Log on to social media and at least six out of 10 people you know are baking as part of what seems like the world's longest-running cake-athon. Grocers across the city are sharing that in the last few weeks, they have sold huge volumes of vanilla essence, cocoa powder and cake flour. It's a staple in most orders these days. Home-chef Alefiya Sethwala who has been sharing step-by-step videos on her blog, Alefiya's Krazy Kitchen, says, "In these testing times, things can get quite stressful and depressing. Baking is therapeutic; the beautiful aroma that wafts through the air while baking gives a sense of feel-good."

Home baker Shweta Somaiya adds, "When you measure each ingredient and follow a step-by-step process, you tend to use your energies into something creative rather than wasting it away in negative thoughts and anxiety about the current situation. Sharing it with your loved ones can also be quite rewarding." Instead of making plain vanilla or chocolate cakes, Somaiya prefers to make tea cakes and cupcakes to make it more interesting for kids as well.