Category Analysis - Cakes
Overview of the Cake Industry
The cake industry, a sweet domain of culinary creativity, has burgeoned over the years into a multi-billion pound market. At its core, the industry includes the production and sale of both retail and wholesale cakes, encompassing a vast array of styles—from traditional fruit cakes to contemporary gluten-free options. This sector not only serves the demands of homes and cafes, but it also plays an indispensable role in the celebrations that define British life, such as birthdays, weddings, and Christmas gatherings.
In the UK, the cake industry is part of a larger bakery business, which was valued at approximately £3.3 billion in 2022, with cakes representing a significant segment. Major players include established brands like Cake Box, known for its egg-free cakes, and Cadbury Cakes, which brings delightful confectionary flavours to the cake table.
Recent Trends and Innovations
Cake consumption is not merely a remnant of the past; it is an evolving art form. Recent trends show a shift towards organic and natural ingredients, driven by consumers becoming increasingly health-conscious. This movement has led to a rise in the popularity of vegan and gluten-free cakes, with brands such as Baked By Me leading the charge.
Moreover, social media has revolutionised how cakes are marketed and consumed. Platforms like Instagram are replete with vibrant pictures of elaborate cakes, which have spurred a curiosity amongst consumers to attempt baking at home or patronising local bakers. The hashtag #cakeart has gained traction, showcasing everything from intricate wedding cakes to quirky novelty designs.
The Rise of Delivery Services
The pandemic birthed a surge in food delivery services, and cakes were no exception. Bakeries and pastry shops quickly adapted by leveraging online platforms to reach consumers more effectively. Eloise & Co., for instance, has seen steady growth in sales through online orders, demonstrating that convenience is now a key ingredient in the cake market mix.
The Economics of the Cake Industry
Amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty, the cake industry has shown remarkable resilience. According to recent reports, despite broader contraction in the UK's economy, the cake market has managed to maintain steady growth attributed to innovation and diversification of product offerings.
Particularly during festive seasons, cake sales see a notable uptick. The typical British Christmas cake has become a staple that boosts sales, suggesting that emotional connections to food play a pivotal role in sustaining industry growth.
Market Dynamics
However, challenges loom on the horizon. Rising ingredient costs—exacerbated by global supply chain issues—pose a significant threat. Flour, sugar, and butter prices have surged, prompting manufacturers to contemplate passing these costs onto consumers. In 2023, the price of butter hit a record high, resulting in debates around margin compression across the industry.
Major Players in the Cake Market
The cake market is dominated by both artisan bakers and mass producers, each carving their niche. On one hand, Hummingbird Bakery epitomises the artisanal approach, offering a range of delectable cupcakes and whole cakes that have become synonymous with celebration. On the other, giants like Betty Crocker produce cake mixes and ready-made cakes that cater to the convenience-seeking demographic.
Emerging Market Disruptors
Startups are increasingly emerging as disruptors within the cake industry. Just Bake is an example of a brand that has tailored its offerings to meet the specific need for bespoke cakes without compromising on quality or aesthetics, gaining traction amongst younger consumers. Thus, while conventional brands continue to thrive, adaptability and openness to innovation remain crucial in navigating these turbulent times.
Conclusion
The cake industry continues to sweeten the lives of many, from the home bakers to the mega brands that grace the shelves of wilting supermarkets. It is a sector rooted in tradition yet propelled by modernity—where classic recipes coalesce with contemporary flavours and dietary needs. Growth trajectories are promising, albeit dotted with economic challenges that must be navigated carefully.
Ultimately, as consumers evolve in their tastes and preferences, the industry must remain agile, finding ways to innovate while preserving the heart and soul of what baking—at its best—truly represents: connection, celebration, and, above all, deliciousness.
