Tag: Candy

REVIEW: Reese’s Mallow-top Peanut Butter Cups

Julie 9 Comments

Reese s Mallow top Peanut Butter Cups Bag

It’s the most wonderful time of year for junk foodies. Post-Christmas clearance candies mingle near Valentine’s Day conversation hearts, while Easter specialties gradually inch into the seasonal aisle like budding spring flowers.

At the same time, highly-anticipated new products from our favorite brands emerge to ring in the New Year. A new and limited time spring offering, Reese’s Mallow-top Peanut Butter Cups have been at the top of my wish list, so I was thrilled to find them early. (With the thrill came some relief because when overlapping holiday products stimulate my anxieties about whether time is an illusion, usually my blood sugar is low.)

Reese s Mallow top Peanut Butter Cups Layer

Delivered by the Baby New Year Bunny Cupid via the CVS candy aisle, Mallow-top Peanut Butter Cups contain the classic Reese’s peanut butter filling, encased by a dual-flavored shell. The bottom half of the cup is standard milk chocolate, while the top is marshmallow-flavored white crème. Unwrapped, the cup’s contrasting colors are pretty, achieving a similar look to fall’s half-green Franken-cups.

Recently, Reese’s has brought us varied fillings galore, so a flavored shell feels like something special. In order to savor the marshmallow coating appropriately, I delicately severed the top portion of the cup to test it first. The crème has the sweet vanilla-tinged flavor of a marshmallow, but it is extremely subtle. Although its gentle flavor prevents an artificial quality that anything “flavored” can sometimes bring, the subtlety comes as a surprise because the white crème smells so strongly and convincingly of marshmallow. Overall, the crème is a bit of a disappointment, especially when compared to the recent Witch’s Brew Kit Kats, which I feel created a more successful marshmallow flavor.

Reese s Mallow top Peanut Butter Cups Innards

In news that will surprise no one, the Mallow-top’s three components together taste good overall. But again, the subtlety of the marshmallow white crème underwhelms. While marshmallow flavor is discernible in the first bite, it is quickly overpowered by the familiar peanut butter and milk chocolate combination. With a clean palate and the taste buds of a trained sommelier, you might not need to read the product wrapper in order to know that marshmallow was the intended flavor.

I am not saying that Reese’s Mallow-tops are not worth a try, especially because marshmallow flavors and textures can be polarizing. Because I like a fluffy, chewy, or gooey marshmallow, I definitely missed that textural quality in this product and might have preferred a Big Cup with a marshmallow fluff and peanut butter center.

Reese s Mallow top Peanut Butter Cups Individual

I suspect that people who will enjoy Mallow-tops include: Reese’s fans who find themselves torn between the milk chocolate and white crème varieties, anyone who prefers hot cocoa with tiny marbits versus puffed marshmallows, and my friend Jenn, who enjoys the flavor of marshmallows but thinks sticky food is gross. Meanwhile, people who will be disappointed in the product include fluffernutter sandwich fans, white chocolate/crème haters, and those rogues who use peanut butter cups instead of chocolate bars in their s’mores.

Overall, Reese’s Mallow-top Peanut Butter Cups are a step in an interesting direction, but the brand is definitely capable of doing more to strike the right balance between invention and tradition.

Purchased Price: $4.59
Size: 7.8 oz. bag
Purchase at: CVS
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 2 cups) 180 calories, 10 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 16 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Snickers Crisp Black Rice Wafer and Snickers Crisp Purple Sweet Potato Wafer

Rachel 3 Comments

Snickers Wafer Wrappers 1

What is Snickers Crisp Black Rice Wafer and Snickers Crisp Purple Sweet Potato Wafer?

Snickers recently released the least Snickers-y Snickers ever. It’s a 6-layer wafer bar! It’s from China!

Ground floor – crispy wafer.

Second floor – black rice or purple sweet potato flavored creme filling.

Third floor – wafer.

Fourth floor – caramel peanut creme filling.

Fifth floor – wafer.

Sixth floor – chocolate coating!

Snickers Wafer Layers 2

There hasn’t been a wafer cookie Snickers yet, nor anything with this many layers before. The flavors may seem odd to the American eye, but purple sweet potato is a common dessert ingredient across Asia and black rice is often used in sweet breakfasts and desserts in Thailand and Indonesia. I couldn’t find any info about why Snickers chose this format, these flavors, and why now.

