CHARGE more!
Hey Callye, thanks so much for posting this! Can you give a breakdown on size in inches? I have read before that $1/inch of cookie is what some use.
I added another pic, Does that help?
Callye for president 2016!! 😉
Absolutely Brilliant! Thank you for sharing/posting this subject! Especially the part about the luxury cars, perfect analogy! 🙂
What a great insightful post. Thank you for helping with this issue as I have always wondered if my pricing was anywhere close to realistic. I love the sizing chart – brilliant!
Callye, I can’t believe you’ve linked to all 3 of my rants, I mean, POSTS about pricing/business. There’s SO much to say on the subject, too, and I’d like to add one more thought:
1. Are you breaking your neck to get cookies done in 2 days because that’s the time period the client has given you? RUSH CHARGE! You need to tack on a percentage for that, you know. And are you working on a SUNDAY to get these done? OVERTIME! You need to tack that on, too.
Respect yourself and your craft. If you don’t, no one else will either.
Great points! I didn’t even think of that for myself! As always, great advice, and I will take it to heart. I have learned SOOOOOOOOOOO much from you!
Thank you, Gail, for mentioning this. I always charge for rush orders, and I’ve never had a client balk. They know what they’re asking for and usually have the grace to be embarrassed about the last minute!
How do I deal with the fact that I’m just starting out and “elaborate” is not even on my menu? I do some details on my cookies, but I am no where near your talents. I charge $20/dozen and feel that is fair for my level of knowledge and experience. Is there some advice you can provide as to when I should start upping my prices? (i.e., when I can successfully use a KopyKake. Or when I can master characters.)
I think it’s personal. I always knew when it was time to hike things up. As you work and become more proud of what you are producing, then make a change. Perhaps with every new season, etc. When you are a beginner, it’s hard to know exactly when…but I am sure that as you improve you will know when it’s time.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This could not have come at a better time as I’ve been trying to sort out my own thoughts about this based on research of what others are charging. I love the generosity and spirit of camaraderie you practice and promote!
Yes, yes, yes. I love seeing small business charging what they’re worth. I can’t decorate a cookie to save my life, but I’m a portrait photographer and am always so shocked by what people charge for hours and hours of work. CHARGE FOR YOUR TIME, PEOPLE. It’s valuable.
Callye, OHHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this!
I stopped baking & decorating cookies because I realized I wasn’t charging enough for all the work I was doing….. and felt embarrassed to charge more.
Anywho, I’m not as good as you, but even then, I realized I’m was way undercharging.
I have a quick question…… what do you consider Basic, Detailed & Elaborate?
Elaborate being Character and Logos? Basic, 1 or 2 colors?
Thanks again, your response will be greatly appreciated.
Clau
That’s kind of a personal preference thing. I am a detail person, so my detailed tends to be REALLY DETAILED. Whatever feels good to you. Whenever you get an order, I suggest sketching out your idea BEFORE deciding the level you’d categorize it.
I added a couple of pics to illustrate complexity, LOL!
This is excellent! Thank you so much for sharing.
THANKS!!!! for this AMAZING info (: Were do I get the Texas Law? I move here not long ago, but did not know that.
I added a link for ya in the post.
Clap-clap-clap … thanks for tackling this touchy subject!
I WAS TERRIFIED!
Thanks for writing this Callye. You are doing a HUGE service to the cookie community…..ensuring that no one (or a lot less) decorators will be selling themselves short. I appreciate your courage and strength. You have a very big voice amongst cookiers……so I applaud you for speaking out.
With much love…… ?????
=) hugs, Pam!
