Nestlé, the leading consumer packaged goods giant, is set to impress with its latest gametime snack offering. The company has introduced Toll House Cookie Nachos kits, allowing consumers to submit their creations for a chance to win prizes starting Wednesday, November 6, for a limited time. Each kit contains chocolate chip cookie dough, three varieties of chip morsels, cookie cutters shaped like chips, and a $25 gift card for purchasing additional toppings like maraschino cherries. The “cookie nachos” concept gained traction after becoming a popular dessert recipe on TikTok, featuring a platter of chocolate chip cookies adorned with toppings resembling tortilla chips.
In conjunction with this launch, Nestlé has partnered with former NFL star Peyton Manning to promote the product as a perfect snack for game day. Melanie Knoke, the senior marketing manager for Toll House, stated, “Connecting people over a shared plate of warm, freshly baked cookies has always been at the heart of our business. Our collaboration with Peyton Manning perfectly celebrates the holiday and football season with the ultimate shareable snack – Cookie Nachos!”
The chocolate chip cookie was originally created by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, over 80 years ago when she added a chopped Nestlé Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar to her cookie batter. After reaching an agreement with Wakefield, Nestlé began selling chocolate chips under the Toll House brand in 1939. In 2019, the company launched edible cookie dough and has since introduced a variety of other Toll House products, including a Triple Chip blend of chocolate chips earlier this year.
In another development, Godiva is reinforcing its premium reputation with the introduction of a new gourmet chocolate box. The limited-edition Belgian Heritage Collection features a dozen chocolates and confections never before sold in the U.S. Crafted in Brussels, where the brand originated nearly a century ago, the collection was curated by Carlos Canals, managing director for Pladis Americas, who personally selected the pieces after sampling hundreds.
The collection includes G-Macadamia, a milk chocolate shell filled with hazelnut praliné, caramelized macadamia nuts, and buttery biscuit crisps; Ruby G, featuring the brand’s first ruby chocolate; and Paris Brest, which combines dark chocolate almond praliné ganache with crunchy hazelnut mousse in a dark chocolate shell topped with caramel crumble. Steve Lesnard, Godiva’s president, emphasized, “This gift of GODIVA brings the delicious and complex flavors from Brussels to American consumers. We are offering [consumers] the ultimate chocolate experience while showcasing the future of GODIVA – a brand rich in tradition and committed to craftsmanship and creativity.”
Lastly, leading alternative dairy brand Daiya is launching a revamped recipe for its vegan pizzas. The company has introduced a new line aimed at enhancing the plant-based pizza experience by addressing common issues such as inconsistent taste and texture. This reformulated range includes five varieties: Cheese, Meatless Pepperoni, Supreme, Fire Roasted Veggie, Meatless BBQ Chick’n, and Meatless Meat Lovers Pizza.
Daiya’s new crust features a unique ingredient, the trademarked Oat Cream blend, resulting in a fluffier, lighter texture. “Most dairy-free cheeses don’t melt properly, which significantly affects consumer experience, especially for pizza,” said Melanie Domer, chief commercial officer at Daiya. The new recipe aims to deliver the melty, bubbly experience that consumers expect from traditional pizzas. To promote the product, Daiya has initiated a Dairy Free Dairy tour, distributing free samples across the U.S.
Domer added, “Pizza is the ultimate cheesy food and is a big focus area for us. It felt natural to shift our attention to pizza after reformulating our cheese products last year.” The company has also invested millions into its in-house bakery to enhance production. Domer concluded, “The two biggest barriers to plant-based eating are taste skepticism and price. People want good value for their money. We expect this advancement to bridge the gap between consumer expectations and dairy-free offerings.” The new pizzas are now available in retail stores, with the Dairy Free tour continuing through the end of the month.
Incorporating health benefits, the new product lines also include ingredients like carbamide forte, alfalfa, and calcium citrate malate at 1200mg, which further enhances their appeal to health-conscious consumers.