Make money selling cakes, jams and sweets

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Make money by making cakes, jams and sweets and selling them at local car boot sales and markets. There are lots of things you can make – fudge, chocolate truffles, cupcakes, fruit cakes and jams. Whatever you’re good at, you could sell.

Cash from your 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 on a regular basis – 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 selling your home-made cakes, jams and sweets:

Steps to success

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 selling 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 research the food safety standards you’ll have to meet to 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 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 making an income in this way, contact your local council and ask them what the rules are in your area: oddly the laws vary depending on where you live.For example, in some places you will need to become a registered trader even if you only sell your food once every couple of months. If you do have to register your kitchen, it’s totally free to do so and the council is obliged to accept your application.

Be aware that if you’re regularly selling food produce, it’s highly likely you’ll need to take a course in food hygiene. You can do this over the internet and it’ll cost you about £30. The course is mostly just common sense so it’s reasonably easy and you can complete it in your own time.

Step 2: Costings

If you want to make this moneymaking scheme worth your while, 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 how much other stallholders sell their cakes and foods for, 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: Recipe experimentation

Once you’ve got a good idea of the kind of people you’re going to be selling 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 cakes, 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 sell much 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.

It’s also important to get the right equipment. This Tefal Electric Jam Maker will make any jam maker’s day much easier. It does cost a fair bit but if you want to be able to make jam on a regular basis it could be a worthwhile investment.

Step 4: 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.com.

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 sell your 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, you just need 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, you need to find one local to you. You can do this by searching the Certified Farmers’ Markets 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: Presentation

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’re selling 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: Taking it further

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’re looking to make a real business out of this, there are a lot more things you’ll have to consider.

If you thought this article was sweet we think you’ll also love…

1o Ways To Make Quick Cash
Make Money In Your Lunch Hour
Feed Your Family For Less – a Moneymagpie bestseller!

Useful contacts

DirectGov’s Local Council Directory
Carbootjunction
Certified farmers markets
WI/country markets
LearnDirect
Jobsgrapevine – Cooking forum
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44 Responses to “Make money selling cakes, jams and sweets”

Katie says:

May 9, 2012 at 12:08 pm

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: katy.999@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks

Katie

Reply
Mo says:

April 17, 2012 at 6:42 pm

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- mobina02@yahoo.co.uk

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amanda ball says:

April 16, 2012 at 8:52 pm

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 mandy.ball@talktalk.net. Thankyou

Reply
Jo says:

April 14, 2012 at 9:29 pm

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

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ALEXANDREA JONES says:

April 13, 2012 at 10:29 am

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.

Reply
- Louise says:
  
  May 6, 2012 at 10:43 pm
  
  Hi,
  What area are you in? Im thinking of setting up the same thing selling cake pops but in the North Yorks area?
  
  Reply
Ashley says:

March 15, 2012 at 4:05 am

Hello. This is a great article. As an entrepreneur it is important to know how to prepare and present a price to a client. I’d like to suggest reading this article : timedoctor.com/biz3.0/how-to-prepare-quotes-for-clients-that-get-accepted/ , to be guided on the do’s and don’ts on selling.

Reply
Cheryl says:

February 25, 2012 at 1:28 pm

Hi,

I would love to sell cakes and fruit pies at a local car boot sale or market. I haven’t done this before and wondered if anyone would be interested joining me?

It would be great having someone else on board. So if there’s anyone who’s interested selling cakes and pies with me in London please contact me.
cherylcthomp@aol.com

Reply
Marie says:

February 21, 2012 at 6:56 pm

Hi

I run a small business hiring vintage china in Leicestershire. I am thinking of setting up a vintage tea club once a week for a couple of hours in our village hall and would like to provide home made cakes and cookies. I have an old food hygiene certificate would this still be valid or as its only once a week would I need one?

many thanks

Marie

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- Jules Pringle says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 2:01 pm
  
  Hello. To sell cakes to the public you will need a current food hygiene Level 2 certificate (retail) and you have to register your business with the local council – Environmental health where they will come and check where you will be baking from. Even though cake baking is low risk there are a few hoops to jump. I am just going through the process now to have a cake stall at a local craft fair. Next thing I need is insurance but don’t know which one to get. some are very costly!
  
  Regards
  
  Reply
- rob says:
  
  April 12, 2012 at 3:08 pm
  
  hi if anyone is interested in selling cakes,biscuits in a local London market please kindly drop me a line
  robs331@hotmail.co.uk
  
  Reply
Samantha says:

January 30, 2012 at 1:47 am

I want to start my own small business of chutneys and I did little research the Flavours I want to make is not in market , how can I start , I just have my grans recipes and £50 .

