Summer is a season to pack as many memories as possible into the calendar, and sweet treats can be the perfect ingredient to make any summer day something special. 

We talked with Melissa Trimmer, Dawn Foods Corporate Executive Chef & Senior Director of Culinary, for ideas and inspiration on how bakeries can help customers make the most of summertime with unexpected flavors and memorable offerings.

Memorable Flavors

Citrus has long been a staple of summer. Classic flavors like lemon, lime and orange are the perfect refreshment on a hot day, but they don’t need to be limited to these well-known varieties.

“We are seeing citrus index more heavily than we have in other years—and not just the classics,” said Trimmer. “We are seeing lots of fun, unexpected varieties mix up the norm.”

To capitalize on this opportunity, expand the presence of citrus on your menu. Add a twist to seasonal items with white grapefruit, pink grapefruit or Meyer lemon. Spin a new summer flavor with an orange varietal, such as Cara Cara, Valencia, blood orange, bitter orange or Mandarin. You could even capture the imagination with lesser-known flavors, such as yuzu, citron, finger lime or kumquat.

Long known only as a sweet vehicle for pineapple, bakers are taking the traditional upside-down cake to exciting new places. Originally popularized in the 1950s and 1960s, this beloved dessert has stood the test of time and remains a nostalgic treat for many—making it a promising opportunity for a seasonal “newstalgic” spin.

“The best thing about an upside-down cake is that it can become a staple for any time of year by changing out the fruit topping depending on the season,” said Trimmer. “Summer berries, stone fruit and yes, citrus, are all excellent options for adding new flavor variety.”

You can also give a little kick to your summer assortment with some added spice. “Swicy” flavors—a mix of sweet and spicy—are hot and trendy. Originating in savory Korean foods, swicy can also be incorporated into a variety of traditional sweet baked goods.

Add cayenne and cinnamon to chocolate icing or brownie mix for Mexican hot chocolate flair. Add chilis to fruit fillings for added dimension in a filled donut or pastry. Top muffins or biscuits with a spiced honey butter. When combining spices with your traditional sweet recipes, consider the balance—with sweet balancing spicy and vice versa—for the optimal contrast of flavors. 

Source: Dawn Foods

Source: Dawn Foods

Special Occasion Cakes

Special occasion cakes with their eye-catching, elaborate designs don’t always need to be for special occasions. A beautifully iced confection can elevate any moment into a memorable celebration. Staying current with popular themes can help attract attention both in-store and in social media feeds. 

“Designs mimicking knitting and other textiles are everywhere on social media,” says Trimmer. “Now is the perfect time to make sure your shop is capitalizing on this trend.”

Lambeth and Victorian cakes have moved from flash-in-the-pan to perennial favorites. Characterized by their ornate design and often intricate piping techniques, these showy displays can help highlight the artistry of your team. “If your shop isn’t offering at least one design in this style, it’s time to start,” added Trimmer.

Source: Dawn Foods

Summer-Themed Offerings

Create more buying occasions and elevate your case with specially themed items that align with popular summer activities. Dawn Foods offers a variety of recipes that capture the essence of summer to inspire your customers to make every moment more memorable:

• A special backyard-camping bite
• A tropical treat for a pool day
• A perfect partner for a lemonade stand

You can even create themed decorating kits for customers to create special summer picnic sweets on the go. Cookies and brownies make the perfect portable treat that can be decorated with kits of icing, sprinkles and other fun toppings.

Make Summer Memorable

Dawn Foods is here to help bakeries inspire memorable moments for summer and all year round. Visit dawnfoods.com or reach out to your sales rep to get started.