The 2022 hypes you might have missed

Taste Tomorrow, 27 Dec 2022

In our online world, trends come and go in such a fast pace that you can miss a pastry hype or baking craze in the blink of an eye. Have you been able to keep track of every microtrend and hype that popped up in the last year? Test yourself and see how many you can tick off in the list below.

 

These are the 2022 hypes you might have missed:

1. Freak cakes

Hip Instagram bakers are opting for a less polished look by creating cakes that are artsy, maximalist and slightly weird. Think: asymmetrical designs in unusual colors such as black and blue and decorated with fresh flowers, spray paint and jelly. The freak cake is challenging the strict traditions of the patisserie world. 

2. Sourdough croissants

‘Go sourdough’ was our tip for growing your business earlier this year. Creating sourdough versions of popular products is a surefire way to create a new bestseller. The sourdough croissant was the most famous sourdough application of the last year, but actually almost anything goes. 

Want to try the sourdough croissant? Have a look at this recipe or make a batch of overnight sourdough croissants.

3. Cartoon cake

The cartoon cake is a trompe-l'oeil: it looks like a two dimensional drawing, but it’s actually a very real cake. The use of classic birthday cake designs, bright colors, black lines and white accents all contribute to the illusion. But there are also versions that imitate one large piece of birthday cake. It’s a relatively easy design that achieves maximum effect!

4. Plant-based snacks

Plant-based pastry, chocolates and baked goods are hardly niche anymore, rather it’s a trend that producers simply have to cater to in order to stay relevant. Did you know 1 in 3 consumers buys plant-based food on a weekly basis? Vegan products meet the contemporary consumer’s desires, they want foods with health benefits and foods that are ethical. 

Find out just how pleasant plant-based pastry can be with this creamy and fruity cupcake.

5. The newest hybrid: baklava-cheesecake

Combining two products consumers know and love is almost always a recipe for success, especially if you’re a pastry chef. So each year we see a surge of new pastry hybrids, all hoping to become the new cruffin. 

Have you already spotted the latest one? It’s baklava-cheesecake. The crispy and sweet dessert from Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East mixes perfectly with the creamy and fresh classic cheesecake. All the best textures combined in one treat!

6. Donuts

There was a 20% growth in the number of online conversations on donuts in Europe the past year. The donut is fun and indulgent and that is just what consumers are after. There are trendy shops specializing in donuts, such as the London-based Doughnut Time and the German Brammibal’ Donuts. But the  upswing in popularity of this pastry evergreen can partially be attributed to the number of new innovations as well. There were sourdough donuts, XXL donuts and lots of plant-based donuts.