Bake sale ideas for your next fundraiser
Bake sales have long been one of the most popular fundraising methods, suitable for schools, workplaces, community events, and social clubs. Whether it’s the smell of freshly baked cookies or homemade pies, bake sales are a time-honoured tradition that brings people together to raise money for a good cause.
Beyond just satisfying a sweet tooth, a bake sale fundraiser is the perfect way to support vulnerable Canadians and strengthen community spirit.
In this article, we’ll explore bake sale ideas for fundraising and top tips for the big day, so you have all the ingredients to make your event a sweet success. Preheat your ovens and grab your aprons!
Bake sale fundraiser tips
Before you start baking tasty treats, there are a few things you’ll need to consider when organising your event to ensure it’s a success. Let’s take a look at some of our top bake sale fundraiser tips:
- Ask for help: You can’t do everything by yourself, so make sure you recruit some volunteers to help organise the bake sale, promote the fundraiser, set up on the day of the event, bake some goods, collect money, and clean up.
- Consider a theme: Think about possible bake sale theme ideas, whether it’s tailored towards a particular time of year, such as Easter or Christmas, or a specific event like World Book Day.
- Finalise event details: Consider the date, time, and location, so you can start to spread the word about your fundraiser. When deciding on these details, make sure you try to make it convenient for as many people as possible.
- Check your local health codes: Canadian provinces have different health codes, so make sure you do your research beforehand.
- Set up an online fundraiser: To maximise the amount of funds you raise, use an online fundraising platform to help boost donations leading up to and after the event. It’s a great way of increasing awareness about the fundraiser and topping up the funds you receive.
- Set your prices: pricing your baked goods correctly is key to maximising your fundraising. As a general guide, cookies and bars sell well at CAD $2-3 each, cupcakes and muffins at CAD $3-4 each, and cakes or pies by the slice at CAD $4-6. Consider your ingredient costs and set prices that feel accessible to your audience while still generating a meaningful return.
Bake sale ideas for fundraising
Canadians love a sweet treat, but there’s more to bake sale preparation than meets the eye. For ease, you want baked goods that are simple to hand out as individual portions and to prioritise tried and tested bestsellers to maximise the funds you raise.
Here are our favourite bake sale ideas for fundraising:
1. Brownies
Rich, gooey, and universally loved, brownies are easy to bake in large batches and distribute individually.
- Classic fudge brownies
- Salted caramel brownies
- Peanut butter swirl brownies
- Blondies
2. Cinnamon rolls
Soft and sweet with a slightly crisp and flaky exterior, cinnamon rolls are a decadent option that caters to the taste buds of adults and children alike.
- Classic cinnamon rolls
- Apple pie cinnamon rolls
- Pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls
- Chocolate hazelnut cinnamon rolls
3. Cookies
Who doesn’t love cookies? Classic and versatile, they can be tailored to suit any flavour preference and are perfect for grab-and-go sales.
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- White chocolate macadamia nut cookies
- Maple cookies
4. Pies
Appropriate for fans of both sweet and savoury goods, pies appeal to a wide audience and can be sold by the slice.
- Classic apple pie
- Lemon meringue pie
- Pumpkin pie
- Chocolate Whoopie Pies
- Spinach feta pie
5. Bars
Incredibly easy to portion and package, this handheld tasty treat can be baked on a large scale and allows bakers to get creative with different flavours.
- Lemon bars
- S’mores bars
- Nanaimo bars
- Peanut butter chocolate bars
6. Bread
Fresh-baked breads are a popular addition to any bake sale. Loaves can be sliced in advance for easy serving and are often a good option for those looking for a less indulgent treat.
- Banana bread
- Zucchini bread
- Cinnamon swirl bread
- Pumpkin bread
7. Cakes
Beautifully decorated and crowd-pleasing, cakes can be the perfect showpiece at your bake sale and help to elevate your table of treats. They can be sold whole, as smaller versions or in slices.
- Vanilla layer cake with buttercream
- Red velvet cake
- Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate ganache cake
8. Cupcakes
Miniature, individually portioned cakes that are easy to decorate and tailor to a particular theme, offering customisation opportunities and variety.