This is awesome! As someone who also sells baked goods I always felt bad charging more than the bare minimum! It’s nice to be able to see what someone else charges for their creations! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Hello dear Callye: I started in the business of baking (officially) about 5 years ago. Like you, my earliest projects were obviously done for charity. It didn’t take me long to figure out my pricing and I felt I made a fair wage, I had steady work even while being the most expensive cake designer in my town of 25,000. I wasn’t necessarily the most talented either, I just am very good at networking and presenting a quality, beautifully finished professional product. I did cakes mostly, but when I joined my town’s farmers’ market, I also branched into decorated sugar cookies. This past October (I’m in Canada – early Thanksgiving), I received orders for 450 Thanksgiving cookies in 10 hours. I spent the week happily decorating and realized that I love cookies, I just like cake. And most importantly, after many late Friday and Saturday nights finishing cakes, I wanted a little bit more control of my family life so I just made the switch to cookies only. I look to you for many tips and inspirations and l agree with everything you said in this terrific post! Keep up the terrific work! Laura
I am so glad that you had the foresight to command a fair price. It keeps you from resenting what should be the best job in the world!
Thank you so much for sharing this!!
This is such a help. Thanks for posting!
Amen, sister!
thanks so much for that post Callye!! it’s something no one seems to wanna talk about! i’ve been selling myself short, unfortunately! thanks for the confirmation that what we do IS worth the extra money!
Thanks for the insightful post. So often I find it difficult with trying to come up with a number. I appreciate how well you articulated all of your thoughts on how to put together a price.
Ok you were already my cookie idol…..now you’re my hero. I never know what to tell people when they want a price on cookies. I feel funny giving a price because it seems so expensive. This chart is so helpful. Thanks so much for sharing with everyone.
It took me a while to get here. Since I am crafty, I would probably never pay as much as I ask for cookies. Is it because I don’t appreciate the art, I am just the type to do it myself. However, I have been known to pay an ungodly amount for hairbows. Is it because I can’t make them {the jury is still out on that one} but in any case, I would rather pay my buddy then do it myself. I don’t enjoy it. I think the people who pay for our cookies feel the same way…
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Holy Moly! What a great, informative post. I don’t sell but if I did decide to start I’d definitely remember your advice. Thanks, Callye!!
Thanks so much for this! One question though, I’m trying to figure out how much to charge for chocolate chip, gingersnap and peanut butter cookies. Someone here in Michigan gasped at $8/doz for 2 inch size cookies.
I’m thinking that you should find the base cost per cookie and multiply times three…1/3 supplies, 1/3 storefront {even if you don’t have one, you may someday} and 1/3 profit. Its a formula my grandma taught me AGES ago and it seems to work….. ORRRRRRRRRRRRRR go by The Great American Cookie Co or Mrs. Fields in the mall and buy a few cookies. People pay for those all the time, and should be willing to also pay for yours.
Love this chart Miss Sugarbelle. So good to see pricing in writing from a reliable and successful source!
I miss you already, and I’m sad we didnt get more time in SLC =(
WOW!!! ThankYOU! thankyou!!!!!! that was awesome………I’m in the middle of trying to start a cookie business outta my kitchen..in Pa……I still need to get ahold of the health Dept..to do a check before I can fast forward thru the rest…of the legalizing paper work….I thank you for the cookie tip in the past I toooo would charge friends n family way tooo little for cakes and cupcakes n goodies i made..then I would tooo be very exasperated….and swear! i’m done..this is tooo much of a hassile…turning something I loved into hard work n dread…I really wann stick to cookies this go around…so this is very helpful! thankyou!!!!!!
I totally agree with your opinión:I’m starting my business and I will keep this in mind.
Thank you for all your jobs and for being allways an inspiration for all of us.
Arancha
I was a $7 – make that $6 per dozen type of girl myself – actually I don’t make cookies to sell but the principle has been the same in my business. All I can say is that this is WONDERFUL advice and an EXCELLNT guide to go by! Enough so that I wanted to tell you out loud Sugar Belle – I wish I had known in the beginning as well yet four years later and MANY sleepless nights, I’m getting there…just wanted to thank you, I have alot of respect for what you do an an equal amount for all that you share with your readers – You ROCK!
