Homemade fudge makes a great gift for holidays and birthdays. However, if you need a part-time moneymaking venture, selling homemade fudge also might generate the income you need. With local specialty boutiques, candy shops and online retailers all selling fudge, you need a competitive edge that distinguishes you from your competition. Choose your recipe wisely, package and market your goods well, and increase your audience to sell your homemade fudge successfully.

Things You Will Need

  • Ingredients specific to your fudge

  • Cellophane bags or treat boxes

  • Ribbon or twine

  • Tags

  • Stamps and pens to decorate tags

  • Business cards

  • Digital camera

Choose a name that includes the main product of your business -- homemade fudge. It's important that you include the "homemade" part because many retailers sell fudge, but not all of it is homemade. Homemade conjures up warm and homey feelings in the consumer, which you want to encourage in order to sell your product.

Decide on a recipe. If you've been making homemade fudge as a gift for years, think about which fudge is the most requested or complimented. Ask family members which kinds they love and why. Rule out anything outlandish or a fudge that requires extremely expensive ingredients, unless you're planning to market your product to a very small niche that you are sure exists.

Use the best ingredients you can afford. Margarine and chocolate flavoring don't taste as good as real butter or chocolate. There also are reasons why inexpensive chocolate chips cost so little -- they don't taste as good either. You can increase the price of your fudge to make up for the increased ingredient cost, within reason. Make sure that you list the great ingredients on your packaging, using them to promote the product.

Package your product appropriately. If you're selling the fudge in small blocks, cellophane bags should work nicely. If you're selling the fudge in larger blocks, use small treat boxes with a cellophane window punched into them. Both cellophane bags and treat boxes are available at craft stores, as well as online. Decide on a color of ribbon or twine you'll use to secure the package, and use it consistently.

Create tags either by hand or design them online. Include the business name and your telephone number, email and website. Also include the ingredients used, the kind of fudge and the price. You might wish to include a symbol on your tag, either hand-drawn or computer-produced, such as an old-fashioned stove or other homey object.

Get the word out regarding your goods and begin selling. Tell friends, neighbors and co-workers about your business. Post business cards at local boutiques and shops with community bulletin boards. Try selling at craft and bake fairs as well.