- Funfetti cupcakes
- Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting
- Lemon cupcakes with raspberry frosting
- Vanilla cupcakes with sprinkles
9. Scones
Ideal for savoury snack lovers, scones are a slightly less sweet option and pair well with coffee or tea should you wish to offer drinks.
- Blueberry scones
- Cheddar and chive scones
- Maple pecan scones
- Chocolate chip scones
10. Muffins
Easy to handle and wholesome, muffins are a popular baked item at any time of day. A light and fluffy treat for people of all ages.
- Blueberry muffins
- Chocolate chip muffins
- Pumpkin spice muffins
- Banana muffins
Seasonal bake sale ideas
Seasonal themes can make your bake sale feel timelier and more relevant, helping attract attention from supporters. Whether you’re organising an event around a holiday, school celebration, or community gathering, themed baked goods can encourage more purchases and donations.
Christmas bake sale ideas
Christmas-themed treats are eye-catching and easy to package for gift-giving. Popular options include:
- Shortbread cookies decorated with icing
- Gingerbread men
- Mince pies
- Yule log cake slices, peppermint bark, and chocolate truffles
Festive packaging can help maximize donations. Consider wrapping individual items in cellophane and ribbon to increase perceived value.
Halloween bake sale ideas
Halloween baked goods are a natural fit for school and community events where families gather. For a spooky display, try offering:
- Ghost-shaped sugar cookies
- Jack-o-lantern cupcakes
- Spider web brownies
- Pumpkin muffins
Fun, themed treats appeal to both children and parents, making them popular sellers.
Spring and summer bake sale ideas
Warmer weather calls for lighter baked goods that travel well to outdoor events. Seasonal favourites include:
- Lemon bars
- Strawberry shortcake
- Fruit tarts
- Rhubarb muffins
These seasonal options pair well with year-end school celebrations and community fairs. For maximum visibility, set up your sale in a high foot traffic area.
Start a bake sale fundraiser with GoFundMe
Have our bake sale ideas for fundraising whet your appetite and inspired you to get creative in the kitchen? Bake sales are an excellent method of raising money for a worthy cause, bringing members of the community together to bake, eat, and be merry.
However, don’t just rely on sales on the day to hit your fundraising goals, make sure you create a fundraiser online to help promote the big day and maximise your donations.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of Canadians and raise as much funds as possible, GoFundMe is here to help, a trusted crowdfunding platform used by millions of Canadians to raise money for causes they care about. We offer tools to enhance your fundraiser and boost the amount you raise at your bake sale.
We’re here to help generous Canadians looking to raise money and support vulnerable communities.ommunities.
Bake sale fundraisers FAQs
Cookies, brownies, and cupcakes consistently sell best at bake sale fundraisers because they are easy to portion, simple to package individually, and popular across all age groups. Items that are unique or visually striking, such as decorated sugar cookies or Nanaimo bars, often sell out first. Offering a mix of sweet and slightly savoury options (such as cheddar scones) also helps attract buyers who may not have a sweet tooth.
As a general guide, cookies and bars sell well at CAD $2-3 each, cupcakes and muffins at CAD $3-4 each, and slices of cake or pie at CAD $4-6 per slice. Set prices that feel accessible while covering your ingredient costs and generating a meaningful return for your cause. Bundling items, such as three cookies for CAD $7, can increase average transaction size and encourage larger donations.
The most successful bake sales combine three things: a variety of popular items to attract different tastes, clear and attractive presentation to draw people to the table, and active promotion before the event. Setting up an online GoFundMe fundraiser alongside your in-person sale extends your reach to supporters who cannot attend in person and allows donations to continue after the event ends.
Christmas bake sales benefit most from visually festive items that photograph well and feel special. Top sellers include decorated shortbread cookies, gingerbread men, mince pies, peppermint bark, and yule log cake slices. Festive packaging, such as cellophane bags tied with ribbon, increases perceived value and can justify slightly higher price points for holiday events.
Requirements vary by province and municipality in Canada. Most informal community bake sales at schools, churches, or workplaces do not require a permit, but if you are selling food to the public at a recurring event or on public property, your local health authority may require a temporary food vendor permit. Check with your provincial health authority or municipal office before the event to confirm the rules in your area.