I was going to start this review off with an “It’s tiiiiime!” joke, but after this year’s announcement from Mariah Carey, I’m not feeling it. Instead, I’ll just quote Clark Griswold: “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”… starting right after Halloween, anyway.
Sugar Cookie is an underrated (and underutilized) holiday flavor in my humble opinion. As an enthusiastic enjoyer of more subtle flavors like marshmallow and cotton candy, I think it’s a perfect mild note that doesn’t hit you in the face with a gingerbread or peppermint mocha hammer, but still manages to be festive and special.
Upon opening the inner bag, a festive sugar cookie aroma wafts out. The scent is admittedly stronger than the flavor is, but it’s still a good indicator of what’s in store. The box promises “Festive Sprinkles” and sort of delivers, in a muted, subdued way that left me staring into a spoon trying to find them.
Flavor-wise, these are on point. The classic Honey Bunches of Oats you love with a splash of festive flair. There’s a kicked-up note of warm vanilla and a nice buttery aftertaste to mellow it out. The holiday-forward cookie taste pairs really beautifully with the sweet flakes and the granola clusters. It’s a subtle but distinct difference to the OG formulations, so if you’re looking for a festive breakfast that’s not too far removed from your comfort zone, these are a solid choice.
I’m a fan of Honey Bunches of Oats in general, but I like these even more than my former favorite, Almond. And I applaud the makers for doing something different and festive rather than another “Festive New Look, Same Great Taste” offering (looking glaring at you, Pebbles!) that also manages to be subtle and nonthreatening enough that it won’t bother even picky eaters.
Way to go, Post Cereals! My mornings between November 1 and December 31 have gotten just the right amount of festive!
Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: 15.2 oz box (Family Size)
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup – cereal only) 160 calories, 2 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of total carbs, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 12 grams of total sugar, and 2 grams of protein.