Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? 21% of consumers report having a dessert every single day (Datassential, 2023). But with so many dessert brands wrestling for attention in today’s market, innovation has never been more important. Bakery and dessert customers want nostalgic flavors, but they also want desserts with a twist – which is where dessert sauces like icings, frostings, drizzles, and toppings can give your brand a major boost. That goes for all categories, too, spanning the frozen, bakery, and pre-made mix grocery sectors. Not sure where to start? Read on to find out about the top trends in dessert sauces.
Consumer Trends in Dessert Sauces
Value-added bakery and dessert items are wildly popular, with 95% of consumers reporting that they had their last dessert at home (Datassential, 2023). Grab-and-go desserts, DIY dessert kits, and other take-home dessert options are a white-hot industry sector. So, how can you set your brand apart? Two words: dessert sauces.
Picture a ready-to-pour ganache paired with decadent grab-and-go brownies. Or a rich fruit compote filling in a take-home pie. Or a modern twist on classic vanilla frosting, designed for customers shopping for pre-made cake mixes. If you need a little more inspiration, below are some of our favorite consumer trends at the moment:
- Guilt-free indulgence: Today’s customers are looking for not-so-indulgent indulgences – in other words, desserts that taste delicious without sacrificing nutritional value (Mintel, 2023). Custom sauces can help provide this balance. Think Low-Sugar Chocolate Drizzle, Greek Yogurt-Based Frosting, or Fruit-Infused Honey Syrup.
- Nostalgic favorites: Everything old is new again. Gen Z consumers are clamoring for nostalgic desserts, with 62% of Gen Z-ers preferring the classics (Datassential, 2023). To stay ahead of the market, grocery dessert brands should lean into nostalgic favorites redesigned with a modern twist. Think of a retro Strawberry Glaze or Butterscotch Drizzle poured over trendy powdered beignets.
- Global flavors: North America has always been a melting pot, and the continued popularity of global flavors makes that even more clear. 27% percent of dessert lovers believe that “exotic” or global flavors add a sense of indulgence (Innova, 2023) to their dish. That includes tried-and-true favorites like Dulce de Leche, as well as remixed drizzles and dips like Thai Chili Butter and Harissa Chocolate.
Popular Types of Custom Dessert Sauces
Now that we’ve talked flavor trends, let’s explore the best ways to incorporate these fun flavors into value-added dessert & bakery items:
- Icings and Frostings: Highly customizable and undeniably delicious, icings and frostings help boost the perceived value and appeal of cakes and pastries. Think classic Cream Cheese Icing, conveniently flavored Buttercreams, or dietary-conscious vegan Coconut Frosting. Customers can apply these scrumptious toppings to cupcakes, layer cakes, or cinnamon rolls.
- Drizzles and Syrups: One of the most versatile value-added options in the grocery sector, drizzles and syrups add both flavor and visual interest to desserts. Including trendy drizzles – a Maple Bourbon Syrup, Salted Caramel or Berry Coulis, for example – alongside frozen pancakes, waffles, or cheesecakes goes a long way toward boosting the product’s perceived value.
- Toppings and Fillings: Fruity compotes and jams pack a serious punch with the overall dessert experience. Not only do they add a fruity finish, but they also help boost at-home desserts like ice cream sundaes and tartlets, which increases the appeal for home cooks and bakers.
Applying Trends Across Dessert Categories
Dessert sauces, dips, and drizzles have one thing in common: They’re wildly applicable across all value-added dessert categories, including the frozen, bakery, and pre-made mix sectors. Below are a few examples of each application:
- Frozen Desserts: Custom sauces offer unique flavors and textures that take frozen desserts way beyond the standard. Dessert sauces are easily paired with ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet, with fun applications like a classic Chocolate Shell to take frozen favorites to the next level.
- Baked Goods and Bakery Mixes: Innovative bakery sauces help provide a premium, homemade feel for the home baker. From classic Lemon Glaze to trendy Mochi Syrup, sauces create a premium feel for pound cakes, muffins, and scones.
- Custom Baked Goods: Deli sections can attract new customers by offering custom bakery sauces, catering to consumers looking for convenient, premium dessert options. Sauces can enhance items like packaged brownies, mini tarts, and éclairs.
Dessert sauces enhance flavor, texture, and consumer appeal, all of which are essential in today’s competitive market for sweet treats. Not sure where to start? Our culinary experts can help craft custom dessert sauces to elevate your brand.
If you’re working on a value-added dessert product and feeling ready to get in on the custom sauce game, our culinary experts can provide to-the-minute insights into trends, flavors, and ingredients to guide your brand. By partnering with a custom sauce formulator like Giraffe Foods, you can get ahead of the competition. What’s sweeter than that?
