Sweet Spreads Aren't Just For The Kids, Says Bonne Maman

Bonne Maman says that our love of sweet spreads is spreading nationwide, so says a new survey.  

Over 9 in every 10 adults in the UK eat sweet snacks or spreads on a weekly, and sometimes, daily basis,  with 4 out of 10 of us 'enjoying the taste', 1 in 3 'fancied something sweet' and 1 in 5 saying 'it's a reward'.

The brand's latest introductions, new Salted Butter Caramel Spread and Sweet & Crunchy Peanut Spread also hits the sweet spot; far from being just favourite flavours for children, over 70% choose chocolate, peanut or caramel spreads as adult treats. 

Some 50% of adults prefer chocolate, 1 in 4 choose the caramel spreads and 1 in 5 the nut-based flavours - peanut just edging hazelnut for popularity.… and not necessarily for sharing either! 

Over half those surveyed admitted they'd bought the sweet spread as a treat for just themselves. Whether to be eaten solo or with family and friends an eager 1 in 7 spoon straight from the jar (and if you do you're twice as likely to be female than male, 18% compared to 9%, just sayin'...). 

Around a quarter of uis Brits prefer sweet spreads on brioche or toast, a quarter prefer pancakes, waffles or crumpets and a further quarter would use a biscuit, muffin or slice of cake to 'carry' their chosen sweet spread.           

New Salted Butter Caramel Spread

An indulgent new choice for a 'just for me' moment is Salted Butter Caramel Spread - rich, buttery and creamy caramel made with salted butter, cream and absolutely no palm oil. Now available from Tesco stores at £2.90 rrp per 275g jar – with further national distribution available over the coming month.

Indulging in Exotic Luxury: The Rise of Middle Eastern-Style Chocolates

Chocolate lovers are always on the lookout for something a little different, something new. And right now, it's all about Middle Eastern-inspired indulgence. 

Whether it's an infusion of rosewater, pistachio, tahini, dates, cardamom, or saffron, the Middle Eastern twist is making its way into everything from gourmet truffles to everyday chocolate bars.

A Sweet Tradition Meets Modern Luxury

The Middle East has a rich history of using dates, nuts, and spices in desserts, think baklava, ma’amoul, and halva. 

Today, those same ingredients are being elevated and reimagined in artisanal chocolate creations.

From luxury brands in Beirut and Dubai to boutique chocolatiers in London and Paris, the combination of fine chocolate and regional flavours is proving irresistible. 

Picture a dark chocolate ganache infused with orange blossom, or a creamy milk chocolate bar topped with crushed pistachios and a whisper of rose.

Why the Buzz?

These chocolates don’t just taste delicious. They also tell a story. They offer:

Exotic Flavour Profiles: A refreshing break from traditional European-style fillings.

Healthier Additions: Many use natural sweeteners like dates and incorporate ingredients like sesame or nuts, which are nutrient-rich.

Artisanal Appeal: Often handmade or small batch prepared, with luxurious packaging to match.

Cultural Connection: A way to enjoy flavours from across the globe in a familiar, beloved format.

Perfect for Gifting (or Treating Yourself)

Middle Eastern-style chocolates make beautiful gifts. They’re elegant, unexpected, and memorable, so are ideal for birthdays, wedding favours, dinner parties, Eid celebrations, or simply to brighten someone’s day.

Where to Try Them

In the UK, you can find these delights at high-end food halls, online confectioners, and at Middle Eastern delicatessens. Look for brands like Mirzam, Patchi, or local artisans blending British chocolate with Levantine flavours.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with a Taste of the East. Because it’s Chocolate, But Not As You Know It.

Fudge Kitchen Partners With Iconic British Landmarks and Attractions for 2025

Fudge Kitchen Expands Customer Portfolio with Prestigious New Stockists Across the UK

Popular artisan fudge producer Fudge Kitchen, famed for their handcrafted recipes and use of only high quality, premium ingredients, is delighted to announce a series of significant new partnerships with some of the UK's most respected retailers and cultural institutions.

Now proudly producing bespoke fudges for several iconic British landmarks and destinations in a range of boxed, gifting formats, Fudge Kitchen's wholesale business is thriving in the tourism and destinations sector. 

This year, visitors to the British Museum, Chatsworth House, the National Gallery, the London Museum, Castle Howard, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh will be able to purchase a range of Fudge Kitchen-produced bespoke treats such as fudge slider boxes, fudge trio boxes and other confectionery, each product with bespoke, branded packaging.

