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Baking trends

Baking trends through time – From spices to Dubai bars

Baking is not only a craft, it is also a reflection of the times. From the first sweet pastries in the Middle Ages to the vintage cakes and Dubai bars of today, trends come and go, but they always leave a lasting impression. Thanks to social media, new trends are now flying around the world at lightning speed. As a baker, this offers a huge opportunity to stand out, but also the challenge of staying true to your own style.

In this blog we take you through the history of baking trends. From the origins of pastries to the biggest hits of today, and with tips on how to cleverly apply trends in your bakery.

1. Early baking history: from spices to sugar

Baking used to be a luxury and a symbol of wealth. Spices and sugar played a key role:

  • The Middle Ages: Pies and bread-like delicacies enriched with cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper were popular, especially during feasts of the nobility.
  • The 16th and 17th centuries: Sugar became more accessible, leading to the first real sweet cakes, such as rich fruit cakes and marzipan. Pastry exuded luxury and craftsmanship.
  • The Industrial Revolution: New techniques made pastries more affordable and accessible to a wider audience. This is how the first "house cakes" for special occasions came into being.

2. Baking trends through the decades

The 50s

  • Layer Cakes: Luxurious multi-tiered cakes with whipped cream and cherry decorations were a hit at weddings and birthdays.

  • Pound cakes: Sturdy cakes made from equal parts butter, sugar, eggs and flour. Simple, but always loved.
The 60s

  • Upside-down cakes: Cakes with caramel icing and fruit (especially pineapple) became popular, mainly because they were both visually and tastefully impressive.

  • Jello Desserts: Brightly colored gelatin pudding was often the center of attention at parties.
The 70s

  • Carrot cakes: A healthy option (for the time) with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. This cake remains a favorite.

  • Black Forest Cherry Cake: Classic of chocolate cake, whipped cream, cherries and Kirsch. The chocolate curls finish the cake.
The 80's

  • Eclairs: Oblong puffs filled with pastry cream, whipped cream or another tasty cream.

  • Battenberg cake: This English cake of German origin is covered in a layer of marzipan. The different colours of cake are put together like a checkerboard.
The 90s

  • Chocolate Fondant/Lava Cakes: These iconic cakes with a liquid chocolate filling were a sophisticated treat.

  • Cheesecake: The cakes with a firm biscuit base and a cream cheese filling are indispensable. The quark cake (with quark instead of cream cheese) also became a popular variant.

3. The baking world today: trends from the 2000s to today

The last few decades have seen an explosion of creativity in baking. Here are the hottest trends right now:

  • Cupcakes: In the early 2000s, cupcakes became a worldwide hit. Not only were they cute and individual, but they were also easy to customize for any occasion. Their rise was also boosted by the popular TV series Sex and the City , in which cupcakes were a regular recurring element. Of course, you will find the perfect packaging for your cupcakes with us!

  • Geode cake: In a geode cake, a part is cut out of the cake. This is spread with buttercream and the colored candy sugar is placed in it.

  • Naked cake: A naked cake is a cake where the outside is minimally covered with frosting, leaving the layers and fillings visible.

  • Fault line cake: A cake where a strip in the middle is deliberately left open for a different decoration.

  • Drip cakes: With frosting or chocolate that drips over the edges, drip cakes remain a favorite for those who love visual spectacle. They’re perfectly customizable with colors and toppings, from candy to flowers.

  • Unicorn cakes: Magical cakes with rainbow colors, golden horns and sparkling details. This trend, especially loved by children, turned out to be the ultimate Instagrammable cake.

  • Vintage/Lambeth cakes: Rich decorations with buttercream, pearls and intricate patterns bring back the nostalgic luxury of the 40s and 50s. Modern interpretations often add soft colors and satin bows for a contemporary twist.

  • Chunky cookies: Sturdy cookies with gooey fillings like chocolate, nuts or caramel are a hit. The sturdier the better.

  • Iced cookies: Beautifully decorated cookies with fondant and/or icing. Of course we have various super fun packaging to present your cookies beautifully!

  • Bento cakes: Small, minimalist cakes packed in a box . Perfect as a gift or for an intimate treat.

  • Cartoon cakes: Cakes that look like they came straight out of a comic book. Thick black lines and bright colors make these creations eye-catching and unique.

  • Crompouces: A unique Dutch invention! The airy texture of a croissant combined with the creamy filling and pink icing of a tompouce. A brilliant combination of tradition and innovation.

  • Palette knife cakes: A beautiful technique for using buttercream to create flowers or other shapes on a cake.
  • Dubai chocolate: Luxury chocolate bars filled with special flavours such as pistachio, dates or knafeh. Often finished with gold leaf for a touch of glamour.

4. The role of social media: spotting and sharing trends

Social media is the driving force behind baking trends. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok make it possible to discover and share new ideas at lightning speed. Do you always want to stay up to date? Then use these tools:

  • Hashtags: Search for #caketrends, #bakinginspiration, #dripcake or #chunkycookies to get inspired. And don't forget to follow Cupcakedozen.nl for fun inspiration!
  • Google Alerts: Set up alerts for keywords like “baking trends” or “cupcake designs,” and get updates delivered straight to your inbox.
  • Google Trends: See what trends are popular in your area right now. For example, search for “vintage cake” or “bento cake.”

5. How do you respond smartly to trends?

  1. Start small: Introduce a new trend as a limited edition and see how customers react.
  2. Make it unique: Combine a trend with your own style to stand out.
  3. Think ahead: Make sure your core offering is always solid, because trends can come and go quickly.

Conclusion
From medieval spices to today’s colourful lambeth cakes, baking trends continue to inspire us. Use them to innovate your creations, but always stay true to your unique style. That’s what really keeps customers coming back.

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