Tag: Oreo

REVIEW: Oreo Chocolate Crunch State Fair Cookies

Mike 4 Comments

Oreo Chocolate Crunch State Fair Cookie

I was watching the Food Network recently, and one of the dozens of “Best of…” programs was featuring State Fair food. I hadn’t been to so much as a county fair in a long time, so I was not mentally prepared for the monuments to gluttony that I saw.

The last time I checked, funnel cake with powdered sugar or maybe an extra long churro was peak-indulgence. I’m not complaining, but we’re living in a world with fried cheesecake hot fudge sundaes topped with caramel, pralines, brownie pieces, and whipped cream, so I needed to reorient my worldview.

When I saw Oreo’s new Chocolate Crunch State Fair Cookies at Walmart, I knew I had to try to try them. Can the State Fair experience be recreated at home?

Oreo Chocolate Crunch State Fair Cookie 2

There are two cooking instructions on the box, conventional and microwave oven, so in the interest of experiencing everything these cookies had to offer, I tried both methods. The conventional oven preparation is pictured on the left and microwave on the right. I’m pleased that neither preparation has resulted in Oreo Crème leaking out the sides. I get inordinately angry at burst filling.

Right out of the oven, the scent immediately reminds me of french toast sticks. That’s a bit…strange, but not too off-putting. As I bite into it, my first impression is of chicken nuggets.

What?

No, the sharp chocolaty sweetness is quickly apparent, followed by the filling’s mild creaminess. So, they taste like Oreo cookies, but what’s going on here? Both the conventional and microwave oven samples share the same aroma, and I realize that what I’m detecting the ubiquitous essence that all deep fried and frozen snacks share, like fryer oil that should’ve been changed sooner. These also have the soggy breading that is the fate of so many other freezer-to-oven items.

Oreo Chocolate Crunch State Fair Cookie 3

These are not the little morsels of bliss that I was hoping for, so I decide to deconstruct them in an effort to see where everything went wrong. The crème is ordinary Oreo filling that thankfully never gets too hot or melty. (Imagine burning your tongue on molten crème filling.) The Oreo cookie is plain Oreo cookie that’s a bit soggy. The breading is plain breading that, despite the name, doesn’t taste like chocolate and never gets very crunchy. Combine all this and you get something that’s edible, but doesn’t even surpass common Oreo cookies, much less something you could get at a State Fair.

In the end, these State Fair Oreo Cookies are a bit disappointing. Perhaps Food Network programming has set my expectations for decadence too high. Will normal deserts now turn to ash in my mouth, forcing me to seek ever-loftier sensual delights until the line between pleasure and pain, virtue and vice are blurred? I dunno, but normal Oreo still taste pretty good, so I’m probably safe.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 cookies – 130 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: 10 oz. box
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Warm Oreo Crème doesn’t leak out the sides and is very tasty.
Cons: Odd-yet-familiar deep-fried frozen item scent and flavor. Doesn’t get very crisp even in a very hot oven.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreo Cookies

Sean 4 Comments

Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreo Cookies

As National Ice Cream Month comes to a close, there’s only one non-frozen way to bid July adieu, and that’s with a brand spankin’ new Oreo.

Earlier in the month, Nabisco dropped its first 2018 ode to the creamy category with the Good Humor-branded Strawberry Shortcake Oreo, which tasted a lot like a really crunchy generic strawberry cookie. While I found that one a bit underwhelming, I know some folks loved it, and since I’m way more of a chocolate boy when it comes to ice cream, I’m vibin’ on the idea of Nabisco saving the best for last.

Rocky Road Trip Oreo is a cookie with marshmallow bits, rocky road-flavored crème, and, in an attempt to not only stay vegan but also nut free, the very clunky “soy nut inclusions.” I’ve never had a soy nut before, but if there’s a surefire easy way to get me to try something new it’s toss that oddity in an Oreo.

Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreo Cookies 2

Good news cookie travelers, this road trip isn’t all that rocky. The cookies are splattered sporadically with white marshmallow bits that give a nice chompy chew and immediate textural difference from the usual wafer.

Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreo Cookies 3

The crème is incredibly dark, gooey, and rich in a way that reminds me a lot of 2015’s Brownie Batter Oreo but with an extra marshmallow kick. A genuine vanilla-leaning sweet marshmallow flavor comes through convincingly with the melty chocolate. Although it’s not nearly as stiff, I get a little bit of that freeze-dried crunch to go along with ‘mallow taste.

Limited Edition Rocky Road Trip Oreo Cookies 4

The only minor speedbump is the lack of nutty flavor. The soy nut inclusions within the crème do a great job of giving the chomp nuts would provide in a luscious scoop of rocky road, but I miss the fatty almond that finishes the rocky trinity that I truly desire. I understand why Nabisco chose to leave them out – no risk of allergy, lower in fat, and more cost-effective, but a touch of nuttiness would have gone a long way in making this cookie road trip closer to perfect.

Much less important, but also worth noting, is that the design of the package is excellent. A couple of cars traversing over a massive mount of rocky road sets the tone for an enjoyable snack, and between this and Ben & Jerry’s excellent Glampfire Trailmix, it feels like the once stale rocky road profile is making a whimsical comeback.

(Nutrition Facts – 2 cookies – 140 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 13 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 10.7 oz. package
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: Great chocolate marshmallow flavor. Nutty crunch. Rich decadent crème. Super fun packaging.
Cons: No nutty flavor to go along with the texture.

REVIEW: International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer

Marvo 3 Comments

International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer

I like my coffee how I like my superheroes — masked and from far away lands.

How masked do I like my daily cup of Joe?

Well, here’s my coffee-to-creamer ratio that some of you will ridicule me for — for every cup of coffee, I add 1/4 cup of creamer. The beverages I make this way, hot or cold, have just enough coffee flavor to peek through the clouds of sugar and natural and artificial flavors in the creamer.

However, even at that sweet, sweet ratio, with International Delight’s new Oreo Creamer, I can taste the java more than I can taste anything that reminds me of Oreo’s dark cocoa flavor.

But that distinct chocolate wafer flavor does come out when drinking it by itself. When pouring it into my mouth, it tastes as if International Delight used whatever process non-dairy milk producers took to make cashew and almond milk and applied it to Oreo cookies. There aren’t any cookies crumbs floating in it, but I recommend shaking it very well every time you pour it because there are some sweet dregs at the bottom of the bottle.

International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer 2

But who drinks creamer straight from the bottle?

(Looks out into the internet.)

Okay, a few of you.

But for most, it’s mixed with coffee, and this is where it becomes not s-Oreo impressive.

There are moments when I think I’m about to get to the distinct dark cocoa, but then it disappears. And to get to that point, I have to focus super hard, like trying to bend a spoon with my mind. Even adding a few more splashes of creamer doesn’t turn the Oreo dial up a notch.

Instead, the medium roast coffee I poured it in has a mild generic mocha flavor. It’s tasty, but not what I was hoping for. It’s astounding to me how it strongly tastes like liquid Oreo when consumed by itself, but there’s no trace of that signature cookie when combined with coffee.

International Delight’s Oreo Creamer is fine, but, again, it’s not what I expected or wanted, and it’s no International Delight Reese’s Creamer, which makes coffee taste Reese’s-y and I’ve bought more times than I’d like to admit. Although, since you know I use 1/4 cup of creamer for every cup of coffee, I drink coffee daily, and the Reese’s one has been out for a year, you can do the math.

DISCLOSURE: I received a sample from International Delight, which did not influence my review.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 Tbsp – 35 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 32 fl. oz. bottle
Purchased at: Received from International Delight
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like Oreo when consumed by itself. May not give coffee an Oreo vibe, but it does give it a mocha vibe.
Cons: Oreo not noticeable when added to coffee. How quickly I go through bottles of creamer.

QUICK REVIEW: International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee

Leonard

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee a

What is it?

Since the coffee flavor triumvirate of Mocha, Vanilla, and Caramel has already been showcased, International Delight’s Iced Coffee has decided to expand their line with a limited-edition Oreo flavor. It comes in a nice hefty half gallon container and is made with real milk and cream. It’s basically a ready-to-drink cookies and cream iced coffee.

How is it?

I wasn’t sure how Oreo in coffee would translate exactly, but they pretty much nailed the flavor profile. Taking a few sips makes me think instantly of Oreo cookies as if someone had secretly crushed some up and mixed them into my drink just before I had taken a sip.

