# Dessert-Inspired Creme Bars Hershey’s Launches Salted Caramel and Affogato Creme Bars. By Mursal Rahman | Published 2026-09-01 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dessertinspired-creme-bars References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hersheys-puts-its-pinky-up-for-new-creme-bars-with-katseye-302865380.html)  Dessert-inspired creme bars are bringing layered fillings and café-inspired flavors to familiar chocolate formats. Hershey’s has introduced its new Creme Bars in Salted Caramel and Affogato varieties, combining milk chocolate with rich, flavored centers. The Affogato bar features a dual-layer filling of espresso-flavored caramel and sweet vanilla creme, while Salted Caramel delivers a creamy caramel profile. Hershey’s is supporting the launch through sampling, pop-up experiences, and a KATSEYE campaign centered on the group’s recognizable “Pinky Up” gesture. From a business perspective, the range allows Hershey’s to refresh its core chocolate offering with flavors designed around consumer interest in discovery and premium dessert experiences. The KATSEYE collaboration can help the company reach younger, culturally engaged audiences, while limited experiences and an Uber partnership create additional opportunities for trial. Expanding into distinctive fillings could also help Hershey’s compete with increasingly experiential confectionery products. Image Credit: The Hershey Company ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.8/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 92% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - 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 Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Dessert-flavored Chocolate:** Layered creme fillings and café-inspired profiles create room for legacy confectionery brands to turn everyday bars into more premium, experience-led treats. - **Pop-up Sampling Campaigns:** Temporary tasting experiences supported by delivery partnerships can make packaged candy launches feel more interactive and culturally visible. - **Celebrity-led Snack Marketing:** Music-driven collaborations and recognizable fan gestures provide confectionery brands with pathways to connect product discovery with youth culture. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Confectionery:** Established chocolate makers are finding growth potential in distinctive textures, filled formats, and dessert-inspired flavors that elevate familiar products. - **Food and Beverage:** Consumer interest in café, dessert, and indulgent flavor cues is reshaping how packaged food brands develop premium everyday offerings. - **Experiential Marketing:** Brand activations tied to sampling, pop-ups, and social campaigns are becoming valuable channels for turning product trials into shareable moments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brownie-Flavored Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sharing-bar.md) - [Dessert-Like Bodycare Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-x-milk-bar.md) - [Bakery-Themed Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/galaxy-chocolate-bar.md) - [Globally-Inspired Mini Frozen Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-style-chocolate-mini-bars.md) - [Chocolate-Themed Snack Food Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baker-baker-and-cadbury.md) - [Peanut Butter-Focused Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/milk-bar1.md) - [Salted Candy Bar Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biggby-coffee-twix-drinks.md) - [Crunchy Salty-Sweet Chocolate Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yorkie-salted-caramel-pretzel-duo.md) - [Super-Premium Ice Cream Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ben-jerrys-ice-cream-bars.md)