Countdown on Top 10 Dessert Trends

Despite the shrinking economy and our expanding waistlines, desserts―whether served at home or ordered at the end of a meal―bring sweet satisfaction. But to tap into the trends, it’s essential to know what’s hot and what’s not. The Food Channel® mixed its own research with that conducted by the International Food Futurists™ to come up with a Top Ten Dessert Trends list that can provide inspiration to dessert designers everywhere.
• Ice Cream as the Star: No longer an accompaniment to a slice of pie, new flavors and products take this perennial favorite to the top.
• Sippable Desserts: Both nonalcoholic―from classic malteds to fruit drinks― and interesting alcoholic pairings are apt meal finishers.
• Sharing Comes into the Open: Splitting a large dessert or sharing a plate of mini desserts assuages the guilt―and the pocketbook.
• Out of the Ordinary Presentation: It’s not just dessert―it’s entertainment.
• Interactivity: It’s now socially acceptable to “play with your food.”
• Nostalgia: Retro is in, as long as the dessert takes a different twist.
• Portability: On-the-go-consumers seek on-the-go desserts.
• Novelties: Who doesn’t light up at something that combines childhood fun with something decidedly different?
• International and unusual flavors: Whether it’s unexpected herbal notes or an undiscovered classic from a different country, it gives novelty seekers something different.
• Seasonal and local: The locavore movement reaches into the dessert category, too.