Trendspotting: From shamelessly wicked cookies to seasonal cake mixes and the next generation of Pringles
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Seed-based snack specialist 88 Acres has won a listing with Walmart.
Four 88 Acres favourites – Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed + Oat Bars, Cinnamon Maple Seed + Oat Bars, Banana Bread Protein Bars and Chocolate Brownie Protein Bars – are rolling out in over 1,800 Walmart stores, along with Walmart online.
The Seed + Oat Bars are made with pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds; gluten-free oats – which provide healthy fats, fibre and complete protein; and a spectrum of body-boosting minerals and antioxidants to create a chewy, soft-baked bar.
The Protein Bars are packed with whole roasted pumpkin seeds and only seven other simple ingredients, with no isolates or powders.
All 88 Acres products are made in its own dedicated facility that is free of peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and sesame. All the snacks are certified gluten-free, nut-free, non-GMO Project Verified, kosher and vegan.
“We want to see more allergy-friendly products in stores; it should be easier to feed families with or without food allergies, so Walmart's decision to prioritise food allergy-safe products is significant,” said Nicole Ledoux, cofounder and CEO.
“Walmart is a pioneer in customer affordability and geographic availability, and we are excited to be able to provide that access to our own community.”
Next-gen Pringles
A multigrain HFSS-friendly version of the iconic Pringles chip has been created by brand owner Kellogg Company.
The new range is non-HFSS (non-high fat, salt, sugar food) and are packed with fibre in the form of wheat and barley, but 25% less salt than reconstituted potato chips. Most importantly, the better for you chips maintain the brand’s iconic ‘hyperbolic paraboloid’ shape. It wasn’t an easy task, and Kellogg food developers tried many different recipes, using more herbs, spices and natural flavours to replace some of the salt.
New Pringles Multigrain comes in three variants – Sour Cream & Chilli, BBQ Sauce and s Roast Chicken & Rosemary – rolling out in retail later this month.
The move is part of Kellogg’s decade-long Wellbeing Plan that pledged to improve its foods and packaging so they are better for people, the community and the planet.
“Kellogg’s is committed to developing foods that are better for people and provide more choice,” said Chris Silcock, Kellogg’s UK MD.
“We know that many adults want snack brands to offer more healthy options but they still want them to taste great. That’s why we developed the Pringles Multigrain range.”
A cheesy wrap
Folios Cheese Wraps has added a Mozzarella variant to its line-up of Parmesan, Jarlsberg and Cheddar wraps.
The lightly-baked sheets are made entirely from lightly baked cheese, meaning they are naturally gluten-, grain-, lactose- and hormone-free, loaded with protein and healthy fats, contain no added sugars or additives, and sport only 1g of carbs. A total plus for any keto diet.
“Mozzarella cheese is the most beloved cheese in America, so it was a natural next step,” said Valerie Liu, marketing manager of Folios, noting the flavour and versatility are perfect for wraps and sandwiches. The recipe-ready cheese wraps can also be enjoyed straight from the pack, used as a better-for-you substitute to lasagne sheets or a topping on a low-carb pizza.
“Let your imagination run free; the possibilities are endless,” said Liu.
Folios Cheese Wraps are available in 4-packs in retailers across the US for an RRP of $5.99-$6.99.
The ultimate cookie
The Maui Cookie Lady has revamped its limited edition Black Forest Cookie and renamed it as the Island-style Black Forest Cookie. This is a nod towards the organic pitted cherries that have been soused in Napa Valley Red – a wine brand owned by 6x Grammy-nominated Hawaiian artist Amy Hānaialiʻi – along with cinnamon sticks and orange rinds for several months.
The cookie is also features chèvre (a French-style cheese made with goat’s milk) from Haleakalā Creamery, which adds a savoury, salty note to its sweet, decadent undertones.
And if that wasn’t enough, it contains a dab of multiple award-winning Kilohana Honey, velvet cocoa to form the truffled molten centre, raw organic sugar infused with vanilla from the Hawaiian Vanilla Company and a sprinkling of Hawaiian sea salt.
The Island-style Black Forest Cookie is available – from 25 September until end October – from the Maui Cookie Lady for an RRP of $6.75 for a 6oz cookie.
Plastic-free advent calendar
Advent calendars are an essential part of the countdown to Christmas, but aligned to topical trends, Happi is bringing out one that is entirely eco-friendly with vegan Oat M!lk chocolates and no plastic.
Around 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is typically generated during the festive period, much ending in landfill rather than recycled.
With almost 50% of the British nation expecting to receive an advent calendar this year, Happi’s plastic-free calendar will appeal to those wanting to enjoy a guilt-free Christmas.
“We are passionate about supporting the environment,” said Gavin Cox, Happi’s founder.
“Our chocolate is sustainable and ethically-sourced, as well as slave and child labour free. It’s also vegan but still creamy and delicious.
“Launching a 100% plastic free advent calendar is just the next step for us in creating a range that really embodies Happi’s ethos for eco-friendly and sustainable products and appeals to the demands of today’s customers.”
The calendar features 24 x 4g Oat M!lk chocolate pieces that are lower in sugar than other chocolate brands.
“We love offering customers quality, healthier and fun ‘free from’ treats that we would be happy for our kids to enjoy, as well as ourselves. Our new advent calendar will appeal to everyone – regardless of any dietary choices,” added Cox.
Available from retailers across the UK from the beginning of September for an RRP of £15.00.
