REVIEW: Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake

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Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake box

Winter can be a dreary time of year, and everyone could use a little more to celebrate; maybe that’s why so many brands have been debuting confetti-flavored snacks recently. It seems like every time I blink, a new novelty Oreo has been released, so of course, the beloved brand’s take on the trend couldn’t be far behind. But its new Confetti Cake offering isn’t a regular cookie, it’s a Cakester: the spin-off treat that retains the iconic “sandwich” concept but swaps out cookies for cakes and the traditional crème for a fluffier layer more akin to frosting.

Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake pack

Perhaps I have been conditioned to associate packaged sweets with “cake” in the name with Hostess Cupcakes—or perhaps I was just bamboozled by the enticingly ginormous picture on the box and missed the conveniently tiny “enlarged to show detail” disclaimer—but even though I’ve had Oreo Cakesters before, I was expecting these to be larger. They’re about the circumference of a standard Oreo, but each Cakester is plumper and more substantial than the flat cookies, so they’re not too tiny.

Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake cake

Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake creme

Classic confetti cake is a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles, so those flavors are replicated here. All the vanilla gives the Cakesters a strong aroma that overwhelmed me as soon as I opened a pack; unsurprisingly, they tasted very strongly of vanilla and were very sweet. They’re in the “soft baked” style, and while that gives them a consistently smooth texture, I find it often comes with a vaguely synthetic aftertaste as well (though that seemed less noticeable with these than in the standard Golden Oreo Cakesters). The cake is so dense that when I bit in, it didn’t leave any crumbs. In fact, my mouthful was pretty dry, so it’s a good thing that the generously applied filling, which oozes over the edges in its abundance, added some much-needed creaminess.

Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake bite

According to the package, the filling is “birthday cake flavor crème,” but visually it just looks like vanilla. I really can’t find a more precise word for the flavor than the one I already used: sweet, sweet, sweet! Sure, that could describe “birthday cake flavor,” but it could also describe… vanilla. Maybe it’s just dramatic marketing language? That would fit in well with the rest of the box, which proudly proclaims, “CAKE MEETS OREO… IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST BITE”. Alleged crème flavor and loud, all-caps declarations aside, the only other way these were visibly different from the Golden Oreo Cakesters was the rainbow sprinkles. They didn’t have much taste, but they excelled at what I assume to be their main jobs: a) creating a nice crunch and b) looking pretty and fun.

Ultimately, though, while they are visually cute and taste alright, I found Oreo Cakesters Confetti Cake to be a little lackluster. They made me crave either freshly baked cake or a basic Oreo, and unfortunately, their in-between nature didn’t fully satisfy either desire (even though the box declares “HAVE YOUR CAKE AND COOKIE, TOO”). They’re worth a shot if you can find them, but despite their festive name, don’t expect them to be the life of your party.

Purchased Price: $5.59
Size: 10.1 oz box/5 packs of two
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 pack) 260 calories, 13 grams of fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 21 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze

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Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze cup

Ah, the holidays! A season of peppermint, eggnog… and, if recent product releases are to be believed, confetti? I guess it makes sense with so much to celebrate this time of year, and as someone whose wedding cake was Funfetti, I for one couldn’t be happier with this trend—especially Taco Bell’s Confetti Cookie Freeze.

When I think of Freeze flavors, I think fruity: strawberry, margarita, Baja Blast… so my attention was piqued by a flavor on the different side of the sugary spectrum, more “bakery counter” than “produce section”. I’ll admit, though, I was a little thrown by the premise of a “confetti cookie” rather than “confetti cake,” and a bit disappointed to realize that there would not be real chunks of cookies blended in there.

I wasn’t disappointed for long, though. After some light misadventures—an employee who forlornly informed me “We don’t have that right now… and we might never get it…,” a chilly mile-long walk to the next nearest Taco Bell, and a flurry of mild terror from the new trainee who took my order—the Confetti Cookie Freeze was in my gloved hands. Nothing like a cold drink on a cold night, eh? Well, when a drink is as delicious as this one, I’ll enjoy it any time.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze from above

The base is a vanilla slushie, which is swirled quite thoroughly with a “pink sugar cookie flavored syrup.” The Freeze is also studded with tiny round rainbow sprinkles, more for aesthetic than taste (when cold, they’re extremely hard, and I wouldn’t recommend chomping down directly on them). Though Taco Bell’s website states that this drink also includes “a swirl of creamy vanilla crème,” I couldn’t visually distinguish that from the white base. Visually, the whole thing is reminiscent of Mother’s Animal Cookies—which I, of course, mean as the highest compliment.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze sprinkles

It should come as no surprise to you that this drink is very sweet. However, I was surprised by how rich it tasted for something primarily consisting of ice. That’s where the crème comes in, lending some dairy-like smoothness to round out the grittiness of the slush. The pink syrup is also a powerhouse, reminding me of frosting with its powerful sugariness. Could those pillowy technicolor Lofthouse cookies be another inspiration? (Wow, I never realized how many different desserts are pink and sprinkled.) When I tried to ascribe a more specific flavor to the syrup, the idea of bubblegum briefly crossed my mind—perhaps because of the slight synthetic aftertaste, perhaps just because of the drink’s color—but that’s not quite right. Even if the sweetness is a bit generic, though, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze sign

The Confetti Cookie Freeze is a creative, fresh idea that I was excited to see on Taco Bell’s menu. If you’re curious, go try it for yourself; like fallen confetti, I don’t think it’ll stick around long. But despite that, I have a feeling that, like the stray confetti pieces that you might unearth from the corners of your house months later, the sweet memories of this dessert will stick with me even longer.