Example Products in this Category:
Brands in this Category:
| Name | Story | Brand Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Story | Brand Categories | |
| Coffee Table Delights | Coffee Table Delights is dedicated to crafting gourmet biscuits from fresh, mostly Aussie ingredients, all made by hand in our kitchen in Wembley, WA. Our products are reminiscent of homemade treats, offering a nostalgic experience to our customers. We invite you to watch our pastry chefs at work and enjoy our products at home or in the office. | Biscuits,Slices,Cakes,Gifts | |
| Awfully Chocolate | In 1998, we decided to make the Perfect Singapore Chocolate Cake. We decided to give the boot to fancy French pastries, and resolved to put the cake back into cake - and we would make it chocolate. It was a simple resolve and didn't want to complicate it. Our Original All Chocolate Cake is still our favourite cake although we have created hundreds of recipes of new and delicious cakes. | Cakes,Chocolates,Cookies,Gifting,Catering,Ice Cream | |
| grandmasbakeshoppe | Traditionally made, famously flavoured. Shop our best-selling Fruitcakes filled with fruits and nuts. We have a variety of sizes to choose from. Our recipe dates back to 1917 and has been a beloved tradition ever since. The handmade goodness was first introduced by two German brothers, who discovered a family fruitcake recipe in their grandmother’s cookbook. The recipe took off, and the Lantz brothers soon found themselves searching for a bigger facility to produce their grandmother’s recipe. In 1964, their search took them to Beatrice, Nebraska, and the current facility. Established by 2 brothers wanting to share their grandmother’s recipes. | Fruitcakes,Breakfast Breads,Chocolate Cakes,Liqueur Cakes,Kosher Cakes,Bundles,On Sale,Desserts,Gifts,Cakes,Bakery | |
| crunchbox | WHOLESOME PLANT-BASED TREATS FOR EVERYBODY. At Crunchbox, we love bringing friends and families together with quality, healthy, wholesome food. Sharing food is what makes us a community. Sharing wholesome treats is what makes us a healthier community. We work hard to source the freshest and most natural ingredients to create delicious treats to suit almost any dietary requirement, preference and lifestyle choice. We guarantee all our recipes are vegan-friendly, free from refined sugar, gluten-free. That’s what makes our brand a favourite among health-conscious customers. Are you ready to try our delicious selection of gourmet cakes, chocolates, bars and slices? Visit our stores or order online to have your treats delivered to your home. Healthier means tastier at Crunchbox. Crunchbox is delighted to offer our customers a range of gluten-free products, including our fresh, delicious cakes. Try one, try them all! At Crunchbox, we don’t use refined sugar in our products. Instead, we use natural sugar. Natural sugar is found in unprocessed foods such as bananas, coconut, rice and berries, and is packed with vitamins and minerals. It helps you to feel fuller for longer and keeps your metabolism stable. Perth's favourite health-conscious treats. Crunchbox offers a range of homemade delicious treats for the health conscious consumer. Whether you’re following a vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, or just looking for a wholesome treat - our range of cakes, chocolate bars, slices and cookies can be enjoyed, guilt-free. Made with love in WA, our healthy treats are sure to delight. | Vegan,Gluten-Free,Sugar-Free,Confectionery,Snacks,Plant-Based Treats,Gourmet Cakes,Chocolates,Bars,Slices,Whole Cakes,Mini Cakes,Gift Boxes,Paleo,Keto,Baked Goods,Health Foods,desserts,Healthy Snacks,Cookies | |
| Corner Bakery | Our story began in the heart of Cookstown, Northern Ireland, back in January 1951, when Mr. & Mrs. Turkington opened the Corner Cake Shop. The bakery became a community landmark, where locals weren't just customers but part of an extended family story. The legacy continued through three generations, with a commitment to using only the finest ingredients. In December 2021, the bakery was acquired by Martin Booth, who rebranded it as Corner Bakery, reflecting the wide variety of baked goods created from scratch every day, while maintaining the same passion and quality. | Bread,Cakes,Pastries,Traybakes | |
