REVIEW: Pepperidge Farm Flavor Blasted Cheddar & Sour Cream Goldfish

Pepperidge Farm Flavor Blasted Cheddar  Sour Cream Goldfish Bag

What are Pepperidge Farm Flavor Blasted Cheddar & Sour Cream Goldfish?

Pepperidge Farm has added a new blasted flavor to the Goldfish tank – Cheddar and Sour Cream.

How are they?

I’m a big fan of Goldfish. I’m an even bigger fan of Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles, so consider me stumped.

These are pretty bad.

I don’t really understand why. Cheddar Goldfish are delicious and iconic. I remember loving Flavor Blasted Sour Cream and Onion, so why did I find this flavor so off-putting?

Pepperidge Farm Flavor Blasted Cheddar  Sour Cream Goldfish Bowl

I mean, they do deliver on the premise. They taste like cheese, and they taste like sour. That’s it, sour. I wouldn’t necessarily say “sour cream.” Not really sour cream and onion. They just tasted like sour cheese to me. If the flavor dust of the aforementioned Ruffles could rot, they’d taste similar to these.

I found the flavor to be very sharp. I’m not even talking sharp in the “sharp cheddar” sense, it was just a jolt of aggressively gross flavor that made me recoil, and it took a few more handfuls to mellow out.

Anything else you need to know?

Ok, I’m a total hypocrite because they did get a little more appetizing as I went along. I still managed to eat the bag in three sittings as opposed to my usual one.

Pepperidge Farm Flavor Blasted Cheddar  Sour Cream Goldfish Fishie

Goldfish might be the most addictive snack on this watery rock we live on. I can eat ’em every day, and my mom says that’s ok. Sorry, I just wanted to get that old commercial jingle stuck in your head. I love the fishes ’cause they’re so delicious!

Seriously though, I eat way too many Goldfish. I’m practically up to my gills in Goldfish! My supermarket sells them for two bucks a pop, so I’ve probably had every flavor, and I’m pretty comfortable calling Cheddar and Sour Cream my least favorite. That includes the sweet varieties.

Conclusion:

There are probably five better Flavor Blasted styles of Goldfish on shelves right now. Just get the Flavor Blasted Cheddar. If they have the Sour Cream and Onion, grab those and eat both flavors independently because they don’t seem to mix.

Don’t get lured in by Cheddar and Sour Cream. They should join Luca Brasi and sleep with the fishes.

Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 6.6 oz bag
Purchased at: Stop and Shop
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (51 Pieces) 140 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 260 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of total carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of total sugars, less than 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Veggie Crackers

Pepperidge Farm Veggie Crackers  Cheesy Tomato and Sweet Carrot

What are Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Veggie Crackers?

Iconic Goldfish crackers have received a vegetable update, with two new flavors: Cheesy Tomato, made with tomato paste powder, and Sweet Carrot, made with carrot juice concentrate and carrot puree.

According to the packaging, one serving contains one-third of a serving of vegetables. The pictures in the middle of this review show the recommended serving size of 56 or 57 pieces.

How are they?

Pepperidge Farm Cheesy Tomato Veggie Crackers Closeup

Pepperidge Farm Sweet Carrot Veggie Crackers Closeup

First of all, the smiling tomato and carrot shapes are adorable!

Taste-wise, I ended up liking the tomato version more than the carrot version, which was the opposite of what I expected. It tastes like tomato soup. Though it’s called Cheesy Tomato, it has less cheese than standard Cheddar Goldfish, so it likewise tastes less cheesy.

Pepperidge Farm Cheesy Tomato Veggie Crackers

Pepperidge Farm Sweet Carrot Veggie Crackers

The Sweet Carrot version isn’t as sweet as, say, a graham cracker; it’s sweet in the same way that carrots are sweet. I find it a little bland. It reminds me more of sweet potato chips, with a texture that I might call mushy.