Other UK tourist attractions, including London's iconic Tower Bridge Gift Shop, the Sherlock Holmes Museum, and the Raby Castle, Park and Gardens in the 18th Century Coach House Shop which spans County Durham and Shropshire, have also become stockists, now offering Fudge Kitchen's own-brand range across their gift shop shelves.

These new partnerships reflect the brand's unwavering reputation for quality, heritage appeal, and timeless flavours. “We're incredibly honoured to be working with such distinguished and iconic locations,” Richard Parson, Fudge Kitchen MD told That's Food and Drink.

“Each new partner shares our commitment to quality, authenticity, and celebrating British heritage and we're so proud to partner with them to deliver products that align with these values.”

As Fudge Kitchen continues to grow, the team remains focused on delivering exceptional quality while embracing new opportunities to showcase their products in some of the UK's most admired settings.

www.fudgekitchen.co.uk

Facebook: fudgekitchen

Instagram: @fudgekitchen_UK

Twitter: @fudgekitchen

LinkedIn: fudgekitchen

FUDGE KITCHEN FACTFILE:-

Fudge Kitchen makes unique confectionary, from traditional handmade fudge to brittles and caramels, maintaining traditional values and artisan confectionary skills honed over four decades.

Producing delicious fudges for gifting, wholesale, premium department stores and hotels, the employee-owned company also operates six high street shops in historic cathedral and university cities: Bath, Windsor, Canterbury, Cambridge, York, and Edinburgh. Here, visitors can taste and experience traditional fudge making with contemporary and totally unique immersive theatre.

Alongside impeccable taste and premium packaging, Fudge Kitchen's products feel just as good as they taste, with responsibly-sourced ingredients and a commitment to ensure that packaging is fully recyclable, and in some cases they are compostable too. This employee-owned business puts sustainability at its heart, committed to making life that little bit sweeter.

Supercharged Sweets: Caffeine Candy Startup Ruly Launches in the UK

'Flavour-first' Ruly aims at hitting the sweet spot between function, energy and confectionery. 

This is a UK market-first: unlike sports focussed single-dose energy gummies, the energy sweets are made by expert confectioners, rather than supplement manufacturers and are designed as a full-bag treat that you eat like sweeties, and that taste just like sweeties. 

Each 42g pack contains 80mg of caffeine, with guarana and B vitamins,too.

Ruly was founded in 2024 by restaurant founder turned management consultant Sophie Murray and Finance Director Lydia Franks. 

The demanding jobs of the founders inspired Ruly:  they needed  flavour-first, tasty pick-me-ups to power through the afternoon slumps, and an alternative to the office birthday cake, sickly energy drinks, or a bit-too-late-in-the-day cup of coffee. 

They came up with a gummy-style sweet that gives a sustained, controlled energy to help you 'rule the day' - which also had the additional benefit to help give them a boost for their weekend runs. 

This is energy that you control: one gummy at a time. Ruly lets you Microboost when you need it, so you're always in charge of your energy - not the other way around. 

The founders say 'micro-boosting' caffeine is the way to control your energy boost and not experience the crash that sugary energy drinks can cause, and the name Ruly is inspired by ruling the day, and to be the opposite of 'unruly' - being in control.

Sophie Murray told That's Food and Drink: “We're giving consumers control of their energy! Energy drinks are typically consumed in one go, while Ruly gives you ultimate convenience and control: grab a bag and snack at your own pace - we're calling it 'micro-boosting'.  

"Choose to enjoy the whole bag for maximum effect or space them out across the day for a gentle, sustained boost. Ruly's micro-boost format lets you consume a sweet at a time, avoiding jitters and energy crashes -  thanks to its slower release, in contrast to a traditional energy drink.”

Currently available in Berry Delicious and Tropical Crush flavours.

A box of 12 is £29.99 excluding delivery. (£2.49 per 42g bag excluding delivery).

A box of 24 is £54.99 with free delivery. (£2.29 per 42g bag).

Buy now at rulyruly.com.

Follow them instagram.com/weareruly 

The Sweet Debate: Shop-Bought Cakes and Desserts vs. Homemade Delights

When it comes to satisfying our sweet tooth, the choice between shop-bought cakes and desserts and homemade treats can be a tough one. 

Each option has its own set of pros and cons, making the decision a matter of personal preference, convenience, and occasion. 

Let's get into the sweet debate and weigh the pros and cons of shop-bought versus homemade desserts.

