Mini Lava Cakes

The J.M. Smucker Co., Orrville, Ohio, extended its Hostess brand with Meltamors Mini Cakes in

two flavors: Double Chocolate and Chocolate Creamy Caramel. "Inspired by warm restaurant desserts, Meltamors can be enjoyed immediately or transformed into a whole new level of chocolatey-flavored goodness by warming Meltamors in the microwave for just five seconds," said Chris Balach, vice president, marketing, Sweet Baked Snacks.

Hostess Meltamors are sold at grocery and mass retailers nationwide in 9.31oz boxes containing eight individually wrapped mini cakes. Single-serve packages, containing two Meltamors come in a 2.33oz size at convenience stores nationwide.

European Indulgence

Dawn Food Products Inc., Jackson, Mich., used the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) Show in Houston to showcase a range of holiday-inspired flavors, seasonal LTO concepts and the Dawn Exceptional European Style Chocolate Buttercreme cupcake with “its decadent, fudgy texture, and rich chocolate flavor.”

“From understanding consumer preferences for bright and intense colors, along with their desire for sweet treats that evoke childhood memories, we're committed to empowering bakers with the insights and products to meet these desires effectively," said Allison Hornev, Dawn’s senior director of marketing, core portfolio and innovation.

Better Brownies

Mars Incorporated extended its Nature’s Bakery Brownie line with a new Salted Caramel variety made with whole grains, dates, and vegan chocolate.

"When we developed the Salted Caramel Brownie recipe, we focused on simplicity, top-notch ingredients, and infusing every soft-baked bite with deliciousness," said Alice Kim, senior innovation manager at Nature's Bakery. "After several attempts and taste tests with our team and beloved consumers, we found the best combination of real chocolate and the right balance of caramel with a hint of salt. Great taste without compromising on great ingredients was our top priority to ensure every snack break scores brownie points with consumers."

Salted Caramel Brownie is available online at Amazon.com and NaturesBakery.com and will be available at select national retailers this summer.

Gluten-Free Cookies

PB2 Foods, Tifton, Ga., extended its PB2 Pantry line of plant-based, gluten-free bakery mixes with a new Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. It comes in a re-sealable jar for small or large batches and sells for $11.99 online at shop.pb2foods.com and Amazon. The cookies feature 4g of plant-based protein from roasted peanut flour, which is used in place of wheat flour.

“We love seeing fans of our plant-based baking mixes making and enjoying the gluten-free treats they create at home,” said Owen White, PB2 Foods director of marketing. “We know they’re ready for a new flavor in our PB2 Pantry lineup, and we think they’ll be excited to try our new Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix.”

Designed for Special Diets

Dr. Schär USA, Inc., Swedesboro, N.J., introduced a gluten-free spin on the classic Marble Cake. It also has launched soft-textured muffins in Classic, Chocolate, and Chocolate Chip flavors. All products are shelf stable and feature premium ingredients—from barn eggs to Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa products, the company says.

Dr. Schär’s gluten-free Marble Cake (SRP $5.99) and Muffins (SRP $6.49) are sold at supermarkets, specialty food stores, and Dr. Schär's online shop.

Signature Blends

Bob’s Red Mill, Milwaukie, Ore., introduced Bob’s Signature Blends Baking Mixes featuring its premium flours. New offerings include Fudgy Brownie Mix, Golden Cornbread Mix, Classic Yellow Cake Mix and Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix. Consumers simply add eggs, butter or oil, and water. Bob’s Signature Blends Baking Mixes range from 13.6oz to 16.1oz for an SRP of $3.69 to $4.59.

"Bob’s Signature Blends Baking Mixes are a testament to our commitment to combining the wholesome, premium ingredients we are known for with ease of use,” said Blake Issac, director of innovation marketing at Bob’s Red Mill. “These mixes empower home bakers to easily create homemade-tasting baked goods without compromising on flavor, texture or quality."