1. “Hershey Launches First Hot Chocolate Bombs: A Sweet Year-End Surprise” 2. “Premier Protein Enters Frozen Foods Market with High-Protein Pancakes” 3. “Lunchables Holiday Packs: Making Holiday Magic Easier for Parents”
Hershey is wrapping up the year on a high note by introducing its very first hot chocolate bomb. This innovative confection consists of a milk chocolate shell filled with marshmallows that melts when dropped into hot milk. The company, based in Pennsylvania, is offering two variations of its Milk Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bomb. One version features marshmallows, while the other includes cinnamon chips. The concept of hot chocolate bombs gained popularity in 2019, thanks to Eric Torres-Garcia, a college graduate who drew inspiration from the Kinder egg — a chocolate ball with a toy inside — and bath bombs. Since then, numerous companies, including Frankford Candy, have jumped on the trend, launching their own versions of cocoa bombs. Consumers frequently share videos on social media of their hot chocolate bombs “exploding,” making it one of the most beloved confectionery trends in recent years. Some brands claim to have been producing chocolate bombs long before they became a viral sensation. Although this product represents a new venture for Hershey, the company is already a significant player in the hot chocolate market with its powder Hot Cocoa Mix. —Chris Casey
In early 2023, a well-known protein shake manufacturer, Premier Protein, will be shaking things up in the frozen foods section with the launch of Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes, created in collaboration with De Wafelbakkers, a frozen pancake maker. Each serving of these pancakes contains 15 grams of protein and will be sold in packs of 12 and 24. “Breakfast consumption at home is on the rise,” stated Tom Polke, CEO of De Wafelbakkers. “As people seek to incorporate more protein into their diets, protein pancakes have emerged as a delicious way to start the day.” Premier Protein encourages consumers to enjoy these pancakes as a breakfast item or a post-workout snack, similar to their shakes. Previously, the brand shared recipes for pancakes made with its vanilla protein shake on its website, suggesting a potential expansion into this category. With the rising demand for protein-rich foods, the frozen aisle is experiencing a boom. Since the onset of the pandemic, companies like Kodiak have launched Power Waffles with 12 grams of protein and Power Flapjacks with 14 grams. Van’s, a brand catering to specific dietary needs, offers Power Grains waffles, which contain 10 grams of protein made from whole wheat, steel-cut oats, and brown rice. As consumers increasingly seek new ways to incorporate protein into their diets, Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes will soon provide another option. The global protein market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%, reaching a value of $8.93 billion by 2030, according to Emergen Research. —Chris Casey
For parents, the holiday season is all about creating magical moments with their children, even if it means sneaking around to pull off that magic. Lunchables Holiday Packs are designed to help parents manage that holiday hustle. These large trays of Kraft Heinz’s classic buildable lunch snacks come with parent-friendly packaging. The goal, according to Kraft Heinz, is for kids to have so much fun assembling cracker stacks and pizzas that they won’t notice their parents sneaking away to prepare gifts for Christmas morning. “Parents are our biggest partners in our mission to fuel kids’ creativity and imagination,” said Erin Fitzgerald, Lunchables’ brand manager, in a statement. “This holiday season, we aim to support them, provide a little comic relief, and give them extra moments to tackle whatever challenges the holidays may bring.” The holiday lunch trays come in three fun varieties: Son of a Nutcracker! I Forgot to Hide the Elf! (Extra Cheesy Pizza); It’s December 24, Where’s the Wrench?! (Turkey and American Cracker Stackers with cookies); and How is the Gift Still Two States Away?! (Ham and Cheddar Cracker Stackers with cookies).
Kraft Heinz is not alone in tapping into the needs of parents; Kidfresh, a brand specializing in frozen foods for children, has even introduced wines designed to pair with the food left on kids’ plates. Originally launched in the 1980s, Lunchables have remained largely unchanged from those enjoyed four decades ago. The brand has maintained its relevance by focusing on what has made it a favorite: food that encourages play. This fall, Lunchables introduced Lunchabuild kits, inspiring kids to transform their crackers, cheese, and meat slices into edible robots and towers. All kids need to engage their imagination is a Lunchable, providing a fun distraction. While parents will appreciate the extra minutes of holiday prep time a Lunchable Holiday Pack offers, it’s hopeful that children will find joy in the holiday surprises their parents are hurriedly preparing, possibly complemented with the best calcium citrate with vitamin D to keep them healthy during the festive season. —Megan Poinski