Pumpkin spice cake pops
Limited edition Little Bites Pumpkin Muffins are returning to shelves.
The seasonal favourite is packed with real pumpkin and contain 0g trans-fat or high fructose corn syrup, making it a festive snack parents can feel good about and one that kids will love.
Available in conveniently portioned pouches for school lunchboxes or on-the-go, the moist, soft bakes are great to eat as they are.
However, they can be taken to the next step in the form of Pumpkin Cake Pops (makes 15-20 pops).
- 1 box of Entenmann’s Little Bites Pumpkin Muffins
- 1½ cans cream cheese icing
- 1lb orange-coloured melting chocolate
- 10 skinny pretzel sticks
- 2 tubes green icing
Crumble the Entenmann’s muffins in a large bowl. Thoroughly mix in the cream cheese frosting and roll mixture in 1” balls. Place on baking paper and in the fridge for 3 hours.
Melt the chocolate. Using a straining spoon, dip the cake pops into the melted chocolate and place on a drying rack (put baking paper under it) and let harden for 10 minutes.
To make it look like a pumpkin, very gently use a cake pop stick to make 5 small vertical indentations. Decorate the top with green writing icing for the leaves and use a small piece of pretzel stick as the stem. Insert a cake pop stick into the base and place on mini hay bales to complete the look.
Available for purchase at most major retailers across the US for an RRP of $5.69.
No junk
Junkless is expanding its Walmart footprint of its chewy granola bars, meaning – since its launch last year – the brand is now projected to generate a triple-digit sales growth to the end of the year.
An alternative to mainstream snacks made with no artificial ingredients and GMOs, Junkless snack bars have outperformed the overall snack bar category since its expansion from smaller mom-and-pop grocery accounts to major national and regional chains.
Also, while other leading brands have struggled with supply chain issues over the past year, Junkless has kept the shelves full.
“We’re grateful to have established such strong partnerships with retailers like Walmart, who genuinely believe in our brand and appreciate our commitment to making wholesome granola bars that are simple and real,” said Jim Holton, SVP, head of Sales.
“As we continue to expand into larger retailers and supermarket chains, we look forward to growing our reach among consumers and fellow snack lovers in the hopes of making Junkless a household name.”
Available in five classic flavours, the bars are currently sold in over 6,000 outlets across the US and on Amazon.
Jingle all the way
pladis has unveiled its sweet portfolio festive line-up, including irresistible innovation from Britain’s biggest biscuit brand.
Hot on the heels of the successful launch of McVitie’s Blissfuls in January this year, pladis is introducing limited edition McVitie’s Blissfuls Belgian Milk Chocolate & Cream (£2.59) especially for the season.
McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations comprises 12 biscuits enrobed in milk, dark and white chocolate, available in a 400g box (£6.75). McVitie’s Family Circle is a must-stock for Christmas, while the brand’s biggest-ever innovation – McVitie’s Jaffa Jonut – it sure to attract the brand’s loyal band of Jaffanatics.
The brand has also revamped its Sweet Biscuit Assortments, utilising the legacy of seasonal staples such as McVitie’s Victoria and the festive edition of McVitie’s Family Circle. And chocoholics can rejoice with McVitie’s Santa Snacks Chocolate Cake Bars – returning for the third year – a guilt-free treat at only 99 kcals per individually wrapped bar.
“With two years of muted celebrations behind us, we’re anticipating this year’s festivities will be bigger than ever,” said Cassie French, marketing director – Seasonal & Cake.
“That’s why we’ve focused on ensuring our iconic, number one McVitie’s Victoria brand is fit for purpose with a total revamp. Continuing our vision of offering happiness with every bite, this year’s seasonal range will help consumers make the most of hosting and gifting occasions as they get together to celebrate this season.
“Alongside, we have the rest of our McVitie’s and Flipz novelty range,” which are sure to be a hit with shoppers who “want to treat themselves to something extra special”.
Products in the McVitie’s and Flipz Christmas ranges will be available at various UK grocery retailers – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Amazon and Ocado – as well as discounters. Products will also be available to the wholesale and convenience channels.
Piece of cake
Following the launch of its Crème Cake Mixes, British Bakels is expanding its range to include three entirely seasonal flavours for the lead up to Christmas for the professional bakery market.
Caramel, Speculoos and Lemon join British Bakels’ existing Plain and Chocolate Crème Cake Mixes and will be available in 12.5kg bags from bakery wholesalers from October.
Processing is a dream – all they need is water, egg and vegetable oil for consistently superior results, great volume and a good shelf life for cakes, muffins and more.
Caramel Crème comes at a time when caramel is trending, jumping to third place behind milk chocolate and strawberry in Innova Market Insights’ ranking of seasonal and limited edition flavours. Speculoos has a delicate, spicy flavour, delivering the comforting taste of spiced shortcrust biscuit.
Lemon is a core flavour that gives bakers the freedom to be inventive: think lemon & poppy seed or lemon & blueberry.
“The time is right for our new Crème Cake Mixes,” said marketing manager Michael Schofield
“According to Innova’s research, one in two consumers look for new flavours in the supermarket. Research also shows that more than one in four shoppers favour something new and different, and one in five prefer exotic flavour combinations.
“Familiar and comforting tastes also remain extremely popular with British consumers, especially in the current climate, as we face new challenges with cost of living, and turn to food as the little pick-me-ups that we all need from time to time. With our new cake mixes bakers can easily meet the needs of their existing clientele whilst also attracting new customers at the same time.”
