Will “good old” gateaux and other comfort foods soon be out of fashion in Europe? This question comes up when one takes a look at the eating habits of the millennial generation, which is loosely defined as persons born between 1982 and 2004.
The answer is: Of course not! Such sweet products need only be reinvented, as illustrated by the Casual Cakes range from Gross-Gerau, Germany-based Erlenbacher Backwaren GmbH. The ready baked treats, now being distributed to foodservice operators and caterers, are less rich than typical gateaux on the market. They also feature clean ingredients and are devoid of artificial colors and fake flavors, as well as hydrogenated fats and oils.
Here’s an overview of the three Casual Cakes, each of which is shipped frozen and serves up 12 pre-cut slices per 1.450-gram to 1,850-gram unit:
- Caramel Carrot Gateau. The natural sweetness of carrots and the full-bodied flavor of almonds have been finely coordinated in this product. Three juicy carrot base layers form the basis of the cake. Each is covered in a layer of vanilla skyr cream, and the topping is a creamy and crunchy combination of nuts and caramel.
- Chocolate Cherry Gateau. Layers of chocolate and cherry cream lie between three brownie base layers. All of this is topped with crunchy flakes of fine chocolate. A red cherry on top lends the cake more than a touch of color and delivers a refreshing flavor kick.
- Red Velvet Gateau. Three light muffin base layers, each covered with a smooth cream cheese, make for a velvet-like texture. The bases get their natural deep-red color from beetroot. Rounding it off, a topping of crunchy chocolate curls also turns this moist culinary treat into a sensory experience.
About the Producer
Erlenbacher Backwaren, a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., has been making premium deep-frozen cakes, gateaux and desserts for the European out-of-home market since 1973. Employing approximately 600 people, the company produces over 23 million premium baked goods for restaurant chains, caterers and specialist wholesalers every year. More than 450 different items are exported to buyers and distributors in approximately 45 countries.