For both varieties, they aren’t as good as regular Goldfish, even though they are a little more expensive.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Pepperidge Farm seems to be implying that these are healthier than classic Goldfish. I’m no nutritionist, but the supposed health benefits appear to be minimal, and in some ways they are worse than the original.

Pepperidge Farm Cheesy Tomato Veggie Crackers Tomato Soup

Pepperidge Farm Sweet Carrot Veggie Crackers Carrot Soup

The crackers make welcome additions to tomato soup and carrot soup, but still not as good as Cheddar Goldfish.

Conclusion:

Goldfish Veggie Crackers are a fun variation, but their flavor don’t compare to the OG.

Even so, I hope Pepperidge Farm brings us other veggie colors and shapes: broccoli, pumpkin, corn, and more. Crackers won’t replace vegetables, but they might help kids to think about them!

Purchased Price: $1.67
Size: 4 oz. bags
Purchased at: Dick’s Market
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Cheesy Tomato), 6 out of 10 (Sweet Carrot)
Nutrition Facts: Cheesy Tomato (57 pieces) 140 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat, 3 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 2 grams of sugar, 0 grams of added sugars, and 3 grams of protein. Sweet Carrot (56 pieces) 140 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat, 3 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 250 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 3 grams of sugar, 2 grams of added sugars, and 2 grams of protein

REVIEW: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch

Do the kiddos still use the word “epic”? I’m asking for a friend because, obviously, I know the answer because I’m totally cool. Wait. Do the kiddos still use the word “cool”? Anyhoo, Pepperidge Farm is using the word that may or may not be hip to help name its latest crunchy fish-shaped snack —- Goldfish Epic Crunch.

According to the packaging, the snack has a tortilla crunch and big flavor, and that “big flavor” is available in three varieties — Ranch, Nacho, and Honey BBQ. While Ranch and Nacho have graced the surface area of previous Goldfish, Honey BBQ appears to be a first for the snack.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Hollow

The hollow pieces are more massive than regular Goldfish, and they do have an epic crunch that reminds me of rolled tortilla chips, but they don’t have epic flavor.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Ranch Closeup
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Ranch

They’re not completely tasteless, but the seasonings are light in flavor, and they fade quickly, leaving behind mostly the whole grain tortilla base to torture my taste buds until I eat more.

The reason why these don’t do it for me is because, with all three varieties, they’re like diet versions of some of my favorite snacks. Ranch reminds me of Cool Ranch Doritos; Nacho evokes Nacho Cheese Doritos; and Honey BBQ brings to mind Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists (the best Fritos, IMO). I’d rather have the tasty goodness of the originals than diet versions.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Nacho Closeup
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Nacho

However, much like Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese Doritos, eating Goldfish Epic Crunch will lead to getting the seasoning on your fingers, which will turn your digits into savory suckers after you’re done eating. Although, it’s not as potent as what you’d get from Doritos. But, if you think about it, whatever seasoning ends up on your fingers won’t be on the Goldfish, which is where it needs to be.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Honey BBQ Closeup
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Epic Crunch Honey BBQ

My unscientific guess at how much lighter the taste is to those classic snacks would be about 50 percent, which is not strong enough to compel me to keep sticking my hand into the bag to catch more of these Goldfish. I wish they were, to use a Pepperidge Farm trademark, Flavor Blasted.

Overall, Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish Epic Crunch is something I wouldn’t try again. With regular cheddar Goldfish, the salty and cheesiness makes me want to keep stuffing my mouth with them. But I don’t want to do that with these. They do have an epic crunch, but their flavor is wiggity wiggity wack.

Do the kiddos still use “wiggity wiggity wack”?

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review in any way. Although, you probably guessed that while reading this review.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 5.5 oz. bags
Purchased at: Received from Pepperidge Farm
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (26 pieces) Ranch – 130 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Nacho – 130 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 230 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Honey BBQ – 130 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 230 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin  Crispy White Chocolate Chip Cookies

As you can probably guess, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy White Chocolate Chip Cookies are just white chocolate chip cookies. No, reinvention of the snack wheel here.

