Keeping up with the latest formulation ideas and product launches in the confectionery industry is essential to meeting consumer demands and staying competitive in the sweet treat sector.
This biweekly roundup delivers fresh insights on notable developments from start-ups, growing confectioners and multinational brands.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s new in the confectionery world.
Hershey Kisses unveils cinnamon-flavoured candies
Hershey is rolling out a new flavour across the US under its Hershey Kisses brand: cinnamon toast crunch-flavoured candies.
The limited-edition variety is designed to tap into the growing interest in bold and unconventional flavour combinations. According to Mintel’s US Flavor Lifecycles Report 2024, 75% of Gen Z and Millennials are seeking more adventurous taste experiences.
The sweet features white creme with cinnamon sugar and graham-flavoured cookie pieces, aiming to deliver the classic cinnamon toast crunch flavour in a bite-sized format. The new product is available at US retailers in 9oz bags.
Malley’s Chocolates experiments with freeze-dried candy
US-based Malley’s Chocolates has introduced a new marshmallow crunch candy using a freeze-drying process. The product combines chocolate, caramel and marshmallow in a light, crunchy format – a response to the growing trend for freeze-dried snacks, particularly among younger consumers.
Inspired by the popularity of Uncle Crunch Freeze-Dried Candy, Malley’s worked with the Ohio-based brand to develop its own freeze-dried version. After testing various products, the chocolate-covered caramel marshmallows were chosen for their ability to retain flavour and texture post-freeze-drying.
During production, marshmallows are cut into small pieces before being freeze-dried – a process that removes water and creates a puffed texture while maintaining the chocolate’s richness. The result is a lightweight product with a satisfying crunch.
ITS captures a social media trend with Dubai chocolate
Speciality flavour house ITS has developed a new natural flavour inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend (see original firm Fix Dessert Chocolatier, above). Often seen on social media, Dubai chocolate typically includes fillings like knafeh and pistachio – a combination that has captured consumer attention.
ITS’s new product aims to deliver the signature flavours of sweet chocolate, creamy pistachio, crispy textures and warming spices in a single natural flavouring. Designed for broad application, it offers an alternative to using real pistachios and chocolate – both of which have risen sharply in price.
Sour Punch surprises with bacon-flavoured bites
Sour Punch released a maple bacon-flavoured version of its candy bites – a launch that coincided with April Fool’s Day but is in fact real.
The new variety blends sweet, sour and savoury notes in a format that follows other experimental launches from the brand, including sour cream & onion bites (2022) and pickle-flavoured straws (2023).
Part of a new line of savoury confections, the bacon bites are Kosher-certified and aim to offer something unexpected within the sour candy category.
Altinmarka and Koa launch cacao fruit-based ingredients
Turkish confectioner Altinmarka has partnered with Swiss-Ghanaian startup Koa to develop a new product line called Cacaonly. The range uses upcycled cocoa fruit as a natural sweetener and flavouring.
By incorporating cocoa fruit into its chocolate formulations, Altinmarka hopes to offer a more sustainable and flavour-rich alternative. Cocoa fruit is used not only for its sweetness but also for its potential to add texture and reduce environmental waste.
The product line is now available in EU and Turkish markets.
Startup spotlight: Stockley’s goes nostalgic
UK-based Stockley’s has launched two new confectionery products inspired by nostalgic flavours: jam roly poly & custard and choc-scotch.
Jam roly poly & custard features a chewy raspberry centre with a red berry stripe, aiming to evoke the classic British dessert. Choc-scotch combines crisp butterscotch with a chocolate centre, offering a contrasting texture.
Both varieties come in sharing bags – a format that continues to grow in popularity. According to UK publication, The Grocer, sharing formats like bags and boxes rose by 8.7% year-on-year.
