Sweet goods are having a moment. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, people want comfort food, and that includes bakery products like pastries, doughnuts, muffins, and more.

Even though consumers have largely been staying home of late due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still seeking out desserts and treats like snack cakes.

Over the past few years, a number of notable food trends have developed incrementally stronger resonance with U.S. shoppers.

In 2015, we launched the "Best New Snack & Bakery Products" of the year contest to honor outstanding new snack and bakery products entering the industry, with the online SF&WB audience voting for their favorites.

Vegan & vegetarian options continue to grow in popularity as meat alternatives rise.

Depending on who you ask, either taste or convenience is king. Luckily, manufacturers of snack, nutrition, granola and other bar products delivering on both counts more often than not these days.

The 2019 Taste/Tomorrow event that took place in Chicago from May 1 to 2 provided a platform for Puratos to release its latest body of independent global research into top bakery, patisserie and chocolate trends shaping today's marketplace.

Despite better-for-you and health trends transforming essentially every food and beverage category, the indulgent bakery snack market, including snack cakes, pastries, doughnuts, and muffins, is generally faring well.

So much of this industry is about creating meaningful connections. Successful products that generate long-lasting repeat purchase patters resonate with their consumers.

By now, is there anything we don't know about Generation Z? Born from 1996 through 2014, these 4- to 23-year-olds learn with their eyes and share appealing images via social media. They're environmentally aware and socially conscious. Most embrace cultural diversity.