Hanan Puts the Icing on the Cake, 75 of Them, for its Milestone 75th “Birthday”

In 1946, our founder, research chemist Stuart Hanan, pioneered an industry when he created Tasty Whip, one of the first whipped dessert toppings manufactured for wholesale use by bakeries, institutions, and supermarkets. Fast-forward 75 years to April 7, 2021 when our family, business partners, employees, elected officials, and friends came together to celebrate his achievement with a special event and a larger-than-life cake display. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hicksville, New York was sparkling (as it always does), and our entire team joined us for this momentous occasion, when friends, staff members (our extended family), and elected officials celebrated the occasion and toured our facility.

Our family business leaders, Frank (CEO), Paul (CFO), and Ryan (COO), brought the Hanan Products story to life by sharing memories, milestones, product highlights and descriptions of the technological innovations that have always set the company apart as a pioneering industry leader.

The centerpiece of the event was a giant display of 75 cakes provided by our bakery partners in New York and New Jersey, many of whom have baked cakes using Hanan’s products for decades. Each confection displayed our signature whipped toppings, icings, and dessert fillings and stood at different shapes and sizes. You couldn’t miss the pretty-in-pink Barbie cake; a multi-tiered, under-the-sea ocean cake; a sunny yellow smiley face emoji cake; and a show-stopping rainbow unicorn cake. More sophisticated varieties were Tiramisu, Chocolate Cherry, and Chocolate Truffle. Front and center was a Strawberry and Whipped Topping extravaganza.

Hanan has contributed to the Long Island community since Stuart moved the company from Brooklyn to Hicksville in 1960. Noting those contributions as an employer and business community leader, many distinguished elected officials attended the event, some reading special citations. In attendance were Congressman Tom Suozzi, County Executive Laura Curran, County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Councilman Lou Imbroto, and Mark Kennedy from Senator Kevin Thomas’ office.

Ryan Hanan took the group on a facility tour, explaining how the production and storage facilities operate five days a week. For those brave enough to face sub-zero temperatures, Ryan opened the doors to Hanan’s freezer and refrigerators units – the size of giant parking lots. We also had a sampling station where attendees could taste a wide range of our fillings and toppings. In recent months, Hanan has introduced clean label and certified vegan products that join our gluten-free, kosher, and traditional offerings, all to meet consumers’ – and our partners’ – needs. These were all sampled and showcased at the event.

Special guests at the event also included representatives from local children’s charities. We were honored to host them and presented each with cakes to take back to the children they serve. What’s more, we delivered cakes to a local organization that serves those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

The event ended with all good wishes…for at least another 75 years!