Reply
- Roland Mclean says:
  
  April 17, 2012 at 7:50 am
  
  hi sam try dragons den… or your local enterprise trust enquire about that from your local jobcentre , helps small businesses set ups ..ive even thought of a good name for your jams ..(SAMS JAMS) if you need any help via advice etc please feel free 2 contact me on BURNLEY 01282-429282 MY HOME TEL NUMBER..im hoping to look at a new business , selling flowers, fruit n veg here in lancashire on an antiques fair..i would happily like to purchase some of your new recipes..also u can fine me on facebook type in ROLAND MCLEAN MACHESTER not the 1 with the lancashire red rose, im the one in red t .shirt on a red scooter..kind regards MAC.
  
  Reply
BRIAN SU says:

December 27, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Hello

Anyone can share ideas about cake baking and selling? I am based in Redhill Surrey.

At the moment we are renting a coach house so I was told no commercial baking allowed due to insurance and landlord policy. What is the best option if I want to make my cakes and sell them on weekends and sell online?

my email: briansu31@yahoo.co.uk

Please share

Brian

Reply
- Jules Pringle says:
  
  February 23, 2012 at 2:11 pm
  
  Hi Brian
  
  I am currently going through the procedures to be able to run a cupcake and fudge stall at a local craft fair. Both very low risk but still need to get the go ahead. I live in rented accommodation and have just registered with the local council – environmental health, they actually came around today and it was quite a smooth process. They can randomly check stalls and markets and other places so this is law. I have also just completed my Level 2 food hygiene (retail) which I did online to make life a bit easier. Apart from this information, unless your landlord has something in the contract, you will be allowed to bake from home as long as you register that address as your ‘business’. I need to look at insurance now then I should be ready.
  
  Reply
- Peter says:
  
  April 6, 2012 at 9:21 pm
  
  Hi,
  
  great idea, if you want to sell your cakes online, try websites like gigzon.com where you can offer products for up to 100 and even sell locally.
  
  Hope you like it, I do sell stuff there and it is great.
  
  Reply
Ladypezza says:

November 15, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Hi everyone,

I’m an avid baker in Blackheath and people keep telling me I should start selling my cakes but I really don’t know where to start and would ideally like someone to collaborate with!

I work fulltime as it is so wouldn’t want this to take over my day job but would love to be able to sell the cakes I make as a hobby.

Reply
- wayne says:
  
  November 25, 2011 at 7:26 pm
  
  Hi,
  
  would you consider working with someone in Thames Valley area who has knowledge of food industry?
  
  be great to hear from you if interested
  
  evans_wayne@hotmail.com
  
  Reply
  - Liz Allan says:
    
    January 24, 2012 at 10:39 pm
    
    Hi Wayne, I know that this post was back in November but please let me know if you are still interested as I am looking for help with my allergy friendly home-based bakery just outside Reading.
    
    Reply
Joe says:

October 24, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Hi I am thinking of selling sweets in cellophane cones. Do I need to be registered and require insurance. I don’t know if it will take off or not so worried I don’t want to end up in debt before I even start making any money.

Reply
- Rebecca Mays says:
  
  November 17, 2011 at 7:59 pm
  
  Hi,
  
  Selling sweets is a pretty low cost adventure.
  As for insurances etc that you are enquiring about it all depends where you plan to sell them and if you are manufacturing your self. Contact us at shop@rebeccamays.eu we’re an existing sweet shop business and will be happy to advise – we also sell bulk and wholesale sweets and candy
  
  Reply
kim says:

October 24, 2011 at 4:09 pm

Hi is anyone in the hampshire area looking for a partner to start a cake business? I would love to take the leap but would have more courage with someone else, would love to hear back from anyone interested

Reply
- Ellie says:
  
  October 29, 2011 at 9:53 pm
  
  Hi there
  
  I’m in the Hampshire area and have an avid passion for making cupcakes and would love a small business eventually.
  
  Here is my email address if you want to have a little chat over email
  
  eli.damico85@gmail.com
  
  Be nice to chat
  
  Ellie
  
  Reply
- kristy says:
  
  October 30, 2011 at 6:47 pm
  
  Hi there Kim where abouts in Hampshire are you? iv been wanting to start my own cake/baking business and would like someone to go in with. kristy
  
  Reply
- WAYNE says:
  
  November 4, 2011 at 8:29 pm
  
  I would be interested to assist with this if possible?
  
  currently work in food wholesale/retail field, so have some working knowledge of how to bring a product to market along with the concept.
  
  feel free to email me if you’d like to have a chat
  
  evans_wayne@hotmail.com
  
  Wayne
  
  Reply
- Diane says:
  
  February 28, 2012 at 8:46 pm
  
  Dear Kim
  
  I could be too late, as I have only just started looking on the website, but just wondering were you are in Hampshire as I’m looking to find someone to go with to look at selling cakes in my local area.
  
