The Top 5 Holiday Treats for 2018
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us.
While we may not be experts on stocking stuffers, we know a thing or two about cupcake toppers, milkshake mixers, and cookie sweeteners.
Just think of our product developers as Santa’s elves and check out this list of the hottest—and coldest—treats sure to entice shoppers away from busy sidewalks and into your door.
1. Hot Cocoa Innovations
When thinking about hot cocoa, many of us have fond memories of shaking that little packet of chocolatey goodness, stirring it vigorously into a mug of piping-hot water, and waiting impatiently for it to cool.
Take advantage of these feelings of nostalgia and find ways to incorporate hot cocoa into your menus.
Try thinking beyond “hot” and embrace the flavor profiles. With the right ingredients, even frozen beverages can capture the essence of hot cocoa.
Topping a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream, marshmallows, and peppermint crunch is an inspired take on the timeless beverage. For added appeal, capitalize on the freak-shake craze by layering or topping your milkshake with delectable brownie bites.
Similarly, don’t feel restrained to the beverage category when creating different interpretations of hot cocoa. A regular chocolate cookie is transformed into a hot-cocoa cookie with gooey marshmallows and crunchy red mint candies baked in.
2. Christmas Vacation Cookies
Add some intrigue and give your customers a way to experience Christmas celebrations around the world by introducing traditional cookies from other countries.
Cuccidati—also known as Sicilian fig cookies—are filled with a mixture of figs, raisins, and chopped walnuts. A sprinkling of red, green, and white flakes gives a nod to the cookie’s Italian origins and the Christmas holiday.
For a German treat, there’s lebkuchen, a gingerbread-like cookie made with spices, citrus, molasses, and almonds. Serve with glühwein, a German mulled wine, to make your customers feel like they’ve been transported to a snow-covered German village.
Or if you prefer sand to snow, try polvorones de canela. These cinnamon cookies are a tradition in Mexico and can be a perfect complement to spicy-sweet Mexican hot chocolate.
3. Eggnog Experiences
Although eggnog is already a rich and creamy end-of-the-year indulgence, there’s still room to elevate the classic cup of cheer.
Often served chilled, eggnog is a bit of an anomaly in the cold winter months. As such, even though ice cream and milkshakes can lose much of their appeal as temperatures drop, eggnog-inspired desserts become the exception to the rule.
Try trimming custard-flavored ice cream with moist pound cake pieces, a simple sprinkling of nutmeg, and a warm whiskey caramel drizzle.
For customers who want to warm up with a cold drink, eggnog was made for the boozy milkshake trend.
Blend cinnamon ice cream, eggnog, and a shot of bourbon for a grown-up treat. Adorn with a cinnamon stick, whipped cream, and snickerdoodle pieces to put it at the top of wish lists.
4. Extravagant Gingerbread
With its signature spice profile and endless decorative possibilities, gingerbread captures the comfort and joy of the holiday season.
For frosted bow ties, candy buttons, and sugary scarves, Parker Products has all the vibrant colors and candies you need to dress up your gingerbread men.
Alternatively, use gingerbread to dress up other desserts and drinks. Dust a ginger cookie crumble on top of a holiday spice cupcake with sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. Add a festive orange peel for a delightful pop of color.
Or warm up ginger spices even further. Add gingerbread flavoring to a piping-hot latte. Coat the rim with gingerbread sanding sugar and top with whipped cream and roasted cinnamon spices.
5. Confectionery Creations
Like tiny presents, truffles and candies can add a touch of celebration to every day of the holiday season.
Upgrade classic peppermint bark by topping it with rich chocolate cake pieces and a cherry glimmer glaze.
Or use unexpected blue velvet cake to surprise the senses and create a trend-worthy sensation.
A blue velvet cake truffle coated with white chocolate and blue sprinkles evokes the elegance of a winter wonderland. Adding green, red, and pink sprinkles takes it from elegant to whimsical while making it even more Instagram-able.
Parker’s creative team is ready to help you deck your menus with tempting seasonal novelties. Get in touch today.
