Consumers continue to crave sweets.

For the second straight year, data from Chicago-based market research firm Information Resources, Inc. show strong sales performance for several sweet goods categories.

In the 52 weeks ended Nov. 27, dollar sales in the pastry/donuts category totaled $4,902,202,718, up 4.8% from the same period a year ago, according to I.R.I. The pastry/Danish/coffee cakes sub-category delivered $1,986,341,337 in sales during the period, up 4.5% from a year ago. The biggest boost came from private label products, which experienced an 11.4% uptick in sales growth during the period. But branded products also performed well, with McKee Foods up 2.4%, Grupo Bimbo up 5.4% and Flowers Foods up 6.4% during the year.

Meanwhile, the donuts sub-category increased 3.4% to $1,971,202,966, led by an increase of 11.3% for Hostess Brands, Inc., and the muffins sub-category increased 8.5% to $944,658,414, led by a 13.6% gain at Grupo Bimbo and a 13.2% increase at Hostess Brands, according to I.R.I.