The Dawn Exceptional European Style Chocolate Buttercreme is an already-prepared chocolate cream, which can be used as a filling between layers and to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and other sweet treats, Hornev said. The ingredient's launch comes at a time when chocolate flavors remain a favorite among consumers, and bakers are trying to stay on top of shopper demands for sweet baked goods at all hours of the day, she added.
“We know that chocolate is the No. 1 frosting flavor. While we have a good chocolate portfolio, it can always be better. ... That is really where this development stemming from. And so how could we really create something that is made with real cocoa, has that amazing mouthfeel, has that chocolaty aroma that comes with it, but it also serves great functionality for the decorators.”
Consumers also want treats that are more permissible and bite-size, or what Dawn Foods has dubbed a "treat for me," Hornev said.
“When you look at our other global trends, there's this great trend of a treat for me, where they're really looking for something that is bite-size," she said. "That is really where we see this product as the ideal treat for me, especially when it comes to those single-serve options.”
Ready-to-use options help bakers meet consumer demands
Dawn Foods is also providing bakers a way to tap into more day parts for sweet treats with its ready-to-use bakery ingredients at a time when bakers have rebuilt margins around supply-chain issues and labor challenges.
With ready-to-use options like Dawn Foods' ready-to-finish donuts, bakers can respond better to consumers' demands for baked goods all day without having to fry a full batch, reducing waste in the process, Hornev explained.
“We know that labor continues to be a challenge for all of our customers, large and small. So how can we help them with that?" she said. "Our donut mixes are just-add-water, making it easier when you're at the bench or at the bowl to deliver those offerings that consumers are really looking for. And so how do we continue to pull the curtain back on that and make it easier for our customers to provide to their customers.”
Not only are consumers seeking sweet baked goods on more occasions throughout the day, but bakers are responding to consumer demands for on-trend flavors, offerings, and decorations, influenced by social media, Hornev said. Large and smaller bakers are tackling the issue from different angles, she noted.
"Some of those large customers are starting to go back to ... more labor-intensive practices, going back to items that they're spending more time making, that they're taking more care and really focused on ingredients. And then what we heard from some of our [artisanal] customers ... is they're getting bombarded from their customer segment on what's happening on Instagram."
She elaborated, "Some of our larger retailers are going back to more scratch, putting more time and thought into it. And then you have these artisanal customers that are trying to keep up with the trends, and how can they do some of these new things or provide cakes decorated in a certain way and really stay trend forward."
