Prepared Foods profiles new retail chocolate confections and non-chocolate candies.

Frankford Candy, Philadelphia, partnered with cereal maker Post Consumer Brands US to create snackable PEBBLES Bites.  

New Fruity PEBBLES Bites are half-inch balls of creamy white candy mixed with real Fruity PEBBLES cereal pieces. Cocoa PEBBLES Bites are half-inch balls of cocoa-flavored milk chocolate mixed with real Cocoa PEBBLES cereal pieces. Both offerings come in a 10oz package designed to resemble a cereal box and are available exclusively at Five Below stores nationwide.

“Consumers are looking for products that offer them a way to keep sweet treats on hand but in smaller sizes that allow them to indulge in moderation,” said Molly Jacobson, Frankford Candy’s director of business development. “We developed our new PEBBLES™ Bites to give fans another way to enjoy their favorite cereal in a bite-sized candy form that is ideal for a quick snack or treat.”

ChocXO, Carrollton, Texas, used the National Confectioners Association Sweets & Snacks Expo 2021 to introduce Coconut Almond Butter Cups and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, as well as a packaging redesign.

Officials say Coconut Almond Butter Cups are made with organic 70% cacao and offer a tasty spin on the beloved Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, with shredded coconut mixed in and a touch of shredded coconut sprinkled on top. The 70% Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups features certified organic chocolate and organic peanut butter. Both the almond and peanut butter cups contain only 3g of net carbs and 3g of sugar per serving. Suggested retail ranges from $4.99 to $6.99.
     
"These products are made with high-quality ingredients for a guilt-free treat," said Richard Foley, CEO of ChocXO. "We're excited to provide a delicious and healthier dark chocolate butter cup our customers can feel great about eating."

Mars Wrigley, Newark, N.J., introduced limited edition SKITTLES Shriekers for Halloween. Officials say that hidden inside each pack of Shriekers are super-sour SKITTLES that appear to look like the rest—yet  “bring an unpredictable punch of sour flavor to make even the most fearless candy fan quite literally shriek.”

SKITTLES Shriekers include five flavors in each pack, including Citrus Scream, Ghoulish Green Apple, Rattled Raspberry, Shocking Lime and Spine-Tingling Tangerine. SKITTLES Shriekers are available at retailers nationwide and come in 1.8oz single packs, 3.6oz Share Size and 10oz Medium Funsize Laydown Bags.

This spring saw The Hershey Company, Hershey, Pa., introduce a broad range of new offerings in advance of National Confectioners Association’s 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo in June. In particular, Hershey said it continues pushing into new areas of snacking to meet changing consumer interests in all-day snacking occasions, as well as better-for-you options.

New offerings included KIT KAT Thins (more than 30% thinner than the standard KIT KAT bar); Reese’s Snack Cakes; Reese’s Stuffed with Pretzels; a Hershey’s better-for-you line and rebrand of its Zero Sugar offerings; Organic Hershey’s Bars and Organic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups; and Whozeewhatzit, the brand’s first bar in the past decade

“While the pandemic has certainly placed more emphasis on online shopping during the past year, it has also reinvigorated people’s excitement about purchasing items in-store,” noted Dave Nolen, vice president of category management and shopper insights.

Jelly Belly Candy Company, Fairfield, Calif., introduced its sixth BeanBoozled Collection of jelly beans.

It introduces two new flavor pairings to its outrageous flavor mix: Liver & Onions, and its lookalike Cappuccino; and “Old Bandage” with its identical partner Pomegranate.

Officials say the popular Beanboozled line dares the bravest candy lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and foodies to try their luck with look-alike pairs of jelly bean flavors. With more than three million fan videos uploaded to YouTube, the BeanBoozled challenge has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

BeanBoozled jelly beans are certified OU kosher, and are free of gelatin, gluten, fat and dairy. BeanBoozled 6th Edition continues the tradition by including 20 flavors of jelly beans: 10 are weird and wild flavors that look identical to 10 classic and delicious flavors. Packages include the 1.9oz. Grab & Go® Bag, 3.5oz. Mystery Dispenser, 3.36oz. Spinner Tin, 3.5oz. Spinner Gift Box and the 1.6oz. Flip-Top Box.