Classic flavors are making a comeback in the cake and dessert category like never before.
The nation’s largest specialty cake company, Nothing Bundt Cakes, is bringing back a fan-favorite flavor for a limited time. OREO® Cookies & Cream is launching on Feb. 24 and will be available while supplies last.
This returning flavor blends classic OREO® Cookie pieces with Nothing Bundt Cakes’ signature vanilla cake. The limited time offering is part of an ongoing partnership between Nothing Bundt Cakes and OREO®, combining two well-loved brands into one treat. Available in all cake sizes while supplies last, it’s a highly anticipated return for fans.
Fruit flavors add refreshing and distinctive delights to any cake, whether the special cakes are for weddings, spring holidays, quinceañeras or any other special occasions,
BakeMark® picks the best tropical fruits from their natural places of origin. High-quality offerings of fruit fillings include pineapple, mango, and guava. These delicious fruit flavors are ideal for unique treats as well as for decorating or adding flavor to various baked goods.
Spring and summer time are key times of the year for selling cakes at Lekaroz Bakery in the suburbs of Romeoville, Illinois. Husband and wife Cristobal Membrila and Maria Martinez, owners of Lekaroz Bakery, point out that fresh fruit like quarter slices of fresh strawberries add a powerful statement to the freshness factor of their cakes.
“In the spring and summer, we make many cakes for birthday parties, weddings, and quinceañeras,” says Cristobal Membrila.
Esteban Montes de Oca, owner of La Luz Bakery in Round Lake, Illinois, points out the importance of always striving to improve.
"Creating new designs for cakes and pastries is important to our success,” Montes de Oca says. “Customers love to see something new when they come here. That’s a big part of our success.”
The classics
Classic flavors are making a comeback, global tastes are landing in new and surprising markets and unexpected taste profiles are gaining traction. The culinary world continues to evolve, and innovation is the name of the game.
But it’s not about following these trends – it’s about predicting the flavor forecast. IFF experts predict the top flavor trends and partner with food and beverage companies to lead the way in cutting-edge products and customized applications.
To that end, Tastepoint by IFF – an innovative brand of IFF that focuses on the unique needs of the mid-tier food and beverage market – has released their Tastepoint 2025 top flavor trends. These predictions showcase flavors that will be trending in retail, food service and beyond over the coming year.
Each of these trends also belongs to a broader flavor space – a category of flavors that defines consumer preferences and shapes the food and beverage landscape. Some of these tonalities, like floral and botanical flavors, are growing rapidly as consumers seek clean-label and sophisticated options. Others, like nostalgic comfort flavors, bring familiarity and indulgence, while savory and umami-driven profiles continue to expand into unexpected applications.
Recognizing these flavor spaces helps us predict how tastes will evolve and how they can be adapted across different product categories, global regions and more.
2025 Flavor Trend Predictions
#1 – Pear
Crisp, juicy and subtly floral, pear offers a refreshing sweetness with an edge of sophistication. Expect to see pear flavors paired with warm spices in seasonal launches, as well as new takes on a fresh, botanical twist in both beverages and confections.
Play it Safe: Opt for classic pairings in yogurt and bakery products.
#2 – POG (Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava)
A tropical trifecta bursting with tart, citrusy and sweet notes, POG is rooted in Hawaiian culture but is now making waves across the food and beverage industry. Its naturally vibrant and refreshing taste makes it a perfect match for a variety of applications, from refreshing drinks to bold sauces.
Play it Safe: Use POG flavor in ice creams and yogurts.
#3 – Jasmine
Delicate yet complex, jasmine offers a floral sweetness with a hint of honey and a touch of bitterness. Traditionally a staple in teas, it is now expanding into coffees, confections, dairy products and even savory sauces where it can lend a sophisticated edge.
Play it Safe: Incorporate jasmine flavor in boba drinks and chocolates.
#4 – Rosemary
A robust and fragrant evergreen, rosemary’s pine and citrus undertones make it a staple in savory dishes. But now, it’s branching out—appearing in unexpected places like desserts, cocktails and even specialty coffees.
Shake Things Up: Experiment with rosemary-flavored lattes, chocolate pairings and cocktail infusions.
#5 – Espresso
Rich, bold and deeply roasted, espresso is no longer confined to coffee drinks. Its presence is expanding into unexpected spaces, adding depth to both sweet and savory applications.
Play it Safe: Delight consumers with coffee beverages and espresso-flavored chocolates.
#6 – Dirty Martini
Savory, briny and elevated, the dirty martini has long been a staple in mixology. Now, its distinctive taste is inspiring everything from salty snacks to confections.
Shake Things Up: Expand into dirty martini-flavored confections and even ice creams and sorbets.
#7 – Miso
A fermented umami-triggering bomb, miso flavor is traditionally used in Japanese cuisine but is now crossing over into confections, beverages and even unexpected dessert applications.
Shake Things Up: Offer miso-based chocolate products, caramel-miso ice cream and umami-packed cocktails.
#8 – Cacio e Pepe
This simple yet iconic Roman pasta dish, made with Pecorino Romano and black pepper, is inspiring new snackable and savory innovations.
Shake Things Up: Create cacio e pepe-flavored snacks and savory dips – or go extremely bold and infuse into ice cream offerings.
#9 – Banana Pudding
A creamy and comforting classic, banana pudding is full of nostalgia and indulgence, making it a natural fit for both traditional and novel applications.
Play it Safe: Showcase banana pudding’s distinct flavor in ice creams, confections and a wide variety of bakery items.
#10 – Brown Butter
Deeply nutty, caramelized and rich, brown butter flavor is elevating both sweet and savory recipes with its irresistible depth.
Play it Safe: Provide warm-and-cozy cookies, pastries and rich sauces with a brown butter-based flavor.
Shake Things Up: Infuse brown butter into chocolate pairings and gourmet popcorn.
Shaping the Future of Flavor Together
These top flavors for 2025 are more than just trending tastes — they represent broader shifts in consumer preferences. From the rise of botanicals like jasmine to the growing appeal of nostalgic and comforting flavors like banana pudding, this year’s trend predictions highlight a strategic blend of adventure and familiarity.
Bring these trends to life with tailored solutions that meet your consumers’ specific needs.
