Start a Home Bakery

1. 1

   Read your state's cottage food law

   Every state lists which foods qualify (usually shelf-stable baked goods), annual sales caps, and where you can sell. This one page defines your whole business.

2. 2

   Get the permit and labels right

   Most states require a food handler card, sometimes a kitchen inspection, and specific labels listing ingredients, allergens, and 'made in a home kitchen'. Cheap, but non-negotiable.

3. 3

   Pick three signature items

   Cinnamon rolls, decorated sugar cookies, sourdough. A short menu you can batch beats a full bakery case, and one signature item becomes your name around town.

4. 4

   Price with real margin

   Total your ingredient cost per batch and charge three to four times it. Custom and decorated orders carry the premium; do not price against grocery stores.

5. 5

   Take pre-orders in local groups

   Post a weekly bake schedule in neighborhood Facebook groups with a simple order form. Pre-orders mean you never bake without a buyer.

6. 6

   Book a market table

   A farmers market booth puts your food in front of hundreds of locals and turns into custom orders and holiday pre-sales for months afterward.

Do not take our word for the money. Put your own numbers in and see what this idea has to earn before it works. Free, instant, no account needed.