And just like that, Easter is here.
To make sure you eek out every special moment, Blondie’s Kitchen have got you covered with its new Easter range.
The Easter collection includes Mini Egg ready-to-bake cookie dough (£14), a giant personalised cookie (£32), 7 inch Crème Egg / Mini Egg Cookies (£17) – also available in a Eggselent Easter Bundle (2 X 7 inch cookies for £28); and a Giant Chocolate Easter cookie (£32).
The London-based baker – which is purportedly the UK’s first and only Milk & Cookie Bar – also creates the treats for those following plant-based and gluten-free diets.
Available for next day delivery online.
Dawn Foods UK and Ireland has launched a simple-to-use Brioche Concentrate to which bakers just need to add flour, eggs, water and yeast to produce a range of soft eating, rich sweet breads.
The Dawn Brioche Concentrate will create the most indulgent Hot Cross Buns, delivering a rich and buttery flavour with a hint of lemon to baked goods. It has a light, open texture, too, giving a soft-eating finished bun that holds inclusions, such as dried fruit or chocolate, well.
Dawn recommends finishing with Dawn Unishine or Emulshine egg-free glaze for the perfect shine.
Users can even partner the finished brioche with a cocoa or fruit-based filling and decorate with glossy or cream cheese icing for pick-me-up-appeal.
“Very much on trend, brioche is the viennoiserie product of the moment, “ said Jacqui Passmore, marketing manager for Dawn.
“The growth in the category is being fuelled by the product’s versatility across many different eating opportunities – it can be a morning goods option, a burger carrier or a handheld snacking product. Dawn’s versatile Brioche Concentrate opens up these many different sales avenues for bakers and caterers from one mix.”
Get your day hoppin’ with Easter-themed treats from Big’s G’s popular Pillsbury brand.
The limited edition Pillbury Spring Seasonal Cookie Dough are back to delight Easter fans with fun-to-decorate egg cutouts to bunny ears and chick-shaped sugar cookie dough.
The cookie dough is ready-to-bake or safe to eat raw.
Available at US retailers nationwide for an RRP of $3.50 (single) and $7 for 2.
The vegan and free-from chocolate brand from Kinnerton (a pioneer in the ‘nut free’ environment) has scooped a handful of accolades for its Easter-themed products, including a Cookie Dough Egg and Caramelised Biscuit Egg.
The Free From Food Awards are the UK’s only nod to the free from category and places huge emphasis on inclusivity.
Since its inception in 2019, Nomo has dedicated itself to the creation of products that all chocolate lovers can enjoy no matter their allergy, intolerance or dietary requirements: its latest award haul further highlights that there really is no missing out on Easter.
“Our products are years in the making, with multiple recipe variations and trials to bring a quality product to market that consumers will love,” said Jacqueline Tyrrell, Nomo’s brand manager.
“We strive to create free-from products in a range of flavours and formats that are as good as, if not better, than their mainstream counterparts. To win such valuable awards alongside other incredible free-from brands is hugely rewarding and further inspires us to create even more options for our loyal customers in the future.”
Commenting on Nomo’s Cookie Dough Egg & Bunny, the judges noted “a good-looking egg with a lovely, well distributed, crunch and not overly sweet.” The Caramelised Biscuit Egg & Bar, too, is a fusion of chocolate, biscuit crumbs and a hint of warming spice.
Nomo’s Easter lineup is available at UK retailers like Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons, among others, for an RRP starting at £6.
Good Measure
Everyone – no matter their lifestyle – ought to be able to tuck into Easter treats.
Making sure that no-one misses out is Little Impact, a brand on a mission to ensure snacks made with nutrient-rich ingredients that also have little impact on blood sugar are easily accessible.
According to the American Diabetes Association and Simmons Fall NHCS 2019 Adult Full Year Study, approximately 50 million adults are on the hunt for convenient snack options that are blood sugar conscious.
In response to this growing trend, General Mills’ corporate venture studio G-Works created Good Measure to satisfy consumers’ cravings while helping them maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Good Measure Nut Butter Bars are available in three variants – Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate, Almond Butter & Dark Chocolate and Almond Butter & Blueberry – along with two new savoury Almond Crisps, in Sriracha and Cheddar.
Following positive consumer and retailer feedbacks from successful pilots in the Midwest and Southeast least year, the brand is expanding its retail presence to CVS, Publix and Meijer stores – making their Nut Butter Bars available at more than 5,000 locations on a rolling basis throughout the spring.
Good Measure Nut Butter Bars and Almond Crisps are also available online and on Amazon.
The UK specialist baker continues to nurture and extend its relationships with an array of licenced brands.
Meeting the ever-changing needs of consumers across varying demographics, Finsbury Food Group has launched a collection of cakes, cupcakes and bites from the likes of TGI’s, Disney and its long-term partner Thorntons.
Finsbury teamed up with global entertainment and gaming company Nintendo to create the Mario Kart Character cake, finished with edible Mario and Luigi decorations. A sticker collar and colour in scene are also included.
