What a year: top snack and bakery stories of 2025
Our editors came up with a baker's dozen of the past 12 months' most-viewed stories.
The end of the year is a popular time for people to look back and think about the highlights. Here, then, are the highlights from all the articles published on Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery over the course of the past 12 months. Judging by the pieces most viewed by readers like you, challenges were certainly a common interest, but brighter topics also caught attention, such as new product innovations, the fascinating history of long-standing bakery producers, and the opportunities on the road ahead.
13. Hostess debuts mini cupcakes, Donettes Fritter Rings
The J.M. Smucker brand introduced many new items throughout the year. The innovations include a tiny version of its popular chocolatey cupcakes and a ring-shaped fritter version of its Donettes doughnuts.
12. State of the Industry 2025: Chips are down, and up
Our annual State of the Industry coverage (offered for candy, snacks, and bakery) is a hot choice; this year, the chips category attracted the most views among SF&WB readers.
11. Doritos introduces LTO Flamin' Hot Korean-Style BBQ
This launch from the Frito-Lay brand brings in a combo platter of ongoing and emerging consumer flavor trends: spicy, barbecue, and Asian tastes.
10. Most popular new products: January 2025
It's perhaps a bit meta to have a "most popular" article nestled in another most-popular list, but it makes sense; bakery professionals like to know who the leaders of the pack are.
9. Mister Bee Potato Chips debuts Mothman Style flavor
The American cryptid claimed by several different regions (including my home city of Chicago) inspired this unique snack product, which went viral when it was launched in March.
8. Dunkin' introduces Ham and Swiss Pretzel Sliders
Foodservice bakery goods are a popular coverage topic, and this chain's limited-time and permanent-addition items are among the favorites with SF&WB readers.
7. First Watch debuts seasonal toast dishes
The breakfast/lunch/brunch spot rolled out a number of new menu items in 2025, including dishes like Parmesan Prosciutto Toast and Raspberry Ricotta French Toast.
6. Nestlé Toll House launches Cookie Tacos
Consumers often respond to new formats of old favorites, like taco-shaped cookies. Judging by the popularity of this online-only item, SF&WB readers enjoy such twists, too.
5. Entenmann's rebrands Mini Snack Cakes line
In addition to renaming the line from its former Baker's Delights moniker, the bakery brand gave the tiny snack cakes' packaging a fresh new look to attract consumers.
4. General Mills launches new lineup of cereals
This article heralded the arrival of four new products representing some of GM's core brands, including a protein-boosted Cheerios, two new Nature Valley varieties, and a Cascadian Farm item.
3. IBIE announces winners of 2025 BEST in Baking awards
SF&WB is a proud supporter of this International Baking Industry Exposition event, which celebrates innovation and advancement in the industry by bakers and suppliers alike.
2. Little Debbie shows big growth over its snack-cake history
The Tennessee-based company is much loved by consumers, and with such a long track record of successful sales and notable growth, coverage of the McKee Foods brand is popular with bakers, too.
1. BJ's Restaurant re-releases 4-in-1 Pizookie Platter
The restaurant chain brought back this multi-flavor version of its popular dessert; while it reportedly is intended to serve up to eight people, I might be inclined to try and tackle it all by myself.
Thanks for reading Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery; see you in 2026!