So true, thank you for sharing this. Handmade is a luxury and customers need to understand the time and costs involved. it is nice to hear the real story behind pricing and how to do it, especially when selling hand made items. I think many do not understand that purchasing a product that is produced from scratch is similar to buying a piece of art and needs to be priced accordingly. Otherwise, go buy a pack of Oreos and toss them on a plate. Good post.
Thanks, this is awesome! Do you have approximate dimensions in inches of each cookie size?
I added an image to illustrate the dimensions of the printed page. Does that help?
yes! Thanks so much!
Awesome post Callye. I’m sure it will be helpful to tons of cookiers out there. I wish I had something like it when I was doing cookies. It would have been something I really could have used. Pricing my cookies was the hardest thing to do! Seriously!!!
Thank you so much for posting this! We have a new cottage food license here in Washington State and I am seriously starting to think about baking as a business, so this is really helpful information!
Another question on pricing. I have been asked to teach a cookie decorationg class for about 4 hours at a persons house. How would I even begin to price something like that?? Per person, per hour, per expected supply? Does anyone have experience doing something like that?
I would charge at LEAST $100 per person. It’s an incredible amount of work {you won’t realize how much until after you do it once}
Oh Wow! I would have completely undersold myself. Thank you! It was super awesome meeting you by the way… you might as well had been Tom Cruise; I look up to you so much!
HI Channing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo! Excellent post and I see an increase in homemade decorated cookies right across the world and rightly so! I especially love your suggestion to make friends with local cookiers and set pricing standards.
When I raised my prices I was a little hesitant but Gail’s posts encouraged me and I have no regrets. I sincerely appreciate my customers because they appreciate the efforts that go into creating their cookies.
Gurrrrl,
I think I’m about to dedicate a wall to you in my kitchen. First the color chart (which is fab) and now this (which came at just the right time for me!). Thanks for the post and the links to OTC!
Thank you Callye! And, I love you for posting this. We all need to hear this from time to time. You are right, Cadillacs, not Yugos (ha ha)! Thanks a million!
beth
Hey. I’ve been following you for along time now and this has to be one of those posts that I should’ve read a year ago when I started trying to sell my products. I to am in Texas and restricted by the local laws. I make a miniature version of the cookie Christmas tree that you see in those crappy Wilton kits. Last year i made over 100 for friends and family for gifts and I know i screwed myself over on price. I charged just $5 for the 3D tree standing at 7″ bagged, tied and a nice little card with them too. This year I want to charge more but I honestly have no idea what someone would be willing to pay for it. I don’t want to charge so much that no one orders, because a lot of my business throughout the year comes from those Christmas trees. I have also had orders placed for miniature Gingerbread houses, about 4″ tall; those at least I’m charging a decent amount for because of the extra work involved. But those damn little trees! lol. Got any advice on approaching customers with the new price when last years was so low?
Do you have a Facebook page? If yes, start promoting it now. I live in a tiny little Texas town also, and I’m pretty sure my ears have been ringing on more than one occasion. Don’t worry about the lost orders. The orders you keep at the higher prices will make up for the ones that decide to do something else, and you won’t be left resenting customers and hating the holiday season.
Great Post.
This is FANTASTIC, Callye! Just in time for the CA cottage law to come into play. You’re a font of information:) Thanks so much for sharing!!!
This is so helpful. I have been charging $36 per dozen. Your size and detail price graph is SO great! I need to change my pricing before the Holidays! I agree,my time away from my family is worth so much more!!!!! Thank You:)
I am a Buyer and yes – I would pay these prices for YOUR cookies. But the truth is that some of the newer cookie decorators do NOT have your expertise or talent. There is no way that I will buy their cookies for the same price. So before everyone raises their prices, be brutally honest with yourself. Try raising your prices. If you still have lots of customers then definitely keep your prices. If you suddenly lose like half your customers, then I urge you to drop your prices a little and keep perfecting your craft until you can charge this amount and still have customers waiting in line. Best of success to you all.
