The Baking Behaviours survey – commissioned by NABIM, the National Association of British and Irish Millers – was conducted online among 4,359 Brits (aged 18+) in early May.
It found that 34% of the respondents used two or more bags of flour between the start of lockdown and mid-May.
Bread emerged as the most popular bake overall, with 37% of home bakers adding it to their repertoire. A daring 7% attempted sourdough.
Cookies came in second, with 34% indulging in the sweet treat. These bakes were especially favoured by home bakers aged 18-24 and 45-54.
32% baked cupcakes
28% baked banana bread
27% baked chocolate cake
26% made pizza
23% baked brownies
Bake to the future
The survey also noted the upturn in baking as a hobby in lockdown has developed into a passion that will continue as we ease into ‘the new normal’.
33% see baking as a regular pursuit in the future, with 59% of these respondents intending to bake breads. However, many want to broaden their pastry skills, naming chocolate cake (59%) and cookies (58%) next up on the baking schedule.
Baking is now popular with adults of all age ranges, with three in five (60%) of 18-24-year olds baking during the early lockdown period; 19% of 25-34-year olds having invested in new baking equipment or planning to purchase new items soon; and 47% of 35-44 year olds saying they believe it’s a good activity to do with children.
More than a quarter of the respondents (26%) say they find baking to be relaxing and therapeutic, while 40% of 18-24 year olds say baking has helped with their stress levels during the uncertainty of the crisis.
Earlier this year, NABIM launched The Easy Peasy Baking Campaign, which offers free advice, recipes, baking tips and equipment swaps to home bakers. The campaign aims to prove baking is for everyone, and show that it can be simple, quick, cheap and use minimal amounts of equipment. It certainly will support the many new UK bakers on their baking journey.
