I need a million new ideas.
It's Christmas Concert Cake Stall time again.
I feel like it's only a few weeks since I was up to my neck in icing and biscuits for the sports day cake stall, and here we are again. Not only am I the cake stall lady again, but I am bloody well blogging about it again too.
This time I really need some new ideas.
I spent a happy hour or so on Pinterest last night, gathering inspiration.
But you: you my lovely readers - tell me your best cake stall advice? (Recipes MORE than welcome.)
What are the top sellers?
Do we restrict it just to cakes or branch out this year to fudge and sweets?
Do we do fancy stuff in jars? (See? I don't even know what I don't know?!)
Is chocolate everything the way to go? Or pink? Or sprinkles?
Slabs or individual?
Wrapped or unwrapped?
HELP!
My sister works at a retirement home and when they needed things for a cake stall she asked if i would help ( i like to bake! ). I made some marbled cheesecake brownies .... and they were the first thing sold off the table!
ReplyDeleteYou can find the recipe at www.taste.com.au - dont know if thats the type of thing you're looking for but they were certainly a cake stall winner for me!
Who will be making the purchasing decision?
ReplyDeleteIf it's kids, I have discovered that most things on a stick are popular. I stuck ice cream sticks (from office works etc) into shortbread dinosaurs and they went down fabulously. Also popcorn or brightly colored stuff.
My theory is that adults are looking for something at a cake stall they (or their mum) could have made. Particularly things like banana loaves or chocolate cakes that freeze well. Or at this time of year, packs of biscuits/shortbread/biscotti for gifts?
Not sure if it's feasible, but would adults buy frozen rolls/tubs of cookie dough to stash away for freezer cookies?
Hi Lucy
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to a post that has a Christmassy recipe link for little cookie/meringue things. The recipe sounds a bit odd but everyone I have ever made them for has then rung up and asked for the recipe. It is easy and makes lots. For some reason I was super keen the day I wrote the post and even included how I packaged them up for gifts. They look cute with a little candy cane on top.
Good luck. I am all cake stalled out after 3 in the last few months.
I would say at this time of year to do little bits like cookies and brownies because they'd make such good gifts. I did a charity bake sale through the company that I used to work for and everyone had a little chat about what they were going to do so we didn't end up with loads of 1 thing so I'd suggest to do this if applicable. I made a marble cake with a chocolate top but some of the ladies made some beautiful brownies and cookies and packaged them wonderfully. Like the other comments have suggested I guess it depends on what age group will be buying the cakes.
ReplyDeleteHope I've said something helpful in amongst that and good luck with whatever you decide to try, looking forward to reading how it went, I love your blog <3
Sarah
http://sarahflight.blogspot.com/
Whatever you do... do NOT make cake pops!! x
ReplyDeleteAre adults purchasing? My winner this year has been the layered bikkies in a jar. Photos on my blog, with recipe. There are heaps to choose from and can be purchased as a gift.
ReplyDeleteHello, I just did cakes stall for the twins club market... it was a hot day and all the icing was getting very melty which I hadn't even thought of.
ReplyDeleteI think whole cakes are always popular for families to take home for later, and then also pretty small things to buy and eat then and there. Think adults will appreciate smaller tastes of delicious goodies at this time of year.
A lady did rocky road for us with slices packed into individual cellophane bags, they sold really well. I wonder where one can buy the wee bags??
I think I've given you my cake stall recipe ideas in the past - but did I mention that I was even looking at bloody cookbooks for you yesterday? Not just notebooks, but lovely cookbooks for this very purpose. Argh!!! xx
ReplyDeleteDo cupcakes in christmas colours. Anything christmassy is always popular.
ReplyDeleteYou can get noodle boxes and put homemade sweets or biscuits into it - they look really cute (so people will want to buy more!) Taste.com.au has a list of recipes for cakestalls and fetes etc which should give you some good ideas!
Hi Lucy
ReplyDeleteI just found this on one of my favourite blogs. Christmas cakes in a paper cup.
http://www.thepinkwhisk.co.uk/2011/12/paper-cup-christmas-cakes.html
Ruth was the runner up in last year's Great British Bake Off.
Anne @ Domesblissity xx
Rocky road is always a great seller.
ReplyDeleteFor a Christmas theme I would make it with white chocolate and some green and/or red lollies (or turkish delight) for chewiness and a pale biscuit and some shredded coconut for crunchiness and extra texture.
If you're not a nut free cake stall you could use pistachios because they are greenish and yummy.
And white marshmallows. Do they still make the pale green marshmallows? They might work in a Christmas rocky road.