Consumers continue to seek out new and unexpected flavors and presentations when dining out, and this doesn’t stop at the dessert menu. Embracing nostalgic, comforting and trending flavors in desserts and sweet snacks appeals to multiple generations and encourages repeat visits. Today’s consumers look to treats to recharge, reward, connect and celebrate.
An uptick in little treats
Look around and you’ll see consumers treating themselves in small ways almost daily. According to Datassential, young consumers are embracing “little treat culture,” a social media movement centered on frequent snacking and indulgent foods and beverages as a way to cope with the stresses of modern life. 89% of consumers indulge in a food or beverage at least once a week.1 Savvy restaurant operators have been quick to answer the call with tiny indulgences and treats that feel like a mini splurge.¹
Emerging dessert flavors and presentations
Dessert menus are leaning into seasonal and savory flavors, fritters and donuts, next-level chocolate, nostalgia offerings, global frozen treats and jumbo and social-media-worthy sweets.² Keep in mind that social-media-worthy desserts tend to be colorful, huge, tiny, unusual or artsy.³ With 77% of consumers reporting that they now eat dessert at home, savvy restaurants are experimenting with placing grab-and-go options at the counter or offering to wrap up a dessert to go after dinner.⁴
Don’t skimp on the chocolate
With 87% of consumers loving or liking chocolate, it’s always a safe bet, no matter the dessert.⁶ Feature it prominently to attract chocolate lovers, and consider integrating some of the latest chocolate trends, which include: plant-based offerings, global flavors, coffeeinspired flavors, health-related terms like “organic,” nostalgic terms like “birthday cake” and collaborations with popular brands or movies.⁶ Creating signature menu items with iconic candy brands that people already love is a smart way to strengthen consumer appeal while setting your restaurant apart, and it’s never been easier. Mix popular candy bars into milkshakes and ice cream, top cakes with candy pieces or candy bar slices, or feature a flight of cupcakes in three candy flavors.
Fruit-forward desserts
Globally, fruit-based snacks and desserts feature dates, raisins, bananas and mangoes, with chili, salt, honey, milk chocolate and sea salt among the top five added flavors in the global fruit-based snacks market.⁷ Meanwhile, the global gummy candies market was valued at $495 million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $742.9 million by 2030.⁸ Fruit-flavored snacks like gummies have been gaining popularity due to their unlimited potential for flavorful infusions and their endless texture and shape possibilities. The demographic reaching for gummy candies the most is Gen Z, according to Datassential, and as the fruity flavors continue to expand, they grow even more attractive to the group.⁶ Pulling inspiration from the gummy market, chefs can create desserts that integrate fruity, sour and/or sweet flavors with fun pops of color, like the new SKITTLES® POP’D, which work great in signature treats.
Don’t forget The drinks!
The ultimate grab-and-go dessert is a beverage. This can be coffee, milkshakes, dirty sodas, slushies or bubble teas. Dessert-inspired coffee drinks are easy to add to the menu, and with endless innovation possibilities, you can add visual appeal and flavor in a flash using crushed candy bars, crumbled cookies, whipped cream and a drizzle of syrup. Coffee and fast-food chains are known for updating drink menus with seasonal LTOs and drink flavors designed to catch the consumer’s eye. Any restaurant that serves beverages can benefit.
To learn more about the Mars Wrigley portfolio and branded business solutions, visit MarsFoodservices.com
Sources:
- Datassential, 2025 Trends, January 2025
- Datassential, Desserts, January 2024
- Megan Bannister, “Most Instagrammable Desserts in the U.S.,” Far and Wide, 2024
- Datassential, Dessert Decadence, June 2023
- Lauren Bair, “16 Awe-Inspiring Restaurant Desserts You Need to Try at Least Once,” Food Republic, 2023
- Datassential, Candy Trends, October 2023
- Innova Market Insights, Global Fruit Based Snack Trends, 2024
- Market Growth Reports, Global Gummy Candies Market Research Report 2024 © 2025 Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
