WHAT’S FOR DESSERT?

If cupcakes are indeed dead, what’s the next hot sweet treat?

Back in July when national bakery chain Crumbs Bake Shop crumbled, many declared that cupcakes are dead. But Crumbs has been rescued and several stores have reopened, though many will remain shuttered permanently.
Still, that doesn’t mean cupcakes once again reign supreme. In fact many other sweet treats are battling for dessert domination. Here are a few of the contenders:

(Almost) like Mom made. According to Technomic, a food industry research and consulting firm, lots of consumers are looking for their childhood favorites, but with an innovative update.
Tiny treats. A Technomic survey shows more than 33% of consumers would order more dessert, if it were served in “mini portions.”
Gourmet donuts. This is not a new trend; fancy donuts have been challenging cupcakes for years now. One market advantage donuts have is that even artisanal varieties are relatively inexpensive.
We’re all screaming. Like we told you a few months ago, America’s in the midst of an ice
cream revival. Nation’s Restaurant News adds the latest twist: Many restaurants are coupling ice cream with other sweet treats and creating things like Cake Mix Sundae or unique ice cream “sammies” (sandwiches), such as Baked Apple Sammie or Breakfast Sammie (featuring candied bacon ice cream).
One restaurant in Washington, DC, is serving popcorn ice cream sundaes (with actual popcorn ice cream), underscoring a report from menu-tracking company Datassential that says popcorn is a dessert has soared 200% on menus in the last five years.
By the numbers. According to Technomic:

• The number of consumers who eat dessert at least twice a week has increased 10% since 2010.
• 78% of consumers use dessert as a way to reward or treat themselves.
• 60% of people order dessert because they are “happy.”
• ?Desserts ordered at 44% of full-service restaurants are shared.

Source: SmallBizDaily.com, 9/17/14, USA Today, Spark Business IQ