But, these complete Pepperidge Farm’s Farmhouse chocolate chip cookie checklist. Well, unless there’s another chocolate I don’t know about. Last year, the brand introduced the line with milk, dark, and triple chocolate (milk, dark, and white) chips.

But now the bright white confection is getting a bright white spotlight with a cookie of its own. This is because Christmas and winter are coming up and companies love to use white chocolate this time of year because it’s snowman and Santa’s beard-colored.

If you’re wondering what’s the deal with the “Farmhouse” label, it’s Pepperidge Farm’s way of making products without unnecessary ingredients that you may not know how to pronounce or recreate in a lab. These have nine components: white chocolate, enriched wheat flour, butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt.

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin  Crispy White Chocolate Chip Cookies 2

When I smell what’s in the bag, it’s as if I’m snorting a vanilla milkshake. While straws make it easy to do so, literally inhaling the dairy dessert through one’s nose isn’t pleasant, but the aroma that comes out of this bag is. Their delicious smell also translates into delicious cookies. The vanilla extract and brown sugar in the dough combined with the white chocolate creates a heavenly combination that pleased my taste buds.

Sometimes white chocolate can get cloying (I’m looking at you M&M’s), but I didn’t find that to be the case with the chunks in these treats. Because they’re thin and crispy, they have a nice crunch and crumbability. So eat them over a plate, the sink, or, do what I do, munch on them over the bag they came in so that the crumbs get collected, which I can use as a yogurt or ice cream topping. You know how some cuisines encourage eating every part of the animal? Well, I’m like that with cookies.

Look, I could end this review by writing, “Pepperidge Farm’s Farmhouse White Chocolate Chip Cookies are a great option for your kids to leave out for Santa.” But we have done the “leave out for Santa” thing way too many times on this site.

So I’m going to end with this: These are just white chocolate chip cookies. There’s nothing truly unique about them. But if you’re looking to get Santa-sized, these crunchy treats are a tasty way to do it.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 6.9 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 cookies) 150 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies

Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies

Pepperidge Farm’s Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies are a season-appropriate variety of the famous cookie. They feature a layer of semi-sweet chocolate and another layer of cinnamon-flavored white confection between two crispy wafers. It’s something I’m surprised the brand hasn’t done before. Because Milano cookies have been around for decades and the sweet spice has been around for millenniums.

Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies 2

The aroma that comes out of the packaging makes me want to shove the entire contents into my mouth and then hoard whatever stock there is at my local Target. But, that’s no longer the case after eating them, which is what you’re supposed to do with cookies and not sniff them like the hair of the person in front of you on a crowded bus.

Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies 3

The amount of cinnamon and its flavor can get a bit unusual. There’s initially a nice balance between the chocolate and cinnamon, but then the spiciness starts to build. At that moment, my mind thinks that it’s going to start falling into Red Hots candy or Big Red gum territory. The build-up doesn’t go over to that burning, cheap cinnamon side. But because it’s so close, the taste that lingers in my mouth after eating one is similar to the flavor that stays after spitting out a chewed piece of Big Red.

The cookies have actual cinnamon, but, to be honest, the aftertaste kind of ruins the crispy snack for me. If this were an Oreo, that cheap cinnamon would be appropriate. But, the Milano is marketed as sophisticated and the Big Red-like aftertaste doesn’t make me think that.

If Pepperidge Farm wants to sell a Mexican Hot Chocolate Milano, it could just repackage this, and most people won’t know. Heck, in the same amount of time it takes for the cheap cinnamon flavor to fade completely, I did the graphic design work for a Mexican Hot Chocolate Milano. You’re welcome, P.F.!

Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies 4

I can’t say I 100 percent enjoyed these Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies. They’re okay, but my wife’s office is going to get whatever leftovers I have. I was hoping for something that would be more like a cinnamon bun and less like cinnamon gum.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 7 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 cookies) 130 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.