US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Desserts and Confections Market Report 2022

This report provides comprehensive and current information and analysis of the trending flavors and ingredients in desserts and confections market including desserts and confections market size, anticipated market forecast, relevant market segmentation, and industry trends for the desserts and confections market in the US.

Current market landscape

Consumers are eating less dessert at home, thanks to a combination of increased away-from-home dining and an increased interest in healthier, functional foods. While nostalgic, childhood desserts and trusted, familiar brands are still popular with consumers, energizing the dessert and confections category will require integrating more innovation. Opportunities lie in a dual approach: First, nurturing the allegiance of Gen X and older, who still enjoy traditional ice creams, pies and pastries; second, rolling out more expansive flavors, layered textures, international ingredients and functional desserts to appeal to Gen Z and Millennials. The latter often head larger households and, as parents, seek desserts for pleasure, indulgence and energy, as well as in relation to community, connection and celebration. Connecting flavors and formats to experiential pleasures and personal identity, and using social media, packaging and promotion, can also help engage consumers.

Market share and key industry trends

After sales rose sharply for at-home confectionary, ice cream, dessert and baked goods during pandemic lockdowns in 2020, consumers again returned to restaurants, spending more of their budget on away-from-home food purchases in 2021. At-home dessert consumption thus fell. This trend is projected to continue in 2022, and a reduction in at-home baking as well as more healthful eating trends are also predicted to drive modest sales growth. Opportunities lie in diversifying formats, textures and tastes, especially finding ways to balance nostalgic tastes and more inventive ones. A challenge, however, may be recessionary pressures, especially if inflation continues to rise and more households find themselves on tight budgets. This may create challenges for premium products both at home and in restaurants. It may however create opportunity for more affordable desserts, including more at-home recipes.

Future market trends in desserts and confections

Inflation and other broad economic, environmental and wellness concerns are becoming critical factors shaping the dessert and confection landscape, both at home and away from home. Wider ingredient sourcing and sustainability are likely to become more key considerations, closely connected to a sense of how desserts can bring pleasure while also supporting holistic wellbeing.

Read on to discover more about the trending flavors and ingredients in desserts and confections consumer market, read our US Gum, Mints and Breath Fresheners Market Report 2019, or take a look at our other Confectionery research reports.

Quickly understand

• Consumer experience and interest in familiar brands and nostalgic tastes, as well as trending dessert and confection flavors in product launches and as menu items.
• Consumer associations with premium desserts and insights into what motivates them to try new flavors.
• Significant dessert and confection product development and marketing opportunities.
• Preferred textures by dessert and confection type.
• Attitudes and behaviors towards both primary and secondary dessert and confection flavors.

Covered in this flavors and ingredients in desserts and confections market report

Brands include: Hershey’s, Screamin’ Sicilian, Sugarfina, Oreo, Ben & Jerry’s, Keebler Chips, Reese’s, Cheesecake Factory, Blazing Onion, Friendly’s, Hostess, Great Value, Dreyer’s, Nightfood, Sweetkiwi, Know Brainer, Trader Joe’s, Lindt, BHU Foods, Wicked Kitchen, Madegood, Naim, Lenny & Larry’s, Belmont, Benton’s Upcycled Cookies, Moodibars, SE Grocers Prestige, Nabisco, Benton’s, Pocket Latte, Awake Caffeinated, Yuki & Love, Nestlé, La Newyorkina, Chuao, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pollo Tropical, Antique Taco’s Abuelita, Yogurt Land, CD Food Company, Thanh Huong, Goldilocks, Eat Me Guilt Free, Tone It Up.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

This report, written by Michele Scott, a leading analyst in the Food and Drink sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis on flavors and ingredients in desserts and confections market research to highlight current trends and add expert context to the numbers.

Trust, familiarity and nostalgia which anchored strong sales in 2020 are still key assets to dessert and confection manufacturers, as desserts benefit from powerful sensorial associations as well as cultural ones. However, consumers – especially Gen Z and Millennials – are also looking for more flavor innovation, healthfulness, functionality and, in a context of rising inflation, value, from desserts and confections. Balancing continuity and change for different consumer groups and taking inspiration from diverse sources can all help invigorate the category.

Michele Scott
Associate Director of Food and Drink