Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Make money selling cakes, jams and sweets
MoneyMagpie team
5th Aug 2020
Make money by selling cakes, jams and sweets at local car boot sales, markets and even shops. If everyone loves your homemade sweet treats it’s likely that you could make money from them!
Take a look at our guide to making and selling your delicious creations below, and see some of the great comments from readers too. They’ve left some helpful tips and links for you!
- Make extra cash – or even a regular income – from home baked goodies
- Our step-by-step guide to help you start selling cakes, sweets and jams
make cash from selling cakes
The beautiful thing about earning by baking is that it’s straightforward and flexible. It isn’t something that you necessarily have to do regularly – if you’re a little short of cash one week, it’s easy enough to hunt down your next local car boot sale and get baking. All you’ll really need is to have a good few recipes under your belt and a reasonable idea of what people would buy.
You don’t have to be qualified for this, but there are hundreds of baking/cake decorating courses you can go on which are likely to benefit the quality of your products. You can find courses at LearnDirect. The Food Standards Agency has also got some useful information on starting up a food business if you decide that baking is the business for you.
Here’s our foolproof six-step guide to help you make money selling cakes, jams and sweets:
Step-by-step guide to help you make money selling cakes
Step 1: Research
Take a trip to your local car boot sale or farmers’ market and look for which food stalls are the busiest. If it seems like jam is the ‘in-thing’ and there aren’t that many stalls that sell it, you’ve found your product.
If you’re at a car boot and there aren’t any stalls that make money selling cakes or other food, then it’s a good idea to take a look at the people that are there. Are they the sort who would prefer to buy upmarket, fancy, homemade produce or a couple of 10p fairy cakes to nibble on while they have a browse for basement bargains? Make the kind of cakes and sweets you think you could sell easily.
Ask your family and friends what they’d like. Try to ask a wide range of people and see if you come out with any unanimous decisions. Also, speak to any cake sellers you see at fairs and markets and ask them which cakes sell best.
It’s also important to make sure you keep on the right side of the law. Legislation says that all food businesses must register their kitchens with their local authority unless they operate on a “casual and limited” basis only.
If you’re simply selling cakes once in a blue moon at a car boot sale or market then you don’t need to worry. However, if you are planning on doing this regularly, contact your local council and ask them what the rules are. If you do have to register your kitchen, it’s totally free to do so.
Be aware that if you want to make money selling cakes or other food produce regularly, the FSA has a range of free information on its web site to ensure you can do this safely and stay on the right side of the law. There‘s plenty of good hygiene advice too on the NHS Choices web site.
Step 2: do your Costings
If you want to make money selling cakes and other produce, you need to do some basic costings.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. You’ll need to take into consideration:
- How much ingredients cost
- Cost of the sale location fee (car boot sale/farmers market fee) if there is one
- Cost of travel to the location
- Cost of the food packaging (keep it simple to start with – clingfilm will do in some places)
- Initial cost of food hygiene training (if you’re planning on regular sales)
- Cost of labels/general stationery/invoicing pads
- Extra cost of gas or electricity for your oven
Once you’ve worked out how much all of this is likely to cost you, you should be able to work out how much you’ll need to sell your cakes, sweets and jams for to break even and then make a profit.
While you do your research, you should be taking note of other stallholders who make money selling cakes and foods, to get a rough idea of how much you can reasonably expect to charge.
If you have to price your products extortionately just to make a profit, see if there’s anywhere you can cut back on costs. Shop around for cheaper ingredients or look for different locations that aren’t as pricey.
Step 3: Experiment with recipes
Once you’ve got a good idea of the kind of people you’re going to make money selling cakes to, it’s time to get your product sorted. You’ll need to come up with a range of different products to make this work.
If you want to sell jams, then make taster pots of all different flavours and try out different variations of ingredients. For you to make money selling cakes, you need to try out different methods, ingredients, flavours, and fillings. With sweets test out different recipes. You could try focusing on one area, like chocolate, fudge, or maybe even health food!
Get your friends and family to try all your samples out and find out which are the most popular choices. They’ll likely be more than willing to help!
It’s worth knowing that at farmers’ markets, you’re not likely to make money selling cakes unless you use local, organic ingredients. People who go to these events look for traditional homemade foods and one of the pros of shopping for food at a farmers’ market is that you’re able to ask the stallholder precisely where the food is from and how it was made.
Stallholders at farmers’ markets should be prepared to give honest, credible answers to customers – so factor these more expensive ingredients into your budget. Remember that people are usually willing to pay for high quality.
Step 4: Get the right location
Before you decide to make a real go of this, it’s advisable to give it a few test runs somewhere that isn’t going to cost you the earth.
Try out a stall at a car boot sale first, because it will only cost you between £5 and £15 to set up there. You can find your nearest car boot sale on Carbootjunction.
