Year-end indulgence: how to pick the best cakes for gifting

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Putting a fruitcake under a pillow invites dreams about the person you will marry, says an ancient English belief. The wedding cake of Princess Diana and Prince Charles (now king) cost $40,000, making it one of the most expensive cakes at that time.

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Special occasions need delicious cakes, but one need not wait for a birthday or an anniversary to enjoy them. A cake can be a snack or a meal in itself—baked at a consumer's convenience. “The Indian cake market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.5% during the next five years. The market is segmented by Category (Packaged and Unpackaged/Artisanal), Product Type (Sponge Cakes, Cup Cakes, Cheesecakes, and Other Cakes),” according to a recent report by Mordor Intelligence on Indian Cake Market (2022 - 2027).

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Data from Ferns N Petals, the online gifting company, shows that cake consumption splits across subcategories with average order value being Rs 200 for brownies, Rs 600 for cakes and Rs 120 for pastries. Most consumers buy half-kg cakes. “India traditionally has been a chocolate-consuming country--same trends are visible likewise. Truffle and chocolate cakes contribute to 55 per cent of the overall consumption, where the remaining flavour profiles such as pineapple, butter scotch, black forest contribute to another 25 per cent,” said Manish Saini, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ferns N Petals.

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States that comprise 65 per cent of India’s total cake consumption include Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, West Bengal and Haryana, he said.  Baking time