Summer bakery NPD: Pride cupcakes to afternoon tea boxes

Sunny June has all but disappeared, but bakers and brands are doing all they can to brighten up summer with a raft of new products.

From artisanal handcrafted chocolate twists and praline-filled Viennese pastries, to deluxe afternoon teas and fruity exotic doughnuts, there’s plenty to choose from.

Here’s our round-up of the latest seasonal NPD:

Paul UK

Paul UK is encouraging couples and friends to stop and savour the moment with its deluxe Afternoon Tea selection.

Aimed at picnic or celebration occasions, the £29.95 box serves two and is filled with freshly prepared brioche sandwiches including ham & cheese, tomato, mozzarella & pesto and chicken salad. Delicate pâtisserie such as strawberry, caramel and frangipane tartelettes, and an assortment of mini macarons and scones with clotted cream and jam round off the experience.

The Afternoon Tea is available for home delivery and is also being served at selected cafes including Paul Bakery Covent Garden and Marble Arch.

Lantmännen Unibake UK

Lantmännen Unibake UK is targeting the food-to-go market with its own version of the classic chocolate twist.

Made under its Schulstad Bakery Solutions label, the ‘light and flaky’ pastry is made with laminated dough and filled with a vanilla cream and chocolate chip centre. The treats are hand twisted, supplied frozen and ready to bake on-site.

“Our research shows that, despite the challenges of the last year, there is a continued demand for sweet bakery items,” said Kate Sykes, marketing manager at Lantmännen Unibake UK. “The popularity of the chocolate twist has been growing for a number of years and we’re now delighted to offer our foodservice customers a high quality, authentic option that meets the key drivers for growth – artisan and snacking - underpinned by the need for freshness, taste and value for money.”

Lola’s Cupcakes

Lola’s has launched Pride Cupcakes, a selection of six multi-coloured cupcakes featuring a hand-piped design to celebrate Pride Month this June.

Available in chocolate or vanilla sponge, the treats are decorated with an array of colourful buttercream, sprinkles, and rainbow sweets. The box is on sale for £19.20 until 30 September.

Krispy Kreme

The doughnut giant has unveiled this zesty duo as part of its Colours of Summer range.

Passionfruit Party contains a passionfruit filling, while the Raspberry Lemonade version is described as having fruity taste. Both of the signature ring doughnuts are topped with colourful sugar crunch pieces (rsp: £2.25).

Burton’s Biscuit Co

The humble orange is the inspiration behind Burton’s new flavour in its Maryland Minis range.

Landing in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons stores in July, the Choc Orange variant will be available in multipacks of six x 19.8g mini bags (rsp: £1).

The NPD follows Kantar research which found that the appetite for orange snacks had grown with four in 10 households purchasing orange biscuits in the last year – representing an additional 1.9m shoppers.

“Research shows half of Maryland Minis shoppers also bought orange flavoured biscuits last year,” Kate Needham, Burton’s Biscuit Co.’s marketing director, explained. “At less than 100 calories a bag, we know this tasty addition to our range will appeal to parents in search of a permissible and convenient treat for the lunchbox or as an on-the-go snack.”

Bridor

Maxi Fingers are the latest creative offering from French bakery manufacturer, Bridor.

Made from 100% pure butter croissant dough, these ‘indulgent’ 90g Viennese pastries are available in three flavours including praline, featuring an almond and hazelnut praline filling sprinkled with hazelnut, and chocolate, which has a custard cream and chocolate centre and chocolate chip finish. A gingerbread-topped apple & cinnamon flavour makes up the trio.