# Cashew Milk Soft Serves 16 Handles Created an Indulgent Yet Healthy New Dairy-Free Soft Serve By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2019-02-18 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dairy-free-soft-serve References: [restaurantmagazine](http://www.restaurantmagazine.com/16-handles-creates-a-new-alternative-to-frozen-yogurt-with-their-cashew-milk-based-vegan-soft-serve-2019/) & [cookiedonyc](https://www.cookiedonyc.com/) 16 Handles launched Cookie Dough Craving as a new [cashew milk-based soft serve flavor](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coconut-cashew-milk), which caters to the rapidly growing [vegan and dairy-free community](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-dairy-free-decadence-series). As an alternative to traditional soft serve desserts, this cashew milk-based option offers a way for health-conscious consumers to partake in what feels like eating ice cream—without actually consuming any dairy. 16 Handles is also collaborating with DO Cookie Dough Confections to share a [vegan-friendly Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough topping](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/straus-family-creamery-cookie-dough-ice-cream) for a limited time. These new offerings from 16 Handles were created with all-natural ingredients and without additives like soy and corn syrup. Over the last year, the ice cream category has been completely been transformed with better-for-you options, leading consumers to seek out some of these creative new choices when it comes to sating their sweet tooth. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.4/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Better-for-you Soft Serves:** The rapidly growing vegan and dairy-free community has created an opportunity for innovative cashew milk-based soft serves that cater to health-conscious consumers. - **Collaborative Vegan Desserts:** Collaborations between ice cream brands and vegan-friendly confectioneries present a disruptive innovation opportunity to create unique and indulgent dairy-free flavors. - **Transformation of the Ice Cream Category:** The demand for creative new choices in the ice cream category has opened up opportunities for developing healthier and alternative options for consumers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Vegan Food Industry:** The rising popularity of cashew milk-based soft serves highlights the potential for growth and innovation within the vegan food industry. - **Dessert Industry:** The introduction of better-for-you soft serve desserts presents an opportunity for the dessert industry to tap into the demand for healthier indulgences. - **Food Collaboration Industry:** Collaborations between ice cream brands and vegan-friendly confectioneries create opportunities for the food collaboration industry to create unique and indulgent vegan desserts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Autumnal Vegan Soft Serves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasonal-soft-serve.md) - [Oat-Based Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marshmallow-oatmilk-soft-serve.md) - [Health-Friendly Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-for-you-frozen-yogurt.md) - [Pumpkin Spice Soft Serves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nondairy-pumpkin-spice-soft-serve.md) - [Better-For-You Kefir Soft Serves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kefir-soft-serve.md) - [Vanilla Vegan Soft Serves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-soft-serve.md) - [Blue Cookie Dough Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookie-monster-cookie-dough.md) - [Chocolate Almondmilk Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-frozen-dessert.md) - [Vegan-Friendly Frozen Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-dairy-free-decadence-series.md)