I agree with your point, Kath. I started just the way you mentioned and worked my way up as I gained experience and skill. I think it’s perfectly acceptable and practical to charge less while you’re learning, kind of like they do with cosmetology students. They start out doing the discount night at school, work at maybe a chain or something to gain experience, then move up to leased spaces as they learn. Great suggestion.
This is FANTASTIC..THANK YOU for posting this.. So many of our fellow cookiers do not charge what their work is worth and this is A PERFECT! reminder 🙂
This is an awesome post Sugarbelle, thank you! I’m hopefull it will help many people!! These prices are actually more than reasonable. I used to charge 35$ per dozen and they were selling like hotcakes, and now I charge 60$ per dozen (for 3 to 3,5 inch cookies), and they are still selling. It is so time consuming, and I know so many cookiers that are making 2$ to 5$ hourly because they don’t dare put their prices up. I hope this will encourage them to sell their cookies for what they’re worth!!
Callye – Thank you so much for posting this…. I feel like I am constantly in the dark about cookie pricing. While I haven’t yet taken the business plunge, it’s so good to have a “universal” basis for pricing. If asked, maybe I can refer to your posts as the the regulations of the cookie world! Thanks again!
A question I forgot to ask – Do suggest a price difference for cookies that are individually wrapped (I wrap in cellophane bags with ribbon) versus plated cookies (Dollar store tray with plastic wrap)? Thanks again!
I would say that the first chart applies more to individually wrapped cookies, and the by thhe dozen to trays or platters.
That makes sense. Thank you!
Yes, It may sound expensive at first, but I know that hand-made stuff is expensive, cause you spend hours making it. I myself create sculptures and dolls, and when you work on them ten hours you don’t want 50 dollars… I really liked this article cause it’s reality.
What an incredibly informative post! You deserve EVERY SINGLE DIME!
Thanks so much for posting this. I have the hardest time feeling guilty about charging what I do and it’s not even this much. They’re so much work and it is an art. This really helps me in overcoming my discomfort to charge reasonably.
Thank you for this very informative post! I constantly struggle with pricing and guilt issues! My question to you is regarding packaging. What packaging is included in your pricing? Thank you!!! Brandy
Using the first chart, I would offer sealed bags…any labels or special ribbon would be extra. For platters {by the dozen} I offer them in natural brown bakery boxes or plastic deli trays.
It was such a pleasure to finally get to meet you at CookieCon, as well as some of the other presenters. It was a weekend I’ll never forget! Thanks for all you do Callye!
Anne
Question:
I’m looking at starting a home based baking business after the first of the year. I want to focus on cookies.However, at this time, I cannot make decorated cookies. I have no supplies (tips,etc) to make decorated cookies. I have never attempted to make decorated anything – cakes, cookies, etc. Right now, I’m just looking to get basic cookies off the ground. I’m assuming that I wouldn’t charge that much for just a basic cookie? (Chocolate chip, pb, oatmeal raisin, etc)
DRop cookies are an entirely different monster. I would suggest breaking down the price, and multiplying it times three.
Thank you so much for the information. I’m just trying to start small hope tht I can expand business to decorating one day.
Thank you thank you thank you. I’m exhausted and want to go to sleep, but thank you. I will comment tomorrow. Thank You.
This chart is so perfect! I really want to copy and paste it directly to my website. Would that be plagiarizing? It’s so hard to try to explain to each customer that the price is dependent on the size of the cookie and the intricacy of each design. You are a genius.
Thanks for posting this. I don’t really do a lot of cookies, but when I do I certainly don’t just give them away. Regardless of where you are in your cookie business, please charge for your time and talent. There will always be people that are cheap and want things free, but those aren’t the customers that will stick with you. A good customer has a understanding of the time and effort you put into making them a great product. If you have someone that balks are your price, let them go on down the road. Once they call around town, they will be back!!
I recently worked for about four hours baking biscuits for the school fair, home made oreos, choc chip cookies, shortbread and butter biscuits from your basic butter biscuit recipe. I dropped them off and spent three hours face painting only to hear that the large jars of up to two dozen cookies in each were sold, jar and all for $18 to $20. I don’t even think that covered the cost of the ingredients and jars.
