What Are The Most Popular Bakes?

Baking has seen a major resurgence in popularity over the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in home baking, as people spent more time at home and found baking to be a fun and relaxing activity during lockdowns. According to The Hershey Company, 34% of consumers reported using baking as a creative outlet more during the pandemic.1 Baking product sales have continued to rise even as lockdowns ended, with 31% of people surveyed baking at least once per week in 2022.2 The bakery industry as a whole is projected to continue growing, with retail bakeries expected to reach $3.8 billion in sales by 2024.3 This article will explore the most popular baked goods among home bakers and provide an overview of current trends in the baking industry.

1. https://www.thehersheycompany.com/en_us/home/newsroom/blog/is-bakings-pandemic-popularity-just-a-flash-in-the-pan.html

2. https://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/58589-home-baking-product-sales-increase-in-2022

3. https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/bakery-industry-trends-and-statistics

Breads

Some of the most popular bread recipes include quick breads that do not require yeast, such as banana bread, zucchini bread, and pumpkin bread. These breads are quick and easy to make, and the ingredients are readily accessible. According to Southern Living, banana bread is one of the most beloved quick breads, with over 5 million searches per month. The simplicity of the ingredients – bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and baking soda – makes this a staple baking recipe. Zucchini bread is another favorite, allowing bakers to use up extra zucchini from the garden. Pumpkin bread is ideal to make during fall when canned pumpkin is easy to find. The spice combinations are similar to pumpkin pie, creating a perfect autumn treat.

Muffins

Muffins are a popular quick bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. According to polls and surveys, the most popular muffin flavors are blueberry, chocolate chip, and banana nut (https://strawpoll.com/most-popular-muffin-flavors).

Blueberry muffins are a classic favorite, featuring fresh or frozen blueberries baked into a sweet, tender crumb. The burst of juicy berries in each bite makes this a delightful treat. Blueberry muffins pair well with coffee or tea.

Chocolate chip muffins are perfect for chocolate lovers. Mini chocolate chips or chunks are swirled throughout the batter, creating an irresistible blend of vanilla and chocolate flavors. The chocolate melts into the muffin, providing a gooey, chocolatey center with each bite.

Banana nut muffins are made extra moist with mashed ripe bananas. Toasted walnuts or pecans add crunch and complement the sweetness of the bananas. This combo makes a satisfying, energizing breakfast. Other popular add-ins are raisins or cinnamon.

While basic versions of these muffins are always crowd-pleasers, bakers can get creative with various mix-ins and toppings like streusel. No matter your preference, muffins make for a quick, portable breakfast or snack (https://www.spatuladesserts.com/muffin-recipes/).

Cookies

Cookies are one of the most beloved and popular baked goods. Some of the most popular cookie varieties include chocolate chip, sugar, and oatmeal raisin. According to Martha Stewart, chocolate chip cookies rank as the most popular cookie recipe of all time. The classic Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe using semi-sweet chocolate morsels is a cherished favorite across generations.

Sugar cookies are another highly popular cookie variety. Food Network lists sugar cookies among their top 25 most popular cookie recipes. Sugar cookies have a simple flavor profile and texture that makes them versatile for decorating and adapting with different add-ins. Finally, oatmeal raisin cookies are beloved for their combination of oats, raisins, brown sugar and spices.

Brownies

Brownies are a beloved chocolate treat made by baking a chocolate batter in a pan and cutting it into squares. According to the data from Allrecipes, some of the most popular brownie recipes are fudgy brownies, cakey brownies, and peanut butter brownies.

Fudgy brownies use little to no flour, which gives them a very dense and rich texture. Allrecipes notes that their fudgy brownie recipe made with cocoa powder and melted chocolate is one of their top recipes. The high chocolate content and minimal flour create the signature fudgy texture (https://www.allrecipes.com/longform/best-brownies-review/).

For a more cakey texture, brownie recipes include more flour. Allrecipes’ Triple Chocolate Brownies are popular for their extra moist and cakey crumb. The added flour gives them a lighter, cakier texture than fudgy brownies.

