How Much Does a Full Sheet Cake Cost?

Last Updated on August 30, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

 The sheet cake is one of the simplest cakes. Usually, it is made of only a single layer and has either whipped frosting or buttercream on it. These cakes are baked in large and flat pans, and you can find them in most bakeries and grocery stores.

How Much Does a Full Sheet Cake Cost?

You should expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $135 for a sheet cake. There are several factors that will affect the cost of a sheet cake, such as the size of the cake, where you buy it from, whether it is a home baker or a reputable licensed baker, the ingredients that are used, the type of frosting, and the decorations. In the table below you will find the average cake pricing charged by some of the most popular bakeries and retailers in the United States for a sheet cake.

If you are living in Wisconsin, you can purchase sheet cake from Bettersweet Bakery. Plan on spending anywhere between $65 and $70 for a 12×18 sheet cake, which is enough for up to 40 servings, while the cost of a smaller size, of 9×13, will be anywhere between $40 and $45.

Rose Atwater presents some guidelines on her website talking about what you should spend on a sheet cake if you were to prepare one. According to her, the price per serving should be around $5.

According to members of the Baby Center online forum, the majority of the local grocery stores charge around $45 for half of a sheet cake and almost $25 for a ¼ sheet cake.

Sheet cake details

Most of the bakeries will serve a few popular flavors, but in general, you will find chocolate or vanilla. Most often, these two flavors will be the cheapest option. However, if you have a special request and want a certain flavor, most of the bakeries will be able to serve you for a premium, which is going to cost you a little more.

Sheet cake sizes

In general, sheet cakes are divided into several categories:

• a quarter sheet which is 9×13 inches and is enough for up to 30 people;
• a half sheet which is 11×15 inches and is enough for up to 50 people;
• a larger than average half sheet which is 12×18 inches and is enough for up to 60 people;
• a full sheet that is 16×24 inches and is enough for up to 80 people.

You can see the sheet cake size available in most bakeries in the table below.

 Can you frost sheet cake?

Of course, you can. Cool the sheet cake completely, then cover it with plastic wrap. It will preserve well for about 2 months in the freezer. Let it come to room temperature before serving.

Does sheet cake need to be refrigerated?

The sheet cake does not need to be refrigerated and will keep at room temperature for several days. Keep it covered or in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out. If you need to keep this cake for a longer time, it can be stored in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that refrigerators tend to dry out the cake, even if the cake is stored in an airtight container.

You might also like our articles on the cost of making cheesecake, crepes, or baklava.

 What are the additional expenses?

Please note that in case you want to have your cake delivered to your door, most of the bakeries will do it for you in exchange for a small fee. Though, this fee may increase if your location is outside the bakery’s radius. In general, the delivery fee costs anywhere between $30 and $55.

The costs can get higher due to the custom decorations which are offered by most local bakeries. For instance, you will have to pay another $60 to $360, if you would like to add chocolate handmade flowers or sugar flowers. The costs will be affected by the number of decorations and the size of the cake.

Be prepared to pay another $30 to $50, if you would like to add a simple fondant bow on the top or the side of the cake.

In case you need a custom cake topper or themed decorating according to the occasion, you will have to pay another $30 to $110, depending on the topper you choose.

The prices will increase by $7 to more than $30, in case you add specialty cake flavors, filling, and/or frosting outside of what the bakery includes in their cake in general.

A bakery where you can eat the best sheet cake

• SusieCakes – With locations across California, this bakery is renowned for its from-scratch sheet cakes like red velvet. A quarter sheet serves 20 people for $55.
• The Cheesecake Factory – Headquartered in California, they are known for indulgent, dense fudge sheet cakes that cost about $60 for a 1/4 sheet.
• Agora Bakery – This Atlanta, Georgia bakery earns praise for flavors like lemon raspberry and their quarter sheet cakes start at $75.
• Milk Bar – With locations in New York and beyond, they specialize in unique cake flavors like cereal milk. Their sheet cakes start at $95.