Sily’s Blissful Bakehouse

Sily Benny, once a pharmacist, is now the creative force behind Puthusserry’s Spice Bakes, home to Spice Cakes in Central Kerala, Udupi, and Bangalore. Sily began baking at home, simply sharing her passion with kids, family, and friends. Overwhelmed by demand and love for her cakes, she leaped into commercial production. It’s a tale of turning a home hobby into a flourishing cake empire.

Driven by passion, Sily stepped into the world of home baking in 2004. By 2009, her hobby evolved into Puthusserry’s Spice Bakes. Surrounded by the rich tradition of home baking and the vibrant culture of her hometown, Thrissur; Sily’s transition from a home baker to a thriving professional was no surprise.

With solid support from her husband, Benny, and her two lively sons, Sily managed every aspect of her food production venture. From sourcing quality ingredients, maintaining hygienic stock, and timely mixing and baking to packing, dispatching, and ensuring smooth cash flow through market collections – she handled it all seamlessly for the uninterrupted operation of her day-to-day business. She also believes in uplifting women; 80% of her employees are women.

In the beginning, grappling with the ups and downs of market demand for homemade cakes posed challenges. Limited funds hindered substantial advertising in mainstream media or reaching the target audience, especially when social media wasn’t as strong. Moreover, facing fierce competition from big companies making and marketing branded cakes and similar goodies added to the difficulties. Navigating these challenges was tough, yet the learning along the way was invaluable.

Right now, they are all about baking cakes—eight delightful ones, all crafted from Sily’s own kitchen experiments. From Butterscotch Pudding to Dates, Carrot, and Marble Cake, to Strawberry and Pineapple Velvet, Rich Plum, and the improved Butterscotch Sensation Pudding Cake. Sily is cooking up an eggless version too, especially in demand. Can you guess the flavor? Yes, it’s the ever-popular Butterscotch, straight from Sily’s treasure trove of secret recipes.

Fueled by her love for experimenting with new recipes, she ventured where few dared. Her initiative outshone competitors, becoming a local favourite with high volumes and raving feedback from retailers and customers alike. Sily’s dedication and innovation set her apart, making her business a sweet success in the heart of Kerala.

Back in the day, they went the traditional route, working with appointed distributors who’d connect with retailers on their weekly routes. It was a whole system—credit periods, chasing payments, dealing with returns, adjusting credit notes, and figuring out what to do with expired items that made a comeback from the market well past their expiry dates. You can imagine the juggling act! But, that was before they jumped into the online game, simplifying things.

Once they joined Pracol, things got way simpler. No more dealing with middlemen trying to pull a fast one on them. They gained control over orders, returns, and customer feedback. They now get a clear picture of what people want, and there’s ample time for research and creating new treats. No more chasing, no more guessing—just a smooth online journey. Most importantly, as a prayojika at Pracol, they are content knowing they receive the rightful margin for the hard work invested in running their business.

For them, engaging in online sales provides a peace of mind unlike any other. Right now, they are excited about introducing butter cookies, chocolates, and sliced cakes. They are also diving into making bread buns and rusks. It’s a journey of discovering what folks love and adding a sprinkle of innovation to make it even better!

You can order their delicious cakes from Pracol at https://pracol.com/prayaana-prayojika/SPICEBAKES/

-Staff Reporter