Home cupcake bakery for orders

Parents planning parties, people marking special occasions, local offices and small businesses buying treats for staff or clients.

Price per box or per cupcake, with extra for custom decoration, themes, dietary options and delivery. Repeat orders from regular customers help steady the income.

• Baking and piping
• Cake decorating
• Food hygiene and allergen awareness
• Social media and photography for promotion

• Register with your local council as a food business, usually at least 28 days before you start trading (check with your council)
• Allergen rules: you must be able to provide accurate allergen information for every product
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or lease allows you to run a food business from home
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Expect a food hygiene inspection of your kitchen, and keep records of your processes

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on your equipment, ingredients, packaging, insurance and how you promote your orders. Treat this as an estimate and plan your budget around your own kitchen setup.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on how many orders you take, your prices and the hours you bake. You would typically need at least around 8 hours a week.

Check registering with your local council as a food business, usually at least 28 days before you start trading. Also check allergen information, whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows it, insurance, and expect a food hygiene inspection.