Snickers Wafer Interior 3

How are they?

These tasted like the flavors of a Snickers dialed down, with the texture of a foam packing peanut. That sounds dire, but it’s not. Foods have gotten so cranked up with spicy/sour/sweet that it was nice to have a break and try something quiet.

Snickers Wafer Potato Fill 6

In the wrapper, these both had a strong peanut butter aroma. I tasted each layer individually at first. The wafers are exactly what you’d expect – bland, tasteless papery stuff. The caramel peanut layer was very peanutty, not very caramely, and not very sweet. There are crispy peanut bits in all the creme filling layers that give it a little crunch.

Both of the creme layers here were dry and crumbled when I tried to separate them. The purple sweet potato layer tasted earthy but not as intensely as matcha, for example. The black rice creme tasted like LITERALLY NOTHING.

Snickers Wafer Ricefill 5

The chocolate layer was where all the sugar and flavor action was. When I nibbled a piece of it alone, it didn’t taste particularly sweet, but the bar as a whole was a 6-out-of-10 on the sugar scale. I knew the other layers weren’t bringing anything to that table, so it HAD to be the chocolate. It also had an undefinable fruity tang to it. So mysterious.

Anything else you need to know?

Loving the packaging here – the pastel pink and purple is such a nice change from Snickers’ usual primary colors and earth tones.

Conclusion:

Overall, a nice but subdued wafer bar with a hint of fruit. If you like fresh-pressed, natural peanut butter, you will love these. If you’re a resident of Guy Fieri’s Flavortown, give these a pass. If you’re living in Flavortown but need to take a zen vacation for a few minutes, they might be worth the gamble.

Purchased Price: $42.99 + free shipping (24 bars, 12 of each flavor)
Size: 31 g bar
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (approx 1 bar) Snickers Crisp Purple Sweet Potato Wafer – 174 calories, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 43 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein. Snickers Crisp Black Rice Wafer: – 174 calories, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 45 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares

Leonard 1 Comment

Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares WrapperSnickers Peanut Brownie Squares Wrapper

What is Snickers Peanut Brownie?

It’s a candy bar featuring individual squares with a luscious caramel layer and a chewy peanut-brownie filling all coated in milk chocolate.

How is it?

Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares Coating

The Snickers name carries a lot of weight to it. It’s supposedly the world’s best-selling candy bar, and in a decade, it will be an entire century old!!! That is a big shadow for any candy bar, let alone one in the same family. So, I guess I’m trying to soften the blow that this is, well, just okay.

It is a good sugary confection and a nice little treat. It is undoubtedly chocolatey. Is it an ooey-gooey just baked brownie chocolatey? No, not really. The Fudge Brownie M&M’s are far superior in that regard.

Snickers Peanut Brownie Squares Interior

The two key components from the original also seem to be a little lackluster. The caramel is there but just doesn’t seem as thick of a layer as I remember and gets lost a bit. However, I was able to do that lovely trick where you pull two pieces apart and the caramel gloriously slowly separates. I’m sad about the peanuts, though. In one of my squares, there was maybe one full nut, and the other had maybe one and a half. It is really nice when you get one as the crunch and peanut flavor is superb. They also offset all the sweet chocolate, but there are just not enough!

Anything else you need to know?

You’ll be able to grab them in single-serving packs with two squares, share sizes with four, and also sharing stand up pouches with even more. If you are feeling extra hungry or want to be your co-worker’s best friend, you can also order an entire box from Walmart.com.

Conclusion:

I thought these were going to be Snickers bars, except delete the nougat and add in the delicious fudge brownie center from the recent Fudge Brownie M&M’s. Unfortunately, they fall a little short. Together, the four components are still a good mix and worth a try if you like the OG Snickers.

We owe it that, at least, because the brand had to fight in both World Wars and walk to school two miles in the snow! Just lower your expectations a bit before you dig in.

Purchased Price: 88 cents
Size: 1.20 OZ
Purchased at: Walgreens
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Package – 2 Squares) 180 calories, 8 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 18 grams of sugar and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares

Sean 8 Comments

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares Pouch

What are Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares?

