…So you don’t end up crying into your cookie dough.
Starting a home bakery is exciting! You’ve got your mixer humming, your apron tied cute, and big dreams of cinnamon rolls flying off the shelves. But let’s be real—every new baker makes a few facepalm-worthy mistakes in the beginning.
The good news? You don’t have to.
Here are 5 hilarious but very real beginner mistakes most new cottage bakers make—and how you can dodge them like flour on a black shirt.
1. Pricing Like You’re at a Church Bake Sale
“$5 for a dozen cupcakes should be fine, right?”
—You, before realizing butter costs more than your Netflix subscription.
Listen, I get it. You feel weird charging “real” money for your treats. But this isn’t a favor for your neighbor—it’s a business.
You’re not just baking, you’re sourcing, mixing, decorating, packaging, marketing, cleaning… and probably parenting at the same time.
Set prices that reflect your time, ingredients, and talent. Otherwise, you’re just frosting your way into burnout.
2. Saying Yes to Literally Everyone
“You want a three-tier fondant flamingo cake… by tomorrow? Sure!”
Spoiler alert: You can say no.
Actually, you should say no sometimes—especially to requests that make your eye twitch.
As a new baker, it’s tempting to take every order just to prove you’re “legit.” But if you’re miserable decorating cookies at 2am because Karen wanted “just a small dozen of detailed mermaid tails,” it’s time to set some loving boundaries.
Stick to what you enjoy baking and what fits your schedule. Your mental health (and your wrists) will thank you.
3. Trying to Sell Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Your first menu does not need to be a Cheesecake Factory novel.
When you offer too much, you confuse your customer and your oven.
Pick 2-3 signature items you love to make and perfect them.
Once you have those down, expand a little. Maybe. If you’re feeling spicy.
Because guess what? You don’t need a 20-item menu to be profitable. You need 2 amazing products and a loyal audience who dreams about them in their sleep.
👉 10 Easy and Impressive Items That Actually Sell as a new Cottage Baker
4. Skipping the Legal Stuff (Don’t Worry, We’ve All Been There)
“Wait… I need what kind of license?”
Yep, cottage food laws are a thing. And no, you can’t just slap cookies in a Ziploc bag and sell them out of your trunk (unless your local law says you can, and even then—please don’t).
Make sure you’re following your state’s specific cottage food guidelines so you don’t get a surprise visit from someone holding a clipboard and a badge.
👉 Need help? Download the free Cottage Food Laws by State Guide on AngieHustles.com.
5. Comparing Your Chapter One to Someone Else’s Chapter 42
You scroll Instagram. You see flawless macarons. Gold-leafed cakes. Boxed cookies with bows and logos and coordinated sprinkles.
And suddenly you’re like, “WHY DO MY COOKIES LOOK LIKE SQUISHED BEARS?!”
Here’s the truth: everyone starts somewhere—and their “perfect” post probably took 17 tries, 2 breakdowns, and a well-lit window.
Stay in your lane. Focus on your growth. And maybe unfollow the Pinterest-perfect people for a hot second.
Final Sprinkle of Wisdom:
You are allowed to be new. You are allowed to mess up.
But you’re also allowed to learn quickly, set boundaries, and run your bakery like the rockstar you are.
Mistakes are just seasoning on your success story—flour on the floor of your greatness.
Now go whip something up, charge what you’re worth, and proudly post those slightly lopsided cupcakes. Because spoiler alert: your customers don’t want perfection—they want you.
Want more guidance on starting your home bakery business the right way?
👉 Dive into the Kitchen to Cash Bundle and get your roadmap from side hustle idea to first sale in 30 days or less.