Shop-Bought Cakes and Desserts

Pros:

Convenience:

Shop-bought desserts are the epitome of convenience. With our increasingly busy lifestyles, the ability to simply pick up a ready-made cake or dessert from a supermarket or bakery saves time and effort. There’s no need for planning, measuring, mixing, or baking – it’s all done for you.

Consistency:

Commercially produced cakes and desserts often come with the assurance of consistency in taste and quality. You know what you’re getting each time you buy it, which is particularly beneficial for special occasions where reliability is key.

Variety:

Supermarkets and bakeries offer an extensive range of cakes and desserts, from classic Victoria sponges and chocolate eclairs to exotic cheesecakes and gluten-free options. This variety can cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements without the need for specialised baking skills.

Presentation:

Shop-bought cakes and desserts are usually professionally decorated and packaged, making them look appealing and suitable for gifting or parties where presentation matters.

Cons:

Ingredients and Additives:

Many commercial desserts contain preservatives, artificial flavours, and other additives to extend shelf life and enhance taste. These can detract from the natural flavours and may not be as healthy as homemade alternatives.

Cost:

While convenient, shop-bought desserts can be more expensive than making them at home, especially if you opt for high-quality or gourmet products.

Lack of Personal Touch:

Shop-bought cakes lack the personal touch and love that goes into homemade baking. They can feel impersonal, particularly for intimate gatherings or special celebrations.

Environmental Impact:

The packaging of shop-bought desserts often involves plastic and other non-recyclable materials, contributing to environmental waste.

Homemade Cakes and Desserts

Pros:

Control Over Ingredients:

When you bake at home, you have complete control over the ingredients. This allows you to use fresh, high-quality, and organic ingredients, and to avoid preservatives and artificial additives. It’s also easier to cater to dietary restrictions and preferences.

Cost-Effective:

Baking at home can be more economical, especially when making large quantities. Basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs are relatively inexpensive, and you can often make more for less money compared to buying from a store.

Personal Touch:

Homemade desserts carry a personal touch that can make any occasion feel special. The effort and love put into baking can be felt and appreciated by those who enjoy the treats.

Creative Expression:

Baking at home allows for creativity and experimentation. You can customise recipes, try new techniques, and create unique desserts that reflect your personal style and taste.

Cons:

Time-Consuming:

Baking from scratch requires time and effort. From gathering ingredients and following recipes to decorating and cleaning up, homemade baking can be a lengthy process that not everyone has time for.

Skill Level:

Not everyone has the same level of baking skills, and homemade desserts can sometimes turn out less than perfect. This can be frustrating, especially when baking for special occasions.

Limited Variety:

While you can try different recipes at home, the variety might still be limited compared to what’s available commercially, particularly for more complex or exotic desserts.

Inconsistent Results:

Homemade baking can sometimes result in inconsistent outcomes, especially if you’re experimenting with new recipes or techniques. This unpredictability can be a downside when you need reliable results.

Both shop-bought and homemade cakes and desserts have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Shop-bought options offer convenience, consistency, and variety, making them ideal for busy schedules and guaranteed results. On the other hand, homemade desserts provide control over ingredients, cost savings, and a personal touch that can make any occasion extra special.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities and circumstances. For a quick fix or a professionally polished presentation, shop-bought desserts are the way to go. But for those who enjoy baking and want to add a personal touch to their sweet treats, nothing beats the satisfaction of homemade delights. Whether you prefer the convenience of shop-bought or the charm of homemade, there's always room for a little sweetness in life.

Swizzels introduces Strawberry & Cream Squashies, freshly picked, just for you

Due to a surge in popular demand, Squashies Strawberry & Cream flavour are now available nationwide in your local shops!

The flavour of the summer's with us, and Swizzels don't want to miss it! 

So, what is the story behind Squashies? 

Back in 2012 sweet chefs at Swizzels were looking at creating some utterly awesome new sweeties recipes. And they hit on a new recipe for success, taking some of your favourite Swizzels flavours and creating uniquely soft and foamy, deliciously moreish sweets. (You can't just eat one!)

Since then they're added more and more fantastic flavours to the range to help bring joy, fun and frivolity and fun to the everyday lives of folks old and young all over the country. 

But there's even more! Because Swizzels has introduced a new Squashies Van! All this summer they'll be taking their special dedicated Squashies van around the country to give sweet fans the opportunity to try their Strawberry & Cream Squashies.