| Kelley’s Kookies | At Kelley’s Kookies, we believe that cookies are an emotional symbol of love, gratitude and celebration. Since 1988, we’ve been dedicated to helping our customers celebrate the special moments in their lives with our handcrafted shortbread cookies, gourmet gift sets, and superior customer service. Our founder, Marcella Onishi, started Kelley’s Kookies (named after her daughter) with one simple goal in mind: to bake the best cookies the world has ever eaten. Equipped with just the tools from her own kitchen and recipes passed down from generation to generation, Marcella began to sell seven varieties of cookies in gift canisters to her friends, family, and co-workers. As word spread about her wonderful creations, the demand outgrew the capacity of her own kitchen, leading her to open the first official Kelley’s Kookies store in Cypress, CA (1993). In 2003, with a growing product line and expanding customer base, we moved into a larger kitchen in Stanton, CA. This location still serves as our main kitchen today. We’ve since grown to two retail locations and are also available in select specialty markets across California and the Seattle area. Our product offerings now include over 25 varieties of shortbreads and macarons, seasonal items and customizable gift boxes to meet all of your personal or gift-giving needs. You can give the taste of homemade without having to slave away in the kitchen. Let us do all the work so you can spend time celebrating the special moments that matter. Even though Marcella is no longer with us, the Kelley’s Kookies tradition of delicious cookies and superior customer service forever lives on. | Shortbread,Macarons,Soft Baked Cookies,Cakes,Gifts,Coffee,Tea | |
| Dougies Goodies | In 1983, a young lad called Douglas (Dougie) put on an apron and dived headfirst into the world of baking as an apprentice. As he baked his way through the doughy delights, Dougie’s talent began to rise. Opportunity then knocked at the door and Dougie was offered the chance to take the reins of his very own bakery in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. The Dougies Goodies adventure began, the bakery became so popular that Dougie needed more hands-on deck, eight to be precise. As the aroma of Dougies bakes and cakes spread throughout the local area so did the need for space. Dougies Goodies expanded and what began as a “small bakery” soon transformed into a buzzing coffee and bakehouse. 2022: Everyone needs a Dougies Goodies. Since then Frank and Georgina alongside an expanding team of passionate people have been whisking up a storm, infusing the bakery with fresh ideas and exciting changes to transform and expand. Despite the recent changes and transformations the original Dougies Goodies recipe hasn't changed as let's face it, it can't get any better. | Cakes,Desserts,Cupcakes,Corporate Catering,Gift Vouchers | |
| Cookies & Dreams | Cookies & Dreams started from a childhood dream of baking, evolving from winning a county fair cookie contest to running a bakery and restaurant. The founder faced numerous challenges but persevered to create a woman-owned business that specializes in handcrafted cookies, shipping nationwide and serving multiple locations in the Midwest. | Cookies,Cookie Cakes,Catering,Fundraising,Corporate Gifts | |
| phillippas | Shop our range of decadent cakes, tarts, sandwiches and more for any occasion. | Cakes,Tarts,Sandwiches,Hampers & Gifts | |
| daango | Daan Go Cake Lab is dedicated to creating high-quality, innovative desserts that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. We focus on fresh ingredients and unique flavors, ensuring every product is a delightful experience for our customers. | Cakes,Pastries,Macarons,Ice Cream,Cookies,Gifts | |
| Beau's Bakehouse | In the 1920s my Grandmother, Beau, ran her own 'Cake Kitchen' in New Zealand, perfecting and selling cakes using her very own family fruit cake, brownie and porter cake recipes. Her incredible passion for baking, and skills in creating recipes that wow, have lived on throughout the years. Fast forward to now, and Beau’s Bakehouse, nestled in the village of Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire, is going strong and capturing the hearts and taste buds of people from around the UK, because we still hold something really special. We have carried on using Beau’s treasured recipes to this day and we lovingly bake every day to ensure all the tasty treats you get from our bakehouse are of top quality and ultimate freshness. | Biscuits,Cakes,Hampers,Gifting,Vegan,Gluten Free | |
