KANSAS CITY — A staple in every grocery store, boxed mixes are tapping into consumer insights for their latest innovations.
Conagra Brands entered a partnership with Dolly Parton to extend their co-branded products, which initially debuted as part of Conagra’s Duncan Hines brand in January 2022 with two baking mixes and two frosting flavors.
Conagra plans to develop a line of retail products that includes frozen, refrigerated, grocery and snack products, all of which are inspired by Parton’s “down-home comfort cuisine.” In January 2024, Dolly Parton’s Duncan Hines products expanded again with the introduction of chocolate cake mix, yellow cake mix, cinnamon crumb cake mix, blueberry muffin mix, banana nut muffin mix, and buttermilk pancake mix.
“We are beyond thrilled to build on the success of our partnership with one of the most beloved and respected women in the world,” said Lucy Brady, president of grocery and snacks at Conagra Brands. “With our expertise in food, we’ll help bring Dolly’s vision and favorite recipes to so many tables across America, with delicious new offerings across a wide range of eating occasions.”
Ghirardelli paired brownies and cookies as part of the launch of its new Brownie Cookie Bar mix, inspired by the popular at-home consumer hack to combine cookie dough and brownie mix.
“Why choose one when you can have both?” said Megan Wright, marketing director at Ghirardelli. “Home bakers have been hacking ‘brookie’ recipes for some time, so we knew with our fan favorite brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes, we were the right brand to play matchmaker and officially bring the two together. Combining two favorites in one mix, the rich chocolate brownie layer topped with chocolate chip cookie creates a delicious dessert and delectable treat for any occasion.”