For more information on car boot sales you can read our full guide here.
Once you’re more established, you might consider going a little more upmarket, although if you have cracked the car boot market you could also simply increase the number of cakes you take with you and let your business grow that way.
There are a number of other outlets that will let you make money selling cakes or other goods, such as the Women’s Institute, which runs country markets around the UK. It costs just 5p to join, and they’ll take about 10% commission on sales to cover the costs of the market.
To join, all you need is to pop down to your local market and have a word with the controller. You can find the contact details for your local market on the website or you can call their head office on 01246 261508 for more information.
To set up a stall at a farmers’ market and make money selling cakes, you need to find one local to you. You can do this by searching the Local Foods website for your nearest market. The website doesn’t deal directly with the people who run the markets so you can contact them via the details they provide on the site.
Step 5: Get the presentation right
Presentation is important, particularly if you sell at an upmarket venue. Consider your customers: are they going to want something ‘cheap and cheerful’, or posh-looking homemade produce? Funnily enough, some of the more expensive jams and cakes have ‘the rustic look’: you could find yourself charging a lot for produce which looks especially homely!
Packaging can affect your sales in a big way. Ribbon is cheap if you buy in bulk from a haberdashery store, and can neaten up any edges around your cakes. If you want to make money selling cakes and jams, it’s worth getting some fancy labels printed, or spending some time decorating your own. You could experiment with themed packaging around holidays like Easter and Christmas, and for days like Valentine’s Day and Hallowe’en.
Whatever you use to package your products, it’s important to remember that you’re dealing with food. This means that you are limited to certain types of packaging depending on what food you’re selling. It’s mainly the use of adhesives which is restricted but again – you’ll need to contact your local council for more information.
Step 6: make money selling cakes a serious business
A simple way to get some repeat business is to get some business cards printed off.
If you’re making cakes, you could then advertise the fact that you bake to order for parties and events (if your kitchen can take the strain!)
Pop into local cafés and coffee shops (not the chain outlets), hand them your card and make your services known – maybe even provide them with a few samples.
If you thought this article on how to make money selling cakes was sweet, we think you’ll also love…
Useful links
- GOV.UK’s Local Council Directory
- LearnDirect
- Got a sweet money-making idea? Tell us about it on our Facebook page.
hi if anyone is interested in setting this up selling cupcakes,biscuits and cakes kindly let me know . I have already prepared a business plan and intend to market on line and offline.
robs
Much success to you with your cake and jam business. I plan to start a cupcake business and would love a copy of your business plan.
Hi Rob, I am considering turning my hobby of baking cakes in to a business and would appreciate a copy of your business plan and any advice you could give on how to get started. Thanks!
Hi there,
Am thinking of doing exactly as you describe here in Palma de Mallorca. Just putting together plan so any help would be very much appreciated
Marcus
In Palma Mallorca… Lucky b@stard :p
Hi Rob
I too would be interested in a copy of your business plan, as I am hoping to start up a cupcake and cookie stall, so any help would be great.
[email protected]
Good luck with the business
Sharon
Hi,
A copy of the plan would be most appreciated as I would like to share my wife and daughters splendid efforts with everyone else.
Thanks
just considering developing my hobby into something more, so would be v grateful for a copy of your business plan
Hi Rob
I hope your business runs well sounds like you have it all under control! I am also thinking of starting up a jams/preserves and cookies business from home and would really welcome your thoughts and business plan ideas.
Sarah-Jane :o)
Hi Rob,
Please could you email me a copy of your business plan too.
Thanks,
Dough Girl
Please could you send me a copy of your business plan, am just starting out and welcome any advice.
Hi Rob,
Good luck.
I am planning to start up a business selling cakes and patisserie.
A copy of your business plan would be greatly appreciated.
Holly
Hi Like many others I would welcome any advice that you can give in relation planning a business from home and selling cakes. Many thanks and best wishes Flossie
Hi Rob, I have just stumbled across this page and I am currently setting up a “mini” business selling my cakes and biscuits from home , doing orders for parties and cupcakes for weddings. Please can you send me a copy of your business plan? I am struggling a little to know where to start, pricing etc. Any help would be appreciated.I am in Lancashire. Regards and good luck with your venture x
Hi Rob,
I am seriously thinking of setting up my own cupcake business and start by selling from home and at boot sales etc. Could I also have a copy of your business plan please.
Many Thanks,
Lisa
[email protected]
[email protected] im defiantly interested in starting up a cake business i already have business cards an plenty of experience would you please email me your business plan thank you
stacie
Hi Rob i would really appreciate it if you could send me your business plan. I would like to start selling my cakes from home and could do with the help! My email is [email protected].
Thank you!
