January Recipe Highlight:
Bourbon Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Bourbon Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Alas, a sophisticated twist on a simple childhood favorite! Our Natural Bourbon Pecan Flavor pairs perfectly with Jogue’s premium Madagascar vanilla extract in this sweet & buttery shortbread cookie recipe.

How to Make Bourbon Pecan Shortbread Cookies:

Step 1: Prepare a cookie sheet by lightly greasing it with non-stick spray and set aside.

Step 2: Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, salt, Jogue Natural Bourbon Pecan Extract, and Jogue Madagascar Vanilla Extract. Beat the mixture again until all of the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3: Add the flour and toasted chopped pecans to the butter mixture. Mix gently until the dry ingredients are just incorporated.

Step 4: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1 ½ inch diameter log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 325F. Slice the chilled cookie dough into ¼ inch thick slices. Arrange the slices of cookie dough on the prepared cookie sheet. Top each one with a pecan half and brush the top with the beaten egg white.

Step 6: Bake for 14-16 minutes, let cool, and drizzle each shortbread cookie with melted chocolate. Enjoy!

 

Spicing Up the New Year

Spicing Up the New Year

That’s right: spicy flavors are on the rise! According to a recent article from The Food Institute, “Complex Heat” was deemed to be the top trend in Food & Beverage the past year and it’s likely to continue1. Pairing spicy flavors with familiar ones is likely to become especially popular. Consumer interest for flavor combinations such as hot honey, mango habanero, and watermelon chili has been exploding as more people are traveling internationally again & seeking the unexpected2,3.

A Complicated Relationship

The Today Show recently coined the term “swicy” to describe the next hot thing on restaurant menus (no pun intended). That seems to now be carrying over to CPG items on grocery store shelves too! This endearing term refers to the popular complexity of a sweet & spicy flavor pairing that seems to be driven by adventurous millennial and GenZ consumers.

By pairing daring spicy flavors with exotic fruit flavors, companies have the chance to appeal to several people whether they’re looking for global flavors, adventurous flavors, or simply a complex flavor combination that will have them coming back for more. According to Datassential, hot honey alone is expected to soar above nearly all other food & beverage flavors by 2027- leading us to assume that this sweet & spicy relationship is finally becoming official. A few of our favorite “swicy” flavor pairing we can offer for any application include:

  • Jalapeño bourbon bacon flavored jam
  • Chili pepper chocolate flavored ice cream
  • Chipotle maple flavored barbeque sauce
  • Habanero raspberry flavored vinegarette
  • Guajillo chili flavored simple syrup

Expect more Unexpected

Between the increasing influence of social media and changes in the average consumer’s lifestyle that seems to be promoting an open-minded, adventure-seeking mindset, the Food & Beverage Industry should be preparing for a boom in bold spicy flavors in 2024. With a 138% growth in spicy flavors used in products this past year according to Mintel, it is very likely that this flavor trend is here to stay for the new year4.

Turns out, spicy flavors are being sought out by 71% of consumers5. As a response to this bold demand, spicy flavors are being infused into several unexpected applications. For example, Hellmann’s Spicy Mayonnaise and Ruffles’ Spicy Dill Pickle Flavored Chips were two unexpected viral products that leveraged the new consumer preference for spice. Additionally, unexpected variations of spicy flavors may also be trending this year due to increased global influence. Although slight, the nuanced flavor differences between a habanero, ancho, and guajillo chili might be just enough to peak consumers’ interest in trying something new.

  • Ancho chili pineapple flavored gummies
  • Scorpion pepper flavored steak sauce
  • Red pepper flavored olive oil
  • Sriracha flavored alfredo sauce
  • Jalapeño cheddar flavored croissants