Not a nut in sight
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery’s Superior on Main brand has launched several peanut- and tree nut-free products in advance of Food Allergy Awareness Week (9-15 May).
The treats include two varieties of Shortbread and two seasonal desserts, namely Cinnamon Bun Crème Puffs and Peppermint Iced Cookies.
The Shortbread and Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread are made with real butter and are also preservative free and Kosher OU-D certified. The Cinnamon Bun Crème Puffs are an indulgent French pastry with a caramel filling and icing and streusel topping. The Peppermint Iced Cookies are made with chocolate cake cookies, peppermint chocolate icing and peppermint candy pieces reminiscent of candy canes. Both are also Kosher OU-D certified.
“Consumer response to the Superior on Main’s transition to a peanut and nut free facility late last year was extremely positive,” said Curt Coolidge, GM, In Store Bakery at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery.
“With approximately 10 million Americans living with peanut and tree nut allergies, we are delighted to introduce new, nut free desserts to the grocery in-store bakeries to meet consumer demand.”
The new offerings are rolling out in retail outlets across the US.
Game on!
Frozen dessert brand Yasso has launched better-for-you classics that reminiscent of childhood favourites.
Clocking in at 170 calories or less and boasting up to 6g of protein, Yasso’s offerings are yummy guilt-free treats that are perfect for the coming summer. The icy snacks also feature an added bonus of live and active cultures; and no sugar alcohols, high-intensity sweeteners or artificial flavourings.
The Greek Yogurt Bars are available in 13 flavours, including Mint Chocolate Chip (now even mintier), Black Raspberry Chip, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Coffee Chocolate Chip, Cookies ‘n Cream, Fudge Brownie, Pistachio Brittle, Sea Salt Caramel, and Vanilla Bean.
Chocolate Dipped Bars are a new twist on the above, featuring the same creamy yogurt base with the addition of a crunchy exterior of crisped quinoa and chocolate. Available in four flavours: Mint Chocolate Crunch, Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch, Sea Salt Caramel, Chocolate Crunch and Vanilla Chocolate Crunch.
Sandwiches are a creamy yogurt filling between two soft chocolate wafers; available in Fudge Swirl, Mint Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and Vanilla Bean.
Finally, Yasso Poppables are bite-size chocolate-covered yoghurt treats at 60 calories a pop. Available in Coffee, Mint, Sea Salt Caramel and Vanilla Bean.
The Yasso range is available online, as well as in grocery stores and retailers across the US for RRP of $4.59-$7.00.
Yasso is an active contributor to the community via its Game On! Foundation that inspires health and wellness for people of all ages.
Summertime and the living is easy
Frito-Lay is gearing up for summer with the launch of three limited edition flavours designed to inspire the laid-back life of a tropical island.
Chile Mango is enticing snackers to get tropical this summer with a swirl of fruity sweetness and the tang of chilli peppers.
Wavy Jerk Chicken brings island flavour into your backyard with its spicy, sweet and smoky tones in every bag.
A summertime picnic classic is now in chip form with Lay’s Summer BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato).
The three variants are rolling out in retailers across the US for a RRP of $3.79 and will only be available while stocks last.
However, the summer fun doesn’t stop there. As part of Frito-Lay’s ‘Let’s Summer’ campaign, fans can visit chipsnsips.com for the chance to win prizes like a home theatre projector, outdoor pop-up cinema screen and telescope. Consumers will also find inspiration on how to make this the best summer yet – with tips for movie nights, outdoor fun and more.
Let’s make a noise
Los Angeles-based Bart & Judy’s Bakery is set to disrupt the better-for-you vending space with the first ever Natural Chocolate Chip Cookies that don’t contain a single preservative, but still have a 14-month shelf-life.
According to the brand, until now, chocolate chip cookies available to vending contained palm oil, soybean oil, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients and preservatives.
“Bart & Judy’s revolutionises vending with the first ever all-natural, preservative free Chocolate Chip Cookies made with real butter, fresh eggs, Madagascar Vanilla and Belgian Chocolate. We never use preservatives or artificial anything,” said Bart & Judy’s owner Bart Greenhut.
Bart & Judy’s Natural Chocolate Chip Cookies are available in 2oz and 3oz Snack Bags, and are shipped fresh.
Perfect pair
Stuffed Puffs is packing its marshmallows with Cookies ‘n Creme.
The brand’s latest SKU stuffs fluffy vanilla marshmallows with smooth white crème and a chocolate cookie crunch. According to Stuffed Puffs, one bite and you’ll never look at marshmallows the same way again. And the best part of it all is that fans can experience the freshness of the first bite again and again, thanks to new resealable bags.
According to a survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by Stuffed Puffs, six in 10 said snacks taste better when paired together. The research also unveiled that cookies and crème was the number one pairing.
“Cookies and creme has always been a favourite flavour of mine so I’m excited to bring that delicious combination to our newest Stuffed Puffs creation,” said Michael Tierney, CEO and founder of Stuffed Puffs.
“The cookie sandwich pieces in the centre add an incredible new dimension to our marshmallows, making this another technology achievement for the brand.”
