Urban Dessert Lab

Courtney and Zan © Urban Dessert Lab

Sweets & Snacks

“World’s First Oat-Milk Ice Crème Shoppe,” Urban Dessert Lab, Debuts New Plant-Based Desserts

Urban Dessert Lab (UDL), the “World’s First Oat-Milk Ice Crème™ Shoppe,” has announced the expansion of its dessert menu with the introduction of several new plant-based desserts. The shop, owned by sisters Courtney Blagrove and Zan B.R., has gained recognition for its unique dessert offerings and was recently named one of ESPN’s Champion Black Businesses for 2024. The first UDL location opened in New York City’s Lower East Side in 2020. The shop quickly garnered attention from food enthusiasts and celebrities, leading to high demand for additional locations. Responding to customer requests, the founders chose West Hollywood, Los Angeles, for their second establishment, which opened in February of this year.  New summer menu UDL’s new summer menu includes a variety of plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, …

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Smoocht

©Smoocht

Market & Trends

Global Vegan Dessert Market to Be Worth $6.2Bn by 2030

According to a report by USD Analytics, the global vegan dessert market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.5% through to 2030, increasing in value from $3.4 billion to $6.2 billion. Plant-based diets are increasingly seen as a healthy and sustainable option, and this is leading to rising demand for vegan desserts. Growth will be further increased by advancements in food technology, which are improving the quality of plant-based products. Vegan desserts are also becoming more accessible, with supermarkets and restaurants offering more options. Additionally, the use of specialty ingredients is helping to set plant-based desserts apart from conventional ones; for example, producers may include functional ingredients and superfoods such as matcha, turmeric, and hemp, or healthier sweeteners like date syrup, maple syrup, …

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McDougalls vegan jelly

© Premier Foods

Sweets & Snacks

Premier Foods Launches Vegan Jelly for Food Service Under McDougalls Brand

British food manufacturer Premier Foods has launched gelatin-free vegan jelly under its baking brand, McDougalls. The jelly is available for food service in three flavours — strawberry, raspberry, and orange. While conventional jelly is prepared using a combination of boiling and cold water, Premier Foods’ vegan alternative only requires boiling water, making it simpler to prepare. The jelly sets within two hours and has been certified by the Vegan Society. “McDougalls vegan jelly not only provides caterers and chefs with an inclusive dessert option, reducing the need for multiple products, but its sugar levels also make it suitable for schools in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales,” said Sarah Robb, Foodservice Marketing Manager at Premier Foods Foodservice. “Vegan jelly, being such a versatile ingredient, can be …

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&JOY

© &JOY

Facts & Figures

&JOY: Vegan Desserts From Ukraine With No Gluten or Refined Sugar

&JOY is a Ukrainian company offering plant-based desserts made from nuts, seeds, and fruit. The brand’s entire range is free of gluten and refined sugar. A huge selection of over 100 products is available, such as cakes, cheesecakes, candy bars, cookies, and brownies. Examples include the strawberry yogurt cake, peanut nougat bar, cherry brownies, and passionfruit cheesecake. &JOY has partnerships with more than 120 coffee shops in Kyiv and the wider region, and the desserts are also available direct-to-consumer. The brand claims to have sold over 110,000kg of products in the past four years. The desserts can be ordered from &JOY’s website. They are shipped frozen and can be kept in the freezer for up to 180 days. Plant-based Ukrainian brands Many Ukrainian plant-based producers …

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The Coconut Collaborative

© The Coconut Collaborative

Tourism & Travel

Choc Pots by The Coconut Collaborative Launch on All Virgin Atlantic Flights

Plant-based chocolate desserts made by UK brand The Coconut Collaborative are now available on all Virgin Atlantic flights. Described as “little pots of rich chocolate ganache”, the coconut-based desserts contain 100 calories per pot and are free of gluten and palm oil. The products received a Great Taste award in 2017 and are said to be made with ethically-sourced ingredients. Previously, the choc pots have launched at the major supermarket chains Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, and Waitrose. They are also available in salted caramel flavor. Yogurts and desserts The Coconut Collaborative offers a range of plant-based yogurts and desserts, including a whippable cream alternative that was served at last year’s Wimbledon tennis championships. In 2020, the company raised $7 million in a Series A round …

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