I've been baking from home for 3 years and have tested over 50 different items at local markets, pop-ups, and through custom orders.

Here's what actually moves:

1. Sourdough bread — People will pay $8-12 for a good loaf. Your ingredient cost is under $2. The catch? It takes practice. But once you nail your starter, it's the highest-margin item you can sell.

2. Cinnamon rolls — The "impulse buy" king. Price at $4-5 each or $20 for a half dozen. Smells do 90% of the selling for you.

3. Custom decorated sugar cookies — Holidays and events drive this. $30-60/dozen for decorated cookies is standard. Time-intensive but people pay premium prices.

4. Banana bread / quick breads — Dead simple. Low skill floor, high demand. $6-8 per loaf. Great starter product if you're just beginning.

5. Brownies — Batch-friendly, easy to transport, everyone loves them. $3-4 each or $15-18 per box of 6.

The pricing mistake most home bakers make: they price based on ingredient cost alone. You need to factor in your time, packaging, and the value of a handmade product. Most beginners underprice by 40-60%.

A good rule: ingredient cost × 3-4 minimum. If your cookies cost $0.80 each to make, charge $3-4 each, not $1.50.

I teach all of this (and more) inside The Baking Hustle — recipes built for profit, pricing frameworks, and a community of home bakers building real income.