Dawn Foods, a bakery manufacturing and ingredients distribution, announced the expansion of its frozen cake portfolio alongside the launch of its new digital Celebration Season Inspiration Guide, designed to help bakeries maximize spring and summer sales opportunities.

Available now throughout the U.S. through Dawn Foods, the expanded frozen cake line includes six new products in the company's top-selling cake flavors and formats: White and Devil’s Food cakes offered in 8-inch round, half-sheet and cupcake formats. The new additions aim to provide bakeries with convenient, high-quality solutions that reduce labor while broadening menu offerings.

The launch reflects growing demand for frozen bakery solutions as operators navigate labor shortages and seek operational efficiencies. According to Datassential Pulse Industry Overview from March, 74% of operators indicate that managing labor costs is a top business challenge in 2026. The new frozen cakes are designed to help bakeries meet demand with a simple thaw-and-decorate format, seven-day thawed shelf life and strong moisture retention after five days compared to major competitors.

The new products also align with top-performing cake segments in the U.S. market, where 8-inch round and half-sheet cakes account for 50% of all cake sales and cupcake sales are growing 10% year over year. (Source: Circana Integrated Fresh Dollar Sales, Total U.S.)

“Bakeries are looking for smart solutions that help them do more with less while still delighting their customers,” says Sarah Hickey, VP of marketing, North America, Dawn Foods. “Our expanded frozen cake portfolio delivers the high-demand cake flavors and formats customers need with the convenience and quality they expect. At the same time, our new Celebration Season Inspiration Guide gives bakers fresh ideas to turn seasonal moments into profitable occasions.”

Spring and summer represent peak celebration periods for bakery categories, driven by occasions such as graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, weddings, and birthdays. Consumer demand surges around these events, including:

• Fifty-three percent increase in Angel Food cake sales and 21% increase in strawberry shortcake sales in the two weeks before Mother’s Day (Source: Nielsen Byzzer Dollar Sales, Total U.S. Grocery, 2025)
• Eighteen percent increase in standard-size cupcake sales and 17% increase in decorated cake sales in the two weeks before graduation (Source: Nielsen Byzzer Dollar Sales, Total U.S. Grocery, 2025)
• Seventeen percent increase in cupcake sales and 33% increase in brownie sales and in the two weeks before Independence Day (Source: Nielsen Byzzer Dollar Sales, Total U.S. Grocery, 2025)

To help bakeries capitalize on these moments, Dawn has launched its new digital Celebration Season Inspiration Guide, featuring seasonal recipes, decorating ideas and consumer insights across cakes, cupcakes, donuts, cookies, brownies, and more. The guide highlights key spring and summer celebrations and showcases creative product applications bakers can bring to market.  

Related: Puratos to acquire Dawn Foods