Peanut butter is also a popular brownie mix-in. The nutty flavor and creamy texture of peanut butter complements chocolate perfectly in brownies. Allrecipes’ Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies feature a peanut butter swirl running through a fudgy brownie base.

Cakes

Cakes are one of the most beloved and popular baked goods. Some of the most popular cake flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and carrot cake.

Vanilla cake is a classic favorite. According to sources, vanilla cake is one of the most popular cake flavors in the U.S., especially for birthdays and celebrations. The sweet simplicity of vanilla cake makes it a crowd-pleasing option.[1]

Chocolate cake is another top choice. Rich, decadent chocolate cake satisfies chocolate lovers across the country. It is frequently ranked as one of the most popular cake flavors. Chocolate cake comes in many varieties, from fudge to German chocolate.[2]

Carrot cake is also widely loved for its delicious combination of spices, carrots, cream cheese frosting, and walnuts. Though not as common as chocolate or vanilla, carrot cake rounds out the top three most popular cake flavors with its moist texture and decadent frosting.

Pies

Pies are one of the most beloved baked goods in America. According to research from Instacart, the most popular pie flavors purchased in 2021 were apple, pumpkin, and pecan.

Apple pie is a classic American dessert. Its flaky, butter crust and spiced apple filling make it a delicious fall and winter dessert. According to Instacart data, apple pie was the most purchased pie flavor in 2021. Apple pies have remained a staple dessert on Thanksgiving tables for decades.

Pumpkin pie is another quintessential fall dessert. Its spiced custard filling flavored with pumpkin puree is synonymous with Thanksgiving dinners. According to the Instacart data, pumpkin was the second most purchased pie for Thanksgiving in 2021, after apple pie. Its popularity endures from year to year.

Pecan pie rounds out the top three most popular pie flavors. Its gooey filling is made of egg custard and pecans. The nutty flavor and crispy crust make pecan pie a delicious dessert for the fall and winter holidays. It’s a staple on Thanksgiving dessert tables across the United States.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a classic favorite baked good. Some of the most popular cupcake flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet.

Vanilla cupcakes are a beloved basic flavor. They allow creative freedom with frostings and decorations. Vanilla cake has a sweet, comforting flavor that appeals to people of all ages.

Chocolate cupcakes are rich and indulgent. They often feature chocolate frosting or ganache to complement the chocolate cake. The intense chocolate taste makes this a go-to for chocolate lovers.

Red velvet cupcakes have a distinctive red-brown color and tangy cream cheese frosting. According to sources like Lancaster Cupcake, red velvet ranks among the most popular cupcake flavors in the United States.

Dessert Bars

Dessert bars are a popular baked good because they are easy to transport to parties and potlucks. They can feed a crowd by cutting them into squares or rectangles. Some of the most popular dessert bar recipes include:

Lemon bars are a tangy and refreshing treat. They have a shortbread crust topped with a lemon curd filling. Lemon bars are often dusted with powdered sugar before serving. They are a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. Get the recipe at: The Novice Chef.

Brownies are a chocolate lover’s dream. They have a fudgy, dense, and rich texture. Brownies can be dressed up with nuts, frosting, or other mix-ins. Try these award-winning almond brownies from Chew Out Loud.

Rice krispie treats are a classic no-bake dessert. They are made by melting marshmallows with butter and mixing into crispy rice cereal. Rice krispie treats can be customized with different flavors and mix-ins. Get creative with these rice krispie bar recipes from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

Conclusion

In summary, the most popular baked goods include classics like cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, and cupcakes. When baking these tasty treats at home, it’s important to follow some key tips for success:

First, always start by measuring ingredients properly with the right tools and technique. Investing in a good stand mixer and high-quality baking pans can also make a big difference. Bring ingredients like eggs and butter to room temperature before baking for best results.

Check for doneness at the recommended time, but also visually and with a toothpick. Allow goods to cool completely before frosting or decorating. And be sure to store baked goods properly, in airtight containers at room temperature.

Following basic tips like these from the pros can help ensure your homemade baked goods turn out perfect every time. With the right recipes and a bit of practice, anyone can master the most popular cookies, cakes, pies, and more.