2026 marks the start of a new quarter-century, and the Lunar New Year will usher in the Year of the Horse. Celebrations begin in mid-February, coinciding with the NFL Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day. While many consumers are still recovering from holiday spending and new-year financial obligations, the third week of January brings the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, along with increased travel and dining out.
Here are some ideas for updating your baked goods and introducing seasonal limited-time offers (LTOs).
1. Texture-Driven Items
Consumers increasingly choose bakery products not just for flavor but for multi-layered texture experiences that are crunchy + soft, crispy + chewy, or creamy + crisp. Textures are now a key purchase driver, especially among younger buyers.
Examples that sell well:
- Hybrid products (e.g., layered pastries, cruffins, brookies)
- Snacks with contrasting edges (crisp crust + soft interior, e.g., protein balls and bars)
- Filled items with creamy or gooey centers
Retail opportunity: Highlight texture in product descriptions and displays.
2. Indulgent Winter & Seasonal Treats
January still sees demand for cozy, comfort-oriented products — especially limited-edition winter items.
Notable examples being released in early 2026:
- Raspberry Cheesecake Doughnut and other winter seasonal doughnuts with rich toppings and fillings — showing that sweet, indulgent flavors still drive foot traffic in winter.
Retail opportunity: Limited seasonal runs keep display cases fresh and drive impulse buys.
3. Sourdough & Artisan Breads
Sourdough remains one of the most talked-about and sought-after bakery products in 2026 — not just for bread but also in other formats like sweet pastries and doughnuts. Consumers associate sourdough with both flavor and perceived health benefits.
Retail opportunity: Feature sourdough twists on classic formats — cinnamon, fruit, or seeded sourdough products.
4. Functional & Better-For-You Bakery
While indulgence is strong, shoppers still want products that feel healthier or offer added value, such as:
- High-protein versions of bread, muffins, cookies
- Fiber-fortified items
- Clean-label offerings
These products resonate with customers seeking better nutrition options.
5. Smaller Portions & Premium Minis
Consumers are looking for portion-controlled indulgences that let them enjoy desserts without excess. Mini cakes, petite pastries, and individual servings continue to outsell larger formats in some settings, as they are more economical in addition to portion control.
Retail opportunity: Offer mini trays, sampler packs, or personal dessert boxes.
6. Global & Novel Flavor Profiles
Retail shoppers in 2026 enjoy unique and culturally diverse flavors, such as:
- Matcha
- Ube
- Exotic citrus or spiced fusions
7. Plant-Based Options
Plant-based bakery items are growing in popularity and are expected choices for many consumers, especially in cookies, quick breads, and muffins. These appeal to people focused on sustainability, health, or flexitarian eating.
January 2026 Retail Buying Insights:
| Product Type | Why It Sells |
| Texture-rich pastries | Sensory appeal & social sharing |
| Seasonal treats (i.e., winter doughnuts) | Limited-edition offering |
| Sourdough breads & pastries | Flavor + perceived health |
| Functional bakery (protein/fiber) | “Better-for-you” indulgence |
| Minis & single servings | Portion control & convenience |
| Global flavor explorations | Novelty and exploration |
| Plant-based bakery | Mainstream wellness choice |
Actionable Tips for Retail Bakeries:
✔ Rotate seasonal & texture-focused items weekly to keep display appeal high.
✔ Promote better-for-you choices side-by-side with indulgent items to serve more shopper needs.
✔ Feature limited-edition drops early in January — this drives impulse traffic after the holidays.
Top Trending Bakery Items
- Sourdough-based Pastries: Sourdough is no longer just for bread; “sourdoughnuts,” sourdough croissants, and sourdough chocolate chip cookies are highly popular for their perceived gut-health benefits.
- Hybrid “Portmanteau” Bakes:
- Cruffins: Croissant-muffin hybrids have seen a 224% increase in menu mentions as a premium “quick treat,” as reported by industry professionals.
- Mookies: A cookie-muffin hybrid featuring a soft center and crispy edge. Try two different flavor options of Hopes Cookies, like Triple Chocolate and White Chocolate Macadamia, sandwiched together.
- Ube Mochicro: A viral croissant topped with ube glaze and filled with chewy mochi.
- Galette des Rois (King Cake): A seasonal staple for January 6th (Epiphany) that remains a dominant counter item throughout the month.
- Pistachio & Chocolate Combinations: Spurred by the “Dubai Chocolate” trend, pistachio-filled croissants and cheesecakes are appearing in major retailers like Costco.
- Flaky Puff Crust Pizza: Named the 2026 “Recipe of the Year” by King Arthur Baking, this item features a light, laminated pastry-like crust.
Popular Flavor Profiles:
- Black Sesame & Black Currant: Named key flavors for 2026, appearing in everything from frangipane croissants to savory-sweet Danishes.
- Ube & Matcha: These vibrant, global flavors continue to lead in specialty bakeries.
- “Swavory” & “Swicy”: Items like Miso Caramel donuts and Calamansi & Ginger muffins satisfy the growing demand for savory-sweet and sour-spicy contrasts.
The above baked and sweet product ideas and trends have been compiled from sourced professionals in the baking industry. Why not provide a limited-time seasonal offering and menu update to your customers? Traditional baked items can be a mainstay menu item; however, a new product can bring new customers.
For more ideas, ingredient and packaging needs, please contact us at Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supplies, a division of Buchmann Eggs Inc., at 619-443-6875, email sales@buchmannegg.com, and feel free to visit our website at www.buchmannegg.com.
Wishing you a great start to the new year!