KANSAS CITY, MO — Typical of fall and winter celebrations, shared food is the core of every gathering. As the commercial baking industry prepares its holiday menu for the 2024-2025 season, incorporating current trends and flavors will pique consumer interest and boost sales.
According to Mondelez Foodservice’s industry trends report, playing to the strong interest in seasonal fare is a great way to grab consumers’ attention.
Market data and research from Statistica found that 81% of US adults intend to have a home-cooked holiday dinner this year.
Opportunities for foodservice operators to accommodate consumers seeking convenience and value were present last year, as 64% of survey participants said they planned to order at least one holiday food item from a restaurant.
According to Datasential’s 2024 Winter Index report, rosemary is a current menu trend that evokes the essence of the season in both sweet and savory winter dishes, with red velvet taking the lead as a favorite dessert flavor among 65% of US consumers.
Findings from that same report found that peppermint is a top trending sweet breakfast flavor during the colder months, with menu items increasing 10 times more in the winter than the average for all other seasons.
Datassential found that 92% of consumers surveyed feel that food prices have remained too high for too long. Bundled offers and other money-saving promotions can provide consumers with a better bang for their buck, so to speak.
With 45% of consumers admitting to dining out less frequently, foodservice operators can retain business by offering discount delivery and to-go offers.
From a marketing standpoint, brands should consider promoting offers in the spirit of the season online, on-site and in-app to help customers alleviate the stress of high costs around the holidays.
Holiday staples remain a go-to for US consumers who gravitate toward traditional comfort foods associated with the season.
To elevate main courses on a holiday menu, Mondelez suggests consumers consider new twists on old favorites, such as utilizing crushed Ritz crackers in a shepherd’s pie or as topping on chicken pot pie bites. For more creative offerings, consumers can batter their fried chicken with Honey Maid Grahams.
On the sweeter side, apple pie remains a seasonal favorite among 46% of consumers, followed by chocolate chip cookies at 36.4%. To provide the distinct sweet-and-savory combination, baked apple desserts pair well with crushed Ritz crackers and cinnamon ice cream.
For the more innovative hosts, a chocolate mousse pie made with Chips Ahoy! cookie pieces add a crunchy touch to another holiday favorite.
Scheduling dinners around fun activities like cookie decorating or a holiday-themed potluck will encourage consumers to make intentional grocery trips.
For a Halloween menu twist, elevating a traditional pumpkin muffin with OREO cookie pieces and chocolate chips allows kids to customize their pumpkin-flavored treat.
In addition to the traditional celebrations, consumers can consider incorporating cultural holidays centered around the season as well, such as creating a different menu item for each night of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
For more holiday menu inspiration, visit the Mondelez International website.
