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here’s not many people out there who can resist a slice of airy Victoria sponge, juicy lemon drizzle or a gooey brownie. With The Great British Bake Off back on our TV screens, be ready to show off your creations with a selection of cakes and bakes that are irresistible and the perfect partner to hot drinks.
bake! Cakes and bakes are sure-fire winners when it comes to encouraging customers to trade up, plus they’re easy on your purse strings but offer great margins such as vegan and gluten, sugar and dairy-free. Aim for several choices, not just one. And don’t forget kidfriendly treats too – cake pops, brightly decorated cupcakes and chocolate-laden traybakes will all tick the box. If you’re able to bake yourself, be sure to shout about it and flag on handwritten labels and on menu boards to boost those sales.
Choice and variety
Have a look at what you offer and see if there are any gaps in what customers are looking for. Sliced cakes, brownies, cookies, muffins and flapjacks are pretty essential. Offer a range of different cake and brownie flavours, and traybakes that change frequently. Using seasonal ingredients is a big bonus. You need to have healthier options too – flapjacks with added seeds, dried fruit and nuts, oatmeal cookies topped with fresh fruit and a crumble topping, or beetroot brownies are all more nutritious versions of favourite bakes.
24 Eat » ISSUE 6 2021
Show and tell Think creatively about how you can transform a simple bake into something different that customers may not find anywhere else – it’ll give you a real point of difference. Be creative with ingredients too to elevate a simple bake into something special and supertempting. Highlight those that are suitable for various diets,
Top tip GET YOUR PORTION SIZE RIGHT; A TINY SLICE JUST WON’T CUT IT
Advertise your cake menu clearly to entice customers. Clearly label your selection with name and price so customers don’t have to ask, which may put some off buying. People eat first with their eyes and there’s few foods more tempting than sweet treats. With that in mind, look at how you display your cakes and bakes and
