Opening and operating a successful bakery takes passion, skill, and careful planning. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is determining which baked goods to offer on your menu. Choosing the right mix of products can spell the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to attract customers.
we’ve compiled a list of the top 30 best baked goods to sell, along with an additional catalog of other highly sought-after products for your bakery. Within this article, you will also discover some of the most lucrative bakery business concepts and strategies to assist you in optimizing your bakery’s earnings.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Bakery Products
There are a few key factors to consider when deciding which profitable baked goods to sell in your bakery:
- Customer demand – What do people in your area regularly buy and enjoy eating? Pay attention to local taste preferences.
- Production costs – Simple foods with minimal ingredients are most budget-friendly.
- Shelf life – Goods that stay fresh longer are easier to produce in batches.
- Staff skills – Play to your bakers’ strengths and specialties.
- Kitchen size – Make sure you have the capacity for storage and display.
- Equipment needs – Evaluate if you need special ovens, proofers, etc.
- Seasonality – Offer baked goods tailored to holidays, events, and weather.
- Dietary needs – Include options for gluten-free, keto, paleo, and vegan customers.
- Profit margins – Seek the highest markups you can reasonably charge.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you develop a balanced lineup of delicious, affordable bakery treats.
Most Profitable Baked Goods to Sell In Bakeries
Here are the top best-selling and most profitable baked goods that are recommended for bakeries:
Cakes
Cakes are one of the most profitable products sold in most bakeries. Few bakery products are as beloved and universal as cake. Birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations just aren’t complete without a beautifully decorated cake as the centerpiece. Because they are sold whole instead of by the slice, cakes offer high profit margins. Red velvet, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and carrot cakes tend to be customer favorites. Consider offering tiered cakes for weddings and custom designs for other events.
Cookies
From classic chocolate chip to chock-full of nuts and fruits, cookies are wildly popular bakery items and one of the most profitable products to sell in a bakery. The low ingredient costs and small size make them extremely lucrative. Display cases of fresh-baked cookies at the counter will entice impulse purchases. Let customers choose assortments from your available cookie flavors packaged in boxes or bags.
Bread
No bakery would be complete without a selection of breads. Bread is viewed as an essential food staple, making it one of the best-selling products in most bakeries. Customers will keep coming back again and again to buy loaves for their households. Offer an array of white, wheat, multigrain, and artisan sourdough breads. Bread has a fairly high profit margin but does require space for proper proofing and storage.
Cupcakes
Portion control and indulgence collide in one perfect little treat: the cupcake. Decorating cupcakes singularly allows you to charge a higher price per ounce compared to whole cakes. The fact that they don’t require plates or utensils makes them grab ‘n go friendly. Fun flavors like red velvet, confetti, and cookies ‘n cream will have customers sold.
Donuts
Is there anything better than a light, fluffy donut? This sweet treat is beloved by kids and adults alike and is one of the top selling products in bakeries in the U.S. and in many other countries around the world. The variety of glazes and fillings allows you to get creative, and donuts pair perfectly with another moneymaker: coffee. Donuts are most profitable when made fresh daily and enjoy high demand in the mornings from commuters and those craving an indulgent start to the day.
Croissants
The quintessential French pastry and flaky croissants have global appeal and are one of the most popular baked goods to sell in bakeries. Plain butter croissants make an ideal breakfast pastry, while you can get creative with fillings like chocolate, ham and cheese, fruit purees, or savory veggies. Croissants go perfectly with custom coffee drinks, mimosas, or fresh juice. Offering croissants can help give your bakery an elevated, European vibe.
Muffins
Cheerful, tasty muffins tempt customers looking for a quick breakfast or snack and are a great seller and one of the top must-haves of any bakery. The bestsellers are often fruit flavors like blueberry, chocolate chip, banana nut, lemon poppyseed, and carrot cake. Since muffins can be grabbed and eaten on the go, they cater to busy customers. Allowing some customization with add-ins like streusel topping increases perceived value.
Pies
From fruit fillings to creamy custards in a flaky crust, pies satisfy the sweet tooth in all of us and bring big profits in many bakeries. They’re the perfect single-serving indulgence. Bake up seasonal favorites like pumpkin in autumn and fresh berries in summer. Offer classics year-round like apple and chocolate cream. Individual mini pies can entice those who want just a taste.
