The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Holiday Cookie Signature Latte

November 14, 2024November 13, 2024 Erin 2 Comments

October is over and no matter how much Halloween candy you’re left with, the calendar is moving on to the winter months and sweets associated with them. Do you still have 25 mini Snickers? Eat ‘em quickly because it’s about to be cookie time. Dunkin’ is ushering in the season with its new Holiday Cookie Signature Latte. It’s a blend of espresso, milk, brown sugar cookie-flavored swirl syrup, and toasted almond flavor. The drink comes topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, and cookie butter crumbles. At least, it should.

If you’re able to get this drink as described, I think you’re in for a treat. Dunkin’s brown sugar cookie swirl really does get the job done as far as providing you with a buttery, cookie-forward base. It works well with the espresso and gets additionally complemented by the unsweetened toasted almond flavor. The almond might be the unsung hero here because I don’t necessarily associate it with holiday cookies, but I’ll be darned if it doesn’t balance everything out. Holiday drinks tend to pile on the indulgences, but this still tastes of coffee, and it gives some holiday vibes without drowning me in sweetness. None of the components here are new, but they are enjoyable, and I would order this again if not for a major problem.

Signature lattes come with accessories. They’re always topped with whipped cream and then should be adorned with whatever really makes them stand out. A Holiday Cookie Signature Latte should come with cookie crumbles. My previous experiences with Dunkin’ tell me it excels at crumbly toppings. But I got this drink at two different locations and both were disappointingly devoid of the crumbly cookie bits. The first didn’t make an effort to substitute for them, and the second tossed on some brown sugar and cinnamon to compensate. I can’t fault the drink for being the well-balanced beverage that it is, but it feels somewhat plain and too close to some past drinks to differentiate itself. What Grinch is out there stealing all the crumbles? Can someone catch him soon because I would really like to give this one a higher rating.

Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: Medium
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 380 calories, 14 grams of total fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 51 grams of total carbs, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 45 grams of total sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

SPOTTED: 11/14/2024

November 14, 2024November 12, 2024 Marvo 1 Comment

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

(Spotted by Rachel J at Safeway.)

Cyrus O’Leary’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pie

(Spotted by Sage G at Walmart.)

Limited Time Originals Taste of Inspirations Apple Pie Hummus

(Spotted by Tommy at Hannaford.)

(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

Turkey Hill Late Night Ice Cream (Cherry Chocolate Chunk and Ultimate Cookie Overload)

Turkey Hill Late Night Ice Cream (Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup and Buttery Southen Pecan Pie)

(Spotted by Sage G at Harris Teeter.)

(Spotted by Van P at CVS.)

(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)

Daily Crunch Sweet Sichuan Sprouted Cashews & Edamame

(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)

(Spotted by Phil at Giant.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

REVIEW: Wendy’s Salted Caramel Frosty

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024 Marvo 4 Comments

Wendy’s didn’t bring back its delicious Pumpkin Spice Frosty for the holiday season. Are you experiencing various emotions about it because you thought eating one would be an annual tradition because you believed something so tasty has to come back annually? Well, I’m sorry, my mad and/or sad friend, our consolation prize is the new Salted Caramel Frosty that combines a Vanilla Frosty with sea salt caramel syrup.

Speaking of anger, you should also direct some of that emotion at SpongeBob Squarepants. If not for the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, which came out at the beginning of October, we might’ve tasted the Pumpkin Spice Frosty this year. (Shakes fist at SpongeBob Squarepants boxers, which I got as a gift a long time ago but never wore because I’d hate to get caught wearing them.)

This is the fourth new Frosty flavor this year. It follows the delicious Orange Creamsicle, the disappointing Triple Berry, and the wonderful Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty varieties. Because Wendy’s is batting .666 this year with home run Frosty varieties, I had complete faith that this Salted Caramel one would be delicious, so I ordered a large. Thankfully, my fast food treats analytics paid off.

The dessert looks a bit French Vanilla off-white, but when a spoonful hits my taste buds, they’re flooded with salted caramel flavor. The caramel is sweet and buttery, and it’s bold enough that there’s no hint of the vanilla base, but it’s not overwhelming. A subtle saltiness enhances the caramel, which turns this treat into something so tasty that it makes me forget about being disappointed that the Pumpkin Spice Frosty didn’t return.

If you’re interested in trying Wendy’s Salted Caramel Frosty, I recommend ordering it RIGHT NOW. Because after what we’ve seen with the Pumpkin Spice one, who knows what’ll happen to this seasonal one in the future. This might be your only chance to treat yourself to it.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: Large
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 540 calories, 13 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 570 milligrams of sodium, 94 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 84 grams of sugar, and 14 grams of protein.