# Small-Batch Dairy-Free Caramels Sanders' Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels are Organic and Vegan By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2021-02-23 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dark-chocolate-sea-salt-caramels References: [godairyfree.org](https://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/sanders-dairy-free-dark-chocolate-caramels-reviews) & [sanderscandy](https://sanderscandy.com/products/organic-dairy-free-sea-salt-caramels) Sanders' Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels are made in small batches with just a handful of ingredients and without dairy, artificial preservatives or artificial colors. The [dairy-free, vegan caramels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mylk-chocolate-aloha-caramel) are touted as a "gourmet alternative to regular candy bars" as they are as decadent and gooey as ever yet powered by plant-based, organic ingredients. Made with 70% cacao and creamy organic cocoa butter, organic rice syrup, organic cane sugar and a few other ingredients, the dairy-free caramels are as simple as they are sweet. Alongside its portable three-piece packs, the brand also offers standing pouches that are shareable and resealable. Ingredient-conscious consumers who are looking for sweet treats are becoming more discerning when it comes to what is and what isn't included in their favorite confections, which is giving rise to a range of [better-for-you treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookies-and-cream-bar) in the category of confections. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Small-batch Dairy-free Confections:** Creating small-batch, organic, and vegan confections may disrupt traditional confectionery markets as consumers demand better-for-you treats. - **Ingredient-conscious Consumers:** As ingredient awareness increases, food and confectionery brands must consider plant-based, organic, and all-natural ingredients to stay competitive. - **Better-for-you Treats:** The rise in healthier and natural sweets offers new avenues for product development and innovation in the confectionery industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Confectionery:** The confectionery industry must adapt to changing consumer tastes and preferences towards healthier, more natural and plant-based ingredients in order to appeal to a wider market. - **Organic Foods:** Producers of organic ingredients and foods have the opportunity to supply and integrate their products into the growing market of better-for-you confections. - **Vegan Foods:** Producers of vegan foods and ingredients can tap into the rising demand for plant-based treats and break into the confectionery market through innovative product development. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vegan Sea Salt Caramels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-sea-salt-caramels.md) - [Creamy Vegan Caramels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-based-caramel.md) - [Vegan Caramel Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-caramel-poinsettias.md) - [Salty Crunchy Vegan Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-sweet-georgia-browns.md) - [Salted Chocolate-Covered Caramels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sanders-white-chocolate-sea-salt-caramels.md) - [Salted Coconut Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sea-salt-squares.md) - [Vegan Salted Caramel Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hazelnut-vegan-chocolate-bar.md) - [Artisanal Vegan Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lderach-vegan-chocolate.md) - [Artisan Low-Sugar Caramels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-sugar-added-salted-caramels.md)