Dates and locations will be announced very soon. Like to see them near you? Tag them on social media, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, just search for Squashies. 

https://swizzels.com/

Now Vegan kids and adults don't have to miss out, because Swizzels has vegan-friendly sweets!

Now nobody has to either go without or, perhaps even worse, compromise their principles, because Swizzels has asked That's Food and Drink to reminds our readers that they have a range of vegan-friendly confectionery available not only for Veganuary but for the rest of the year, too.

And British sweet manufacturer Swizzels has already seen a significant surge in demand for its popular vegan range for Veganuary 2024.

So big is the demand that Swizzels has had to increase production to cope during Veganuary 2024, set to be the biggest yet.

Refreshers, Love Hearts and Drumsticks are just some of the vegan sweets flying off the production lines at Swizzels.

Other popular sweets from the range include Scrumptious Sweets, Curious Choos and Luscious Lollies (also known as Variety Bags).

Now in its fifth year, Swizzels’ vegan campaign “All These, All Vegan, All Year” celebrates all things vegan and encourages sweet lovers to opt for a vegan treat all year round, not just during Veganuary.

The vegan range is available to buy now from all major retailers and convenience stores, starting at just 15p.

You can learn more here https://swizzels.com.

Celebrate the Royal Wedding with Swizzels Coronation Sweets

You can celebrate the Royal Wedding with Swizzels, the iconic sweet treats of your childhood.

Because Swizzels, has launched a very special super-limited edition offering which is coming out just in time to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. 

The sweet manufacturer’s special Coronation gift box will be the perfect, very thoughtful and on trend gift to surprise a loved one during a celebratory street party. (Or as a very splendid self-gift if you are a lover of both the monarchy and Swizzels sweets!) 

The company’s elegant Coronation gift box includes much-loved bespoke Love Hearts rolls with four new messages (Congrats, Crown image, Charles, King) and a commemorative Coin with printing on both sides.

The limited-edition contemporary gift box will be available from www.swizzels.com/shop for £5.99 + p&p.

New Company, Jealous, Launches Sweet Range For All

Sweet lovers in the UK now have more choice to enjoy as a new range of high-end boxed sweets, made purely from natural ingredients and suitable for people with dietary or ethical requirements, has launched.

The initial range of sweet-gifts from the Jealous collection has been available to buy from Selfridge’s flagship Oxford Street store from 27th July and online at www.thejealouslife.com.

Beautifully arranged in striking presentation boxes, Jealous sweets make the perfect gift for a sweet lover and as an alternative to the traditional box of chocolates.

The halal sweets, which boast no artificial colours or flavours, are also suitable for vegetarians and contain no alcohol or gelatine. Presented in 400g gift boxes, the selection includes Sinfully Sour, Gummy Heaven and Paradise Lost all of which retail at £13.99. The Enchanted Eden selection, which is also produced using purely organic products, completes the initial range and is priced at £14.99.

Says Imran Ali Merza, managing director at Jealous: “Sweets are immensely popular among almost everyone, but confectionery gifts are largely chocolate based, meaning there are no real gift options for sweet lovers. Sweets are bought in packets or at a pick and mix store, but not really given as gifts. We wanted to change this and bring candy gifts out as equals to chocolates – standing the humble gummy bear alongside the praline with pride.”

“We also wanted to ensure they could be enjoyed by all, hence our ranges are made free from artificial enhancements, are gluten and gelatine free and also suitable for vegetarians. They come stunningly boxed and in ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ ranges – providing a gorgeous gift for any occasion. We’ve had a great deal of interest in the range so far and anticipate strong sales at Selfridges, which is famed for its well-stocked confectionery department,” he added.

For those who like their sweets to have a bit of a kick, Sinfully Sour is a must and includes cola rock, tropical tang, sour sensations and just peachy. To really get those taste buds tantalising, Paradise Lost offers a mix of flavours such as fruitilicious, sour sensations, gummy bears and tropical tang.

Go to Gummy Heaven and enjoy sweet favourites from gummy bears, wild cherries, strawberry drops and fruitilicious, while the organic Enchanted Eden selection comprises sour worms, sugar bears, fruit cocktail and jelly bears.

For further information about Jealous’ sweet boxes visit www.thejealouslife.com or get involved by following @thejealouslife and www.facebook.com/JealousSweets.

(EDITOR: This is great! My wife has a chocolate allergy so buying sweets for her is not easy, as she ponits out: “Everything is always covered in chocolate!” But not with Jealous, thank goodness!)