Bubble waffles, Basque-style cheesecake and nut-free pistachio syrup: The best new dessert ingredients

Dessert chains are having a moment and nostalgic cakes are back in vogue, so it pays to know what diners expect from your dessert menu.

 

Whether you’re looking for ingredients, complementary sauces or pre-prepared sweet treats to give chefs a helping hand, there are a host of new dessert products hitting the market.

 

Therefore, we have brought together the latest and greatest desserts and sweet ingredients launches to boost sweet course offerings and profits.

 

Find new dessert menu options below.

 

Sweet pearls for a flavour burst

 

Prova Gourmet has introduced Pearls: aromatic spheres containing extracts of Madagascan Bourbon vanilla, Colombian coffee or cocoa. The pearls, which are made from French algae, release a concentrated taste for a burst of flavour on the palate. The vanilla variety has sweet and powdery notes, the cocoa flavour has a slightly bitter flavour, while the coffee pearls pair well with hazelnut, peanut or sesame.

 

Price 50g jar, £14.22

 

Simple serve frozen desserts

 

Booker has relaunched its frozen desserts portfolio with 15 new desserts positioned under Booker’s new catering brands – Chef’s Essentials, Chef’s Menu and Chef’s Premium – giving good, better and best options. The range, which is designed to be easy to store, prepare and serve within fast-paced kitchens, includes Salted Pistachio Semifreddo, Pistachio, Raspberry and White Chocolate Roulade, Chocolate Fudge Traycake, Tartelette Au Citron, Bakewell Frangipane, and Sticky Toffee Pudding Squares. Some can be heated directly from frozen, while others require one to eight hours’ defrosting. The products come in a range of formats, such as pre-sliced, trays, bars and individual portions.

 

Price Chef’s Menu White Chocolate & Raspberry Tartlets, from £9.49

 

On-trend bubble waffles

 

Food and drink wholesaler Brakes has launched a range of readymade bubble waffles. The Asian-inspired desserts, which have been setting social media alight, are traditionally served with ice-cream, fruit or sauces, but Sysco Classic Bubble Waffles can also be paired with savoury fillings, such as chicken, cheese and bacon, for breakfast menus.

 

Price Case of 20, £32.49

 

Basque-style cheesecake

 

Spanish food importer Mevalco has added a sweet touch to its line-up with the Manchego Basque-style cheesecake, a reimagining of the Spanish dessert. The burnt Basque cheesecake is made with Manchego sheep’s milk cheese and has a caramelised crust with a smooth, custard-like centre. The cheesecake is supplied frozen.

 

Price 1.5kg case, £24.95

 

Plant-based pistachio syrup

 

After taking a consumer vote on favourite flavours, Sweet Freedom has launched a pistachio-flavoured syrup. The syrup is made with plant-based ingredients and is free from nuts, palm oil, artificial sweeteners, refined sugar and preservatives. It’s low in calories, high in fibre and sweetened naturally with fruit. The trending flavour can be drizzled over desserts or infused into sweet treats.

 

Price Case of 6 x 350g bottles, £15.30

 

Easy-make meringue mix

 

Middleton Foods has introduced a new easy-make Meringue Mix. Just add water and mix on fast speed for 5-6 minutes until glossy, then spoon or pipe the meringue onto a lined baking tray before baking. The vegetarian mix is perfect for lemon meringue tart or strawberry meringue kisses.

 

Price Four x 3kg case, £65

 

Ready to use sweet puff pastry bites

 

Pidy has expanded its range of ready-to-use pastry cases with three new sweet puff pastry bites in vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon flavours. The bite-sized pastries can be used for sweet canapés, sharing desserts, buffets, petits four or as a sweet addition to afternoon tea stands. All flavours have been made in line with Pidy’s Clean and Green ethos, meaning the pastries are free from colourants, artificial flavourings and preservatives. The pastries have a nine-month shelf life, can be served hot or cold and need to be baked for 5-10 minutes at 170ºC before allowing to cool.

 

Price From 24p