Pricing guide · Updated 2026
What to charge for a cake in the UK
Real 2026 pricing benchmarks from UK cake makers, the formula behind every profitable price, and the three mistakes that keep home bakers underpaid.
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2026 UK cake price benchmarks
| Cake type | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Single-tier buttercream (serves 15) | £55 – £90 |
| Two-tier celebration (serves 30) | £120 – £220 |
| Three-tier fondant wedding (serves 80) | £350 – £650 |
| Novelty / sculpted cake | £150 – £400 |
| Cupcakes (box of 12) | £30 – £54 |
| Brownies (box of 9) | £18 – £32 |
The pricing formula
Price = (Ingredients + Labour + Overheads) ÷ (1 − Margin)
Ingredients is what the recipe cost you today (not what you paid last year). Labour is hours × your hourly rate — pay yourself at least £15–£30/hour. Overheads are 10–20% on top for utilities, packaging, insurance and mileage. Margin is what you keep — aim for 30–40% on celebration cakes and 40–50% on wedding work.
Three mistakes to stop making
- Not costing labour. "It only took me a couple of hours" adds up to working for £3/hour. Track hours honestly.
- Confusing markup and margin. Multiplying cost by 1.3 gives you a 23% margin, not 30%. Divide by (1 − margin).
- Matching the cheapest baker in town. They are almost certainly not making money. Price for your quality, not their desperation.
How to raise your prices
Give existing clients 30 days' notice. Raise new-enquiry prices immediately. Reframe the price with what's included — consultation, tasting, delivery, sugar work — not the number alone. Most bakers who raise prices lose 5–10% of the cheapest enquiries and earn 20–30% more.