Available from Asda, Tesco and Nevilles for an RRP of £12.00
Finsbury and TGI Fridays have launched a duo of top filled cupcakes inspired by TGI Fridays’ classic milkshakes: Strawberry and Chocolate.
Available in 6-packs from Tesco from 17 April, for an RRP of £4.50
Inspired by the TV show’s runaway success, Finsbury’s Peppa Pig cake is rolling out in Tesco from mid-April and Asda from mid-May. Featuring Peppa and little brother George, this celebration sponge cake is bound to get little ones smiling. RRP of £12.50
Finsbury has unveiled a cake featuring the loveable pup Bluey. This colourful and energetic cake – sponge, raspberry jam, sweet filling and soft icing – will be a hit with pre-schoolers and beyond. Available in Tesco, Asda and Morrisons from mid-April for an RRP of £12.
Just in time for the new movie release of Disney’s remake, Finsbury’s Little Mermaid cake is bound to be a favourite among all ages, from Gen Zs who can reminisce about the original movies right up to Gen Alphas. The immersive 3D character cake features Ariel taking centre stage and surrounded by an ‘under the sea’ scene.
Rolling out in Asda, Tesco and Morrisons with an RRP of £13.00
Finsbury extends its partnership with Warner to introduce a Wizarding World cake. Featuring the four houses that make up the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the shield-shaped chocolate cake will conjure up the imaginations for all Potterheads out there.
Available soon in Asda and Tesco with an RRP of £14
The Thorntons and Finsbury Food Group partnership this time brings to market Salted Caramel Bites that blends both blondie and brownie, coated in Thorntons chocolate.
Launching in Tesco in April and Asda and Sainsburys in May, with an RRP of £1.85
The breakfast cereal giant has collaborated with the licensed confectionery producer to release two king-size Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Candy Bars.
The marshmallow variant combines the iconic Snap, Crackle and Pop cereal with creamy marshmallow, while the strawberry one pairs Rise Krispies with strawberry flavours in a creamy white candy.
“Consumers are seeking products that enhance their sensory experiences through a combination of taste, texture and sound,” said Molly Jacobson, director of business development at Frankford Candy.
“As a beloved and versatile cereal known for its Snap, Crackle and Pop, we think consumers will find the combination of crunchy Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal and creamy candy hard to resist.”
The single-serve, 2.75oz bars are available at retailers like Walmart, Five Below and Bit Lots stores across the US, for an RRP of $2.49.
Like many other startups, the homegrown producer's story begins during the 2020 COVID lockdown. Founder Alex Newman wanted to recreate fond memories of going out for brunch with mum, taking this very personal moment in time and turning it into something everyone can enjoy.
Enter Product Guru’s 2023 Gift Food and Drink Huddle and the brand is making its mark – securing a life-changing listing with one of the UK’s largest retailers.
“We secured a Selfridges listing post our 4D Huddle: Within 4 weeks from pitch, we were in store and on the shelf,” said Newman.
“Since the Huddle, we have been in talks with multiple retailers and distributors and we are hoping to get a few more listings in due course. It seems we have an exciting few months ahead.”
Huddles empowers brands by introducing them to retailers during a speed-meeting experience. During the day, brands have just eight minutes to engage with each buyer, but with the opportunity to follow up via the Product Guru platform.
“From the Huddle, we were able to message the buyers who were at the event through Product Guru’s online platform. From there we’ve had a couple of video calls and email exchanges,” said Newman.
“We’re incredibly humbled by the continued success of Huddles. As a startup ourselves, we know the difficulties small brands can face when trying to reach key contacts that will provide life-changing opportunities for their business,” said Simon Coyle, CEO of Product Guru.
“We’re thrilled to be able to provide an avenue that makes this process as accessible as possible for challenger brands.”
Newman’s vision is to see the whole family getting messing in the kitchen, having fun and making food memories with Stackable Pancakes.
“Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or all day everyday, we don’t judge, we’re just all about the pancakes.”
From fun-filled Easter celebrations, UK consumers head straight into the buzz of King Charles III’s Coronation at the beginning of May.
Whether you’re planning a street party or celebrating with family and friends, Patisserie Valerie has got you covered with two regal options to tuck into.
The King’s Coronation Cake (£45.95) features layers of golden sponge filled with fresh cream and decorated with red, white and blue Swiss meringue buttercream. Adding to the indulgence is a chocolate crown, coronation logo plague and dainty golden macarons.
The much-loved baker – which has patisseries spanning throughout the UK and Ireland – has also created a Mini Coronation Cake Box (£36.95) to share with others. Containing six mini cakes, it includes three mini-me Victoria sponges with fresh cream and raspberry jam and three blueberry & lemon cakes topped with chocolate crowns.
All Patisserie Valerie cakes are baked fresh, then frozen and packed with dry ice to protect appearance during transport and to ensure they remain fresh for your special occasion.
Cakes should be defrosted overnight in the fridge for a minimum of 8 hours, or in ambient conditions for a minimum of 6 hours. Best eaten at room temperature.
Cakes are available for nationwide next day home delivery. The Coronation cakes are available for pre-order from 10 April.
