Responding to the small-indulgence trend and the profitability of catering, Cold Stone Creamery has launched a line of miniature frozen treats suitable for offsite gatherings that will be available for franchisees in the 1,086-unit domestic system starting October 3.
On the same day, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Kahala Corp. subsidiary will also introduce a seasonal frozen yogurt flavor, salted caramel, made with an unusual French vanilla yogurt base that contains eggs. That flavor will be available for a limited-time through January 8.
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Cold Stone Creamery's new mini desserts
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Ray Karam, Cold Stone Creamery’s senior tastemaster, said the miniature treats had been tested off and on at corporate headquarters and don’t require that any additional ingredients be purchased, with the exception of lollipop sticks for the Cake Pops and some packaging.
The new items are:
• Oreo canapés — Oreo cookies topped with a miniature scoop of ice cream, dipped in either ganache or frosting and garnished with sprinkles or candy.
• Cone-olis — Inspired by a suggestion from a franchisee who suggested piping soft ice cream into cannoli shells, these are made from miniature waffle cones filled with cheesecake ice cream, dipped in miniature chocolate chips, garnished with a stripe of non-dairy “bettercream,” and topped with a maraschino cherry.
• Cake Bites — made from large sheet cakes spread with ice cream and topped with an optional layer of caramel or fudge, cut in one-inch-by-three-inch rectangles, dipped in ganache and garnished with a choice of candy.
• Mini Cones — choice of ice cream in miniature waffle cones and dipped in a chocolate shell.
• Cake Pops — already available in certain locations, house-made yellow, red velvet or devil’s food cake is mixed with frosting, rolled into balls, dipped in a chocolate shell and garnished with sprinkles or other candy.
The new catering program is a permanent addition to Cold Stone Creamery’s options. Prices for the items are set by the franchisees, but Kahala’s suggested retail price is $1.49 each.
The seasonal salted caramel flavor is hard-packed yogurt made from a French vanilla base, which, unlike most frozen yogurt, contains eggs for added richness, and a little salt.
A ribbon of the chain’s proprietary caramel, spiked with sea salt, is then rippled through the product.
Cold Stone Creamery reintroduced frozen yogurt to its system last year and currently has 30-40 different flavors, Karam said.
Contact Bret Thorn: bret.thorn@penton.com
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