Exploring/Creating Custom Collection in BakeSmart

Custom Collections in BakeSmart are the foundational building blocks for creating Custom Products. A Collection defines the questions BakeSmart will ask when you build a product from it — such as size, flavor, filling, frosting, or decorations.

Think of a Collection as the base recipe: you create it once, then expand it by adding different choices later. A Collection itself is not a product, but a template that provides structure and consistency across the Custom Items you build from it.

What is a Custom Collection?

A Collection is a template, not a product itself.
It sets up the questions BakeSmart will prompt when creating a Custom Product (e.g., What size? What flavor?).
The actual answers (e.g., 8” Round, Chocolate, Vanilla Buttercream) are assigned later at the Custom Product level.

BakeSmart includes several preloaded Custom Collections to help you get started:

Custom Cakes
Custom Cookies
Custom Cake Pops
Custom Cupcakes
Custom Petit Fours

There is no limit to how many Collections you can create.

How Selections Work in a Collection

When creating a Collection, you decide which questions BakeSmart will ask by checking the boxes for the types of selections you want. Each selection type expands into its own detail menu when you later build products from the Collection.

Size – Defines sizes (e.g., 8” round, 10” round, ¼ sheet).
Shape – Defines baked-off shape (Round, Sheet, Square, Heart). Shapes appear on the Bake Report.
Layers – Allows alternating or stacked tiers (e.g., alternating Chocolate and Vanilla).
Flavor – Defines cake/cookie/cupcake base flavors.
Filling – Identifies interior fillings (e.g., jam, ganache, cream).
Frosting – Defines exterior finishes (e.g., Buttercream, Cream Cheese, Fondant).
Decorations – Pulls from Decoration Lists (e.g., Sprinkles, Drip, Writing).

💡 Important Distinction: Selections in a Collection do not assign the actual choices (Chocolate, Vanilla, etc.) — they only set up the framework for what will later be assigned to a Custom Product.

Additional Collection Options

Sort Order (Optional) – Controls display order in POS or online.
Include in Ordering – Makes this Collection available in the BakeSmart App for both staff-entered and customer-entered orders.
Include Online – Allows customers to access this Collection directly through your eCommerce site.
Include in Cake Builder – Enables this Collection in tiered cake builds.
Upload Photo (Optional) – Adds a representative image of what products built from this template may look like.

Steps to Create a Custom Collection

1. Navigate to Custom Collections

From the Dashboard, click Products.
In the left panel, select Product Types → Custom.
The Custom Items Collection menu will open.

2. Add a Collection

Click +Add Collection.
The New Collection Menu will open.

3. Name the Collection

Give it a clear, unique name (e.g., Custom Cake Collection).

4. Assign Selections

Check the boxes for the types of questions this template should ask (Size, Flavor, Frosting, etc.).
Remember: these are questions, not answers.

5. Set Availability

Include in Ordering (App + POS).
Include Online (public eCommerce, if you want customers to have access).
Include in Cake Builder (if relevant for multi-tier builds).

6. Set Sort Order or Upload Photo (Optional)

Helps with organization and recognition.

7. Save Collection

Click Save Collection and return to the Collections screen.

Best Practices

Build the Collection first → Then create Custom Products from it.
Keep naming clear → Bakers rely on Bake Reports, so be consistent.
Template = Questions → Choices like Chocolate or Vanilla are applied later when creating a Custom Product, not in the Collection itself.
Use “Include in Ordering” carefully → This gives both staff and customers access. If you want to restrict highly custom products from online orders, leave this unchecked.
Create separate Collections for fixed-design or seasonal products to simplify ordering.

Video Walkthrough

🎥 Video pending and will be added soon.

[How to Create a Custom Item from a Collection]

[How to Create Signature Products in BakeSmart]

[How to Build Bundles]

Keywords

Custom products, custom collection, templates, custom cakes, custom cupcakes, sizes, shapes, flavors, fillings, frostings, decorations, layers, cake builder, BakeSmart App, eCommerce