Gone are the days of a simple slice of frozen pie. Today’s refrigerated and frozen desserts boldly go where no dessert has gone before. Here’s a snapshot into what trends are driving new refrigerated and frozen dessert introductions.

Greek yogurt bars. Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt, Boston, introduced Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Coffee Chocolate Chip frozen Greek yogurt, and revealed what is said to be the first-ever frozen Greek yogurt candy bars—Sea Salt Caramel and Toffee Crunch.

Ice cream cakes. Rich Products Corp., Buffalo, N.Y., introduced an officially licensed Hello Kitty ice cream cake, available in the freezer aisle and in-store bakeries. Fashioned in the shape of Hello Kitty’s head, this ice cream cake is made with premium-quality vanilla ice cream and loaded with confetti sprinkles inside and out.

Ice cream sandwiches. Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, Ore., released Tillamookies waffle cone cookie ice cream sandwiches, available in Oregon Strawberry, Chocolate Hazelnut, Mint Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Bean. Made with all-natural ingredients, including the highest-quality milk and strawberries and hazelnuts from Oregon, each ice cream sandwich features super-premium Tillamook ice cream or Italian-style gelato sandwiched between two crispy waffle cone cookies made with real butter and brown sugar, then coated with a rich layer of dark chocolate.

Ice cream bars. Nestlé USA, Glendale, Calif., expanded its Skinny Cow brand to include new chocolate-dipped ice cream bars, which are said to be the first-ever ice cream bar fully dipped in chocolate and made with low-fat ice cream. They come in Vanilla Almond Crunch, Double Caramel Swirl and Triple Chocolate Ripple.

Cheesecake. Canada-based Daiya Foods unveiled new dairy- and soy-free cheesecakes, available in New York, Chocolate, Strawberry and Key Lime varieties.

Gluten-free goods. The Piping Gourmets, Miami, extended its line of GFCO-certified, gluten-free frozen whoopie pies with a new Chocolate Chocolate option, which boasts rich, indulgent frosting, sweetened with decadent European cocoa and sandwiched by two rich chocolate cakes. 

Fruit and vegetable based. New York-based Ruby Rocket’s expanded its lineup of frozen pops to include all-natural, organic fruit and veggie frozen pops, which are said to be the only non-dairy pops with healthy probiotics. They come in Celestial Cherry, Far-Out Fudge, Planetary Pink Lemonade, Meteorite Mango and Gravity Grape.

Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co., New York, introduced Soft Serve Fruit Pops, made from fruit, water and a touch of organic cane sugar. They come in Dark Chocolate, Mango, Pineapple, Raspberry and Strawberry.

Candy bars transform into frozen novelties. Mars, Inc., McLean, Va., introduced Starburst brand Strawberry sorbet bars, a fruity addition to the frozen novelty category.

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