Natural and authentic ingredients have become an expectation for premium desserts. With a growing focus on health and wellness, dairy and dessert product developers are continually challenged to introduce novel flavors and products while also meeting consumer demand for a clean label.
Leading brands continue to experiment with innovative inclusions and toppings to help meet consumer demand for more creative and better-for-you dessert options. Sweet baked ingredients and freeze-dried fruits are ideal ingredients for delivering natural flavors, vibrant colors, authentic textures, and functional benefits to ice cream and frozen treats – all with a clean label.
Curious how these ingredients could fit into an existing recipe, or looking for some NPD inspiration? Check out these tips for creating premium, elevated desserts.
1. Deliver new sensory experiences through melt-in-the-mouth inclusions
Sweet baked ingredients and freeze-dried fruits add texture, crunch and interest for indulgent desserts. When ice cream melts slowly in the mouth, the addition of tasty freeze-dried fruit makes a big impact. Baked inclusions, like gingerbread and waffle pieces, pair well with freeze-dried fruit and white chocolate morsels for a rich and indulgent ice cream.
2. Layer baked toppings and coatings for added texture and visual appeal
Sweet toppings can be incorporated directly into ice cream, or used as a decoration for crème brûlée, ice cream sandwiches, cheesecakes, and more. Waffle, gingerbread, and brioche toppings add a sense of special occasion and layer of indulgence to limited edition or seasonal dessert products. All of our baked selections are made with authentic ingredients and contain no additives or artificial preservatives, supporting a simpler label.
3. Use freeze-dried fruits to color, flavor and decorate
Replace artificial flavors and colors in frozen dairy desserts with natural freeze-dried fruit powders and toppings. Experiment with distinctive flavors like blackberry or blackcurrant, or create a rainbow effect using a trio of colors and flavors, such as mango, strawberry and kiwi. The natural sweetness and flavor of our freeze-dried fruit powders can replace artificial flavorings and high sugar components. Some fruits also act as natural, clean label stabilizers in ice cream.
Whether you’re working on something new or reformulating to meet new trends, our R&D team can work with you to develop a high-quality, innovative product. Learn more about all of our freeze-dried and baked ingredient offerings, or contact us today at customer.services@chaucerfoods.com.