Six Must-Have Items To Sell In Your Bakery

Six Must-Have Items To Sell In Your Bakery

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I remember the smell of baked goods throughout the house as a child. The baked goods were mostly made during the holidays and I believe my love for baked goods came from the moments that were created when all my loved ones got together for special occasions. It was not just the smell of the baked goods, but also the love, laughter, and traditions that were shared amongst one another during these times that made them so special to me.  Most bakeries are created by people who have their own special childhood memories, and have turned them into a passionate business. With that said, there are some must-have items that all bakeries should sell.  

The six must-have items to sell in your bakery are cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and bread. These are the main baked goods all bakeries sell.  They are the top-picked favorites amongst their customers, are the most profitable, and help bakeries to be more successful. 

Knowing what must-have items for your bakery is the first step to becoming a successful bakery. However, it is also important to know which baking goods to avoid, as some items don’t sell as well as other items sell. I have also included some business tips to help your bakery become even more profitable and more popular than you may have previously thought it could be. 

About the Six Must-Have Items

Six Must-Have Items To Sell In Your Bakery

These six must-have items are found in practically every bakery currently open for business. The best thing about each of these items is that there are so many different styles and flavors for each of them, so you can experiment with multiple flavors to keep things fresh. Keep in mind that you should have one signature item that will draw customers into your bakery. 

If you are new to opening a professional bakery, it is best to stick to the most popular choices and family favorites at first. Can you experiment and try to sell something that you think will make you stand out? The answer is yes. You should sell the items you are passionate about, or your experimental items! Keep in mind that you want to create those in small batches to determine how much your customers like them before making that your signature item. 

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Cookies

Cookies are the number one most profitable baked item for a bakery.  The great thing about cookies is that there are so many different types and flavors you can make.  The basic flavors are chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar, and oatmeal.  These cookie flavors can be found in any bakery. 

There are many other great cookie favorites that are more luxurious. People also love cookie sandwiches and macaroons. If you decide to put these cookie choices in your bakery, you want to create those in small batches so that they do not sit in your display case or on your countertop for too long. 

Cakes & Cupcakes

Cakes & cupcakes are used for many different occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and many other celebrations. There are usually just a few cakes on display because most cakes are ordered in advance to ensure peak freshness.  

Cupcakes are an all-time favorite for most people. They are great for a quick snack, and help take care of that cake craving in a jiffy. It is something that can be stored on display and usually moves quickly. Cupcakes are usually made in small batches and can be made quickly. 

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Muffins & Cinnamon Rolls

Muffins & cinnamon rolls are very common for a quick breakfast. However, they are just as good for a quick snack at any time of the day. Just like cupcakes, muffins are usually made in small batches and can be made very quickly.  The most common flavors are blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. However, there are so many different flavors and you can do it with muffins. 

Cinnamon rolls are sweet and savory. Some bakeries like to do different flavors for cinnamon rolls such as strawberry, cherry, or even chocolate chips. Some people also like to put a cream cheese frosting on top of their cinnamon roll. 

Breads

There is nothing like freshly baked bread.  There are so many different varieties of bread you can make.  Bread is used as part of a meal as well as dessert.  Some commonly known breads are English muffins, bagels, croissants, french bread, rolls, wheat bread, and banana bread. Some of these breads are used as a quick breakfast as well. 

Bread is found in many bakeries in practically every flavor, shape or form.  Even though some of these varieties are more common for breakfast, people still eat bread throughout the day. Bakeries generally have several types of bread ready for their customers to take home with them. 

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Additional Items
Six Must-Have Items To Sell In Your Bakery

Two additional items you may decide to sell in your bakery are brownies and pies. There is nothing like a good, gooey brownie. Just like the must-have items, brownies can have several different styles and flavors.  

Pies are usually more popular during the holiday season and are generally considered to be more of a seasonal product. Regardless of what items you sell in your bakery, the location and the dominant customer base will determine what works and what does not work for your bakery. 

You will absolutely want to maintain all of these six must-have items in your bakery.  These are the top-selling products in bakeries. The main reason to sell these must-have items is that you want your bakery to be successful and around for years to come. 

Baking Goods To Avoid

There are a few baked goods that you want to avoid because they do not move as quickly. These items are rice krispie treats, cookie bars, exotic cupcake flavors, turnovers, cake pops, and mini pies.  However, you can try these in your bakery shop if you like.

Keep in mind that even though these few items do not do very well in most bakeries, they may do well in your bakery. This will be dependent on the location of your bakery and your customer base. It is one of those things where you will have to test the waters first to see if they are a good fit for your bakery. 

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Business Baking Tips

There are plenty of other things that you can do to create a successful bakery. The main thing you should consider is your local community.  If there is any competition in your area, get to know them. This is a huge opportunity as you go into the next phase of your business. Some things to be aware of in your community are the locations of the local schools and restaurants, being aware of what kind of events are happening, having a good marketing strategy, and getting set up to sell your freshly-baked goods online. 

Some questions you may ask yourself as you are building your business should include the following:

Six Must-Have Items To Sell In Your Bakery
  • What is your target market?
  • Where are you located? 
  • What type of customers live or shop near your location?
  • Do you have a specialty or a pastry that you are passionate about making?
  • Do you plan to offer limited-edition or seasonal products? 

People love variety and it is important to give them multiple things to choose from. Your location is going to determine plenty of your everyday business decisions, like what items will always need to be stocked, or kept on display.  Different locations have different types of people and it is important to understand who your clients are and what type of services they need. The location of your bakery will also help you in determining your target market. For example, if your bakery is located in a retirement town, your target market might be retirees and/or first responders. 

Your bakery needs to have a special signature piece that makes people want to come into your bakery.  For example, if you are passionate about cupcakes and want to be known for your famous cinnabon cupcakes, then you need to let people know about them.  This will make your bakery stand out from all of the other bakeries in your area. 

Seasonal and limited-edition products are a great marketing tool to get new people into your bakery. I am particularly fond of anything made with pumpkin spice.  I love the fall season because I know that I can go to my local bakery and get pumpkin spice cupcakes or a pumpkin spice cheesecake. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I sell more than just baked goods in my bakery?

Some bakeries have a menu for those who are trying to handle business on their lunch breaks. These menus may contain sandwiches to provide to their customers. Some bakeries have a cooler with simple beverages such as water, soda, juice, and milk for their customers.  Location and customer base are the two main factors in this discussion. 

Must I only stick to these must-have items for my bakery?

These must-have items are the all-time favorites that you can find in any bakery. However, many different baked goods can be placed in your bakery and you are not limited to only selling these few items. Once again, it is important to have an understanding of your customers that are associated with the location of your bakery.

To learn more on how to start your own bakery business check out my startup documents here

This blog post is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained is not intended to constitute legal advice or to substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney.