Frozen food distributor Central Foods has launched five new tasty ‘bite-sized’ baked products to cater for increasing demand for smaller, indulgent sweet treats.

The KaterBake range includes mini doughnut balls and mini filled muffins – currently the only filled mini muffins available to foodservice.

“Consumers love to treat themselves, but there’s a growing awareness of health which is leading to a rise in popularity of smaller portions and products,” said Gordon Lauder, MD of frozen food distributor Central Foods.

“The five new KaterBake products are small in size but big on taste. All the indulgence, but without the guilt! They are perfect accompaniments to a hot drink or as a morning or afternoon snack, as well as being ideal items to offer as part of a selection of take-out treats.”

The range, suitable for vegetarians, includes apple and cinnamon filled mini muffins, chocolate hazelnut filled mini muffins, mini jam filled doughnut balls, mini chocolate doughnut balls and mini sugared doughnut balls.

The 26g muffins have a defrosted shelf-life of two days and are supplied in packs of 42. The chocolate hazelnut filled mini muffins feature real chocolate chips, a chocolate hazelnut filling and crumble topping. The apple and cinnamon filled mini muffins contain real apples pieces, an apple puree filling and crumble topping.

The mini sugared doughnut balls, 19g in size, are made from a traditional soft butter dough. The 25g mini jam filled doughnut balls feature a fruit jam filling (raspberry, blueberry and blackberry) and the 25g mini chocolate doughnut balls contain a chocolate filling and are sprinkled with sugar snow. All three have a defrosted shelf-life of three days and are available in packs of 70.

“Mini options of some of Britain’s favourites, like doughnuts and muffins, fit really well with a number of current trends in food to go,” added Gordon. “We know that out of home demand for breakfast and brunch has been increasing, but also that the lines between traditional meal times have been blurring, so consumers are eating baked goods throughout the day. We also know that many consumers are looking at ways to still indulge, but without the guilt associated with larger portions. In addition, the trend to share snacks is on the rise, and these mini baked goods are perfect items to offer as a selection at a counter. They can be popped into a bag to take out, as well as to eat in.”

Based in Northamptonshire, Central Foods has been supplying frozen food to the foodservice sector for more than 21 years. It currently supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers, and foodservice caterers, including food-to-go operators, across the entire foodservice industry.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from bakery items, meat and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.