Cupcakes and cake pops were the highlight of 2012, but what will we be making – and eating – in 2013? We’ve rounded up the 10 food trends that we think are going to be big this year. Which one will you be trying?
Popcorn
Why so popular?
In the last year the sale of popcorn has increased by 21% across all
retailers. While in the past confined to the dark halls of the cinema, popcorn has recently become an everyday snack. Healthier than crisps, you’ll see bags of flavoured popcorn popping up in most cafes and shops. And it’s not just the choice between sweet and savoury any more! Cheese, strawberry, toffee apple, peanut butter and even pizza flavoured, popcorn is getting a foodie makeover, and we’re very excited.
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Popcorn is even easier to make in the comfort of your own kitchen these days
– you can even buy homemade popcorn makers. All you need is some
popping corn and whatever flavours you like and away you go!
Try one of our popcorn recipes:
Doughnuts
Why so popular?
Once a naughty, guilty pleasure, doughnuts are getting bigger and better than ever. They’re not just covered in sugar or filled with strawberry jam any more, they’re coated in chocolate, oozing with apple or packed with savoury delights.
From shop bought to homemade, we’re sure that doughnuts will be making their way into your kitchens this year – especially now you can buy homemade doughnut makers! Doughnuts have been round for years but have only recently taken off – we can’t help but think those tempting Krispy Kreme shops might be to blame…
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Doughnuts are no longer considered just fast food, fancy restaurants are experimenting with haute cuisine fillings and some couples are even choosing them as their wedding cake alternative over cupcakes – wow!
Try one of our doughnut recipes:
Hot dogs
Why so popular?
Hot dogs aren’t just for the summer, they’re becoming an all-year-round fad for lunch, dinner and maybe even for breakfast (just us?).
Hot dogs have always been in the culinary limelight from Germany to America, we just haven’t noticed their potential until recently. The rise of street food has seen hot dogs get the gourmet treatment so the once guilty pleasure is now a foodie trend – woohoo!
Hot dog fanatics are giving the dog a well-needed makeover by using different ingredients and meats like duck or pork, turning this simple street food into a posh delicacy.
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The new food trend is all about ‘glamming’ up common foods and that’s exactly the direction the hot dog is going in.
Try one of our hot dog recipes:
- Hot dogs with chilli jam: If you want something tangy with a kick, this is the perfect way to jazz up your hot dog and only takes 20 mins to make.
- Ale hot dogs: The American-style ale in this recipe adds great flavour, giving this hot dog an alcoholic twist that must be tried.
- Posh hot dogs: They’re small, they’re simple and they’re tasty too; marinated in honey and cumin and served with hummus.
Marshmallow
Why so popular?
These low-in-fat, gluten-free, sweet treats are everywhere! You can make them yourself or buy them in bundles – either way, marshmallows are a big one this year.
Marshmallows have quietly been making their way up the popularity ladder over the past 2 years and now the secret is out. The flavour and the taste of the marshmallow is their secret to success.
From cinnamon to mango-flavoured, marshmallows can get away with pretty much any flavour and they’re now even easier to make in your own home. Top restaurants are experimenting with flavours and featuring them in their desserts, while the baking world is adopting these sweet treats across the board, too.
Marshmallows add a lovely sweetness to cakes, cupcakes and biscuits and are even more delicious and impressive if handmade.
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Marshmallows are becoming so highly desirable that you can even order them online, just like cupcakes.
Try one of our marshmallow recipes:
- Cinnamon marshmallows: A traditional sweet with a twist, these cinnamon marshmallows are homemade, soft and delicious – perfect with a cuppa.
- Heart-shaped marshmallows: Share the love this Valentine’s Day with these romantic marshmallows.
Eclairs
Why so popular?
Eclairs are delicate pastries that were once an afternoon tea classic and are now a homemade phenomenon. They’re not as complicated as they look and once you’ve perfected them, you’ll get bit by the pastry bug and want to make more and more.
Pastry chefs have given us the nod that these simple bites are going to be big this year, including celebrity chef and pastry expert Claire Clarke who says colour and size are going to be the highlights of this trend.
So prepare yourself for brightly-coloured toppings, butterscotch fillings and hundreds and thousands everywhere. Fruit toppings, bitter sweet icing and cream galore, these elegant French classics are about to be pimped big time and we’ve never been so excited!
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It’s said that eclairs are taking over from the cupcake which was the hot new thing in the baking world in 2009 – awww memories!
Try one of our eclairs recipes:
- Chocolate eclairs: This recipe is a classic with a rich chocolate topping and a light creamy filling.
- Mini pink eclairs: These fancy pink eclairs are sweet, girlie and would complete any girl’s special occasion.