Hi Rob, I have just come across this website after deciding to look into selling cakes from home. I have been thinking about it on and off for a while and being a full-time mum it seems like a good opportunity to do something that I enjoy as well as earning some pennies! Just wondered whether you were still emailing your business plan out and if so would be grateful to receive a copy.
Many thanks,
Nat
Rob I would love to see a copy of the business plan. I make muffins and everybody that has had some ask where I buy them from!!!! So as you can imagine this is something I am very interested in. My email is [email protected]
Hi Rob do you still have the business plan? If you do please can you email me a copy thank you, [email protected]
Hi Rob, I would be interested in a copy of your business plan if still available? I am just in the process of setting up my home baking business. Many thanks Rachael [email protected]
Hi Rob, I would also be interested in a copy of your business plan if it’s still available? I am considering setting up my home baking business. Thanks, David [email protected]
Hi Rob
If you are still sending out the business plan could I have a copy as i’m considering starting a business up
thanks
Kevin [email protected]
Hi Rob,
I am starting to make gluten-free products and would like to sell them in cafe’s near me. I would love a copy of your business plan if it’s still available? My e-mail is [email protected] Many Thanks, Rosie
Hi Rob, are you still offering your business plan, if so i would be grateful if you would send me a copy to [email protected].
thanks Sam
Hi Rob
I would be very interested in using your business plan. I have hopes of setting up a small baking business from home. My email is [email protected]
Thanks so much
IE
hi rob i would love a copy of your business plan as i am considering baking cupcakes for markets weddings birthdays etc my email address is [email protected] thankyou
Hi Rob,
I would love a copy of your business plan please. My email is [email protected]. I have just set up my cake decorating business and would love advice on how to make it successful. I really look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Louise Duke
HI ROB, I would be very interested in a copy of your
business plan if you are still sending out copy’s, many thanks ,[email protected]
hi rob,
like everyone id appreciate a little advice on this. what i really want is a list of the health and safety requirements, (i have all the leaflets but they not overly clear for domestic premises) im starting a mini business from home and any advice would be welcome
[email protected]
many thanks
corrinne xx
hi rob,
like everyone id appreciate a little advice on this. what i really want is a list of the health and safety requirements, (i have all the leaflets but they not overly clear for domestic premises) im starting a mini business from home and any advice would be welcome
[email protected]
many thanks
corrinne xx
hi rob,
like everyone id appreciate a little advice on this. what i really want is a list of the health and safety requirements, (i have all the leaflets but they not overly clear for domestic premises) im starting a mini business from home and any advice would be welcome
[email protected]
many thanks
corrinne xx
hi rob,
like everyone id appreciate a little advice on this. what i really want is a list of the health and safety requirements, (i have all the leaflets but they not overly clear for domestic premises) im starting a mini business from home and any advice would be welcome
[email protected]
many thanks
corrinne xx
I am a good baker but I do not know how to start the business ,send me information at ltonitee5585@gmail,com
I am a good baker but I do not know how to start the business ,send me information at ltonitee5585@gmail,com
I am a good baker but I do not know how to start the business ,send me information at ltonitee5585@gmail,com
Hi Rob. I would be interested in a copy of your business plan if it is still available. Thanks SARAH
[email protected]
Hi Rob
I’m interested in your plan.
Could you contact me at [email protected] please.
Thanks
Hi could you send me the plan if this is still available please, it would be very appreciated [email protected]
R u still willing to share your business plan. I’m in early stages of setting up my cake making business but it’s a mine field out there so any advice would be gratefully received. [email protected].
Kind regards
Marie
Hi Rob, if you are still sending out copies of your business plan I would be very interested to receive one. Many thanks [email protected]
Hi Rob, if you are still sending out copies of your business plan I would be very interested to receive one. Many thanks [email protected]
Hi Rob, if you are still sending out copies of your business plan I would be very interested to receive one. Many thanks [email protected]
Hiya Rob, if you are still sending your business plan I would be ever so grateful if you can send one out to me too. I have a deadline to complete my business plan and have been struggling a little. Any help would be great! Thank you! Safa 🙂 [email protected]
Hi rob,
Would u be so kind to share your information regarding starting a business for baked goods? [email protected]
Hi Rob
Could I please get a copy of your business plan!
[email protected]
07791 302026
Thanks
Hi Rob, I want to start a business out of my kitchen making chocolates and would love some guidance from you, if you could send me a copy of the business plan
that would be much appreciated. Many thanks. Iya [email protected]
hI Rob just found you n this site looking to set up a small cake business from home are you still emailing your business plan please?
Hi Rob, I would love a copy of your plan if possible.
Thanks
Sharon
Hi,I would love a copy of your business plan please.
Hi Rob, Can u send me business plan? Im making cakes for friends from time to time and i would like to sell them.