| sweetlaurel | Sweet Laurel is a brand that focuses on creating delicious, wholesome baked goods that are free from gluten and refined sugars. We are a grain free, refined sugar free and dairy free bakery based in Los Angeles, CA. Read more about how Sweet Laurel makes sweet things simple. Sweet Laurel has been a favorite spot of mine since it opened, and has only grown to be a bigger part of my life since having kids. I love feeling confident in the sweet treats I get for my family and friends, knowing the ingredients are clean and healthy. Welcome to the Sweet Laurel Cottage’s Kitchen! The heart of the Sweet Laurel Cottage is the kitchen. Literally. The whole house is built around it,... | Baked Goods,Desserts,Cakes,Mixes,Cookies,Grain Free,Refined Sugar Free,Dairy Free,Baking,Kitchenware,Food,Healthy Snacks,Recipes,Pastries | |
| Sperrin Bakery | Sperrin Bakery was established in May 1985 and is based in the heart of the Sperrin Mountains, Northern Ireland. Our slogan ‘Handmade Daily’ is something we highly stand by. We believe that fresh breads, pastries and confectionery should be made available to and enjoyed by everyone. Our bakery in Draperstown hosts an expert team of bakers who produce an exceptional range of high quality products. ‘Man of many talents’ Our managing director, Mr Eddie Burke, is the founder of the business and has years of experience in the bakery industry. His career began when he was just 14 years old where he had an ingrained passion for baking. He has strived through and excelled Sperrin Bakery to the company it is today to ensure there is a growing future for our products and most importantly products made by real bakers. Every single one of our products is made from start – finish in our premises and all prepared by hand, from the weighing up, the kneading, the rolling, right up to being placed in our state of the art ovens to bake to perfection. We believe in giving our products a difference you can taste. | Breads,Pastries,Cakes,Desserts,Baking Classes | |
| Martin Dessert | Depuis 1989, nous cultivons l'excellence en pâtisserie, innovant avec passion pour offrir des desserts sans noix et sans arachides. Cette entreprise familiale, transformée au fil des ans, est devenue un leader québécois dans la fabrication de desserts surgelés. Aujourd'hui, la passion et le savoir-faire se transmettent par la 4e génération, faisant de Martin Dessert plus qu'une entreprise: une #FamilleMD dédiée à l'excellence et à l'innovation en pâtisserie. | Frozen Desserts,Pastries,Cakes,Tarts,Individual Portions | |
| Waterfields | Established family bakers since 1926, Waterfields has a passion for quality and freshness. With a commitment to product development and customer service, it has grown to become one of the largest employers in the local area, maintaining craft skills and investing in modern production methods. | Bread,Savouries,Cream Cakes,Sandwiches,Celebration Cakes | |
| Marble Slab Creamery | Marble Slab Creamery is a global franchise group that specializes in high-quality ice cream and desserts made fresh in-store with 100% real Canadian dairy. The brand is independently owned and operated in Canada by Canadian Ice Cream Company Inc. | Cakes,Ice Cream,Vegan Desserts,Gourmet Popcorn,Candles & Sparklers | |
| southernsugarbakery | Our brand was founded on the principles of inclusivity and style, offering trendy pieces that cater to all. Our brand was founded on the principles of quality and affordability, aiming to provide stylish options for the everyday consumer. | Photo Cookies,Cookie Mix,Collections,Corporate Logo | Branding,Drop Cookies,Cookie Cakes,Duos,Clothing,Accessories,Footwear | |
| van | Daan Go Cake Lab is dedicated to creating innovative and high-quality desserts, focusing on fresh ingredients and unique flavors. The brand aims to provide a delightful experience for dessert lovers in Vancouver and Toronto. | Cakes,Macarons,Pastries,Ice Cream,Gifts | |