- Double chocolate eclairs: Any chocoholic would love these! Packed with cream and loaded with oozing chocolate, these eclairs are extra delicious.
World cuisine: Korean and Lebanese
Why so popular?
One of the main reasons Korean and Lebanese food has hit the UK by storm is due to its super-speedy cooking times and delicious taste. From noodles to rice, chicken to beef, these cuisines are everywhere and create some of the best flavours our taste buds have ever toyed with.
More and more Korean and Lebanese restaurants are popping up all over London and now foodies are starting to bring the restaurant and food experience home with them with heaps of cookbooks available.
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World food aisles can be found in pretty much any supermarket nowadays, so you’re never short of some classic ingredients and spices. You can usually buy these ingredients in bulk too which means they’re much cheaper. We’re all watching the pennies so we have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of this cuisine.
Try one of these Lebanese-style recipes:
- Hummus: A Greek favourite, hummus can be found on most Lebanese menus as a delicious starter. Just add in some sesame paste (tahine) and lemon juice for a classic Lebanese twist.
- Kimchi: A classic Korean dish which is extra spicy, using hot red pepper powder.
- Kebab karaz lamb with sour cherries: Yes, lamb meatballs are right up the Lebanese street. Mix with cracked wheat and onions instead of sour cherries.
Bacon-flavoured foods
Why so popular?
In this ever-changing world we live in we’re always looking for the next big thing and it seems like bacon is it – that’s right, bacon.
From bacon-flavoured vodka, popcorn and even chocolate, the globe has gone a little bit bacon mad!
Celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal are encouraging us to get more experimental in the kitchen and seeing how far you can stretch the bacon trend is very interesting. Ever thought of putting it in your chocolate cake? Us neither – but it really works!
Foodies just can’t seem to get enough of its salty goodness. It may be a little on the unhealthy side, but this tasty trend is just too yummy to ignore.
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You can buy so many different bacon-flavoured things online or in supermarkets these days, it’s ridiculous. How about brushing your teeth with bacon-flavoured toothpaste? Or delving into a warm bacon-flavoured cupcake with a cuppa?
Try one of these bacon recipes:
Chicken Kievs
Why so popular?
Chicken Kievs have been round for so long now but now they’re finally cool again – yes, really!
London restaurant Primo made headlines when it announced it would serve the retro dish, while supermarkets are reporting them flying off the shelves. We were convinced ever since Don Draper ordered one in Mad Men – chicken Kievs are back!
It’s not just about the traditional garlic filling any more, chefs are starting to experiment with different stuffings like apple and bean puree.
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An average chicken Kiev is about 300-400 calories per portion which makes this tasty, protein packed dish a healthy dinner for the whole family.
Try one of these chicken Kiev recipes:
Hidden-shape cupcakes
Why so popular?
Cupcakes feeling a little boring? Think you’ve tried everything with them? Think again!
These bakes are not just your standard cupcake, they’ve got something special inside which make them the perfect surprise treat for birthdays or parties.
We have American cupcake chains to thank for these tasty treats including Hummingbird Bakery and London’s Primrose Bakery. They even made hidden-shaped cakes on The Great British Bake Off – if Mary Berry thinks it’s a trend, it’s a trend!
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You can experiment with all shapes and sizes; butterflies, hearts… One of our users even went to the next step and made Christmas tree hidden shapes! Whatever shape cutter you have, you can turn that shape into a hidden shape cupcake.
Try our favourite hidden shape cupcake recipe:
- Hidden shape cupcakes: A soft vanilla sponge, butterfly surprise and light buttercream topping makes these cupcakes irresistible.
Decorated cookies
Why so popular?
Love cake decorating? Prepare to meet your new favourite trend. Decorating cookies is becoming massively popular in the baking world. The flat, even surfaces of biscuits and cookies make them the perfect base to try your wildest decorating fantasies.
You can book cookie decorating parties, have cookies as your wedding favours and you can even get T-shirts that say how much you love decorating your cookies! However far you want to take this trend, it’s definitely a hot one to watch this year, so start warming up those ovens.
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Cookie cutters can be bought in most baking shops, such as Lakeland. Make sure you shop around for the best deal, especially if you want to buy lots of cutters – you can buy them in bulk and they’ll last for years.
Try one of our decorated cookie recipes:
- ‘I Love You’ cookies: A Valentine’s Day treat or a one-off expression of affection, share the love with these sweet and pretty cookies.
- Ruth Clemens’ ice lolly cookies: These brightly-coloured biscuits are easy to make and are just delicious.
- Cupcake cookies: Impress your friends and family with these vibrant and tasty vanilla cookies.
Where to next?
– Cookie recipes
– Doughnut recipes