The latest addition to this year’s sugar cookie craze comes from none other than San Francisco’s own Ghirardelli Chocolate. Ghirardelli’s stocking stuffer-ready interpretation of the quintessential holiday treat combines rich white chocolate with cookie bits and festive sprinkles.

How are they?

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares Wrapped

For a company based on a reputation for high-quality chocolate, these cheery little squares definitely deliver. Unwrapping one of the extremely eye-pleasing twinkly teal wrappers gifts a lush and smooth white chocolate experience. It’s subtly sweet, crunchy, and creamy in a way that activates all of my mouth’s senses. Yet, it doesn’t feel too over the top or excessive like how white chocolate sometimes can.

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares Split

For how thin the squares are, there is a surprising amount of cookies embedded, and they manage their way into every bite. Although the label doesn’t indicate it’s flavored white chocolate, you could have fooled me with how much of a genuine cookie flavor sneaks through. It’s not just white chocolate; it really tastes like a cookie.

Anything else you need to know?

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Squares Unwrapped

Sugar cookies can run the gamut from soft to crunchy, sprinkled or frosted, buttery or sweet. While they have a very particular flavor, they’re also very versatile. The closest grocery cookie comparison I can give to these little squares is an extra creamy and rich Mother’s Circus Animal Cookie – and that’s a damn fine thing.

Conclusion:

Of the other sugar cookie-flavored varietals I’ve tried this year – M&M’s and Kisses – these are the best representation of a buttery and nostalgic sugar cookie. Joining the ranks of Sugar Cookie Pop-Tarts and Sugar Cookie Toast Crunch, Ghirardelli has nailed cramming Christmas magic into proper white chocolate.

Purchased Price: $4.49
Size: 2.75 ounces
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (3 squares) 180 calories, 12 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 16 gram of sugar, 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate

Leonard 10 Comments

Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate Wrapper

What is Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate?

After last year’s introduction of Mint + Dark Chocolate, Kit Kat Duos are back with a second flavor, Mocha + Chocolate. It’s described as crisp wafers in mocha crème with coffee bits and chocolate.

How is it?

A small disclaimer that I do love, love, love coffee. Like I can’t function in the morning without a large cup to get me going. Then maybe I’ll have another to counteract the mid-day slump. Sometimes one more is calling my name so I can finish out the day. A late-stage one…you get the point!

I did enjoy the first Kit Kat Duos, but I would take coffee over mint any day of the week, so I was pumped for these. That being said and with my high tolerance/love for all things coffee, holy crap, these are fantastic.

Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate Fingers

The name Mocha + Chocolate is actually doing a disservice to these because the coffee flavor is so superb and way more prevalent than you would expect from the name. Of course, the chocolate is there, but these are coffee flavored through and through, and the flavor is so intense it could probably even be called Espresso + Chocolate. The profile actually comes remarkably close to actual chocolate-covered coffee beans in all their glory. WOW.

Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate Split

The crisp wafers have the usual great Kit Kat crunch, and even though I was excited about the coffee bits and thought they might provide a different level of crunch or texture, that’s not really the case as they pretty much get lost among the signature wafers. However, they might be the main factor contributing to the amazing flavor, and they do give the tops of the bars a nice speckled look.

Anything else you need to know?

Kit Kat Duos Mocha + Chocolate Ingredients

The ingredients list does show coffee, so heads up if you stay away from that glorious but addictive stimulant. These are also a permanent addition to the Kit Kat lineup, so you don’t have to rush out now to find them if you really want to try them.

Conclusion:

A behind the scenes secret is that I usually like to have at least two packages of something when I review it so I can take great pictures with one and thoroughly enjoy the other.

I have a confession, though.

These Kit Kat Duos were the first time I almost cleaned myself out of the product before my official reviewing even began! I had to hit up Walgreens again so I could get a few more while simultaneously praying that they were still in stock and that the masses hadn’t discovered these treasures. That’s how much I enjoyed these. They are Kit Kat’s version of chocolate-covered coffee beans and pretty much crispy chocolatey coffee heaven.

Purchased Price: $1.39
Size: 1.5 oz bar
Purchased at: Walgreens
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Package) 210 calories, 12 grams of fat, 7g of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 20 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 19 grams of sugar, and 2 gram of protein.