Bunnie Cakes keeps it cool with ready-to-bake treats
The better-for-you brand offers refrigerated cake batter and icing with minimal ingredients.
When someone who is trying to eat more healthfully craves a baked treat that's convenient, better-for-you, and tastes great, finding something that hits all of those targets can be a challenge. Bunnie Cakes aims to deliver with its range of ready-to-bake treats found in a unique location: the refrigerated section. Sonia Hinestrosa, CEO of Bunnie Cakes, connected with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery to talk about the company's history, innovative products, and what the team has planned for the future.
Jenni Spinner: Could you please talk a bit about the history of Bunnie Cakes—how the idea came up, how the company went from idea to reality, and how you’ve grown since launching?
Sonia Hinestrosa: Bunnie Cakes began in 2009 as one of the first vegan and allergen-friendly bakeries in Miami, earning a devoted following for desserts that delivered both indulgence and clean ingredients. Over time, demand extended beyond the bakery itself, particularly from consumers who wanted convenient ways to enjoy the products at home.
I joined when the founder began developing the idea for a ready-to-bake batter. My focus was on building the operational foundation to scale the brand beyond the bakery, including launching distribution of bakery items into retailers like Whole Foods and preparing the business for national growth.
Transitioning into CPG was a strategic evolution. The Ready-to-Bake Cupcake Batter is based on the same core recipe the bakery has used successfully for years. For manufacturing at scale, we adjusted quantities, sourced specialized ingredient partners, and optimized processes, but we worked intentionally to preserve the flavor, texture, and performance that customers already loved.
Today, Bunnie Cakes is a nationally distributed clean-ingredient dessert brand. Our refrigerated batter allows consumers across the country to bake fresh cupcakes at home with minimal effort while delivering an authentic bakery experience.
JS: Then, please share what sets your company apart from other companies offering ready-made cupcakes and baking mixes.
SH: We occupy a unique space between traditional dry baking mixes and fully prepared desserts. Instead of measuring ingredients from scratch or purchasing a pre-baked product, consumers can bake fresh cupcakes at home using refrigerated batter paired with frosting. The result is a warm, bakery-quality cupcake with virtually no prep, mess, or guesswork. From a category standpoint, we are helping define refrigerated baking as a distinct segment within the store perimeter.
Another key differentiator is formulation integrity. Our batter is derived from the same recipe used in our retail bakery, adapted for large-scale production without compromising taste or texture. Maintaining that continuity was critical to delivering an authentic product experience.
Ingredient quality and inclusivity also set us apart. Our products are plant-based and free from dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and soy, making them broadly allergen-friendly while still delivering the flavor and appearance of a traditional cupcake. Wheat is the only major allergen present. That combination of freshness, convenience, and inclusivity is difficult to achieve in shelf-stable formats and resonates strongly with today’s consumers.
Courtesy of Bunnie CakesJS: Tell us about your products in your portfolio and what kinds of consumers you think would go wild over them.
SH: Our core lineup features refrigerated ready-to-bake cupcake batter pouches in flavors such as Very Vanilla and Chocolate, paired with frosting to complete the experience. Each package contains everything needed to bake a batch of cupcakes at home in minutes.
Demand is strongest among busy households looking for high-quality desserts that fit into everyday life, not just special occasions. Parents appreciate having a dependable treat option on hand, and many consumers use the products for after-dinner desserts, weekend baking, or a small sweet treat during the day.
We also see strong engagement from shoppers seeking plant-based or allergen-conscious options, as well as younger consumers who enjoy baking but prioritize convenience. Ultimately, our products appeal to anyone who wants the satisfaction of homemade baking without the time commitment, complexity, or cleanup.
In addition to refrigerated products, we also offer a frozen-to-fresh line that’s designed to deliver the same bakery-quality experience with longer shelf life and expanded merchandising flexibility for retailers.
JS: Do you have a favorite product in the lineup?
SH: Our Very Vanilla cupcake batter is a flagship product because it demonstrates the flexibility of the platform. It’s a familiar flavor with broad household appeal and serves as a blank canvas for customization, whether through decorations, fillings, or toppings. Personally, I enjoy how easily it fits into everyday moments, from weeknight desserts to baking activities with kids. It delivers a consistent, high-quality result without requiring advanced baking skills.
JS: What’s next for the company—do you have new flavors, products, retail partnerships, or other fun things in the works?
SH: Our primary focus is expanding distribution and increasing consumer awareness of refrigerated baking as a convenient, high-quality alternative to traditional mixes and pre-baked desserts. We are exploring new flavors, seasonal offerings, and additional formats that build on our core platform while maintaining the same clean-ingredient standards and bakery-quality performance.
From a retail perspective, we are working closely with partners to optimize placement within the refrigerated set and educate shoppers on how the product fits into everyday routines. As demand for convenient, premium dessert solutions continues to grow, we see substantial runway ahead. While refrigerated baking remains our core platform, we also offer frozen-to-fresh products and are expanding that line to broaden distribution opportunities and meet different retailer needs while preserving the fresh-baked experience consumers expect.
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