Every school has a bake sale at some point, and every parent has stood at a table wondering why the plain cupcakes sold out in ten minutes while the fancy ones sat untouched. Working with South African home bakers every day, we have noticed what tends to work.
The short answer: keep it simple, keep it colourful and keep it cheap. Children buy with their eyes, and their parents buy what is easy to carry.
Five things that sell well
- Chocolate crispie cups. Cheap, quick and loved by every age.
- Vanilla cupcakes with sprinkles. Plain, bright and reliable.
- Biscuits with a chocolate dip. Easy to pack, and they travel well.
- Jelly cups. Great on a hot day, if you have a cooler box.
- Brownies or milk tart squares. Usually the first thing the adults go for.
Recipe: chocolate crispie cups
No oven needed. This makes about 24 cups.
- 250g Milk Melting Chocolate
- 3 cups puffed rice cereal
- 2 tablespoons butter
- About 24 paper muffin cups
- A spoonful of 100s and 1000s or rainbow vermicelli for the top
Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Take it off the heat and fold in the cereal until every piece is coated. Spoon into the paper cups, scatter the sprinkles over the top and leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Making cupcakes look bright
Plain vanilla cupcakes look special with a simple icing made from icing sugar, a little butter and a splash of milk, tinted with powder food colouring. Go lightly, because the powder is strong. Add the sprinkles and you are done.
Pricing and packing
- Price in round amounts. R5, R10 and R20 are easy for children and parents.
- Sell in bags of 3 or 4. People tend to spend more that way.
- Use paper cups and clear bags. It looks neat and keeps things clean.
- Label allergens. Nuts, dairy and gluten are the big ones. A small card is enough.
- Bake the day before. Everything is calmer on the morning.
Questions we get asked
How much should I make?
A good rule is about 2 items per child expected, plus a few extra for the adults. It is better to sell out than to carry boxes home.
What is cheapest to bake in bulk?
Plain cupcakes and crispie cups. The ingredients are simple and one batch goes a long way.
Can I use melting chocolate instead of slab chocolate?
Yes, and it is easier. It melts smoothly and sets with a nice finish. White Melting Chocolate is a good pale base if you want to tint it.
Order for the whole class
If a few parents are baking together, it is easier to order the cups, chocolate and sprinkles in one go from the full Modaks range.
Not sure how much to order for a big batch? Call us on 011 857 1534 or reply to any of our emails and we will gladly work it out with you.
Good luck with the sale, and happy baking.
The Modaks Kitchen