Fall is almost here and as the nights grow longer, so does the list of holiday-themed products on store shelves – for kids and adults alike.
With Halloween rapidly approaching, the season of all things pumpkin has also arrived, but it’s not just premade treats appearing in grocery stores across the nation – baking products also are jumping in the game this year with products from brands like Pillsbury and McCormick.
Trick or Peep?
Just Born Quality Confections are at it again this year with a lineup of Halloween-themed holiday treats across several of its brands, including its flagship brand, Peeps.
Peeps return this year with the classic selection of festive, sugar-coated marshmallow treats shaped like pumpkins, ghosts, monsters and skulls.
The candy company is kicking it up a notch with its Peepsonality web page that offers dozens of party recipes, including Spider Web Halloween Cake, Pumpkin Patch Brownies, Monster Mash Punch and Pumpkin Popcorn Balls.
Just Born also is bringing back its line of Mike and Ike Sour Spooky Treats in three flavors – Sour Wicked Watermelon, Sour Orange Scream and Sour Ghoulish Grape.
Keebler gets spooky
Ferrero Group’s Keebler brand is freshening up its Halloween assortment this year with the release of its Limited Edition Spooky Fudge Stripes cookies. The chocolatey vanilla cookies feature orange stripes to get consumers into the holiday spirit, and its mascot, the Keebler Elf, is featured on the packaging wearing a witch’s hat.
Keebler also is partnering with zoos in Phoenix, Kansas City, Nashville and Jacksonville for its new Find the Stripes Zoo Scavenger Hunt, which challenges Keebler fans to search for striped zoo animals or play an interactive online version for the chance to win prizes.
“We believe the best adventures happen when families explore together,” said Kelly Flaherty, brand marketing, Keebler Fudge Stripes. “This Halloween, we’re inviting families to discover our new Spookie Fudge Stripes cookies in stores and uncover the wild world of striped animals alongside other zoo Halloween traditions.”
Adultoween with pumpkin
Chocolove is bringing back its Pumpkin-Shaped Fall Bites this year for the kid at heart. The individually wrapped chocolate candies come in two flavors: Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Spice and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. The pumpkin spice chocolates are made with milk chocolate, pumpkin purée, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, the company said.
“As adults embrace Halloween like never before with Adultoween on the rise, Chocolove’s Fall Bites are a wonderful way to delight in the nostalgic flavors of the season, with a sophisticated twist,” the company said.
Chocolove noted in a press release that the chocolate treats will be available at CVS for the first time this year, in addition to Whole Foods, Albertsons, Kroger, Natural Grocers and several other major grocery chains.
Baking for the holidays
As the season of parties and family get togethers approaches, baking supply companies are also promoting their holiday.
Pillsbury released its Funfetti Melted Snowman Blue & White Swirl Cake Mix and blue vanilla frosting with sprinkles, making it “easier than ever to turn snow days into baking days,” the company said.
Funfetti comes with two pouches of cake mix – blue and white – that are intended to swirl together for a wintery effect.
“Our new Funfetti Melted Snowman Cake Mix and Whipped Frosting capture all the joy of a snow day – playful, colorful and full of flavor – without ever stepping outside,” the company said.
McCormick also is bringing back its collection of eight limited-edition finishing sugars that include: apple cider, maple brown sugar, pumpkin spice, salted caramel, chocolate hazelnut, spiced orange, candy cane and english toffee.
It’s the second year McCormick has featured the holiday spice selection that can be used with baked goods and garnishing hot beverages, the company said.
“The enthusiastic response to the debut line of Finishing Sugars last year made it clear that fans are looking for inspiration and craving simple, delicious ways to bring seasonal magic into everyday moments,” said Giovanna DiLegge, vice president marketing, US consumer at McCormick. “This limited-edition collection bottles the flavor and feeling of fall and winter.”
