# Sheep-Shaped Baked Goods Japanese Bakery DONQ is Cutely Celebrating the Year of the Sheep By Alyson Wyers | Published 2015-01-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/year-of-the-sheep References: [thatsnerdalicious](http://www.thatsnerdalicious.com/play-with-your-food/cute-sheep-bread-is-all-the-rage-right-now-in-japan/) & [donq.co.jp](http://www.donq.co.jp/) There are lots of ways to celebrate the [Chinese New Year](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-friends-lunar-new-year-pineapple-cake-gift-box) and the Year of the Sheep, one of which is apparently to bake bread in the shape of the fluffy farm animal. Japanese bakery DONQ is celebrating the occasion with adorable bread-based treats complete with little lamb faces and curly horns available at all of their locations. They are offering a number of other [sheep shaped goodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panda-buns) as well. DONQ is not the only Asian bakery offering [zodiac-inspired bread](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shimada-koen). Similar baked goods and treats have been seen all over Japan (such as absolutely adorably decorated cookies), as evidenced by a RocketNews24 report. The Year of the Sheep begins February 19, 2015 with the Lunar New Year (otherwise called the Spring Festival of China) and will last until February 7, 2016. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Zodiac-inspired Baked Goods:** Asian bakeries are creating adorable zodiac-inspired bread and treats, providing an opportunity for innovative designs and flavors. - **Celebrating Cultural Festivals:** Bakeries are capitalizing on cultural events like the Chinese New Year to create unique and festive baked goods, offering an opportunity to tap into new markets and customer segments. - **Animal-shaped Food Trend:** The popularity of sheep-shaped baked goods highlights the ongoing trend of creating cute and whimsical animal-shaped food, presenting opportunities for creative and playful culinary inventions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Bakery:** The bakery industry can embrace zodiac-inspired baked goods to attract customers and stand out from the competition. - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can leverage cultural festivals as an opportunity to create limited-time products and promotions that resonate with customers and drive sales. - **Event Planning:** Event planning companies can collaborate with bakeries to incorporate zodiac-inspired treats into their event themes and add a unique touch to celebrations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Lunar New Year Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krispy-kreme-year-of-the-snake.md) - [Customizable Lunar Year Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-new-year-goodies.md) - [Sun-Kissed Character Breads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/character-bread.md) - [New Year-Celebrating Retail Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bao-and-dover-street.md) - [Regional Zodiac Treat Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-diplomacy-lunar-new-year-box.md) - [Festive Chocolate Bark Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-bark-1.md) - [Rabbit-Themed Cafe Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-year-of-the-rabbit.md) - [Lunar New Year-Inspired Mochis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mochi-gummies.md) - [Festive Lunar Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-horse-menu.md)