# Smoky Macaroni Ice Creams Salt & Straw's Smoked Mac & Cheese Flavor Features Aged Cheese & Pasta By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2024-08-06 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoked-mac-cheese References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-LF8JZp5LF/?img_index=4) & [saltandstraw](https://saltandstraw.com/products/pints-of-the-month-pack/)  Smoked Mac & Cheese is an unconventional new ice cream flavor served up by [Salt & Straw](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pear-and-blue-cheese-ice-cream) featuring award-winning Beecher's Smoked Flagship Cheese, [cheesecake swirl](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kd-mac-cheesecake1) and pasta-infused ice cream. This frozen dessert made with Flour + Water Foods pasta additionally features savory brown butter bread crumbs, offering a departure from overly sweet scoops. As dessert enthusiasts seek new and exciting experiences, the search for [savory flavors in ice cream](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charcuterie-board-flight) grows, driven by a craving for bold, complex tastes that break away from the familiar sweetness of traditional profiles. Smoked Mac & Cheese is one of the novel ice cream flavors in The Summer Picnic Series, which also includes sweet treats inspired by aperitifs, starters, entrées and classic picnic desserts. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.9/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 27% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: 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 ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Savory-dessert Hybrids:** Combining savory and sweet elements in desserts challenges traditional flavor profiles and caters to adventurous tastebuds. - **Pasta-infused Treats:** Pasta-infused ice creams introduce an unexpected texture and flavor combination that disrupts conventional dessert expectations. - **Cheese-based Desserts:** Using aged and artisanal cheeses in ice creams and other desserts creates a sophisticated, gourmet appeal targeting adult consumers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Gourmet Ice Cream:** The demand for unique and complex ice cream flavors driven by culinary innovation is revolutionizing the traditional frozen dessert marketplace. - **Artisanal Cheese:** Artisanal cheese producers tapping into the dessert market provide an opportunity for cross-industry collaborations that enhance product versatility. - **Pasta Products:** Pasta manufacturers exploring unconventional uses for their products, such as in frozen desserts, unlock new niches and broaden consumer interest. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Smoky BBQ Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cheese-smoky-barbecue.md) - [Fruity Blue Cheese Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pear-and-blue-cheese-ice-cream.md) - [Smoky Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goodles-smokey-dokey.md) - [Viral Foodie Flavor Macaronis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cheese8.md) - [Pizza-Flavored Macaroni Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cheese-pizza.md) - [Four-Cheese Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quattro-formaggi-ice-cream.md) - [Picnic-Inspired Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-picnic-series.md) - [Chef-Crafted Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-chef-series-by-salt-and-straw.md) - [Cheesy Macaroni-Flavored Spreads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cream-cheese-schmear.md)