Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Brenda Dicus.
Have you noticed more home bakers, also known as cottage bakers, popping up in your Facebook feed?
You are not alone.
In August 2022, the statute that permits these home operations was updated to allow for online sales within Missouri, which may have led to more bakers — or at least more online presence.
These businesses are called a “cottage food production operation,” said Eric Marcol, environmental health program coordinator with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. In short, this allows individuals to prepare certain non-potentially hazardous foods — shelf-stable items like cookies, breads and brownies — from home and serve to the end consumer, he said.
These bakers are not subject to health inspections. They sell directly to the consumer, not restaurants. Since the department does not regulate these facilities, they do not track how many there, Marcol explained.
But our Facebook feed has been flooded with them lately and there are some incredible creations. Amazing-looking cakes, drool-worthy cinnamon rolls, sourdough bread so pretty you almost don’t want to eat it (if that’s possible), luscious pies, cute cupcakes and more. If you’re in the market for a homemade treat, here are some popular cottage bakeries to consider. (Hint, hint: A lot of them are taking orders now for Mother’s Day.)
Interested in starting a cottage food production? Check out the guidelines on the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s website.
Bren’s Breads
Brenda Dicus’s daughter was in sixth grade when her Girl Scout Troop decided they wanted to take a trip to Destin, Florida.
“You can’t do that on cookie sales,” Dicus said.
So, she told the girls they’d have to fundraise and started baking bread for them to sell. Dicus had a recipe for white bread, which she adapted and now uses for everything from loaves to cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls. It was the early years of what would later become Bren’s Breads.
In 2009, she worked at Cox and participated in their fundraising efforts for Children’s Miracle Network, selling her breads and other baked goods. Then she got into Wickman’s Fall Festival, which has become an annual tradition. Then Pumpkin Daze in Republic.
“I have a large following of customers,” she said.
When COVID hit, there were no craft shows so she started selling to friends and posting online. Dicus works out of her home in Republic. People pick up orders, but she will deliver to Springfield, Republic or Nixa. Advance orders should be placed four days ahead of time.
Her bread loaves, cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls are popular but she also makes cookies and cakes, as long as you don’t want anything fancy.
“I am not an artist. I make cakes that taste delicious,” she said.
Dicus assembles baskets for special occasions like Mother’s Day or Christmas, filled with assorted baked goods. She can make cookies, pies and more. Her passion for baking started in a home economics class.
“My home economics teacher was amazing,” she said. “I am still in touch with her. To be able to bake you have to really like it and I do.”
Find it: Follow Bren’s Breads on Facebook
Simply Blessed Sourdough
Emily Mays started Simply Blessed Sourdough in January 2024 but started baking sourdough products for family and friends in 2021. It began as a pandemic hobby.
“I have always loved to cook and bake, so I decided to try out sourdough,” Mays said. “I have two small children so I was looking for a hobby that I could do while they were around. I really enjoyed the challenge of learning how to keep and maintain a starter, and how to make my breads beautiful while still delicious. It’s been a learning process, but it is so much fun.”
She offers five different sourdough flavors (including roasted garlic) and also muffins. The menu changes monthly and she takes special orders and requests with at least 48 hours notice.
Located in north Springfield, customers can place orders for pickup on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Starting in May, she will also be at the Willard Community Market on Friday evenings and can bring orders to Noble Hill Baptist Church on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Mays offers sourdough classes for anyone who wants to learn to make their own. The class covers how to make a loaf of sourdough and how to feed and maintain a starter. The next class is in May and more information can be found on her Facebook or Instagram.
“I have always loved to make and share things with others,” Mays said. “I started Simply Blessed Sourdough as a way to extend that. I love when I get to meet new customers and share what I have made with them.”
Find it: Follow Simply Blessed Sourdough on Facebook
Muffin’s Goodies
Jessica Karfis is the woman behind Muffin’s Goodies. Her mom nicknamed her “Muffin” as a baby and when Karfis started her business in 2018, her mom suggested she lean into her childhood name.
Her specialty is decorated cakes, cookies and pies, but she also makes muffins, brownies, cobblers and more. Karfis learned to bake from her grandmother.
“I started creating my own recipes when I was in middle school,” she said. “I had always loved art and felt connected to it. I was obsessed with the show ‘Cake Boss’ and knew that one day I would be making beautiful cakes like them.”
Karfis runs the business from her home in Republic, where most customers pick up orders.
“I do offer delivery, free within city limits then a fee for outside of that,” Karfis said. “I’ve delivered all the way to Arkansas, so I am definitely willing to go wherever my people need me.”
Karfis likes two weeks’ notice for orders, but if it’s during the holidays or graduation season she may need several weeks. Karfis stays busy with her bakery.
“Republic is such a great community and very supportive of its local and small businesses,” she said. “Word-of-mouth has honestly been the biggest part of my growth. It means the world to me and my family and truly touches my heart at how many people, who have become friends, come back to me time and time again and recommend my business to others.”
Find it: Follow Muffin’s Goodies on Facebook
Lisa’s Homemade Eats and Treats
Lisa Hardy began her business out of her home in February of 2019.
“My husband and adult children encouraged me to jump in and start it,” Hardy said. “I have cooked and baked for our church for several years and friends would tell me that I needed to start selling some of my baked goods. I was at a spot in my life where I needed something to fill extra time since my children were grown and my parents had passed on.”
In November 2021, she transitioned to a designated building and is health department inspected. She does not have a retail business, but works out of that facility to take orders.
Her cinnamon rolls and hot rolls are big sellers — recipes she learned in high school in home economics class — but she also bakes pies, cookies, cakes, candies, jams and meals for small groups.
“My focus is on food like mom or grandma made, simple yet delicious,” she said.
Hardy is located 1.5 miles south of Marshfield. Customers mostly pick up their orders, but delivery is available for large orders. Call a few days ahead if you want a custom order.
“The food service industry is hard, physically, emotionally and financially,” Hardy said. “Being a cottage baker is definitely more appealing because you can be more flexible.”
Find it: Follow Lisa’s Homemade Eats and Treats on Facebook
Kathy’s Cakes & Creations Cottage Bakery
Kathy White opened her cottage bakery two years ago. White owned a bakery 40 years ago in Republic called Kathy’s Cakes and Catering.
“I had taken two semesters of cake decorating at (Ozarks Technical Community College) with June Buchanan of June’s Cakery,” White said. “I went on to work for June. I also worked at a small bakery called the Bake House.”
After White sold her bakery, she worked at Supreme Bakery and Supreme Kringle. Then she left the industry but continued to bake for friends until she retired.
in her Republic home two years ago. (Photo by Kathy’s Cakes & Creations Cottage Bakery)
After COVID, White decided she’d like to do something but didn’t want to be tied to a daily schedule, as she has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so her own business was the solution. White specializes in cakes for all occasions and cupcakes, but can make muffins, pies, cookies, gluten or sugar-free creations, macarons and cake pops.
White comes from a long line of good cooks and believes her talent is a God-given gift along with being artistic. Her faith is important to her.
“I am a Christian business,” White said. “I love creating items that my customers love. However, I choose not to do cakes that are suggestive or with language I do not use. If you want a dirty cake, I’m not your baker.”
Pick up orders at her home in Republic. Two weeks is preferred for custom orders, but she can accommodate sooner. Reach out to see her availability.
Find it: Follow Kathy’s Cakes & Creations Cottage Bakery on Facebook
