Dr. Oetker Stories
50 years of Paradies Creme
When a product remains a staple in the dessert market for over five decades, it clearly resonates with consumers' tastes. The light and fluffy Dr. Oetker Paradies Creme has been around since 1974, and continues to delight its loyal fans to this day.
29.11.2024 • History
The Dr. Oetker range is full of beloved classics, be it baking mixes that are sure to succeed, pizzas for every taste or, of course, the varied dessert variations. Among these is Paradies Creme, which first hit the shelves in January 1974.
Paradies Creme wasn’t Dr. Oetker’s first instant dessert. It joined a prestigious lineup: Aranca, a dessert powder that offers a fruity-fresh taste experience when mixed with yogurt, has been popular since 1955 and is still available today. And since 1961, Galetta has offered a quick and easy instant pudding in Dr. Oetker’s trusted quality.
1974, the start of a sweet success story: Among other initiatives, this advertisement introduced consumers to the new dessert innovation, Paradies Creme, presented by Marie-Luise Haase, then head of the German Dr. Oetker test kitchen.
Paradies Creme: A bestseller from the start
Initially, Paradies Creme was "just" another instant dessert. However, few could have predicted upon its launch that it would become the German market leader in its segment within a year. By then, it held a market share of over 25%. Accompanied by a robust marketing campaign in print and TV, it quickly became a household name, with its unique name playing a key role in capturing consumer attention.
The initial flavors at launch were Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cream Caramel. A packet cost 95 Pfennig. The preparation method, which remains simple and sure to succeed to this day, involves whisking Paradies Creme into cold milk.
The first commercial for Paradies Creme
In 1974, Marie-Louise Haase, head of the Dr. Oetker test kitchen, introduced the new dessert product Paradies Creme on German television, showcasing its easy preparation. Watch the TV commercial (available in German only):
A true cult classic
Within just a few years, Paradies Creme became a cult product, perfectly suited to its time. By 1981, it had sold over 175 million units. The product range quickly expanded to include new flavors catering to even the most unique tastes. By the early 1980s, raspberry, strawberry, apricot, nut, and cocktail vanilla-rum were added to the lineup.
The trend towards light products from the end of the 1980s did not bypass Paradies Creme. In 1989, Dr. Oetker met consumer demand for a lower-calorie option by introducing Paradies Creme Light in Vanilla and Chocolate flavors.
By the late 1980s, light products were trending. Paradies Creme light in Chocolate and Vanilla was sweetened with the sugar alternative NutraSweet. The powder was whisked with 300 ml of low-fat milk.
In spring 1996, Paradies Creme debuted a completely new look. Inspired by Caribbean and South Seas themes, the packaging design aimed to evoke exotic vibes. Large-scale billboard campaigns and elaborate print advertisements appeared outside supermarkets.
A new paradise every year!
To offer loyal fans even more variety, the Paradies Creme "Creme of the Year" has been introduced annually since 2006. The first flavor was Coconut with Chocolate Chips. Juicy coconut flakes and delicious chocolate chips made it a standout treat in dessert glasses.
Since its introduction, the "Creme of the Year" has become a perennial favorite. Over the years, creations like Nougat with Nougat Chips, English Mint, South Sea Dream, and Hazelnut with Chocolate Chips have been featured. Due to its popularity, the White Chocolate flavor even made its way into the regular product lineup.
Another special feature in 2019 was the Paradies Creme Juice range, which was only available for a short time. It was mixed with fruit juice and was available in orange, multi-fruit and apple flavors. It could also be mixed with fruit juice and yogurt for a unique combination.
Retro recipes
Craving a delicious serving of Paradies Creme? Try these original historic recipes from the Dr. Oetker company archives. Turn this exciting time travel into a flavorful experience-enjoy experimenting!
For more information please contact:
Claus-Carsten Andresen
Media Spokesperson History & Archive