What’s for Dessert? Baking Mixes Replicate Restaurant Treats

Betty Crocker Creates Gourmet Cakes

Betty Crocker is equally involved in the restaurant trend, according to Susan Klobuchar, marketing manager for Betty Crocker Kitchens.

“When consumers experience a macaroon or a cake pop at a restaurant or in a bakery, they are often inspired to want to try to replicate that idea at home,” she explained.

Enter Betty Crocker’s “Decadent Supreme” line, which comes in chocolate molten lava, chocolate mousse and cinnamon swirl.

In addition, Betty Crocker has created recipes for plenty of other gourmet desserts. Recognizing that food trends like craft beer are also influencing restaurant desserts as well as baking at home, Betty Crocker created a recipe for chocolate stout cake — made with flour or cake mix and stout beer.

Read more: These Chocolates Are Something Special

Trends beyond food are also influencing the baking, with the ombre fashion trend translating to cakes decorated with graduated shades of the same color.

“Ombre layer cakes are cropping up everywhere, including all over Pinterest,” she said.

Licensing and co-branding is another way that Betty Crocker has added excitement to the world of home bakers. Take Cinnamon Crunch, Reese’s Puffs and Cocoa Crunch whole-grain muffin mixes.

“Such partnerships allow companies to combine equities and branded ingredients that can enhance a product with familiar brands rather than generic ones, that consumers feel good about,” said Klobuchar.

Meanwhile, Betty Crocker caters to moms who love baking with their kids, but don’t love the effort and mess that goes along with it.

“We know that parents like to involve their kids in their daily activities including cooking and baking, especially if there is an easy way for them to feel like they’re helping,” she said. “So when moms think of fun activities to do with their kids we want them to think about Shake-N-Pour desserts.”

Shake-N-Pour cookie, brownie and cake mixes come in a jug prefilled with all the necessary ingredients except water. When water is added to the jug, the mix can be simply poured into the baking tray.

“Having everything available in one package provides that convenience so consumers can have more time to spend with family,” said Klobuchar.