Tray Cakes for Coffee Shops: The Secret to a Balanced Cake Counter
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Coffee shop customers rarely want the same type of cake every time they visit. Some are drawn to nostalgic classics, others are looking for something colourful and fun, while many prefer richer flavours that pair well with coffee.
For café owners, offering a small but varied selection is often the best way to appeal to a wider range of customers throughout the day. A mix of familiar favourites alongside something a little different can help keep the counter interesting and encourage customers to try something new.
Introducing Two New Tray Cakes
To expand the Truly Treats range, we’ve introduced two tray cakes designed to sit comfortably alongside other popular café favourites.
Each bake offers a different style and flavour profile, helping coffee shops broaden their cake selection while keeping preparation straightforward for busy teams.
School Tray Cake
School Cake is one of those bakes that many customers recognise instantly.
Inspired by the classic school dinner sponge, it features a soft vanilla sponge topped with smooth white fondant icing and colourful 100s and 1000s.
Its cheerful appearance and familiar flavour make it an easy choice for coffee shops looking to offer something nostalgic that customers already know and love.
Ginger & Marmalade Tray Cake
For customers looking for something a little richer in flavour, the Ginger & Marmalade Traycake brings warmth and depth to the cake counter.
This dense, sticky sponge is made with marmalade and ginger, glazed with marmalade and finished with pieces of stem ginger in syrup for extra flavour and texture.
It is also suitable for vegans, giving coffee shops an easy way to include a plant-based option without compromising on flavour or quality.
Both of these tray cakes are supplied pre-cut into neat rectangles making them easy to portion and plate consistently. You can read about how we cut out traycakes using a ultra-sonic cutting machine here.
They are delivered frozen and can be defrosted as needed, allowing coffee shops to manage stock efficiently and reduce waste.
Once defrosted, they have a five-day shelf life, giving cafés flexibility when managing their displays.
Staple Tray Cakes Every Coffee Shop Should Stock
Tray cakes continue to be a practical choice for busy café environments. Their format allows for generous portions while keeping service quick and simple. Including a small selection of tray cakes can help cafés offer variety without needing a large cake menu.
While every coffee shop has its own style, there are a few tray cake styles that consistently perform well:
A classic sponge tray cake
Traditional sponge flavours are always popular in coffee shops. Bakes inspired by classics such as Victoria Sponge Traycake or Carrot Traycake feel familiar and comforting, making them reliable choices that many customers recognise and enjoy.
A plant-based tray cake
More coffee shops are now including a vegan tray cake so there is something available for everyone. A well-made plant-based option can sit comfortably alongside traditional cakes while helping cafés appeal to a wider range of customers. Take a look at our Vegan Caramelised Biscuit Traycake.
A visual or conversation-starting tray cake
Including something that catches the eye or sparks a bit of conversation can make a big difference to a coffee shop display. This might be a nostalgic bake people remember from childhood, an innovative flavour combination, or a cake with colourful decoration that stands out on the counter. These types of tray cakes often attract attention quickly and encourage impulse purchases.
A chocolate tray cake
Chocolate remains one of the most popular cake flavours with customers and is often a dependable seller on café counters. A rich chocolate tray cake provides a familiar option that pairs well with coffee and appeals to a wide range of customers. If you haven't tried our Cookie Dough Brownie before, you must!
Try Them on Your Counter
If you’re looking to refresh your cake selection and introduce more variety, these tray cakes for coffee shops are designed to fit easily into busy café counters.
Trying them in your own display is often the best way to see how a mix of nostalgic classics and richer flavours can help broaden your offering and encourage customers to try something new.
If you'd like to try some samples of our range, fill in our Samples Request form and a member of our team will be in touch.