I’ve been there. It’s PAINFUL!
I have been a silent reader all this while and I just have to say thank you for this wonderful post!
Thank you, this is one really useful post!!!!!!
Thank you so so much for sharing so many helpful blog posts with the general online public including this one! Really appreciate the advice and reminder to buyers/cookiers alike of the incredible amount of work/hours that often goes into each carefully hand-decorated cookie.
Thank you for this useful post. It really helps. All the best
You are unbelievably generous to share this information. I don’t sell cookies but I am thinking about it and I would just agonize about the prices – I do art and I never charge enough! And I would be too polite to ask other decorators too. This is so helpful! Thank you so much!
I completely agree on pricing. I’ve always charged well for my cupcakes, lots of time goes into each handmade topper… I do get the odd client complain about the price, but most are more than happy as they can see the amount of work and skill required… and they come back each year and order more! Cheap cake isn’t good, good cake isn’t cheap!! The same applies to cookies! Sam, Scrumptious Buns x
What a great post! Cookies were my thing at work, I enjoyed making them and learning with every new job and challenge. For some time now I don´t feel like it anymore, and that´s beacause they take me forever (comparing to other products) and we don´t charge enough for them. So everytime we have more “buts”.
However I regret it, because it was therapeutical for me (when I really could take my time).
I think this article was very useful. I should charge more for them. The price guide, although I´m in Argentina and prices are different, was very illustrative.
One more thing I think it would be great to have as reference is how you evaluate different kind of types (simple, detailed and elaborate); I mean to have some examples of these three different kind! Thank ou so so much Callie! Maia @needcupcakes
I agree… I personally would need to see your definition of simple … to elaborate, for sometimes my “simple” feels like “elaborate”. 🙂 Thanks, too, for the links to the previous discussions on pricing. Great info and help.
I added a few photos to help
You´re great!!!! I can´t be more thankful! Not just for this… you really inspire me and teach me most I know about cookies. You should publish a book!
Thanks really! Your Argentine fan!
I added a few photos to help ya!
You are magic!!!! Thanks for give me lots of confidence always. Your post is really useful!!!!
Awesome Post – sometimes I think I charge too much – but you are right – my time IS money! I look forward to reading your blog – Thank YOu!!
Excellent post! Thanks for providing guidelines as to how to charge.
Thanks for this. It is very helpful!
what a great post..open and honest..and hilst I dont sell my cookies I have done a few for bake sales and thought ‘ i hope they charge a good price for these’ in the wee hours of the morning only to see them go for pittance!thanks.
I am so, so glad you had the guts to post this! Your info encouraged me to finally summon up the guts to call my local Health Department (something that I’ve been avoiding for over a year now) to see what I would actually need to do to become legit and get licensed. They basically said that as long as I don’t sell products that need refrigeration (like custards) and I sell directly to the consumer, then I’m good to go! I can’t believe it was that easy! Ohmygoodness. Where to go from here… The sky’s the limit now! Thank you!!! 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this information! (And also? Thank you!)
you are so awesome for posting this. I agree that so many people have pricing problems with very little information to help them find the answers too. I love that you posted this. now if only I can find someone who has a cake chart.
Thanks so much for this post! I really needed some ‘guidance’ on pricing my self. Very useful.
I know I already left a comment! But im back again…TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS POST…I am been saying this to decorators for awhile…..I so hope they LISTEN TO YOU!!!
Thank you for posting this. I don’t sell cookies but I enjoy baking. If I ever decide to bake professionally your post shows me to have confidence in my pricing structure. I appreciate your candor and willingness to discuss the hardest part… money. You are very talented and I love looking through your blog. Your cookies are an inspiration. 🙂
Thank you so much for your post! I’m just starting to make cookies and have been struggling to come up with pricing. Thanks for the guidelines.
Great advice! Thank you!