Baked Goods

Breads, cookies, cakes, pies & pastries made at home

Cottage Food Eligible
2cottage-food laws to choose from
$0state license fee
No capon annual sales statewide
IN onlyshipping/delivery allowed

What's Covered  /  What Needs a Different Path

✓ Covered here

  • Non-refrigerated breads, cookies, cakes, brownies, and fruit pies (Home-Based Vendor, IC 16-42-5.3)
  • As of July 1, 2026: cheesecakes, custard/cream pies, and other TCS baked goods (Homestead Vendor, IC 16-42-5.4)
  • Sales in person, by phone, online, and delivery by mail/carrier anywhere inside Indiana

✗ Needs a different path

  • Shipping any baked good out of state under either cottage law
  • Wholesale to restaurants or grocers (direct-to-consumer only)
  • Selling without the required home-produced disclaimer statement on the label

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Get a food handler certificate

Complete an ANSI-accredited food handler course (Purdue Extension in-person or ServSafe online, roughly $10–$15) before your first sale.

B

Pick your legal lane

Non-perishable baked goods stay under the simpler Home-Based Vendor law; if you're selling cheesecake, cream pie, or other refrigerated bakes, operate under the 2026 Homestead Vendor law instead.

C

Label every package

Include your name/address, ingredient list, allergens, net weight, and the statement that the product is home-produced and not inspected by ISDH.

Quick Reference

ItemRuleRegulator
Non-TCS baked goodsNo license; food handler cert requiredSelf-certified / ISDH
TCS baked goods (cheesecake, custard pie)Homestead Vendor registration pathISDH – IC 16-42-5.4
LabelingHome-produced disclaimer + allergensIC 16-42-5.3 / 5.4
Sales channelIn-state only; no wholesaleISDH

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licensed kitchen?

No – both Indiana cottage laws let you bake in your home kitchen without a facility inspection.

Is there a sales cap?

No revenue cap under the current law; the 2026 Homestead Vendor law sets a $1.5 million annual ceiling, which almost no home baker will approach.

Can I ship my cookies to Ohio?

No. Both laws restrict delivery and shipping to destinations inside Indiana only.

What about cream-filled pastries?

Those are TCS (temperature control for safety) items and need the Homestead Vendor pathway rather than the older Home-Based Vendor law.

Printable Checklist

Complete an ANSI-accredited food handler course
Confirm whether your product is TCS or shelf-stable
Add the home-produced disclaimer to every label
List all allergens and net weight
Keep sales and shipping records in-state only
Re-certify food handler training on schedule