European inclusions company Pecan Deluxe Candy (PDC) has launched a peanut butter-flavoured caramel-filled milk chocolate mini cup that is completely peanut-free.

PDC said it believed the new addition to its range was a “unique offering for food manufacturers, QSRs [quick-service restaurants] and caterers across Europe”.

An expansion of the company’s existing range of caramel cups, the product is suitable for frozen desserts, and can also be used as a topping or filling for indulgent cakes, doughnuts and traybakes.

PDC said it had invested in the development of the cups in order to “meet the growing demand for peanut-flavour confectionery while still complying with nut-free regulations”.

The peanut butter-flavoured cups contain no actual nut or nut-derived products, and are manufactured in PDC’s segregated nut-free facility using all natural flavours.

The sauce is created using a traditional caramel base and features butter and condensed milk. At 1.5g in size, the cups are available in multiple formats: bags, bulk bags boxed, and with either ambient milk chocolate or frozen low melt chocolate compound.

Graham Kingston, PDC’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to bring to market what we believe to be the first mini caramel cup of its kind.

In May PDC launched a new gold-lustre popping candy.