What Makes the Most Money in a Bakery? Ultimate Guide

Lary Michael
5 min readJul 24, 2024

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Starting a bakery business is a great idea. Baking brings joy and food to many people. But you also want to know what makes the most money in a bakery! Well. Not all bakery products make the same profit. Therefore, knowing the different types of bakeries and their products is important before you start your bakery business. In this guide, I will explain everything you need to start your profitable bakery brand.

Most Profitable Baked Goods

It is important to note that when you are opening a bakery, you should concentrate on what people consume most. Beverages, cakes, and pastries are some of the most popular products. They have high profit margins. If a cake is well decorated, then it has the potential to command a good price in the market. You can also charge more when you are creating a design from scratch. Cupcakes are also popular. It is also easy to bake them in large quantities on a go.

Similarly, bread is likely to yield good profits. There is a new trend of artisan bread. Consumers enjoy purchasing freshly baked bread that is made at home. Sourdough and multigrain bread are preferred. They are expensive to produce but are sold at higher prices to the consumer.

Here are some additional profitable bakery products you might want to consider adding to your menu:

Macarons

These fine French cookies are prepared using almond flour and are usually filled with ganache or buttercream. They can be sold at premium prices because they are delicate and come in bright colors.

Brownies

Whether it is fudgy or cakey, brownies are one of the most popular desserts. They can be prepared in bulk and offered for sale in single pieces or per tray.

Cheesecakes

Cheesecakes are a rather extravagant dessert that can be sold for rather impressive sums of money. They can be made in different flavors: plain, chocolate, or fruit toppings.

Tarts

Fruit tarts, lemon tarts, and chocolate tarts are well-presented and tasty. They can be sold as portions or as a whole.

Cinnamon Rolls

They are mostly taken in the morning as breakfast meals. They can be prepared in bulk and then packaged and sold per piece or per dozen.

Bagels

Bagels are very flexible and can be served plain, with seeds, or with any of the fillings, such as cheese and jalapenos. They are long-lasting and can be sold with spreads or as sandwiches.

Granola Bars

Granola bars can be a healthy and profitable item if made at home. They can be prepared using oats, nuts, dried fruits, and honey.

Specialty Breads

In addition to regular bread, consider offering specialty breads like brioche, focaccia, and ciabatta. These can attract customers looking for something unique.

Profit Margin for Bakery

If cost is controlled properly, then one can earn a good amount of money. Flour, sugar, and butter, for instance, are basic ingredients that are not very expensive on the market. But you have to set your prices right, and you cannot overcharge your customers. For instance, a cake might cost you $5 to make. But you can sell it for $20. That is a 300 percent profit margin. Other products, such as pastries and cupcakes packed in personalized cake packaging boxes, also have good margins. Bread, for instance, can be sold at a relatively lower margin than a cake, but the quantity sold is high.

What Baked Goods Are in Demand?

Now, let’s look at some of the baked products that are popular today. There are always some products that are popular irrespective of the trends that are set in the market. Birthdays and celebrations cannot be complete without cakes and cupcakes. People love cookies, too. Chocolate chip cookies are traditional. It is very simple to prepare and can be kept for a long time before consumption. It is also possible to provide seasonal products. For instance, pumpkin spice muffins during the autumn season. Also, the choice of healthy and useful food is popular among consumers as well. Organic and vegetarian foods are being demanded by the people of the world. Providing these can entice more clients.

What Is the Easiest to Bake?

It is recommended that a new baker begin with simple items. Some foods that can be recommended are muffins and cookies. They are easy and fast to prepare. There are no requirements for special equipment. Cupcakes are also easy. You can prepare them in various flavors, and the decoration is not very complicated. Desserts can also be simple if you use simple recipes for bread making.

You must ensure that you rehearse the recipes they have developed. Once you are sure, you can move to other difficult foods, such as cakes and pastries.

Popular Bakery Items

As mentioned, cakes and cupcakes are top sellers. But there are other items you should consider. Donuts are very popular. They come in various flavors and are easy to sell. You can offer glazed, filled, or cake donuts. Similarly, pies are also a hit. Fruit pies, like apple and cherry, sell well. Cream pies are popular, too. Cookies, as mentioned before, are a must-have. You can offer different varieties like oatmeal, peanut butter, and sugar cookies.

Above all, you can pick a few bakery products that are easy to start. You can add more items once you feel the demand for products in your particular location. This is the best way to add only profitable bakery items to your bakery menu. Also, you can try unique items which are not popular in your area. This strategy can help you attract a new client base to your bakery brand.

Summarizing

So, knowing what makes the most money in a bakery is key to success. Focus on high-profit items like cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. Manage your costs well and use quality packaging. Stay updated on trends and offer popular items. Start with easy recipes and expand as you gain experience. Running a bakery can be rewarding. With the right strategy, you can make it a profitable venture.

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Lary Michael

I'm your friendly foodie! With over 15 years of experience in the food biz, I know my way around the kitchen like the back of my hand.