[email protected]
Thanks,
Maggie
Hi Rob, I am planning to do exactly the same thing as you. I’m based in Warrington and I’ve finally decided to go for it. I’ve been doing some major experimenting on my Kenwood kmix and I’m going to start selling at farmers market. I would very much apreciate taking a look at your business plan as I have no idea where to start regarding that side of the business. My email is [email protected]. Thank you
HI, just started selling cakes from home would appreciate seeing your business plan if it is still available. My email is [email protected] Thank you.
Hi rob , can you send me a copy of your business plan please
Hi R
ob, I am supporting a disabled lady to set up a business selling homemade jams and would really appreciate seeing a copy of your business plan. It would save me so much time and help the person I am supporting to progress quicker. My email is [email protected] Thanks a lot:-)
Hi Rob
I am just setting out and would value a look at your business plan if its still available.
Kind regards
Hi Rob,
any chance of a copy of the business plan please.
Many thanks.
email person2person @hotmail.com
Hello! I am also thinking of this prior to opening a cafe in a few years. It would be great to see your plan if you don’t mind. My
Email is [email protected]. Thanks! Michele
Hi Rob,
I am thinking in setting up a cake stall in my local market and I would love a copy of your business plan if ok. My email: [email protected]
hi Rob
i am interested in setting up a cake business but stock with the business plan would love a copy if you don’t mine my email [email protected]
Could you please forward me a copy?
Hi Rob, could you please forward me a copy? [email protected]. Many thanks!
Hi Robs,
I would love to take a look at your business plan if you can kindly email a copy too. my email address is [email protected]
Thanks!
Hi Rob, I too would be interested in a copy of your business plan as I am thinking of setting up a cake business.
Regards,
Mary
[email protected]
Hi Rob,
i would love a copy please. me and my mum are looking to start off small baking and selling things from home and would like more info.
thanks
[email protected]
Hi Rob, Please send me your business plan and all othe info i need to start a cake / biscuits business..
I am a lot for friends and families but i’m planning on full time.. Thanks
Hi Rob, I would be interested in your business plan. Could you please email it to me? [email protected]
This is a really great piece of information..I don’t currently have any certificates as been trying thsee if its worth it.by doing a couple of farmers markets,I am planning on getting these soon as my cakes do sell well…in the mean while I was wondering what the consequences are if I were to get approached by the council? Thanks for your help.
Hi,
Is anyone from Merseyside area, I’m thinking of setting up a jam & chutney making business. Can anyone give any advice or would be interested?
[email protected]
Hi,
I’m looking to start selling continental style cakes and bakes in Bristol area.
If there is anyone interested in joining forces and do this together please get in touch.
Hiya,
I am looking to start selling cakes in the Bristol area. I was actually meant to have a car boot today, which unfortunately was cancelled due to the weather, so I now have a load of unsold cakes, and not sure what to do with them. If anyone has any ideas, or a stall I could perhaps have a corner of that would be brilliant.
Thanks very much
Charlotte
freeze your cakes and use sponges to make up rumballs, they sell well at markets.
hi is anyone interested in setting up their own business with me in the london area on a market stall kindly drop me a line I can get the merchandise very cheap must be hard working and motivated and committed.
[email protected]
Hi!
I’m looking at starting to sell cupcakes in the west yorkshire area, been looking into Public Liability Insurance, contacted my local authority and even contacted every small, large and inbetween craft fair I could find!
Fingers crossed it goes well!
If anyone has any advice it would be gratefully received at: [email protected]
Thanks
Katie
Hello I’m from Hertfordshire and would like to bake cakes and sell them at local markets and car boots, and wanted to know if there’s anyone who’d like to join me as it would be better doing this kind of venture with somebody else for the company and also I think it’ll be fun! So please get in touch with me through my email add if you’re interested- [email protected]
Hi Mo, I’m from hertfordshire, let me know your plans, pls feel free to email me on [email protected]
Hi
I live in dorset and i am interested in setting up a cup cake business and wondered if anybody would be interested in joining me. if anybody is interested please email me on [email protected]. Thankyou
Hi all I live in Essex, and am confused in this article it says that if you don’t sell regularly that you don’t have to register with the local council and don’t need food & hygiene. But then other people have commented saying that you have to register so what is it???? I make cakes for friends and family who do pay me for them, and I also once in a blue moon have a stall at a pamper night, can someone tell me if they think I have to register? Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks
Jo
Are you still in Essex making the cakes I would like to know what you found out about insurance and baking at home. I am Essex borders and want to do the same. Please email me s9 [email protected]
I to love to bake cakes 🙂 have now for many years. I have just started baking cake pops…….all my friends loved them. I would so love to set up with someone selling home baked cakes 🙂 and do the job i love doing.
Hi,
What area are you in? Im thinking of setting up the same thing selling cake pops but in the North Yorks area?