The 2023 Artisan Bakery Expo East is fast approaching. Are you ready to meet with leading bakers and artisans from around the country? Bakers are looking for the top baking ingredients and supplies to grow their companies and stand out from their competition.

We want to ensure you have the ingredients bakers want and need so you can develop lasting partnerships.

Explore seven baking trends from 2023 that will guide what ingredients and supplies bakers want to discover at the expo.

Key Takeaways:

• Complex flavors like sweet and spicy will be a leading bakery trend in 2023.
• Offering more sustainable and ethical supplies and ingredients will make you more marketable.
• Consider alternative diets and healthy options to reach inclusive bakeries.
• Market your supplies and ingredients in new ways, like smaller portions or creative displays of nostalgic flavors.

7 Top Baking Ingredients and Supplies Your Clients Want

The Artisan Bakery Expo East performed a survey to discover what products and services bakers anticipate at the expo. The top two items that bakers are looking for are new ingredients and packaging.

Here are seven trending ingredients and packaging to consider supplying to prospective clients at the expo:

1. Flavor Layering Ingredients

Baked goods are becoming increasingly complex, and consumers are trending toward flavor layers. Bold flavor combinations add new twists to classic recipes and well-known desserts, offering a new experience.

A popular flavor combination is sweet and spicy. In 2023, Mintel market research reported a 138% increase in spicy menu items in bakeries. Additionally, Spoonshot Analytics saw a 20.5% increase in interest in complex heat between 2021 and 2022.

Bakers are especially interested in exploring new peppers and spices for more complex flavor combinations. This trend also stems from an increased interest in more authentic flavors and spices, which brings new attention to cultural spices and flavors. Bakers who want to be part of this trend will look for spices and ingredients from around the world, alongside authentic supplies from various cultures.

2. Single Serve Dessert Supplies

Many consumers prefer smaller, single-serve desserts and baked goods. Single-serve and sample-sized offerings like cake pops have multiple benefits, including:

• Consumer opportunity to sample a dessert before a larger commitment.
• Support for enjoying healthy portions of indulgent items.
• Opportunity to try multiple items and flavors.
• Assurance of separate, contamination-free servings.
• Reduction in food waste from unfinished portions.

Bakers will appreciate more options for packaging, decorating, and serving smaller desserts. Because of the dessert’s smaller size, bakers are looking for more creative ways to display the baked item.

For example, bakers will look for smaller serving dishes, glasses, and papers – or smaller utensils to complement the dainty sizes. Bakers will also search for miniature dessert toppers, like wafers, herbs, small fruit options, and more for extra visual flavor.

3. Nostalgic Flavors and Ingredients

The Kerry Group identified roots and origins as a 2023 taste trend. Despite the thrill of new menu items, many consumers crave familiar, nostalgic flavors.

For example, no matter how many flavors of ice cream consumers can choose from, there will always be demand for classics like chocolate and vanilla. The same applies to nostalgic flavors from different cultures and countries.

Suppliers can attract bakery owners by offering fresh spins on classic recipes. For instance, a touch of chili pepper in a classic chocolate cake brings out the rich flavor of the cocoa.

Another way to breathe new life into familiar recipes is through new display methods. Offer fresh supplies and embellishments for nostalgic recipes to help bakers attract new consumers.

4. Sustainable Ingredients and Supplies

Sustainability has come to the forefront of public attention. Eco-conscious bakers will be eager to find new ingredients and supplies that reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainable ingredients require lower carbon emissions to process and don’t harm the environment to grow and harvest. Additionally, they are ethically sourced, coming from farms and factories that use safe and fair labor practices.

Sourcing your ingredients and supplies from local farms and small businesses can provide a competitive edge.

Using biodegradable materials in paper products and reducing single-use plastics can also improve your products’ appeal to bakers.

5. Greater Dietary Variety

Bakers and artisans in 2023 are looking for new ways to be inclusive in ingredients and food options. With more awareness around dietary restrictions and health concerns, bakers can attract new customers by creating new desserts, baked goods, and treats for various health concerns, allergies, and diets.

Bakers are especially interested in supplies for:

• Vegetarian/plant-based ingredients
• Gluten-free options
• Sugar-free alternatives
• Keto-friendly desserts
• Low-carb dessert options
• Lactose-free options

6. Functional Food Options

Functional foods combine great taste with health benefits. As consumers become more health conscious, they seek desserts and treats that taste good and are good for their bodies.

For example, the Elderflower became popular a few years ago and remains a trending ingredient in desserts and drinks. The flower has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic benefits.

Attract new baker and artisan clients by offering more functional ingredients like popular herbs, vitamin-packed foods, and healthy components. These ingredients can help bakers create exciting new flavors with added health benefits like improving gut health, supporting cardiac health, and reducing inflammation.

Who doesn’t want to enjoy a cupcake while also boosting their health?

7. Fresh Ingredients with Reliable Delivery

Fresh food demand continues to rise in popularity, and the fresh food market is expected to reach $4,828.7 billion by 2032. While packaged foods may always have a place, you can expand your offerings by providing fresh options for bakers interested in being part of this health movement.

A key to marketing your fresh food supplies to bakers is offering a reliable supply chain guarantee. With fresher ingredients, bakers will also require more frequent deliveries, raising concerns amid today’s supply chain challenges. However, you can stay ahead of your competition by outlining the steps you take to ensure frequent and timely delivery of fresh products and ingredients.

Prepare for the Next Expo with the Ingredients and Supplies Your Clients Want

On October 1-2, 2023, the Artisan Bakery Expo East will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This unique event provides an opportunity to connect with artisans and bakers nationwide. You have a chance to stand out from your competition with fresh flavors, creative ingredients, and trending supplies your clients are looking for in 2023.

Register to discover these baking ingredients and supplies at Artisan Bakery Expo East. Or reserve your spot to show your exciting products as an exhibitor!