As a business owner, you are always looking for the next big thing, and right now all the rage is centered on doughnuts. This amazing treat was often overlooked in favor of the cupcake craze and macaron mania, but has now ballooned into a featured menu item for breakfast, an afternoon snack or a cakey dessert. With all the flavor options and sizes, too, the options are almost limitless.

Sales on doughnuts for bakeries that offer these delicious treats are on the rise. USA Today released some statistics earlier this year, including data that shows Americans eat more than 10 billion doughnuts per year – or nearly 31 doughnuts per person annually. In addition, 60 percent of households eat doughnuts. With such large numbers of these treats snacked on each year, doughnuts are a hugely popular option, and the numbers clearly show the market has plenty of room for bakeries large and small alike.

Expanding your bakery’s menu could be a daunting task, and one that you may not want to take on, but with the current doughnuts demand, they can make a huge impact on your bottom line and profit margins. Start with sticking to recipe options that are based on your current selection or go bold and try entirely new tastes that appeal to your audience – perhaps even a new signature flavor that will keep consumers coming back for more.

DoughnutsThere are only a few basic ingredients that are needed to make doughnuts – flour, sugar, yeast, eggs and oil – so you probably already have everything you need in stock for use with your other breads, pastries and baked goods. The only other ingredients you need are the special flavorings to make your doughnuts unique. Whether you decide to stick with a simple taste or dress up your doughnuts with maple frosting, key lime dough or pumpkin spice glaze, there’s no limit to how you can make your doughnuts an entirely bold and distinct product.

Move your bakery in to the red – red velvet doughnuts, that is – or step forward into the black – black forest doughnuts – and embrace the new doughnut craze. Who knows – perhaps you’ll even land among the doughnut royalty showcased in this Thrillist coverage of the best doughnut shops in America!

Empire Bakery Equipment can help you expand your operations, whether you need additional dough mixing equipment or help with dough dividing and shaping. Contact us today to discuss your needs and get more information on the right equipment for your operation.