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 4

The cream part of the Oreo is hard to distinguish since most iced coffees usually always contain some creamy element. The cookie part, though, wow! It tastes exactly how I would expect it to, and even the smell is indistinguishable as a chocolatey wafer cookie. There is a nice coffee base flavor to it that still comes through and it’s not too rich or sweet that I find some ready to drink iced coffees to be. (I’m looking at you Frappuccinos!)

Is there anything else I need to know?

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 3

The coffee has a slightly darker tone than maybe a regular flavor, but otherwise, the appearance is not immediately visible to be related to an Oreo. It would have been nice if there were actual cookie bits throughout to add an interesting visual element but you can’t have it all.

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 3a

In addition, the carton has one side with a neat idea to freeze some up and add to your iced coffee in lieu of ice cubes. I highly recommend it as it does elevate the whole experience. Nobody likes watered down coffee. Nobody!

Conclusion:

This is a pretty delectable iced coffee, perfect as a creamy caffeinated treat during the hot summer months. If you’re tired of the same old coffee flavors and love Oreo cookies, then give this a try as you won’t be disappointed.

Purchased Price: $3.56
Size: Half gallon
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 240 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of dietary fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies

Vin 7 Comments

Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies

Why isn’t the “Oreo of the Month” club a thing yet?

Instead of running out to stores and dropping four bucks every time there’s a new flavor, charge me a flat yearly fee and deliver these babies to my doorstep. Whattaya say, Nabisco?

I’ll assume the big-wigs there are reading this and nodding their heads. You can thank me when you’re all card-carrying members of the Oreo “Creme of the Crop” Club. (Trademark Vin, or Nabisco if they pay me)

Anyway, the most recent flavor to hit shelves is Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake. I assume everyone’s aware of the iconic ice cream bar, so I’ll spare you the history.

This isn’t the first strawberry Oreo. This isn’t even the first Strawberry Shortcake Oreo, but it’s the first cookie collaboration with Good Humor. (There are Good Humor Oreo ice cream bars)

I’ve always thought ice cream flavors should stay in the frozen section, but I had a good feeling about this.

Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies 2

When I ripped open the package, I was immediately hit with strawberry overload. It was really nice, but I’d go so far as to say they might be too fragrant. Still, it made me want to dive right in.

Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies 3

The cookie wafers are some of the best Oreo has put out so far. It’s a Golden Oreo with “strawberry flavored bits,” and it’s quite pleasant. They’re a little on the hard side, closer to Nerds than the crumbs on the Good Humor bars, but they definitely enhance the cookie.

Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies 4

Limited Edition Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Oreo Cookies 5

The creme filling has a candy strawberry and vanilla flavor that I think may be a bit too sweet for some. While tasty, I can see it getting very cloying after a while.

So, these are great, but do they mimic the Good Humor ice cream bar well?

Yes and no. You’ll talk yourself into it, but without reading the package, I’m not sure anyone would ever realize this cookie is a Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Bar.

I don’t wanna put the kibosh on it, but I don’t think traditional ice cream flavors ever truly work at room temperature. Take away the cold refreshing aspect of ice cream and it loses its essence. That happens here, but you’re still left with a tasty strawberry Oreo.

I’ve joked about the overabundance of Oreo flavors, but I gotta give Nabisco credit. It’s done an excellent job realizing that changing the creme isn’t enough as they’ve bombarded us with new flavors. The bits of strawberry in the cookie here was a genuinely great idea. This might be the first time I’d consider eating the cookies without the creme.

This is a limited edition, so go get it. Let’s be real though; there are probably more strawberry Oreo variants down the pike. I’m hoping this is the start of the Good Humor partnership because Chocolate Eclair and especially Toasted Almond Oreo sound like winners.

(Nutrition Facts – 2 cookies – 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 70 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 13 grams of sugar, 0 grams of fiber, and 1 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $3.49
Size: 10.7 oz. package
Purchased at: ShopRite
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: The cookie is one of the best they’ve done. Smells and tastes great if you can handle the sweetness. A beautiful partnership between iconic brands. The potential Oreo of the Month Club I just made up.
Cons: Not exactly like the ice cream bars. Strawberry bits are hard sometimes. Overly sweet. Limited edition.