Dessert parlours are bucking the trend of vanishing outlets on the UK’s high streets, their popularity boosted by catering for a new generation of customers looking for indulgence with eye-catching quality puddings and ice creams that are difficult to recreate at home, according to leading confectioner and inclusions specialist Pecan Deluxe Candy (Europe).
Retail outlets are offering different ways to socialise, particularly among a younger generation who are snubbing alcohol, with a plethora of exciting desserts and tasty treats, including cookie dough varieties. Dough is being used as a main portion dessert served hot as a giant soft cookie with ice cream on top.
Pecan Deluxe is servicing this growing market with endless sweet creations including ready-to-heat hot cookie dough, which has a massive advantage for dessert parlours in that the dough doesn’t need to be defrosted beforehand – it’s a simple matter of scooping the frozen chunks into a dish and baking, rather than having to plan ahead and defrosting the right quantity of dough overnight.
An additional advantage of Pecan Deluxe’s dough is that, unlike its competitors, it can be eaten raw too – for example used for blending into milkshakes and adding to gelato, as well as its multiple baking applications.
Available from Pecan Deluxe in chocolate chip and vanilla flavours, the size of the dough pieces makes them easy to both handle and process, such as when baking into skillet cookie and hot cookie dough desserts, which are guaranteed to go down a treat with consumers, especially on cold winter days. To make the perfect hot and gooey pudding place a scoopful of cookie chunks in an individual oven proof dessert dish, bake from frozen at around 180 degrees C for about 12-15 minutes, remove from the oven, serve with favourite toppings and you have a super trendy, hot cookie dough dessert.
Customers have been hooked on cookie dough in ice cream since it originated in the United States around 1984, since then it has been introduced to consumers all over the world and as an ingredient in ice cream has become one of the top five flavour variants globally. In response the food tailor has trebled its cookie dough production capacity in Europe as part of a multi-million pound investment programme, demonstrating its commitment to the sector and its confidence that cookie doughs will continue to lead the march across multiple applications.
Liz Jones, Commercial and Development Director at the food tailor, explained: “The versatility of cookie dough means it is gaining momentum in an increasing number of indulgent food items across the spectrum. It’s available in bakery, snacking and confectionery products, including chocolate bars, biscuits and bite-size pieces, and as a baked skillet dessert in many restaurants and fast food chains worldwide.
“Pecan Deluxe has plugged into the buzz surrounding dessert bars and ice cream parlours. Our dedicated R&D department anticipates market trends and develops inventive products tailor-made to meet consumer demand, working hand in hand with food manufacturers. Cookie dough has been popular for decades and, thanks to innovative developments, there’s no reason to imagine that this trend will change any time soon.”
All Pecan Deluxe products, including traditionally made fudge, moulded chocolate shapes, brownie pieces, cookie dough and praline nuts, are made using natural colours and flavourings in strict allergen controlled, BRC A grade facilities. The company is constantly innovating to develop new flavours and textures and can create bespoke products tailor-made to customers’ requirements.
