At Farm to Cake, we’re all about using the best ingredients to create desserts that taste incredible. When it comes to fruit, we choose IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) instead of fresh from a supplier — and for good reasons! It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about making sure every bite is packed with real flavor.
People often ask us why we don’t use local fresh fruit, and the truth is, we love local and we do, when in season. But fresh fruit isn’t always in season. When berries, peaches, or apples aren’t at their peak, fresh options can fall short on flavor or quality. IQF fruit gives us the ability to bake with real, perfectly ripe fruit no matter the season. And here’s the big thing: we don’t use artificial flavoring agents or bulk produced canned pie fillings. Every dessert is made from scratch with natural ingredients. That’s what being a real scratch bakery is all about.
1. Peak Ripeness, Always
IQF fruit is picked at the perfect moment—when it’s ripe and full of flavor. It’s frozen right away to lock in all that goodness. Fresh fruit that’s out of season is often picked early and ripens during shipping, which means it’s never as sweet or flavorful as it should be.
2. Year-Round Flavor
Seasons don’t stop us from making your favorite desserts. With IQF fruit, we can bake blueberry muffins in the winter, peach pies in the spring, and berry cheesecakes whenever the craving strikes. We don’t have to settle for less-than-stellar fresh fruit just because it’s the wrong time of year.
3. Consistency You Can Taste
Fresh fruit can be unpredictable—some days it’s perfect, and other days it’s bruised, underripe, or overripe. IQF fruit gives us consistent quality every time, so you can count on desserts that taste just as amazing as they look.
4. No Waste, Just Flavor
Fresh fruit spoils fast, and we hate wasting good food. IQF fruit stays frozen until we’re ready to use it, which means less waste and more time to focus on baking. It’s better for us, better for you, and better for the planet.
5. Ideal for Baking
Unlike fresh fruit, IQF fruit holds its shape during baking. That means every bite of pie, cake, or muffin is filled with juicy, flavorful fruit—not mush. It’s perfect for making treats that taste as good as they look.
6. Real Ingredients, Every Time
Here’s what really sets us apart: we bake with real fruit, not shortcuts. No artificial flavoring agents. No canned, pre-made pie fillings. Just natural, high-quality ingredients that we turn into something truly special.
Why It Matters
Using IQF fruit helps us deliver on our promise to be a true scratch bakery. Our customers deserve desserts that are made with care, attention, and only the best ingredients. Whether it’s a slice of apple pie, a handful of fresh-tasting blueberry muffins, or a luscious berry-topped cheesecake, you can trust that every bite is made with real, natural fruit.
Next time you enjoy one of our fruity creations, know that we’ve thought through every step to bring you the best. It’s all about keeping it sweet, simple, and as real as it gets.