Hershey is concluding the year on a high note. The renowned confectionery and snack leader is introducing its very first hot chocolate bomb, a milk chocolate sphere filled with marshmallows that melts when mixed with hot milk. The Pennsylvania-based company is offering two versions of its Milk Chocolate Hot Chocolate Bomb: one standard option includes marshmallows, while the other features cinnamon chips.
Hot chocolate bombs gained popularity in 2019, thanks to college graduate Eric Torres-Garcia, who was inspired by Kinder eggs—chocolate balls containing toys—and bath bombs. Since then, numerous companies, including Frankford Candy, have launched their own variations of cocoa bombs. Social media is abuzz with videos of hot chocolate bombs “exploding,” making this one of the most talked-about confectionery trends in recent years. Some brands even claim to have created chocolate bombs long before their viral rise. While this new product line is a fresh venture for Hershey, the company is already a prominent player in the hot chocolate market with its powder Hot Cocoa Mix.
In another development, Premier Protein, known for its protein shakes, is set to chill the frozen foods aisle with the launch of Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes in early 2023, thanks to a partnership with frozen pancake manufacturer De Wafelbakkers. Each serving of these breakfast 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 add more protein to their diets, protein pancakes have become a delicious way to start the day.” Premier Protein suggests that consumers enjoy these pancakes as breakfast or a post-workout snack, much like their shakes. The brand, under Bellring Brands, has also shared pancake recipes using its vanilla protein shake, hinting at its interest in expanding this product line.
The frozen food market is currently thriving with protein-rich products. Since the onset of the pandemic, Kodiak, a company specializing in whole-grain, high-protein foods, has expanded its offerings to include Power Waffles with 12 grams of protein and Power Flapjacks with 14 grams. Van’s, a brand catering to those with specific dietary needs, markets Power Grains waffles containing 10 grams of protein made from whole wheat, steel-cut oats, and brown rice. As the demand for protein snacks grows, Premier Protein Frozen Pancakes will soon provide consumers with another convenient option. According to Emergen Research, the global protein market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%, reaching $8.93 billion by 2030.
For parents, the holiday season is all about creating magical moments with their children—even if it means hurriedly preparing behind the scenes. Lunchables Holiday Packs are designed to provide parents with the flexibility they need during this busy time. These large trays of Kraft Heinz’s iconic buildable lunch snacks feature packaging aimed at parents. Kraft Heinz hopes that kids will have so much fun assembling cracker stacks and pizzas that they won’t notice their parents sneaking off to prepare gifts for Christmas morning. “Parents are our biggest partners in continuing our mission to fuel kids’ creativity and imaginations,” said Erin Fitzgerald, Lunchables’ brand manager. “This holiday season, we want to support them, provide a bit of comic relief, and give them extra moments to handle whatever the holidays throw at them.”
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 isn’t alone in targeting parents; Kidfresh, a frozen food brand that offers kid-friendly staples like chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese with “hidden vegetables,” has also introduced wines designed to complement the food left on kids’ plates. Lunchables, which debuted in the 1980s, have remained largely unchanged, continuing to engage children by encouraging interactive play with their food. Recently, the brand launched Lunchabuild kits to inspire kids to create edible robots and towers from their crackers, cheese, and meat slices.
All kids need to spark their creativity is their imagination, making a Lunchable a delightful distraction. While parents will appreciate the extra minutes a Lunchable Holiday Pack affords them for holiday preparations, it’s hoped that the children will find even more joy in the surprises their parents are racing to set up. In the context of nutritious eating, incorporating items like metagenics calcium citrate can support a balanced diet during this festive season.