| One Stop Bakery | One Stop Bakery specializes in authentic Italian baked goods, offering a wide range of artisan breads, pastries, cakes, and custom desserts made with high-quality ingredients. The bakery is committed to showcasing genuine Italian baking traditions and craftsmanship, ensuring every product reflects the essence of Italy. | Bakery,Catering,Wholesale,Custom Desserts,Artisan Breads,Pastries,Cakes,Cookies,Sweets,Savory Foods,Donuts | |
| Cravings by Chrissy Teigen | Experience culinary excellence with the Cravings by Chrissy Teigen Perfect Pan. This lightweight dutch oven is a kitchen essential, offering effortless handling in and out of the oven without any spills. The stunning gold-toned nonstick interior ensures your meals slide right out, making cleanup a breeze—no soaking or scrubbing needed. The multitasking insert doubles as a strainer, steamer, and oil splatter guard, providing versatility and reducing kitchen clutter. Designed with a neutral matte enamel finish, this pan is a beautiful complement to any kitchen. Why buy just one baking mix when you can try the whole collection? Check out our crave-worthy recipes. Cook them, share them, love them! Cravings by Chrissy Teigen is a brand that embodies the joy of cooking and sharing delicious meals with loved ones. | Apparel,Loungewear,Baking,Cooking,Kitchen Essentials,cookware,bakeware,Food,robes,Baking Mixes,Cakes,Recipes,Kitchen Accessories,Cookware,Cookbooks | |
| Mrs. Fields | In 1977, cookie pioneer Debbi Fields wasn’t trying to create the gourmet cookie boom, she was simply impassioned about making the best quality and tastiest oven fresh cookie possible. It was all about taking control of her life. So, Debbi Fields, a young mother with no business experience, opened her first cookie store in Palo Alto, California in 1977. They told her she was crazy. No business could survive just selling cookies. However, with humble beginnings, Debbi set up her company, Mrs. Fields, which became the premier chain of cookie stores around the world offering an indulgent treat time and time again. Debbi is no longer directly associated with the company but continues to be an icon in business across the world. Her motto remains with the company “Good Enough Never Is” reflecting our uncompromising dedication to our customer’s experience. We accomplish this by delivering the highest quality cookies, muffins, brownies and other fresh baked goodies. | Cookies,Brownies,Cakes,Corporate Gifts,Café | |
| thomashaas.com | None | Cakes,Tarts,Corporate Gifts,Weddings,Gift Cards,Gift Boxes,Coffee & Hot Chocolate,Confections & Cookies | |
| Bake Me Up | Bake Me Up was created to help take the time and stress out of making wow-worthy cakes. Founded in 2019 by Paul Wanis, the brand focuses on quality and customer satisfaction, offering cakes that stay fresh for 28 days. The company has expanded its reach across Australia and operates a state-of-the-art commercial bakery in Melbourne. | Mud Cakes,Cupcakes,Wholesale | |
| unclemikesbakeshoppe | Uncle Mike's began in 2001, but our baking heritage spans several generations. Throughout the years, one thing has remained constant: our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality baked goods to our customers. Awarded The Best Kringle in North America! Our Sea Salt Caramel Pecan boasts over 2,100 five-star reviews! Quality and service are guaranteed! We guarantee that our products, service, and experience are 100% satisfactory. If you're not completely delighted, just let us know, and we'll do everything we can to make it right! Our Kringle dough, crafted with European-style butter, offers a deliciously buttery flavor. We fill it with our homemade cherry filling, made from Red Tart Montmorency Cherries sourced from Seaquist Orchards. It’s finished with our signature Danish icing. This Kringle is a unique twist on the traditional recipe. It’s baked without a filling, then sliced open and filled with our homemade Apple Pie filling. We finish it with a layer of icing and a generous drizzle of caramel. It earned 3rd place in the Wisconsin Baker’s Kringle Contest. About Uncle Mike's | Baked Goods,Desserts,Pastries,Gifts,Gourmet Foods,Kringle,Kringle,Cookies,Cakes,Breads,Gift Boxes |
