TRENDS: Food Channel Names Top 10 Dessert Trends for 2011

In its Top Ten Dessert Trends for 2011, sponsored by MARS Foodservices, the Food Channel, in partnership with CultureWaves, the International Food Futurists and Mintel International, identifies the biggest food trends in dessert this year – and cupcakes have proved the most popular item.

“When we took a look at how people are consuming dessert, one thing became clear: our tastes are evolving and becoming more educated,” noted Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel, which is based in Chicago. “We see society trending toward a more casual — and less stuffy — lifestyle. One on hand, we demand less-processed foods and cleaner labels, but we still allow ourselves to indulge in sweet little rewards that get us through the day.”

This year’s trends are as follows:

1. Ta-da!! The Next Cupcake Is...: The cupcake movement is more around its evolution than its dissolution
2. Sweet, Heat, Salty and Tart: Desserts don’t always have to be sugary sweet
3. Wedding Cake Off the Guest List: An overall trend toward a more casual, and less stuffy, lifestyle
4. Behold the Power of Protein: People are looking for more than a sugar buzz from desserts today 
5. Desserts for Grownups: The maturing of America’s sweet tooth 
6. Whole Grains and No Grains: A food trend that’s all about health 
7. Desserts in the Raw: The demand for foods, desserts included, that are far less processed
8. A Touch of Sweetness All Day Long: Sweet little rewards that help get us through the day 
9. A Hint of Floral: Subtle hints of floral have begun to sprout up in the dessert category 
10. Dessert Theatrics: Enjoying a little tableside theater when we’re enjoying a nice restaurant dinner
11. (Bonus) The End of Shareable: Going in with the same spoon for bite after bite has gotten old

“Our own dessert recipes, created in the Test Kitchens of The Food Channel, are great demonstrations of dessert trends,” said Logsdon. “There is nothing like going directly to the source.”

The Food Channel website offers insightful, original content relating to the preparation and enjoyment of great food.