Stuffed Puffs can be enjoyed as a standalone snack, as well as an indulgent ingredient in baking, and for classic s’more. Cookies ‘n Creme is the latest addition to the Stuffed Puffs’ lineup, which includes Classic Milk Chocolate and Chocolate-on-Chocolate.
Cookies ‘n Creme is rolling out into retailers like Walmart across the US this month, but is also available from the brand’s online ship and on Amazon.
Ready-to-bake deliciousness
Premium cookie dough brand Doughlicious is rolling out in Waitrose, along with an exclusive flavour.
The gluten-free range comes in three variants – Chocolate Chip, Vegan Cranberry Oatmeal and Chocolate Triple Chip (the latter exclusive to Waitrose).
Doughlicious is the first cookie dough brand to hit the premium retailer’s shelves and can be found in the frozen aisle.
“Demand for our cookie dough is ever growing, so it’s fantastic to be able to offer our customers another way to purchase our products, whilst also attracting a whole new group of Waitrose consumers,” said Kathryn Bricken, founder of Doughlicious.
Each pack of Doughlicious is portioned into six ready-to-bake balls of dough to create freshly baked cookies of custom size. The dough is made at the brand’s London-based, eco-friendly factory that is powered by renewable energy. All ingredients are sourced from reputable suppliers who adhere to the brands’ high standards of quality, animal welfare and sustainable production methods.
“Baking continues to be hugely popular, but many people don't have the time to fuss with all the ingredients,” added Bricken.
“We make the most amazing tasting cookies that happen to be 100% free-from thanks to our unique blend of gluten-free flours. We also offer dairy-free, organic and vegan flavours and everything is made with the finest ingredients and no artificial additives or preservatives – just like you'd make at home. They are the perfect speedy option for cookie lovers and we expect them to be very popular with Waitrose customers who enjoy fine food and convenient formats.”
Doughlicious Chocolate Triple Chip is available in the frozen aisle in Waitrose stores nationwide for an RRP of £2.99 (with a 20% introductory offer for the first 4 weeks).
The other variants are available in M&S, Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, Costco, Selfridges and other retailers throughout the UK.
It’s getting hot in here
Goldfish crackers are heating up along with the season.
The Pepperidge Farm-owned brand has teamed up with America’s #1 hot sauce brand, Frank’s RedHot, to create a spicier version of the beloved crackers to answer consumer demand.
With more than 35k requests for a hot variety – the most requested flavour from Goldfish fans across social media – the Snack That Smiles Back looked to another brand that knows hot best.
Goldfish Frank’s RedHot crackers feature the classic hot sauce punch that fans love, including notes of vinegar for acidity and a premium blend of aged cayenne peppers for the perfect blend of flavour and heat.
The crackers will arrive on shelves at US retailers nationwide for a limited time only starting May 2021 while supplies last for an RRP of $2.49 for a 6.6 oz bag.
However, Goldfish are also giving fans a chance to snag a bag: Go to the @GoldfishSmiles Instagram story to unlock and use the custom augmented reality filter, tag @GoldfishSmiles in your story, add #Sweepstakes, and post.
Everything tastes better dipped in chocolate
Kellogg’s US believes it has found the perfect bite of creamy and crunchy with its first-ever chocolatey dipped cereal.
According to the breakfast giant, the Kellogg’s Special K Dipped Chocolatey Almond offers the spot on combo of texture and taste, thanks to its mix of multigrain flakes dipped in a chocolatey shell, cocoa-dusted flakes and real, sliced almonds.
“We help cereal lovers do what’s delicious by providing them with a diverse range of flavourful and innovative products,” said Cindy Huntington, brand director at Kellogg Company.
“If you’re craving a deliciously unique, chocolatey experience, our dipped cereal is the perfect bowlful, easily enjoyed during breakfast or any time of day.”
Special K Dipped Chocolatey Almond joins the full range of Special K flavours packing the same leading ingredient – whole grain – to offer a good source of fibre, along with nutrients like vitamins A, C and E.
The new cereal will be available at retailers nationwide from late April for an RRP of $3.99 for a 13.1-ounce box and $4.99 for a 19.2-ounce box.
Fridge fillers
Wall’s Pastry is launching its Great Family Favourites range, designed to meet the growing demand for classic British summer snacks.
The lineup includes a 400g Cheese & Onion Quiche, a 400g Bacon & Cheese Quiche, a 10-pack of the brand’s iconic 55g Hearty Sausage Rolls and a 20-pack of the 27g Snack Sausage Rolls.
The range is an extension of Wall’s Pastry’s limited edition range that launched in Asda in March. The offerings – developed by Addo Food Group on behalf of Wall’s Pastry – comprised of the two quiches, a Chicken and Gravy Pie, a Minced Steak and Onion Pie and a Family Sausage Roll.
“Over the past year, we have seen a drastic change in consumer shopping habits, with fridge fillers that feed the whole family rising to the top of our shopping lists,” said Mike Holton, brand manager at Wall’s Pastry.
“These new larger pack listings are a direct response to that change in demand and will satisfy families up and down the country.”
The new items will be available at selected Tesco stores across the UK from 24 May and have a RRP of £2.00-£2.50.