The art of baking at home seems to be enjoying a revival, according to latest sales figures.
People are re-discovering how to make their own cakes and other foods from scratch, according to market analysts Mintel.
Sales of baking products have risen by 25 per cent to hit £429 million this year.
And the market will grow even further to an
estimated £550 million by 2011, Mintel predicts.
Ready-made pastry, cake and flour mixes have fuelled the trend, the Home Baking in the UK report says.
Sales of mixes have grown by 34 per cent since 2001 compared to an eight per cent growth in the shop-bought cakes market.
Mintel senior market analyst Vivianne Ihekweazu said: "The home baking sector has clearly experienced something of a revival, despite the image of 21st century consumers being time-pressed, convenience food devotees."
Despite the trend towards healthier eating, many consumers are still looking for indulgent products to use in home baking, the report says.
According to Mintel, "home baking products" are made up of dried fruit, flour, culinary nuts, cake decorations, baking mixes, frozen and chilled dough and pastry, glace fruit, flavourings and baking spices, cooking chocolate; suet and yeast.
