The Impulsive Buy

  • BACK ON SHELVES: Cheetos Crunchy Nashville Hot (2023)

    It was a Dollar General exclusive when it first came out in 2021. So I’m going to guess it’s a Dollar General exclusive in 2023. (Spotted by Robbie at Dollar General.)

    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.

  • SPOTTED: Entenmann’s Ready-To-Bake Cookie Dough

    Entenmann’s Glazed Donut Flavored Cookie Dough
    Entenmann’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Cookie Dough
    Entenmann’s Chocolate Brownie Cookie Cookie Dough
    Entenmann’s Cinnamon Toffee Cookie Cookie Dough

    If you want to make fresher versions of these Entenmann’s Ice Cream Sandwiches, here you go. Just provide your own ice cream. (Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway.)

    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: McDonald’s Cookies & Creme Pie

    McDonald’s Cookies & Creme Pie looks saweet (is that how the kids spell it nowadays?). Not only does it look tasty, but with an almost toothpaste tube’s worth of white creme filling, it also seems like it would make my sweet tooth tap out before I got even halfway through the pie. Well, my sweet tooth is happy to report that while the black and white treat looks cloying, it’s surprisingly not as sugary as a Double Stuf Oreo Cookie.

    Before opening the box, the aroma that radiated out of it brought to mind any Pop-Tart with a chocolate crust, like the Hot Fudge Sundae and Cookies & Creme flavors. It was a sign that this treat might not be as sweet as I thought. The crust’s flavor also made me think of Pop-Tarts with its mild dark cocoa taste. But there are varying levels of chocolatiness, with the crust’s seams having a flavor that stands out a bit more.

    But the thing about Pop-Tarts is that while the crust isn’t flavorful, the filling more than makes up for it. Unfortunately, the creme’s taste in this pie is as mild as the crust. There were hints of vanilla, and at times I could’ve sworn I tasted a slight tang (my wife didn’t taste any), but the filling wasn’t close to being as sweet as Oreo creme or even McDonald’s soft serve. The combined mildness of the crust and creme made for a slightly disappointing treat. I guess I expected more of a sugary punch because of how other McDonald’s pies are, like the tasty Guava & Creme Pie I tried a few months ago. However, my wife said she liked that it wasn’t too sweet, which reminded her of Japanese confections.

    The creme was stiffer than I expected, making it cleaner to eat — no oozing with the one I chomped through. Decorating the crust were flavorless white sprinkles that provided a slight candy crunch when I chewed on the soft, dark crust and softer, bright white filling.

    So what could’ve made this better? Maybe the filling should’ve been a mix of chocolate and white creme, much like the Guava & Creme Pie was a mix of a guava-flavored gel and creme. Or maybe the white creme could’ve been slightly sweeter.

    McDonald’s Cookies & Creme Pie was okay, but I wouldn’t repurchase it. Its flavor and sweetness don’t make me yearn for another, unlike an Oreo cookie or a cookies & cream ice cream/frozen dairy dessert, which I sometimes have self-control issues with. If you want a tastier and more satisfying cookies and creme experience from McDonald’s, just get an Oreo McFlurry.

    Purchased Price: $2.69
    Rating: 6 out of 10
    Nutrition Facts: 220 calories (other nutritional information not available on McDonald’s website at the time of publication).

  • SPOTTED: 7/17/2023

    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.

    Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Pineapple Sticks

    (Spotted by Shannon L at Trader Joe’s.)

    Member’s Mark Hatch Chile & White Cheddar Puffs

    (Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)

    Nonni’s Chocolate Chip Bites
    Nonni’s Dark Chocolate Orange Bites
    Nonni’s Limoncello Bites

    (Spotted by Sarah R at Safeway.)

    Snack’in For You Buffalo Ranch Cauliflower Puffs
    Snack’in For You Cheddar Jalapeno Broccoli Puffs

    (Spotted by Amanda Y at Sprouts.)

    Super Mario Odyssey Oreo Mini Pakcs
    Mario Kart Deluxe Teddy Graham Packs

    (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

    Two-Bite Cinnamon Churro Snack Mix

    (Spotted by Amanda Y at Kroger.)

    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.

  • SPOTTED: Limited Edition Blue Diamond Honey Butter Almonds

    There needs to be more honey butter-flavored products out there, honey. Okay, the “honey” is the US snack industry as a whole, not a particular person. (Spotted by Dorothy at Walmart.)

    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.