Toasty bakery NPD for the holiday season: From Bonfire Night treats to creating the viral Cookie Nacho

Remember, remember: Birds Bakery has developed a range of hand-held treats to celebrate the 5 November; Nestlé Toll House is giving away Cookie Nachos kits through a sweepstakes that begins on National Nacho Day (6 November), Good Guys Bakehouse is invigorating the savoury biscuit category with ‘lighter, snackable’ morsels and Magnolia Bakery has created frozen-to-thaw Banana Puddings that don’t melt when thawed. For the non-bakers, there's even the latest offering from a Pillsbury x Goose Creek collab to make it smell like the holidays.

Birds has got you covered for Bonfire Night

The East Midlands bakery is gearing up to celebrate the 5 November with a range of hand-held treats that capture the spirit of this traditional British event.

From flaky sausage rolls to hearty steak slices and sausage cobs, there’s something warming for everyone around a bonfire or enjoying at local fireworks displays.

Rooted in the tradition of Guy Fawkes and his famous Gunpowder Plot, Bonfire Night has become a cherished occasion for friends and family to gather in unity. After the plot failed in 1605, the date was fixed as a nationwide celebration of safety and unity.

“Bonfire Night is all about coming together, and our bakers and butchers take pride in creating treats that add to the night’s warmth,” said Jamie Bird, director of Strategy.

With stores open late and 61 locations across the region, Birds makes it convenient to grab Bonfire Night essentials on-the-go. The bakery even offers Birds By Post online ordering and delivery, ensuring no one misses out.

Délifrance unveils its latest innovation

The French bakery specialist has introduced a new addition to its product line designed to offer endless customisation possibilities for coffee shop, cafés, restaurants and bakeries

The Vanilla Semi-Finished Teardrop combines the best of viennoiserie – flaky, buttery puff pastry with distinct layers – and patisserie, filled with smooth Madagascar vanilla cream. Crafted from premium ingredients like pure butter, French flour and free-range eggs, it delivers a sophisticated yet flexible base for a variety of creative dessert presentations. Key features include its elegant appearance; pairing well with simple toppings or sauces; and an indulgent, high-quality custard made with Madagascar vanilla beans.

Whether enjoyed as a standalone treat or customised with coulis, chocolate drizzle or fresh fruit, it will allow operators to easily adapt it for on-the-go or plated presentations. Délifrance also provides recipes for inspiration.​​

“This elegant viennoiserie represents our dedication to pushing the boundaries of convenience, taste and texture,” said marketing director Stéphanie Brillouet.

“Consumers are always seeking new taste experiences throughout the day, and this product meets those needs while giving operators the flexibility to elevate their offerings.”

Available through national wholesalers.

Cookie Nachos go viral

With more than 3.7 million #CookieNacho posts on TikTok, Nestlé Toll House is making waves with a creative new treat.

The fun, customisable dessert blends the nostalgia of chocolate chip cookies with the playful assembly of nachos. Launched in partnership with legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and his wife Ashley, who share a love of connecting over freshly baked cookies, Cookie Nachos aims to inspire family gatherings and kitchen fun.

Cookie Nachos start with ‘chip-shaped’ chocolate chip cookies that are topped with a variety of nacho-inspired ingredients: think ‘sour cream’ dollops crafted from Nestlé Toll House Premier White morsels; chocolate ‘black beans’ and maraschino cherry ‘tomatoes’.

To get fans started, the brand is giving away Cookie Nachos kits through a sweepstakes​​ that begins on National Nacho Day (6 November). Each kit includes chocolate chip cookie dough, chip-shaped cookie cutters, a variety of chocolate morsels, a recipe card and a $25 gift card for additional toppings. The competition closes on 5 December.

“Chocolate chip cookies hold special memories for me from my football career, when my wife Ashley used to bake them for every training camp,” said Peyton Manning.

“So, it’s exciting to partner with the Nestlé Toll House team to help families, friends, teammates and others inspire new traditions going forward.”

Added senior marketing manager Melanie Knoke, “Connecting people over warm cookies has always been at the heart of our brand. We know small moments in the kitchen can turn into big, magical memories.”

Boosting up the holiday season

Orgain’s seasonal favourite – Peppermint Hot Cocoa Organic Protein Plant-Based Powder – is back by popular demand.

The limited time only protein powder combines the rich, creamy flavours of peppermint and cocoa: providing everything you need to create the classic Peppermint Mocha. However, it’s also great in holiday bakes like Protein Peppermint Cookie Sandwiches.​​

With 21g of organic, plant-based protein per serving, it’s a nutritious addition to festive bakery treats and hot beverages.

Key highlights include no added sugar, all nine essential amino acids and certifications for being USDA organic, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, non-GMO and kosher. Made without soy or dairy, this seasonal protein powder will also satisfy cravings without sacrificing health.