Brownies
Fudgy, chocolatey brownies are a beloved bakery treat and a great product that sells well in almost every bakery. They’re easy to prepare in batches, keep well in storage, and sell quickly. Brownies appeal to chocolate lovers of all ages. Offer creative twists like brownies with mint, peanut butter, caramel, or blonde fudge. Brownies also lend themselves well to being sold online and shipped.
Tarts
Vibrant, miniature fruit tarts are as beautiful as they are delectable and are among the best-selling products in most bakeries. These treats allow you to highlight seasonal produce in pastry form. Berry, stone fruit, citrus, and tropical options provide plenty of variety throughout the year. Allow customers to select their favorite flavors or sample an assortment. Smaller sizes keep portion control in mind.
Scones
Scones have become a quick, convenient breakfast staple for many and are considered one of the top must-haves of any bakery. Their soft, biscuit-like texture pairs nicely with coffee. Offer an array of flavors like blueberry, cinnamon raisin, cranberry orange, and lemon glaze. Savory varieties like cheddar chive can provide a nice change of pace. Scones are easy to produce in batches.
Cinnamon Rolls
Warm, buttery cinnamon rolls topped with thick swirls of glistening frosting have irresistible appeal and are a great seller and one of the top must-haves of any bakery. Their wonderful aroma and over-the-top indulgence make them a special weekend treat. Giant cinnamon rolls allow you to charge higher prices. Offering smaller rolls gives customers built-in portion control.
Gluten-Free Items
Roughly 18 million Americans have gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Providing high-quality gluten-free baked goods allows you to serve this large niche market and offer some of the best baked goods to sell in a bakery. Muffins, cakes, cookies, breads, and tarts can all be recreated gluten-free. Be sure to use dedicated prep areas and clearly label GF items.
Bagels
Chewy, satisfying bagels are the perfect bread choice for sandwiches and weekday breakfasts and are among the top selling products in bakeries in the U.S. and in many other countries around the world. Offer traditional flavors like plain, everything, sesame, and cinnamon raisin. Bagels pair nicely with cream cheese, lox spreads, or avocado. They have a great profit margin and appeal to customers seeking a quick but filling bite.
Pretzels
From plain soft pretzels to enjoy with mustard to cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist, pretzels are an adaptable bakery item. Salted, buttered, and pretzel bites coated in chocolate also satisfy cravings. Soft pretzels have that special ability to invoke nostalgia and comfort. Offering sizes for one or for sharing increases options.
Pastries
Fancy pastries lend an air of indulgence and sophistication to your bakery and are among the top must-haves of any bakery. Consider elegant creations like French fruit tarts, cream puffs, napoleons, cannolis, and eclairs. Pastries allow you to highlight your artistry and finesse. Seasonal ingredients keep the options fresh. Package small pastries as gifts.
Whoopie Pies
Whoopie pies feature creamy frosting sandwiched between two tender cake rounds. Red velvet, chocolate, pumpkin, and lemon flavors add variety. Smaller whoopie pies control portions, while larger ones encourage sharing. You can also sell “naked” whoopie cakes and allow customers to customize their frosting.
Macarons
With their vibrant hues and trendy appeal, French macarons have taken the bakery world by storm and are considered one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. These cookies showcase your artistry. Vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, and fruits are classic flavors. Package them in pretty boxes ideal for gifting. Macarons have an impressive profit margin given their small size.
Cruffins
A cruffin is a croissant-muffin hybrid that brings together the best of both worlds and is known for bringing in big profits in many bakeries. Flaky croissant dough is formed into the shape of a muffin and filled with cream, jam, or chocolate hazelnut spread. Cruffins are hand-held treats perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacking. The uniqueness allows you to charge premium prices.
Tea Cakes
Dainty tea cakes hearken back to the genteel tradition of afternoon tea service and are one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. These petite cakes have a tender crumb and come in sweet flavors like lemon, ginger, pistachio, and cherry. Tea cakes often feature delicate decorations like crystallized flowers. Package them in decorative tins or boxes as gifts.
Babka
Babka is a sweet braided bread or cake that originated in Jewish communities of Eastern Europe and is known for its big profits in many bakeries. Cinnamon, chocolate, and nut flavors are the most popular. The eye-catching braid shape shows off your skills. Babka has risen in popularity recently as a tasty breakfast bread. Offering it allows you to highlight your heritage.
