Food for fundraisers and fetes

Successful fundraiser tips

Food is a popular fundraising item, but if you're new to setting up a cake stall these tips will set you on the right path:

• Don't neglect presentation: food that looks nice always sells well. Package things in cellophane bags tied with ribbon, pipe your icing onto your cupcakes, and tidy up the sides of your cakes. Don't forget to plan the look of your stall either – cover the table with a cloth or sheet and place all your goodies on cake stands and in baskets.

• Sell by the slice: if you choose to make whole cakes, plan to sell at least one by the slice. Not only can this make you more money, but it can encourage people who like the cake to come back and buy a whole one later.
• List the ingredients: we live in an era where a lot people suffer from food allergies, so make sure you're aware of all the ingredients, especially those that contain nuts and eggs.
• Make something for everyone: remember that a lot of people are gluten and lactose intolerant, and suffer from nut allergies, so try to ensure there's something to sell to everyone. Toffees, chocolates and coconut ice are all great for those with allergies.
• Make old favourites: no matter how fancy the venue, or how much macarons may now be in fashion, it is guaranteed that old favourites such as honey joys, chocolate crackles and coconut ice will be first to go. There's something nostalgic about a cake sale, and people love buying all their old childhood favourites first.
• Package them up: sell small bags of slices, biscuits and chocolate crackles, so that they're easy to share around.
• Sell it all: if you have anything left at the end of the day, drop your prices to ensure they sell. Every dollar counts so don't be afraid to bargain to ensure you get rid of it all.

Rocky road

Made with a mix of childhood favourite ingredients: marshmallows, snakes, peanuts and chocolate, there's little wonder why this one's so popular. For a bit of variety, try making two different types – one with milk chocolate and one with white. And if you're after an easy way of dividing it into portions, think about making it in a muffin tin.

• Avocado and French Onion Dip
• Rocky Road Divine
• Kid Friendly Rocky Road
• Mini Rocky Road Cups

Toffees and toffee apples

Toffees, caramels and toffee apples all look irresistible when glistening in their cellophane bags. These fundraiser favourites are cheap to make and always sell well, just remember to take care when making caramel as it can easily splatter and cause burns. If you always struggle making caramel, you can find all the tips to success here:

• How to make caramel

And then, once you've mastered the basics, you can showcase your skills with these fundraiser favourites:

• Toffee Apples
• Toffees
• Children's Toffees
• Microwave Caramel Toffee

Slices

Make any one of these delicious slices and cut into individual serves to sell on the day. You can also place a number of small squares on a plate to sell so that people have some to take home later.

• CWF's Jelly Slice
• Caramel Slice
• Coconut Ice
• Mars Bar Slice

Chocolate Crackles and Honey Joys

These two fundraiser classics are popular with everyone. If you're planning a fundraiser for children, let your little ones help out with the mixing and pouring. And for something a little more fancy, try making the chocolate crackles with a high quality dark chocolate or swap out your normal supermarket honey to make the honey joys with a floral version. These little touches put an adult spin on a childhood favourite without losing the essence of what makes them so popular.

• Chocolate Crackles
• Quick Chocolate Crackles
• Honey Joys
• Fairy Clouds

Truffles

From decadent dark chocolate truffles to pretty rolled white truffle balls, these handmade chocolate treats are always popular items. Make a few different varieties and package them up into small cellophane bags to sell on the day.

• Easy Chocolate and Condensed Milk Truffles
• Truffle Balls
• Truffles
• Chocolate Truffles

Fudge

There are few people that can resist fudge, so don't go past this one to sell at your next fundraiser. Fudge is a great item to either sell by the square, or in a small slab. Alternatively, make a mixed plate of a few types that people can take home for later.

• Dave's Fantastic Fudge
• Microwave Macadamia Fudge
• Grandfather's Fudge
• Choc-Cherry Fudge

Cakes

Cupcakes, lamingtons and butterfly cakes are a fundraiser dream come true. These little cakes are easy to make, come in perfect individual portions and are loved by young and old alike. However for an absolute show-stopper, try making a few larger cakes and sell them by the slice. Sponges, carrot cakes and multilayer cakes are all great options that people love to enjoy on the day while strolling among the wares.

• Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Topping
• Vanilla Cupcakes
• Lamingtons
• Mix All Together Chocolate Cake

For more delicious fete and cake stall ideas, flick through our slice collection.