Modern bakeries are in the business of creating endearing pastries and mouthwatering desserts that satisfy the sweet tooth of consumers around the world. To stay in the know of emerging trends, up-and-coming flavors, and popular foodservice market information, bakery owners and restaurant technology providers need to be aware of the data made available to them.
The best course of action is to use data to inform decision-making; to create delicious and aesthetically pleasing desserts such as cakes, doughnuts, cupcakes, and more. To do this, step back and assess the overall trends of bakery desserts and consider the top 10 factors for successful product innovation.
1. The Flavor Explosion
When it comes to the flavor of bakery desserts, it’s all about saturation. Everything from savory and sour to spicy and sweet have all entered the bakery-dessert scene and consumers are loving every bit of it. As long as the flavors are executed correctly in a way that compliments each other, there’s no limit to the amount of flavor creativity you can explore.
2. Plant-based Polychromatic Desserts
The trend of plant-based diets and flexitarian lifestyles is on the rise and plant-based desserts have become increasingly sought after by consumers. Sweet foods that use plant-based ingredients, like bananas, applesauce, or even non-dairy milk offer exciting possibilities for a plethora of unique flavor combinations and could be the gold mine you’ve been looking for.
3. Sustainability and Simple Ingredients
Customers are increasingly health conscious and becoming more aware of how their food is sourced. To create a product that is not only pleasing to the eye but also feels good to eat, consider using fewer ingredients and emphasizing sustainability in your production. This creates a clear value proposition for your bakery, attracts more customers, and allows for more eco-friendly desserts.
4. Artisanal-You
When it comes to the look and feel of what enters a consumer’s sweet tooth, trends such as ‘artisanal-you’, which showcases personalization, custom design, and unique shapes and sizes, is the way to go. Consumers like treats that are one-of-a-kind and catered to their own needs. Consider exploring this personalization option as much as possible.
5. Salty, Sweet, and Spicy Flavors
When it comes to bakery desserts, there’s no limit to what type of flavorful creations you can come up with. Options such as salty, sweet, and spicy flavors are becoming increasingly popular. Think nut butter mixed with dark chocolate or sprinkle of salt on a light and fluffy cupcake. These pairings may be unexpected but they certainly satisfy even the most discerning customer.
6. Connecting the Global Palate
More and more consumers are open to trying uncommon flavor combinations from different parts of the world. Introducing flavors from Japan, Thailand, India and other nations intermingled in a traditional pastry offers some interesting options for those who are feeling adventurous.
7. Decadent Indulgences
For some, desserts are a symbol of decadence, allowing them to splurge and indulge without feeling guilty. Consider offering bakery desserts crafted with over-the-top ingredients like truffles, caviar, or even foie gras, that can offer a unique and exciting flavor that really makes a statement.
8. Regionality and Culturally Appropriate
Consumers love to purchase unique bakery treats from their home country that they may have never seen before and that’s where regionality comes in. Consider embracing foods from the local area and making them your own. And don’t forget to limit any cultural appropriation, by making sure that whatever items you’re creating are done with respect to the culture that inspired the concept.
9. Non-traditional Dairy Alternatives
As consumption of dairy drops, consumers are shifting to two nontraditional dairy alternatives: alternatives made from hemp and protein-rich alternatives like oat and almond. These plant-based ingredients offer tons of opportunities to create delightful desserts.
10. Going Crazy with Colors
Colors invigorate everyone’s sweet tooth and give desserts a unique look that cannot be achieved any other way. To create eye-catching desserts, use vibrant colors that are made with all-natural ingredients, such as vegetable juices, herbs, and spices. This will make the customers feel like they are indulging in something special when they purchase your desserts.
In this ever-changing foodservice market, understanding how consumers want their desserts can be a daunting task. However, by keeping up with trends and data-driven insights, bakery owners and restaurant technology providers can easily identify areas of opportunity and potential for bakery dessert success. Prospecting of the foodservice market can be more targeted with the usage of behavioral, demographic and psychographic data. Utilizing this data could lead to better development of products that could maximize flavor customization and attract more customers.
