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.

Who doesn't enjoy a sweet treat from time to time? In fact, when surveyed by Datassential last year, 93 percent of consumers had eaten dessert in the past week, and 55 percent had enjoyed dessert within the past day (Datassential, "Dessert's Sweet Spot," Keynote Report, 2019).

Today's foodservice market across the U.S. continues to reflect ongoing consumer desires for interesting and adventuresome flavors, items inspired by global cuisine, and better-for-you options; often where logically applicable, such as in items like hearty breads, muffins, and other baked goods that consumers accept as aligned with inherently nutritious dietary choices.

Food manufacturers naturally want to know which up-and-coming, on-trend flavors and ingredients will take the world by storm. No one has a crystal ball. But one thing we've always had is chefs and restaurants.

It's vital to get flavor and color right when developing snack and bakery products. Color helps establish the consumer's initial expectations of a product, and flavor is a critical part of delivering against those expectations.

Sweet and salty has always been a winning combination, and salty snacks featuring confectionery coatings have recently seen a strong level of popularity.

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery was recently able to talk to Jonathan Davis, SVP of innovation, La Brea Bakery, Los Angeles, about upcoming bakery trends for 2020.

Flavorchem Corporation has released their 2020 Trends & Flavor Forecast.

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