Bright Flavors / Snack Size Options / Healthy Additions
Cool weather is on the horizon, except if you live in Southern California, where there has been spring weather for weeks now. Sunny days bring people outdoors, especially to coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants that offer an outdoor seating experience. If your business does not offer outdoor seating, then a grab-and-go option is a great alternative. As the weather shifts, consumers are looking for quality, convenience, and seasonal choices.
Here are some ideas to incorporate new Spring offerings into your display case:
Shift to Spring Flavors
As the weather warms, rainy days give way to sunny days, the flowers are blooming, and citrus trees are loaded with ripe fruit ready for picking.
By late March, strawberries will be in season, along with blueberries, and the last of cherries. Customers look forward to these fresh offerings. Strapped for time and labor? Consider using IQF (Frozen) fruit. IQF is a great alternative as the fruit is picked and flash frozen at the perfect stage of harvest! The selection ranges from lemon and orange zest purée to small wild or large blueberries, tart cherries, and whole strawberries. And that’s not all! Some other fruits available are rhubarb, peach, apple, blackberries, and more.
Incorporate these bright fruits into fillings for Danishes or fruit-filled hand pies, such as strawberry-lemonade hand pies made with whole strawberry filling, lemon curd inside, and a drizzle of lemon-infused icing on the outside. Try adding mint, basil, or lemon for a fusion of flavors.
Try some ideas below:
- Lemon raspberry muffins
- Lemon layer cake
- Strawberry scones, Strawberry or mixed berry turnovers
- Strawberry swirl cheesecake
- Key lime cupcakes
- Strawberry fruit-topped mini cheesecakes
- Dessert flight incorporating a variety of mini desserts
Cookies & Small Bites
Springtime brings customers to coffee shops and cafés for a quick croissant, latte, or an afternoon treat like a large cookie or brownie. Gourmet cookie dough from Hope’s Cookie Company, ready to bake and serve, is a perfect addition to any menu or display case. Popular flavors include Lemon Cooler, Almond Joy, Heathbar Crunch, and the Royale.
For an elevated offering, double the standard 2 oz portion to create a generous 4 oz cookie, serve it with a side of gelato or ice cream, and you have an upscale dessert—along with increased profit potential.
Other Best Sellers:
- Oatmeal raisin
- Triple chocolate
- Peanut Butter
- Caramel Pecan
Smaller formats remain incredibly strong in March for sampling and impulse.
Popular options:
- Mini cupcakes topped with bright-colored frosting
- Petite tarts with fruit
- Bite-sized brownies/cookies
- Bars: blondies, cereal bars in different shapes
Capture impulse purchases with an attractive display case filled with a variety of breakfast items, small desserts, grab-and-go snacks, cakes, and large cookies. Adding a section for healthier options (including gluten-free and vegan products) can help attract new customers. Create a bright, spring-inspired menu featuring some of these offerings to boost profits.
Buchmann can help, with products including Hope’s Cookies, croissant and Danish dough, turnovers, strudels, IQF fruit, fruit fillings, mixes, and more than 1,200 SKUs.
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.