Arla Foods Ingredients has unveiled a new toolbox designed to help brands across Latin America develop indulgent, high-protein desserts. The move comes as the Latin American dessert market continues to expand, with retail sales hitting US$12.7 billion in 2024, accounting for 10 percent of global dessert launches. In Brazil, the largest market in the region, the sector is experiencing a value growth of 9 percent annually.
Despite this growth, a 2024 survey revealed that 18 percent of Latin American consumers have reduced their dessert consumption over the past year. Of those, nearly 40 percent overall—and over half in Brazil—cited “unhealthiness” as the primary reason for cutting back. Furthermore, 79 percent of Latin American consumers expressed a desire for healthier options in indulgent food categories.
As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for desserts that balance indulgence with healthier attributes has risen. This shift is part of the broader “permissive indulgence” trend, which has made its way into various food categories.
Rather than focusing solely on reducing fat, sugar, or salt, many brands are turning to functional ingredients like protein to offer healthier alternatives. Research from Arla Foods Ingredients found that 38 percent of Brazilian consumers are eager to see high-protein dessert options available in supermarkets.
The new toolkit features 12 recipes designed to inspire dairy, health, and performance brands to create indulgent, high-protein desserts. It highlights ingredients from the Nutrilac® ProteinBoost range, which enhances texture and creaminess, even in low-fat products.
Many of the recipes feature whey protein, delivering high levels of branched-chain amino acids. The Nutrilac® ProteinBoost ingredients also offer functional benefits such as improved shelf life and stability, making them ideal for a range of desserts, including fruity varieties, ice creams, and sorbets.
In addition to ready-to-eat dessert recipes like ice cream, puddings, and cheesecakes, the toolkit also includes ready-to-mix solutions tailored for health and performance brands. A low-fat instant pudding mix provides 20g of protein per serving, while a clear gelatine solution incorporates Lacprodan® whey protein isolate, ideal for active and performance nutrition.
The majority of the recipes can be produced using a standard yogurt production line, eliminating the need for UHT technology or additional machinery.
Ignacio Estevez, Application Manager for South America at Arla Foods Ingredients, commented, “Consumers in South America, like elsewhere, are becoming more health-conscious. However, that doesn’t mean they are willing to give up indulgence. They want desserts that not only reduce sugar or fat but also offer the benefits of high-quality protein. Our hope is that this toolbox will inspire manufacturers to create high-protein desserts that maintain the delicious taste and indulgent texture consumers expect.”
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