Key Flavors And Trends Shaping Holiday Chocolate Launches, 2025
Caramel’s Enduring Dominance
Caramel remains the most ubiquitous secondary flavor, appearing in nearly one in five launches as a versatile, crowd-pleasing element that adds gooey indulgence and balances richness. Examples include Baileys Chocolate Caramel Whirl from Lir Chocolates with its smooth caramel layer infused with Baileys notes; Ethel M. Chocolates’ multiple caramel offerings like Sea Salt Caramel and Passion Fruit Caramel Truffle; Montezuma’s Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffle; and The Green Monkey Chocolatier’s Dark Chocolate Caramel and Caramel Apple Pie truffles.
Peppermint’s Continued Popularity
Peppermint (including candy cane and mint variants) delivers a cool, crisp contrast that’s quintessentially festive, featured in over a tenth of launches for its invigorating holiday vibe. Standouts are Hershey’s Kit Kat Peppermint Stick with crunchy red candy pieces; Ghirardelli’s returning Peppermint Bark layers; Compartes’ Limited Edition Peppermint Dark Chocolate Bar with candy cane sprinkles; Chocolove’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Crème Tree-Shaped Bites; and Lindt’s Peppermint Cookie and Candy Cane truffles.
Spice Blends Evoking Warmth
Spiced profiles (cinnamon, nutmeg, gingerbread, cloves) capture cozy winter comfort in as much as a tenth of launches, often mimicking baked goods. Gnaw Chocolate’s Spiced Apple Strudel bar with cinnamon and biscuit; KitKat’s Gingerbread flavor; Ethel M.’s Gingerbread Cookie Butter Caramel bar; and Dandy’s Gingerbread bonbon highlight this trend.
Hazelnut’s Nutty Sophistication
Hazelnut brings creamy, nutty depth as much as a tenth of launches, often as praline or truffle for premium texture. Montezuma’s Milk Chocolate Creamy Hazelnut truffle; Chocolove’s Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tree-Shaped Bites; and Lindt’s Hazelnut TEDDY Bags underscore its elegance.
Peanut’s Classic Comfort
Peanut (including peanut butter) offers salty-sweet nostalgia in as much as 10% of items, appealing to familiar pairings. Ethel M.’s new Peanut Butter Collection with dark and milk variants; and Chocolove’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Tree-Shaped Bites; and Dandelion’s Peanut Praliné & Banana bonbon show its enduring popularity.
Apple’s Seasonal Twist
Apple flavors evoke pies, ciders, and strudels, tying into harvest nostalgia. Gnaw’s Spiced Apple Strudel and Cherry & Almond Tart bars; Montezuma’s Spiced Apple Truffle; Dandy’s Apple Cider bonbon with spiced cookie crunch; and The Green Monkey’s Caramel Apple Pie truffle demonstrate this fruity warmth.
The “Dubai” Effect And Textural Maximalism
The single most disruptive trend this season is the global adoption of the “Dubai Chocolate” profile. Defined by a high-contrast mouthfeel—silky pistachio cream paired with the aggressive crunch of toasted kataifi pastry—this trend has transitioned from a social media viral hit to a holiday staple. Lindt adapted this into a luxurious star-shaped gift box of spheres, while Ratio Cocoa Roasters (Australia) launched handcrafted “Dubai Truffles,” proving that consumers across both commercial and artisan sectors are prioritizing “ASMR-style” textures. Beyoğlu Çikolata (Turkey) further supports this by releasing a dedicated “Dubaco” gift box featuring multiple sizes of the pistachio-crunch bars.
Cross-Category “Scent” & Lifestyle Licensing
Chocolate is no longer just for the palate; it has become a lifestyle scent profile that bridges the gap between food and beauty. A notable example is Hershey’s partnership with Beekman 1802, translating iconic milk chocolate and snickerdoodle flavors into goat milk soaps and body creams. Similarly, Compartés has leaned into the lifestyle space through its collaboration with As Ever by Meghan Markle, where the chocolate bars are wrapped in botanical prints that position them as “treasures” rather than just food. This trend allows brands to capture “non-edible” gift spend by appealing to the emotional comfort of chocolate-themed self-care.
Nostalgic Recreation Of Traditional Desserts
Brands are reviving classic British, European, or regional puddings as chocolate bars or fillings. Gnaw Chocolate’s ‘Pudfolio’ with Cherry & Almond Tart (inspired by 1800s Bakewell) and Spiced Apple Strudel; and Cacao & Cardamom’s Santa’s Milk & Cookies bar capture heritage flavors.