Have you ever craved a piece of cake but were hesitant because of the uncontrollable amount of sugar in it? Cakes are always a favorite dish because of their memorable taste, and sometimes there is also a mental benefit when enjoying a piece of cake that is “so satisfying”.
Recently, you are probably no stranger to “less sweet cakes”, which sounds quite contradictory, but very well meets the needs of the generation that loves sweets but still cares about a healthy lifestyle. Especially after the pandemic has passed, people are more aware and concerned about health issues. Customers are now willing to pay more comfortably for delicious cakes, while not making them worry about their health or figure. This is an important signal that bakeries should not ignore.
So, facing this trend, what can bakeries do if they want to enter the potential less sweet cake market?
1. ADJUST THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR FOR LESS SWEET CAKES
An average cake will contain 3 times the amount of sugar needed to consume in a day. Reducing sugar in cakes will contribute to reducing calories and benefiting consumers’ health. Here are some ways that can be applied to adjust the amount of sugar to be more “friendly” and meet the trend of healthy eating:
Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe by 25-50%: This is the simplest and most direct way to make the cake healthier. Experiment with the amount of sugar gradually to find the level that suits your taste.
Replace part of the sugar with natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, fruit juice concentrate, etc.: These substances provide a light sweetness, better for health than refined sugar.
Use naturally sweet fruits such as bananas, strawberries, blueberries, etc.: Choose ripe fruits with a light sweetness, puree or crush the fruit before adding to the cake.
2. USE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE LESS SWEET CAKES
The ingredients used to make cakes are increasingly varied and creative, and can have unimaginable combinations. However, not all attractive ingredients are healthy when used in significant doses. Therefore, bakeries can try to explore alternative options to see if they can create a unique flavor while still satisfying those who love delicious, healthy food!
Replace butter with coconut oil, olive oil, Greek yogurt, etc.: Create a unique, distinctive flavor, ensuring the necessary moisture for the cake. Note that you should choose oils with a light flavor to avoid affecting the flavor of the cake.
Use whole wheat flour instead of white flour: Provides more fiber, minerals, and is better for the digestive system. You should reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe when using whole wheat flour so that the cake is still soft, spongy, and delicious.
Reduce the amount of chocolate or other sweet ingredients in the recipe: You can replace part of the chocolate with pure cocoa powder to enhance the chocolate flavor and reduce the sweetness
3. ADDING SPICES, ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS TO THE CAKE
A small but extremely delicate element for the cake that bakers should not ignore is the spices and auxiliary ingredients:
Using spices such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, …: Create depth, increase the flavor of the cake without adding sugar, cover the harsh sweetness.
Add dried fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, …: Create crispness and add flavor to the cake. These are also very interesting toppings, attracting young people.
