How much does a cake cost in Europe in 2026?
We read the published price lists of 124 pastry shops and cake makers in 11 countries in November 2026 and compared what a classic celebration cake costs – per kilogram where shops sell by weight, and per slice where they price by portion.
In short
Where shops publish a price per kilogram, the median celebration cake costs between €23.00 and €30.82 per kg (median of the countries: about €24.52). Where they price per slice, the median is €3.38 to €6.50 per slice. These are samples of published prices, not official statistics – the country reports below list every shop and source.
- Countries differ in how they price: Italy, Spain, Poland, Czechia and Slovakia mostly sell by the kilo, while Slovenia, Croatia, France and the Netherlands price per slice or per person.
- The most expensive per-kg median in our sample is Germany (€30.82), the lowest Slovakia (€23.00).
- Per slice, France leads with a median of €6.50; Hungary is the lowest at about €3.38.
- Decoration, fondant, figures and tiers can double the base price – the medians are for plain cream cakes.
- Your own price should start from your costs, not from a neighbour’s price list: use the cost price calculator and the selling price calculator.
- pastry shops with published price lists
- 124
- countries compared
- 11
- median per kg across countries that sell by weight
- €24.52
- median per slice across countries that price by portion
- €4.05
Cake prices per kilogram
In the countries where shops sell celebration cakes by weight, a kilogram costs between €23.00 and €30.82 at the median.
The chart shows the median price per kg of a plain celebration cake in each country, converted to euros. It only includes shops that publish a price per kg, or a price together with the weight of the cake.
Germany is based on only three shops that publish a weight, so treat it as an indication. Hungary is left out here because almost all Hungarian shops price per slice; it is in the per-slice chart.
- Germany€30.82
- Italy€27.50
- Spain€24.79
- Czechia€24.24 (606 CZK)
- Poland€23.65 (101.70 PLN)
- Slovakia€23.00
Converted at approximately 4.3 PLN, 25 CZK and 400 HUF per euro.
Median of the shops in each country report that publish a price per kg.
Cake prices per slice
Where cakes are priced per portion, a slice of a celebration cake costs from about €3.38 to €6.50 at the median.
In Slovenia, Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary, most pastry shops quote a price per slice or per guest, usually with a minimum number of portions. A slice typically weighs 100–150 g, but few shops state it, so we did not convert these prices to kilograms.
- France€6.50
- Germany€5.07
- Netherlands€4.09
- Croatia€4.02
- Slovenia€3.99
- Hungary€3.38 (1,350 HUF)
Median of the shops in each country report that publish a price per slice, portion or guest.
What makes one cake cost twice as much as another
Decoration and labour, not ingredients, explain most of the difference between a plain and a showpiece cake.
- Decoration: fondant covering, sugar flowers, figures and drip or gold effects are charged extra or move the cake to a higher price band.
- Tiers and structure: tiered cakes need supports, more assembly time and careful delivery.
- Fillings: fruit mousses, pistachio or chocolate ganache cost more than a classic cream filling.
- Delivery and set-up: many shops add a fee per kilometre or a flat delivery charge.
- VAT: most published prices include VAT; small businesses below the VAT threshold may not charge it.
- City and reputation: capital-city patisseries and well-known names sit at the top of every country’s range.
How to set your own price
Start from your own cost per portion, add a fair hourly rate and margin, then compare with the local market.
A typical worked example: a cake for 20 portions with €35 of ingredients and packaging, 3 hours of work at €15 per hour and €3 of energy costs €83 to make – €4.15 per portion before margin and VAT. With a 30 % margin and 9.5 % VAT that becomes about €6.50 per portion. These figures are illustrative.
The cost price calculator works out your cost per piece, and the selling price calculator adds margin and VAT for your country.
Country reports
Each country has its own report in its language, with every shop, city, price and source.
Read the full report for your country: Slovenia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Spain, France, Netherlands.
How we collected the prices
We only used prices published on the shops’ own websites, checked in November 2026.
- 124 shops and cake makers in 11 countries, a mix of big cities and small towns.
- For each shop we took the base price of a plain celebration (birthday) cake; decorated, tiered and wedding cakes are reported separately in the country reports.
- A price per kg was used only when the shop publishes it or states the weight of the cake; otherwise we used the price per slice or portion.
- Local currencies were converted at rounded rates (4.3 PLN, 25 CZK, 400 HUF per euro); check the current ECB reference rates.
- The samples are small and not representative of all shops – they show typical published prices, not statistics.
Checklist
- Calculate your cost per portion before you look at anyone else’s price.
- Decide whether you sell by the kilo or by the portion – and stay consistent.
- Write down your base price for a plain cake and a surcharge list for decorations.
- Set a minimum order (for example 8 or 10 portions).
- State clearly whether your prices include VAT and delivery.
- Compare your result with the report for your country and adjust if you are far off.
- Review your prices at least once a year when ingredient costs change.
Checklist as a PDF
We e-mail it to you so you can print or keep it.
Glossary
- Median
- The middle value when prices are sorted – half of the shops are cheaper, half more expensive. It is less distorted by one very expensive shop than the average.
- Price per portion
- The price of one slice or one guest’s share of a cake; many shops set a minimum number of portions.
Official sources
- ECB – euro foreign exchange reference rates
- Slovenia – Majine torte, Domžale – cenik (velja od 17. 3. 2026)
- Croatia – Magic Cakes, Čista Mlaka – osnovni MPC cjenik (vrijedi od 15. 10. 2026.)
- Germany – Hamova Konditorei, Magdeburg – Motivtorten-Preise
- Italy – Pasticceria Palmieri, Roma – listino prezzi
- Hungary – Nándori Cukrászda (Budapest) – árlista
- Poland – Cukiernia Cieślikowski (Warszawa): cennik
- Czechia – Pečeno HT, České Budějovice – ceník dortů (oslavní, svatební, ceny včetně DPH)
- Slovakia – Tortiva (Topoľčany) – cenník
- Spain – Pastelería Coca, Palma – tarta fresa nata
- France – Pâtisseries et Féerie : tarifs cake design (Montmiral)
- Netherlands – Delicate Cakes, Oldenzaal – prijzen taarten
This report is a sample of published prices for information only, not official statistics or pricing advice. Prices change; check the shops’ current price lists. Last checked 10 November 2026.
