Popular Types of Cakes in Nairobi and Where to Find Them

You've probably eaten quite a number of cakes in your lifetime, some at weddings, some at birthdays (and you probably sneaked some to eat later while no one was watching) just because they were incredibly yummy.

But imagine if I randomly met you in Nairobi CBD, asked you to close your eyes, and gave you a piece of cake to taste. Can you tell the type of cake it is just by tasting it?

Below are the popular types of cakes in Nairobi & Kenya and where to find top-notch, quality cakes in Kenya for your special occasion.

Cake lovers can choose from hundreds of different varieties of cakes, but they're mainly categorized into four main groups based on how you mix the ingredients: Butter and Oil Cakes, Sponge Cakes, Baked Flourless Cakes, and Unbaked Cakes.

1. Butter and Oil Cakes

Butter and oil cakes are the kinds of cakes you always want more of due to their richness, moisture, and intense flavor. They are made either of butter/margarine, fat, or oil. These types of cakes generally use a raising agent like baking powder or, baking soda, or both. They also use a creaming and folding method of mixing. These cakes are very fluffy, light, and airy.  

Examples of the most popular Butter and Oil Cakes you can find in Nairobi include:

Vanilla Cake:

This is one of the most common cake flavors in Kenya. They often make this traditional cake with butter, sometimes oil, and it gets its sweet delicate taste from vanilla flavoring. It's fluffy, airy, and people like it on its own or with a simple icing on top. In Nairobi, this cake's a hit for parties since it pairs with just about any filling or frosting.

Oreo Cake:

You enjoy a delightful twist on a classic butter and oil cake when you bite into an Oreo cake. This type of cake starts with a rich, moist base made by creaming butter (or mixing in oil) with sugar and eggs. This method gives you a tender crumb that's perfect for any celebration. Then, the magic of Oreos comes into play. Crushed Oreo cookies are mixed right into the batter or folded into a luscious frosting, so every slice delivers that irresistible crunch and signature chocolatey flavor.

Chocolate Caramel Cake:

This cake is crafted using the classic method of mixing butter (or oil) with sugar and eggs, blending the best cake flavors you can imagine. The secret to its amazing flavor lies in the delightful combination of deep chocolate and velvety caramel.

Other butter and oil cake types include: Orange and Chocolate Layered Cake and Chocolate Fudge Cake.

2. Sponge Cakes

These types of cake flavors use the whisking and folding method of mixing and they mostly use egg as the raising agent only. This means eggs and sugar get a good beating together to pull in the air before the flour is folded in. This method gives the cake a fluffy feel. 

Examples of popular sponge cakes you can find in Nairobi include:

Black Forest Cake:

Black forest cake is one of the well-known cakes in Kenya. Layers of whipped cream and cherries enrich this popular chocolate sponge cake. Typically, it is topped with additional cherries and sprinkled with chocolate shavings.

Passion Forest Cake:

Made with passion fruit tastes, the passion forest cake is a fruity sponge cake. It tastes sweet with a hint of sharpness from the layers of passion fruit filling and whipped cream.

Blueberry Forest Cake:

This is a soft vanilla or blueberry sponge cake with layers of whipped cream and blueberry filling. It usually comes with blueberry sauce or fresh blueberries on top.

3. Baked Flourless Cakes

Just from their name, baked flourless cakes are another variety of cakes that don't use any type of flour or wheat flour, but they are baked. They tend to be very dense, silky in texture and mostly used like deserts.

Examples of popular baked flourless cakes you can find in Nairobi include:

• Tiramisu (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic): Eggs, mascarpone, sugar, and a dash of cocoa or coffee combine to create this flourless tiramisu. Splash some coffee liqueur or rum for the boozy kick, but if you want to keep it sober, leave out the booze. You'll get a thick coffee-flavored custard cake that's super creamy.
• Gluten-Free Red Velvet is a flourless version of the classic red velvet cake. People use stuff like nut flours or special gluten-free mixes instead of regular wheat flour for this gluten-free version. This cake comes out all soft and tender, with just a hint of cocoa. Oh, and it's got that famous red look to it. You'll often find it rocking a flavorful cream cheese frosting on top.

4. Unbaked Cakes

Just like flourless cakes, unbaked cakes don't contain any flour and aren't baked at all. They are created by mixing all the ingredients together, pouring the mixture into a dish, and allowing it to set—typically in the refrigerator. Instead of rising in an oven, these cakes flutter as they chill. Common ingredients include melted butter, sugar, eggs (or egg substitutes), and sometimes cocoa or fruit purees, contributing to their rich, dense texture.

Examples of popular unbaked cakes in Nairobi include Unbaked Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Conclusion

Which of the above popular types of cakes in Nairobi are your favorites and why? Or which cake would you like to try out for the first time?

Sweet Inspirations Cakes Bakery is your go-to shop for all your cake cravings or for events like birthdays or weddings. Whether you're in Nairobi or outside Nairobi, you can order, and we'll have your cake delivered on time. Our cakes are made with love and passion. Try us today.