Adventures in Selling Baked Goods

[Chocolatl]

I mentioned in the "(My) Cookies" thread that I have plans in the works to start selling whoopie pies (a handheld treat that is two layers of cake with a cream filling in between -- like if an Oreo cookie and a cupcake got together and made a delicious baby.) I thought I'd start a thread to track my progress, as I have no qualifications other than my enthusiasm and a willingness to work hard.

I'm not expecting to make millions, but hopefully it'll be a lot of fun, and give us some extra income while I continue to stay home with baby Anna.

This weekend, I'm test baking. It'll be a chocolate cake with a cinnamon cayenne whipped chocolate ganache (try saying that ten times fast!) Pictures later today when they're finished.

[Chocolatl]

Introducing the Azteca:

[Chocolatl]

Testing out some packaging options.

[limey]

Send some to MEEEEEE to test the international packaging!

Sent by thought transference

[xoxoxoBruce]

Whoopie Pies are a Pennsylvania Amish tradition.

[Chocolatl]

What can you expect to pay for a whoopie pie in PA?

[xoxoxoBruce]

I don't know, when I see one I run away before it jumps my fat ass.

[glatt]

I saw many on the recent trip through PA and NY in gas stations and 7-11s. Wish I had paid attention to the prices.

[richlevy]

We have an farmers market a few blocks from my house with Amish sellers. It's only open Fri and Sat so I will get you some information next weekend.

Meanwhile, check these links out:

http://www.padutchcountry.com/pennsy...ie-pie.asp#buy

http://whoopiepiefestival.com/

The whoopie pie festival is Sept 7th.Strasburg is about 1 hour from the Philadelphia suburbs where many Cellarites reside.

For whoopie pie pricing you can call:

The Bakery

The Bakery at Hershey Farm ships whoopie pies and shoofly pies anywhere in the US.
Wet Bottom Shoofly Pie
Whoopie Pie
Flavors Include:Classic Chocolate with whipped vanilla filling
Chocolate with peanut butter filling
Red Velvet with whipped vanilla filling
Pumpkin with whipped vanilla filling
To place a Bakery pick-up or mail order call 1-800-827-8635 x713 or 717-687-8635 x713, or email bakery@hersheyfarm.com.
For Hershey Farm Online Bakery Orders: Each item is packaged for optimal freshness upon arrival, however settling may occur. Hershey Farm is not responsible for damage occurred during shipping.
Note: The Bakery at Hershey Farm ships all bakery orders Mondays and Wednesdays.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Chocolatl

What can you expect to pay for a whoopie pie in PA?

Keeping in mind that you'll be at Farmer's Markets, where everything is expected to be more expensive than regular groceries, and you'll almost certainly have to be more expensive than the 7-11s just to break even on the ingredients, let alone compensate you for your time. I would instead visit the markets you intend to be selling at, and look at the prices of the other homemade confections. All you have to do is be on par or cheaper than they are.

[richlevy]

I agree that prices are regional. I can at least get prices from my farmers market. The cost of living in Florida is supposedly cheaper than in PA, so some adjustment would have to be made.

At some point she might want to consider mail order, although she's at a disadvantage because people do not equate Florida with whoopie pies.

It's really a Mid-Altantic, New England treat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopie_pies

[Chocolatl]

Thanks guys!

The last time I was at the market I checked on cookie pricing -- they were $1.25 per big cookie. I'll check cupcakes next weekend and try to price them somewhere in between.

I keep thinking that Starbucks sells cake pops -- ONE TINY BITE -- for $1.50, so I think $1.50 - $2.00 would be a fair price for a 3" whoopie pie.

[Chocolatl]

Rich -- I'm making these at home under cottage food legislation, so unfortunately I'm forbidden from doing mail orders. It has to be a face to face sale.

[Perry Winkle]

I'm a whoopie pie fanatic. I'm going to have to visit Florida now, thanks. If you ever make peanut butter flavored filling I will immediately jump in my car.

Anyway. I think I paid $4.50 for whoopie pies at Sherman's Deli in Palm Springs. They were pretty big though, maybe 4 to 5 inches in diameter.

[Chocolatl]

Ha! I took some of the extra chocolate cakes and filled them with Jif whipped peanut butter this weekend. They were delicious, so a PB filling is definitely in the works.