What’s hot in confectionery? Lindt, Bubs and Party Rings cake

Seasonal confectionery is undergoing a transformation, with brands leaning into nostalgia, texture and playful formats to attract consumer attention. As the season of gifting approaches, and as shoppers seek more experiential treats, manufacturers are responding with new product development (NPD) that combines tradition and novelty.

Nostalgic flavours, especially those anchored in classic British puddings, make a strong appearance this week. The trend reflects a broader cultural shift, where consumers are looking to reconnect with familiar tastes while embracing convenience and indulgence.

Texture also continues to draw the eye of consumers, with foamy, chewy and crunchy elements adding multisensory appeal to NPD. Whether it’s popcorn embedded in chocolate or biscuit pieces in truffles, brands are using texture to differentiate and elevate new launches.

Also, the gifting category continues to grow ahead of Christmas, with consumers seeking affordable yet premium-looking products that deliver both flavour and visual impact. From character-led stocking fillers to celebration cakes inspired by iconic biscuits, the festive aisle is becoming a showcase for creativity, storytelling and brand-led innovation.

Stockley’s festive slab

Stockley’s is expanding its branded chocolate portfolio with a hand-decorated festive slab featuring a Christmas tree motif. The 150g product is Stockley’s first SKU in a seasonal series of chocolate slabs.

The move follows a year of growth in Stockley’s chocolate division, which has produced a wide range of products for clients using Rainforest Alliance-certified Belgian, milk, dark, white and blonde chocolate.

The business now aims to expose more of its chocolate work and products under its own branding. “We’ve long been known for our Flyers and cola cubes, but our chocolate credentials deserve equal recognition,” says spokesperson Andy Valentine.

Gnaw introduces festive characters

Gnaw has unveiled a new range of character-led chocolate stocking fillers designed to bring seasonal flavour and visual appeal to the gifting aisle. The line-up includes Ginger Dudes, Podgy Christmas Puds, Cool-Mint Penguins and Popcorn & Peanut Nutcracker Soldiers.

The new series aims to combine festive fun with flavour authenticity and each character reflects its namesake in flavour profile, such as gingerbread, spiced fruit pudding and peppermint.

“It’s not rocket science,” says Gnaw’s Josh Patterson. “We want our characters to taste like what they represent.”

Party Rings makes cake debut

Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC) has extended its Party Rings brand into the celebration cake category for the first time with a 10-serving Party Rings Celebration Cake. The new launch features a Madeira sponge base with colourful icing and sweet frosting, designed to replicate the shape of the iced biscuit ring, which is iconic in the UK.

The launch responds to rising demand for branded celebration cakes, with UK category penetration up 5.6% year-on-year and 71% of shoppers expressing interest in new entrants.

The sector is forecast to grow by 4.3% over the next 12 months, presenting an £11M opportunity for retailers. FBC aims to leverage Party Rings’ strong brand equity and refreshed identity, which it is backing with a £1.5M marketing campaign.

“This is a natural extension of the brand’s values – colour, fun and togetherness,” says David Hebson, trade marketing director at FBC. “It gives retailers a genuine point of difference while meeting consumer demand for affordable, branded celebration options.”

Popcorn Kitchen launches chocolate trio

Popcorn Kitchen is building on its seasonal gifting offer with the launch of three popcorn-infused chocolate bars: White Chocolate Raspberry, Dark Chocolate Orange and Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Each 100g bar is designed to showcase the brand’s signature popcorn as a central ingredient.

The new additions follow previous SKUs, including the Salted Caramel Popcorn Chocolate bar, and aim to explore broader flavour combinations that showcase popcorn as the hero.

Positioned as shareable or solo treats, the bars are intended for festive gifting and impulse purchases. A larger 300g format is also available.

Lindt adds Shortbread Truffles to Lindor range

Lindt has introduced a limited-edition Lindor Shortbread Truffle, blending its signature milk chocolate shell with shortbread pieces and a smooth, shortbread-infused filling.

The new flavour taps into the cultural popularity of shortbread in Britain, offering a seasonal option for gifting or personal indulgence. The launch follows consumer buzz on social media, with early sightings of the NPD generating strong interest. “We know UK consumers have a unique love for biscuits,” says Stefan Bruderer, Lindt Master Chocolatier. “Shortbread felt like the perfect crumbly treat to blend with our beloved truffles.”

The release builds on Lindt’s recent flavour innovation strategy, which includes the launch of Pistachio Truffles earlier this year to tap into the Dubai-style chocolate trend.

Gnaw expands nostalgic ‘pudfolio’

Gnaw is adding two new flavours to its growing range of pudding-inspired chocolate bars, responding to concerns raised by charity English Heritage over the decline of traditional British desserts.

The new Cherry & Almond Tart and Spiced Apple Strudel bars join existing SKUs including Banoffee Pie, Sticky Toffee Pud and Gingerbread.

The Cherry & Almond Tart bar offers a milk chocolate base with almond, biscuit and cherry flavouring, and was inspired by the 19th-century Bakewell classic. The Apple Strudel variant features biscuit, cinnamon, date and apple notes, designed to evoke the warming, spiced profile of the Alpine dessert.

“Consumers still love traditional puddings, but they’re making them less often,” says Gnaw’s Josh Patterson. “We wanted to offer a convenient way to enjoy those flavours, whether shared or not.”

Bubs Makes US retail debut

Swedish confectionery brand Bubs has entered the US market with the rollout of four of its most popular chewy and foamy candy formats.

Bubs will now be on the shelves of major US retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, CVS and Walgreens. Consumers in the States will be able to buy Sour Lemon Raspberry Skulls, Sour Strawberry Vanilla Diamonds, Sweet Banana Toffee Ovals and Sour Tutti Frutti Diamonds, all in 5oz packs.

The US rollout marks the brand’s first major international expansion, targeting mainstream candy aisles with vegan, gelatin-free products made without high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats or Red 40.

“The reception from US fans has been remarkable,” says Åsa Gisel, marketing manager of international expansion at Bubs. “We’re excited to bring our Swedish flavours and formats to a wider audience.”