Mexican Pastries
Authentic Mexican pastries like conchas, orejas, piedras, and polvorones appeal to customers craving a taste of Latin America. Conchas are small, seashell-shaped rolls topped with signature sugar. Orejas get their name from their shape meaning “ears”. Piedras means “rocks” for their bumpy texture. Polvorones are crumbly, buttery cookies.
Puff Pastry
Flaky, buttery puff pastry makes the perfect canvas for both sweet and savory fillings and is one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Offer puff pastries in the morning filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, fruit jam, or cheese omelets. Later in the day, switch to dessert options like custard, fruit, or Nutella. Puff pastry’s versatility allows for many combinations.
Galette
A galette is a rustic, free-form single-crust tart that originated in French cuisine and is one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Fillings spotlight seasonal fruits, vegetables, greens, meat, cheese, and more. Galettes have a homier feel than fussier pastries. Their simpler presentation means lower costs and labor for you. Customize mini galettes for customers.
Palmiers
Palmiers get their name from their shape resembling palm leaves. They consist of puff pastry dough rolled with cinnamon sugar into a distinctive shape. The sweet crunch of palmiers makes them a fun bakery item to include. You can also experiment with savory variations using herbs, chili powder, or cheese.
Danish Pastries
Pretty, multilayered Danish pastries bring a taste of Europe to your bakery and are considered one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Fillings like cheese, fruit jam, custard, or marzipan are encased in tender, viennoiserie pastry dough. Shaped like spirals, braids, and pinwheels, they showcase your skills. Danish pastries are ideal with morning coffee or as a midday treat.
Biscuits
Fluffy, savory biscuits are a staple of Southern-style cooking and are considered one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Buttermilk biscuits, potato biscuits, and cornbread biscuits are customer favorites. Offer biscuits on their own or with ham, fried chicken, sausage gravy, or other savory accompaniments. Biscuits for breakfast and sandwiches are great grab ‘n go options.
Scones
Scones have become a quick, convenient breakfast staple for many and are considered one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Their soft, biscuit-like texture pairs nicely with coffee. Offer an array of flavors like blueberry, cinnamon raisin, cranberry orange, and lemon glaze. Savory varieties like cheddar chive can provide a nice change of pace. Scones are easy to produce in batches.
Flatbreads
Flatbreads like naan, pita, and frybread add diversity to your lineup and are known for being one of the best goods to sell in a bakery. Stuff naan with cheese, garlic, potato, or other fillings. Bake pita to serve warm with hummus and veggies. Top frybread with sweet or savory ingredients. Flatbreads provide textural contrast from other baked goods.
Bonus Products to Consider
Here are some additional highly popular and profitable bakery products to potentially add to your menu:
- Panini sandwiches for lunch crowds
- Quiche or stratas for hot breakfast
- Hearty muffulettas on Italian bread
- Decadent cinnamon rolls dripping with icing
- Foccacia breads with savory toppings
- Pick-your-own cookie assortments
- Sweet empanadas and savory hand pies
- Wholesome oat and nut granola
- Bagel and English muffin sandwiches
- Fresh fruit tarts showcasing seasonal produce
- Sweet blintzes and savory knishes
- Old-fashioned jelly-filled donuts
- S’mores-inspired desserts
- Jarred bread spreads like hummus or tapenade
- Breakfast tacos and burritos on fresh tortillas
- Vegetarian/vegan savory scones and biscuits
By starting out with this list of the top goods that sell, you’ll be on the right track for developing a profitable bakery menu. Always keep your local clientele and facilities in mind. Offering at least some menu items for key dietary needs like gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan will expand your customer base.
Pricing Your Bakery Goods
Finding the optimal price point for your baked products involves balancing customer perception, production costs, and profit goals. You want prices to be seen as fair but also build in a solid markup. Here are some pricing tips:
- Calculate your exact costs per item, including ingredients, labor, overhead, etc.
- Research prices competitors charge for similar items
- Price goods to desired profit margins, usually 25-35% above costs
- If you’re the only specialty provider, you can increase prices more
- Offer premium prices for specialty ingredients, custom orders
- Discounts on bulk purchases or baked goods approaching expiration
- Free delivery with minimum purchase orders over a set amount
- Implement strategic pricing like $5 Fridays to spur sales
- Offer loyalty programs and bonus rewards to encourage purchasing
- Adjust prices gradually so customers get used to increases
Effective marketing and merchandising will also aid in justifying your bakery’s pricing. Spotlight quality ingredients, artisan preparation methods, and amazing taste.