Available now on Amazon and orgain.com while supplies last.

It’s a banana gamechanger

Magnolia Bakery has launched a frozen-to-thaw line of its iconic Banana Pudding due to consumer demand. Last year, Magnolia Bakery sold more than 2.2 million cups of its beloved dessert and fans have been asking for wider availability.

Developed over three years to meet the brand’s high standards, the whipped frozen dessert is made from real bananas but uses innovative formulation techniques to maintain flavour and texture even after freezing and thawing (do not melt), making it convenient for both home and on-the-go enjoyment.

Available in 14oz cups, Magnolia’s Banana Pudding comes in three flavours: Wafer Cookie Bits, Chocolatey Hazelnut Swirl and Red Velvet Cookie Bits. Additionally, a 3oz version of the Wafer Cookie Bits flavour will be available on United Airlines’ domestic first-class flights from December.

“We knew we had an opportunity to develop a product line that delivered on what is expected of our brand while also driving incremental growth and excitement for the frozen desserts category,” said chief commercial officer Eddie Revis.

“We listened carefully to our consumers, our customers and most importantly – ourselves – in developing a new product that not only felt novel, but complimentary to everything we do.

The frozen dessert is now accessible through partners like DoorDash, Amazon Fresh, and select airport vendors for an RRP of $9.99-$10.99.

Good Guys Bakehouse launches Paprika Biscuit Melts

The British snack brand – launched by pladis veteran Steve Monk in 2022 – has introduced its latest innovation in the savoury biscuit market.

Paprika Biscuit Melts (RRP £1.75) – a new addition to its Savoury Biscuit Melts range – are seasoned with paprika, chili powder and a hint of cheese and are designed for guilt-free snacking, offering a light and crispy texture. With no palm oil; and a lower fat and calorie content, they cater to consumers looking for healthier snacks.

They’re also positioned to invigorate the savoury biscuit category, providing ‘sofa-grazing’ consumers with an indulgent yet wholesome option.

“We’re creating a new category experience with lighter, snackable biscuits that cater to today’s health-conscious consumer,” said Monk.

“As a brand, we’re breaking the boundary between biscuits and snacks, creating new occasions for the category, which is really exciting.”

Good Guys is already  listed at UK retailers Sainsbury’s and Ocado and is set to scale up its distribution, with new products planned in the coming months. The brand is also making its mark across Europe, recently securing a listing with Albert Heijn, the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chain.

Elevate your holiday home baking

Nature’s Path has introduced its new Organic Flour line, marking its debut in the US baking aisle.

Known for organic breakfast and snack foods, the brand has expanded into the home baking category with a selection of organic, non-GMO flours crafted to meet rising demand for planet-friendly, nutritious ingredients.

“Our entry into the flour category is a natural extension of Nature's Path's mission to leave the Earth better than we found it,” said president Arjan Stephens.

“It gives us great pride to offer the same trusted, organic ingredients consumers know and love while inspiring creativity in the kitchen and providing healthier, planet-friendly options.”

The line sports a variety of options tailored to different baking needs:

The Organic All-Purpose Flour, made from Canadian hard red spring wheat, provides a versatile, high-gluten base for cookies, muffins and breads.

The Organic Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, blended with organic oat flour, is a perfect substitute for traditional wheat flour.

The Organic Baker’s Blend combines white flour with sprouted whole grains for pizza and quick breads.

The Organic Whole Wheat Flour, stone-milled at low temperatures, retains a rich, whole-grain texture for hearty bakes.

Rounding out the line, the Organic Keto All-Purpose Flour offers a 5g net carb option, supporting keto-friendly recipes without compromising on taste.

Available now at Hannaford, Woodman's, Raley's, Hy-Vee and online.

And now ... for something completely different

Goose Creek and Pillsbury have teamed up to bring the comforting aromas of classic baked goods to homes nationwide with their new candle collection. The collaboration blends Pillsbury’s iconic recipes with Goose Creek’s premium candle-making expertise, delivering fragrances that capture the essence of home-baked favourites.

Each candle in the collection reflects the nostalgic scent of beloved Pillsbury treats, from the sweet and spicy warmth of Cinnamon Rolls to the rich, homey aroma of Banana Bread. Through careful formulation with fragrance experts, Goose Creek has ensured these candles replicate the most delightful aspects of baking: from the flakiness of Pillsbury’s Crescent Rolls to the golden finish of its Buttermilk Biscuits.

“Working with the Pillsbury team has been a perfect match to Goose Creek’s own beliefs and vision. Whether through food or fragrance, we love creating a home environment that fosters togetherness and family traditions,” said Goose Creek’s chief marketing officer.

“These candles are not just about the fragrance; they're also about revisiting the memories of baking with loved ones and bringing those cherished recipes to life."

The exclusive collection – available online only – includes nine fragrances that will bring a culinary ambiance into any room.