Recipe Details
Ingredients
Enter what you actually paid at the store and how much of it the recipe uses.
| Ingredient | Package Price | Package Size | Pkg Unit | Recipe Uses | Recipe Unit | Cost in Recipe |
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Overhead & Labor
Include packaging, booth fees, and your time. These get spread across your batch.
State Revenue Cap Tracker
Cottage food laws vary by state and often cap annual revenue. Track how close you are to your state's limit.
Unit Converter
Quickly convert between baking measurements. Select an ingredient for density-aware volume/weight conversions.
Your Pricing Breakdown
Cost Breakdown Per Unit
Price at Different Margins
| Margin | Price Per Unit | Profit Per Unit | Batch Profit |
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Event Profit Goal Calculator
How much do you want to earn at your next event? See how many units to bring.
Batch Summary
Export
Batch Scaling Tool
Scale your recipe up or down to see adjusted costs and ingredient amounts.
Grocery Shopping List
Generate a shopping list grouped by store section. Shows full packages you need to buy.
Your pricing breakdown will appear here
Add ingredient names, store prices, and recipe amounts above. The calculator updates automatically as you type.
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Market Day Batch Planner
Set your profit goal for an event and see exactly what to bake. Uses your saved recipes to build a production plan.
Combined Shopping List
Select recipes and set batch counts to generate one shopping list for your entire market day.
Cottage Food FAQ
Common questions about starting and running a cottage food business.
What is a cottage food business?
A cottage food business is a small, home-based food operation where you make and sell certain food products directly to consumers. Most states allow you to prepare non-potentially-hazardous foods (like baked goods, jams, candies, and dry mixes) in your home kitchen without a commercial kitchen license.
What can I sell as a cottage food producer?
Allowed products vary by state, but most commonly include: baked goods (cookies, bread, cakes, muffins), candy and confections, jams, jellies, and fruit butters, dry mixes and seasonings, honey, popcorn, and granola. Foods that require refrigeration (like cheesecake or cream-filled pastries) are usually not allowed. Always check your specific state's cottage food law for the approved list.
Do I need a license or permit?
It depends on your state. Some states require no permit at all, while others require registration, a food handler's certificate, or a cottage food license. Many states have a tiered system where you need a permit only after crossing a certain revenue threshold. Check your state's requirements using the State Revenue Cap Tracker above.
How much can I earn with a cottage food business?
Annual revenue caps range from $25,000 to $250,000 depending on your state. Most states set the limit between $25,000 and $75,000. Florida is the most permissive at $250,000, while some states like New York have very restrictive rules. See the full state-by-state breakdown below.
Where can I sell my cottage food products?
Common selling venues include farmers markets, craft fairs, community events, roadside stands, and directly from your home. Some states also allow online sales with local delivery. Most cottage food laws require direct-to-consumer sales only — meaning you typically cannot sell wholesale to stores or restaurants.
What labeling is required?
Most states require cottage food labels to include: the product name, ingredients list, allergen warnings, net weight or volume, your name and home address, and a statement like "Made in a home kitchen that is not inspected by the state." Some states have additional requirements. Professional labels build trust with customers and are worth the small investment.
How do I price my products?
Start by calculating your true cost per unit — including ingredients, packaging, labels, your labor time, booth fees, and overhead like gas and utilities. Then apply a profit margin (most cottage food sellers use 40-60%). CottageCost's calculator above does this automatically. A common mistake is pricing too low by forgetting to include labor and overhead costs.
Do I need insurance?
While not always legally required, liability insurance is strongly recommended. A product liability policy for cottage food producers typically costs $200-$500 per year and protects you if someone claims your product made them sick. Many farmers markets require proof of insurance as a condition of selling there.
State-by-State Cottage Food Revenue Caps
Annual revenue limits for cottage food businesses across all 50 states and DC. Caps and rules change — verify with your state's department of agriculture.
| State | Annual Cap | Notes |
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