On the savory side, creamy garlic goes big as the star ingredient or as a vital supporting role of several new launches, while disruptors in the dairy case bring convenience and novelty for at-home fun.
Limited time offerings angle for unlimited fun
As temperatures drop and snow starts to fall across parts of the US, several brands are tapping into consumer nostalgia for winter baking with limited-timing-offerings that feature classic Christmas cookie flavors and roasted nut notes in unexpected places.
For example, Blue Diamond says it combines “the flavors of rich chocolate and creamy frosting with the signature crunch of almonds” in its canisters of Frosted Brownie flavored almonds. It also says its Snickerdoodle flavored almonds offer a “full-blown blizzard of flavor.” While both LTOs deliver a sweet treat many Americans crave during the holidays, they limit sugar to 5 grams per serving.
M&M’s brings the “warm flavors” of holiday baking to its new Toasty Holiday Peanut LTO, which combines peanuts with cinnamon, vanilla, spiced sugar and caramel.
Graeter’s Ice Cream also rolled out several seasonal favorites to complement holiday cookies, pies and beverages, including pumpkin, cinnamon, peppermint stick, and eggnog, which are available online in and scoop shops. Only pumpkin and peppermint stick can be found in select grocery stores in the Midwest.
Cedar’s Foods’ limited batch flavor Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Hommus brings an “unexpected twist on the traditional flavor” and offers and “better-for-you sweet treat” during the holiday season, according to the company. Cedar’s Foods showcases the hummus as a dip for fruit, a topping for baked goods or a light yet luxurious treat by the spoonful.
YumEarth makes baking holiday treats more convenient and inclusive with the limited launch of its Gingerbread House Baking Kit, which is free of the top nine allergens and artificial dyes, but still includes everything consumers need to make festive gingerbread houses, including dry ingredients, house shaped cookie cutters, sprinkles, candy cane lollipops, jelly beans and more.
Allergen-friendly options for safer celebrations
In addition to its Gingerbread House Baking Kit, YumEarth also offers a line-up of four allergen-friendly twists on candy canes, including Holiday Organic Candy Canes, Holiday Organic Blue Candy Canes, Holiday Organic Candy Cane Lollipops and Holiday Organic Mini Candy Canes.
Several gluten-free options bring holiday flavors to those with allergens, including Macarooz, which launched gluten-free Sugar Cookie Mac Pops in Costco last month. The macarons are upcycled and dipped in chocolate with sprinkles.
Ready-to-eat oats brand brekki also launched a gluten-free holiday flavor late last month. The Orange Ginger option will bridge autumn and winter with warming notes of citrus and spice along with its signature blend of ancient grains, almonds, oats, chia seeds and organic coconut nectar.
Protein snack brand FITCrunch expanded its line of baked bars with the recent launch of Chocolate Banana – which is gluten-free and touts 16 grams of protein and 4 grams of sugar.
Peppermint chocolate dominates holiday LTOs
The flavor combination of peppermint and chocolate is popular this season, and features prominently in several other LTOs, including ALOHA’s Peppermint White Chocolate Protein Bar, which is dipped in creamy white chocolate and topped with crunchy peppermint bits, Primal Kitchen’s Chocolate Peppermint Collagen drink mix sweetened with Monk Fruit extract and featuring 11 grams of type 1 and 3 bovine collagen per serving.
Death Wish Coffee Co also launched its first-ever Peppermint Mocha blend as a LTO that combines its Fair Trade Certified organic Robusta and Arabica beans for what it says is a “perfect combination of pure peppermint and decadent baker’s chocolate in every cup.’
M&M’s also brought back its Holiday Mint LTO, which coats creamy peppermint-flavored milk chocolate in red, white and green shells.
Garlic goes big
Potentially to counter-balance the sweets of the season, several brands across categories feature garlic prominently – or in an undeniably necessary supporting role.
Bitchin’ Sauce’s latest flavor, Creamy Garlic in a convenient squeeze bottle, “represents a tasty milestone,” according to the brand, which describes the sauce as “rich” and “luscious” thanks to its “signature creamy almond base.”
Cedar’s Foods newest dip, Toum, is a traditional Lebanese garlic dip that the company describes as “zesty” and “sharp,” and which it says is “perfect for pairing with veggies, pita, meats or even as a sandwich spread.” The company adds it soon will expand the Toum line to include Kalamata Olive and Roasted Red Pepper flavors.
Dried minced garlic is a key ingredient in the cult-favorite “everything bagel” spice blend, which is also the latest flavor of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Late last month, Kraft Mac & Cheese Everything Bagel began piloting exclusively at Walmart.com as part of the company’s “flavor-focused expansion strategy.” According to Kraft Heinz, the flavored mac & cheese category has outpaced the conventional category by seven-fold and more than 50 new flavored mac & cheese products have launched since 2019.