Maximize Sales Through Bakery Display and Merchandising
How you display your baked goods can make a dramatic difference in capturing customer interest and selling more. Here are impactful bakery merchandising ideas:
- Group similar products together for easy comparing
- Let kids’ eye-level items like cookies entice them
- Create special seasonal or holiday displays
- Use risers, levels, and containers for dimension
- Spotlight specialty items on decorative cake stands
- Share baking action through a see-through kitchen
- Post menus with pictures and detailed descriptions
- Add signage to educate customers on products
- Offer samples of new or premium items to try
- Cross-merchandise baked goods with coffee, gifts, etc.
- Make displays look abundant with well-stocked cases
- Let lighting highlight and shine on your delicious goods
- Package treats in bakery boxes, bags, and wraps
With an enticing display and top-quality baked goods, your bakery is sure to be a hit. But extra sales strategies can always help boost success even more.
Bakery Marketing Ideas to Increase Sales
Effective marketing is crucial for getting the word out about your amazing bakery. Here are some smart ways to promote your business:
- Launch a user-friendly website for orders and information
- Create social media accounts showcasing your offerings
- Send email newsletters with promotions and updates
- Run Facebook and Instagram ads targeting local foodies
- Distribute menus and coupons to nearby schools, offices, etc.
- Network with other community businesses for referrals
- Set up an account with delivery services like GrubHub and UberEats
- Partner with coffee shops and cafes to carry your goods
- Sponsor local sports teams and events to share free treats
- Hold tastings, classes, contests, and special events
- Reward influencers and regulars who post about your bakery
- Leverage holidays like Valentine’s and Mother’s Day for gifts
- Decorate a bakery vehicle to catch eyes as you’re driving
- Offer catering platters and wholesale discounts to increase volume
There are so many ways to creatively spread the word about your fabulous bakery. Marketing is all about finding the right strategies that work for your target audience and are manageable for your business.
Adding Coffee and Other Menu Items
While baked goods may be your specialty, adding complementary menu items can significantly increase sales and draw more customers during all hours you’re open. Here are worthwhile extras to consider offering:
Coffee Shop
A full coffee and espresso bar complements your bakery while also driving profits. Customers will gladly purchase pricey lattes and cappuccinos to enjoy with their fresh pastries. Offer daily regular and seasonal specialty drinks.
Breakfast and Lunch Fare
Expand morning offerings by adding hot breakfast sandwiches to your fresh baked pieces of bread and bagels. At lunch, serve soups, salads, sandwiches, and paninis using your bread and rolls.
Milk and Other Beverages
Beyond just juice, offers milk, hot chocolate, Italian sodas, blended frappes, and other specialty beverages. Refrigerated cases display the options, tempting customers.
Packaged Goods
In addition to baked items, sell packaged pantry goods like fresh pasta, sauces, olive oil, vinegar, spices, herbs, and Dry goods allow for impulse purchases and gifts.
Grocery Items
If you have space, carrying dairy, eggs, and other staples can further meet customer needs in one stop. This works especially well in residential areas.
Gifts and Gift Baskets
Package your baked goods in creative gift sets for birthdays, get wells, sympathy, corporate clients, and holidays. This increases average order values.
How to Start Your Bakery Business
Opening a thriving bakery takes careful planning and preparation. Here is a summary of the steps for starting your bakery:
- Choose a bakery specialty and offerings based on profitability, uniqueness, and your passion.
- Research your local market’s needs, demographics, and competition. Identify your niche.
- Calculate start-up costs and obtain business loans/financing.
- Find a suitable retail bakery location convenient to customers.
- Design and build out your space including kitchen, displays, seating, etc.
- Obtain required licenses, permits, insurance, and legal documents.
- Buy commercial equipment and ingredients for production.
- Develop your brand image and marketing materials.
- Hire and train bakers, counter staff, managers, and drivers.
- Perfect recipes and production processes.
- Set pricing, policies, and procedures. Stock cases.
- Promote and advertise to announce the grand opening!
With careful planning and hard work, your dream of owning a successful bakery can become a reality. We wish you the best of luck in your entrepreneurial journey!