Pass the turkey: Festive autumn treats roll out across the US in time for Thanksgiving

27 Nov 2019 --- Across the US, families will be assembling in the spirit of indulgence to celebrate Thanksgiving. From “fresh-out-of-the-oven” turkey-flavored chips to roasted bird-shaped ice cream cake – brands across the nation are enticing consumers with novelty seasonal offerings. FoodIngredientsFirst takes a look at the festive autumn treats being served up for consumers to gobble down this November.

In addition to bringing back the popular turkey deals, Whole Foods Market has released a survey on turkey preferences. The survey found that nearly half of US consumers (49 percent) say it is important that their Thanksgiving turkey is organic, a figure even higher among the Millennial subset at 62 percent. When choosing a bird, more than half of Americans responsible for purchasing or preparing the turkey (59 percent) will make or buy a turkey that is 8 kg or smaller.

“In addition to a rise in organic produce, our stores are seeing growth in shoppers looking for medium-sized turkeys, with customers purchasing additional turkey breast to satisfy the demand for more white meat at the table and avoid the added logistics of a bigger turkey,” says Theo Weening, Vice President of Meat and Poultry at Whole Foods Market.

Notable findings from the Whole Foods Market survey include:

• “More Turkey Breast, Please” – The survey also found that one in five (24 percent) dedicate half or more of their plate to turkey. Half say their favorite part of the turkey is the breast, compared to 19 percent who prefer the turkey leg or 14 percent that prefer turkey thigh.
• “Roasted Turkey is a Clear Winner” – When it comes to how the turkey is prepared for Thanksgiving, Americans overwhelmingly prefer a more traditional roasted turkey (63 percent), followed by smoked turkey (22 percent) and deep-fried turkey (21 percent).
• “Starchy Sides Reign Supreme” – Three-quarters of Americans prefer starchy sides, with stuffing (35 percent), mashed potatoes (24 percent) and sweet potatoes (16 percent) ranking as the top three favorites.
• “Millennials’ Preferences Uncovered” – More Millennials (22 percent) will reach for a leg at the Thanksgiving table, as compared to their Boomer (17 percent) and Gen X (16 percent) loved ones, and one in five Millennials prefer their turkey prepared in a slow cooker.

This holiday season, Whole Foods Market is also offering exclusive meals and desserts created in collaboration with acclaimed culinary pros, Jenné Claiborne, Michael Solomonov, Nicole Rucker and Stella Parks.

Since October, Whole Foods Market’s Bakery department has been featuring two exclusive desserts in stores across the US: Honey Chess Pie, developed by Nicole Rucker, author of “Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers,” and Caramel Spice Cake, created by Stella Parks, James Beard Award–winning author of “BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts.” Rucker’s Honey Chess Pie combines a buttery custard with festive warming spices and honey, while Parks’ Caramel Spice Cake is stacked with layers of bright cranberry jam and topped off with cream cheese frosting and a caramel drizzle.

Pumpkin Spice Cheerios.Pumpkin popularity
As a quintessential Thanksgiving dinner table mainstay, the pumpkin ingredient and pumpkin spice flavors are enjoying sustained growth in appeal. Innova Market Insights reports that new products featuring pumpkin this year have come in forms of yogurt, burgers and healthy snacks. Pumpkin spice continues to gain traction with an average annual growth of 35 percent in global food and beverage launches between 2014 and 2018.

As quick-and-easy meals are piquing the interest of time-starved consumers, Betty Crocker has launched Pumpkin Spice Cake Mug Treats, which allows for the convenient microwave preparation of an autumnal spice cake in a mug or bowl. The limited edition cake mix comes with a cream cheese icing topping.

Even Spam has recently caught on to the pumpkin spice trend, with the launch of its classic canned meat seasoned with the flavor mix. “It certainly had that soft texture that anyone who’s had Spam will be familiar with, as well as the expected salty, porky Spam flavor,” says influencer Dan Myers. “Cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg shared center stage with the classic Spam flavor, however, with a hint of sweetness.”

In the sports arena, Kellogg-owned protein bar brand RXBAR has launched RX Nut Butter Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter, marketed as a gluten-free and keto-friendly seasonal snack in line with the autumnal theme. A seasonal twist on the original RX Nut Butter, Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter maintains the signature base of egg whites for protein, nuts for texture and dates for binding, and adds a few other seasonal flavors – pumpkin, cinnamon and allspice. The snack contains nine grams of protein, and no added sugar.

Meanwhile in the breakfast cereal space, Cheerios has released a limited edition pumpkin spice variety of its product, “made from real pumpkin puree and a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.” Similarly, The Kellogg Company has introduced Special K Pumpkin Spice Crunch, a crunchy flaked cereal with nutmeg, allspice, ginger and cinnamon cluster.

Pass the turkey chipsPringles Turkey Insurance and Roasted Turkey flavored chips.
Two years since the Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner Kit (turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie flavored chips) was brought to market, the snack brand has launched Roasted Turkey chips, marketed as “capturing that fresh-out-of-the-oven, roasted turkey flavor that Thanksgiving fans crave this time of year, no basting required.” 

In addition, Pringles is introducing a Friendsgiving Feast Turducken Kit, which includes turkey, duck and chicken flavored chips. Complementing the Turducken Stack, the Friendsgiving Feast Turducken Kit also includes cranberry sauce, stuffing and pumpkin pie chip flavor varieties packed in a special tray.

“We pride ourselves on offering consumers accurate flavors with endless stacking possibilities,” says Gareth Maguire, Senior Director of Marketing for Pringles. “For our third year, we created the perfect kit for those who are infatuated with the Thanksgiving meat masterpiece that is the almighty Turducken, as well as anyone looking to enjoy a new take on a Friendsgiving feast.”

Timed to its new Thanksgiving crisps hitting shelves across the US, the brand is also offering “Turkey Insurance,” that pays out in Pringles Roasted Turkey crisps to prepare for potential turkey disasters. Five selected fans will receive a golden-roasted prop turkey to complete their Thanksgiving buffet.

“If we've managed to capture perfect, fresh-out-of-the-oven Roasted Turkey flavor in a Pringles crisp, and we don't use it to save people from their nasty-out-of-the-oven turkey fails, then who are we?’” says Gareth Maguire, Senior Director of Marketing for Pringles. 

Baskin-Robbins Turkey Cake.Hearty holiday desserts
Meanwhile, in dessert offerings, specialty ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins is debuting festive autumn treats. Among its Thanksgiving launches this year, is the Caramel Delight Ice Cream Cookie Torte. Inspired by European designs, Baskin-Robbins’ culinary specialists layered Gold Medal Ribbon ice cream on top of a chocolate chip cookie crust, garnished with caramel praline and fudge toppings. 

The frozen dessert maker has also released Turkey Cake, a customizable ice cream cake in the shape of a turkey, made two sugar cone “legs” and a caramel praline topping “glaze.” In addition to Turkey Cake, Thanksgiving revelers are invited to slice into the ice cream chain’s Fall Harvest Roll Cake, decorated to resemble a sawn log.

“This Thanksgiving, we're giving that typical dessert spread a ‘sweet makeover’ so that everyone at the table can enjoy some ice cream deliciousness. We hope our festive cakes and our non-dairy flavors are the tasty finale to everyone's Thanksgiving celebration,” explains Jason Maceda, Senior Vice President of Baskin-Robbins US and Canada. 

By Benjamin Ferrer