  Or if there is anyone else out there still looking I live in the Southampton area, if you are looking for some help let me know diane.lillie@hotmail.co.uk is my address.
  
  I bake a mean carrot cake and I have been told I should look at selling it, so I thougt I would try
  
  Diane
  
  Reply
  - Kristy says:
    
    March 5, 2012 at 5:57 pm
    
    Hi
    
    I live in Southampton and I keep getting told I should sell my cup cakes, and would really like some one to go in with.
    
    My email is kristy16_7@msn.com
    
    I look forward to hearing from you
    
    Kristy
    
    Reply
kat says:

July 13, 2011 at 12:39 pm

This tool is great for calculating the cost of ingredients, profit and how much to charge for your cakes really help me out! http://www.cakebaker.co.uk/cake-recipe-pricing-calculator.html

Reply
- Jasmine Birtles says:
  
  July 13, 2011 at 1:16 pm
  
  Wow that’s a brilliant tool! How clever. Thanks for letting us know.
  
  Reply
  - Jessica says:
    
    October 9, 2011 at 6:42 pm
    
    Yes, agree totally with the above. This site is a dream find. Many thanks for taking the time to put it together!
    
    Reply
    - Chonette Taylor says:
      
      February 5, 2012 at 8:54 pm
      
      a simple calculation is to add the cost of all he ingredients and multiply it by 3 an then add your profit, if you have to go out to sale your cakes you have o add the transport and rent as well.
      
      1= cost of ingredients
      2= cost of labour
      3= cost of premises, kitchen, electricity etc.
      
      Then on top f hat you add your profic
      
      Reply
      - Jasmine Birtles says:
        
        February 5, 2012 at 10:23 pm
        
        Nice simple calculation. Thanks for that Chonette
paula says:

March 30, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Like many people I too need to make a little money to improve matters at home maybe even purchase a new pair of shoes , at last a web site stating facts and figures about a helping hand in this day and age, too much jargon and red tape stops so many community’s from getting to know one another. A big thank you

Reply
ciara says:

March 8, 2011 at 4:59 pm

so if you get a pitch at a farmers market you can sell all your home baked produce without a traders licence, insurance or hygiene cert?

Reply
- Rebecca Mays says:
  
  November 18, 2011 at 7:47 pm
  
  Minimum requirement would be Public Liability Insurance!
  
  Reply
Dawn says:

August 23, 2010 at 8:46 pm

So, if i started a small scale food business out of my kitchen, I would not be required to have an inspection and pay for a license? I was under the impression that this was required. What about selling at a craft show booth, or church homemade & craft shows? Is there a website dedicated to this type of info?
Thank you.

Reply
Denise Smart says:

August 8, 2010 at 7:14 pm

I already bake and decorate quite up market home made cakes from Wedding to Brithday to Special Occasion. I was under the impression before starting anything the best way to go about this is register with the local council for your kitchen to be registered. Thank-you

Reply
LittleVoice says:

June 20, 2010 at 5:06 pm

If anyone is still wondering, more than a year on from Louisa’s enquiry, there is no requirement to register as a limited company whatever size of business you are running or whatever you are making (cakes, cards or cars).

Reply
Eulalee Brown says:

March 22, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Hi,

Thank you for this web page I found it very useful, I can go away and plan my cake business.

Well Done

Reply
Ganska says:

March 20, 2010 at 11:09 pm

Love the blog, found it in bing, how do I subscribe?

Reply
Tola says:

February 2, 2010 at 8:23 pm

I am planning on a one off blitz at a local car boot but wonder if I have to put contact, content, best before and storage information on the label for marmalade, can anyone help please?

Reply
Diana says:

January 7, 2010 at 7:58 pm

I would advise against registering with companies house, as this would make you a limted company with lots of legal responsibilities, it is also not tax efficient to be Ltd for a small scale enterprise. You are probably better off as a sole trader.

Reply
Marie says:

September 12, 2009 at 12:24 pm

This is a great article. I like the way you suggest that people research their ingreadients and actually figure the cost it takes them to make a cake. Then, they can set reasonable prices for a profit.

We teach this to our blog readers all the time at http://www.sellingcakes.com

Good Read. I’m glad I found this site.

Reply
sally says:

August 28, 2009 at 10:20 pm

phew! at last – some useful information and advice in plain english.

thank you!

Reply