Purchased Price: $4.34
Size: Regular (16 oz)
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 220 calories, 1 gram of fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 53 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Papa Johns Salted Caramel Blondie

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Papa Johns Salted Caramel Blondie Tray

As someone who developed a chocolate allergy as a teenager, I frequently battle cravings for brownies. Blondies sound like an appealing alternative, except for the fact that they’re often studded with pesky chocolate chips. That’s why I felt like I was receiving a personal present from Papa John himself when I learned that the pizza chain had released a new limited edition Salted Caramel Blondie, a delicious dessert with nary a speck of chocolate in sight.

The ingredients it does contain, though, are up for debate. The name seems to make it quite clear, as does the Papa Johns website, which specifically cites “caramel chips.” But I confess: I’m not buying that story. That’s because the rich, orange-y brown chips happen to look, smell, and taste exactly like butterscotch chips. I wasn’t upset by that exactly, but I was confused!

I thought that if the chips (which are embedded in the top layer of the blondie but don’t permeate throughout) didn’t scream salted caramel, then maybe the blondie itself would, but that wasn’t the case either. The blondie had perhaps a speck of saltiness, but I couldn’t detect any caramel. It had a sweet, buttery taste that could call to mind a lot of things, but, strangely enough, it reminded me most of a syrup-drenched waffle.

Papa Johns Salted Caramel Blondie thinness

Though a bit uncanny, the blondie tasted great, and its texture was just as good. While it wasn’t very thick, it was impressively dense. The fudgy texture of the inside contrasted appealingly with the perfectly crisp outer layer. I would have appreciated a bit more moistness—this thing was more solid than any blondies I’ve made (which, believe me, is a lot!)—but on the whole it felt closer to a homemade baked good than I expected.

If you want to maximize bang for your buck, you can get the Salted Caramel Blondie as part of the Papa Pairing combos menu, which offers a discount if you purchase this dessert alongside at least one other item, but I enjoyed it even at full price.

Papa Johns Salted Caramel Blondie closeup

If you’re a die-hard salted caramel fan or an opponent of false advertising, you might be disappointed, but if you’re someone who just loves a good non-chocolate dessert, I think you should check the Salted Caramel Blondie out…even if its flavor is a little ambiguous.

Purchased Price: $9.49
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 square) 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Wendy’s Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion

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Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion sign

What better way to celebrate the chilly holidays than with a cold, refreshing treat? While that may be a controversial statement to those who think frozen desserts are only for when it’s hot outside, my love for ice cream knows no winter break. That’s why I was thrilled to hear that Wendy’s has released a new limited-edition Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty, a flavor that balances the chilliness of the beloved dairy dessert with the cozy, toasty vibe of the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion cup

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion top

Anyone who is overwhelmed by choices might want to sit this one out, because on top of selecting either chocolate or vanilla for your ice cream base, this Frosty also requires you to pick from two additional options: the Swirl, which is more of a loose pile of soft serve and snickerdoodle sauce (try saying that five times fast!), and the Fusion, which doesn’t just throw on cookie pieces but blends them in, making the whole treat more dense and Blizzard-esque. I’m well-acquainted with this difference because I ordered a Fusion but the Wendy’s employee originally made me a Swirl; frankly, either one sounded delicious, so I was prepared to just happily accept my fate, but then he realized his mistake with a charmingly enormous Kevin-from-Home-Alone “OH NO” face and, a few moments later, my Frosty was looking a lot more compact and cookie-y.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion cookies

The first thing I noticed was that the cookie pieces (which ranged in size from what I’d describe as “bits” to what were undeniably “chunks”) were way crunchier than I had expected. I’d assumed that they either would have been from a cakier soft-baked cookie or would have just become soggy in the ice cream, so the crispness was a pleasant surprise.

I chose the vanilla base, and I liked how the plainer flavor emphasized the ice cream’s creaminess in contrast to those cookie pieces. The thick swirls of snickerdoodle sauce added extra, slightly caramel-tinged sweetness without being too over-the-top. While each on its own was fairly simple, the combination of these three elements felt—and tasted—downright decadent.

Wendy's Snickerdoodle Cookie Frosty Fusion syrup

Each ingredient had a distinct flavor, but they mixed well. I particularly appreciated the dynamic drama of the eating experience—some bites were creamy and others more cookie-filled, certain spoonfuls let the sauce shine, and then there were meltier mouthfuls… though I had expected to consume my Frosty ravenously, the smorgasbord of different tastes and textures encouraged me to slow down and be more mindful of each separation sensation, which was stimulating and satisfying.

Whether you’re a Swirler or a Fusionist, the Snickerdoodle Frosty is a luxurious treat. While you may not be able to use it to warm up after playing in the snow or leave it by the fireplace for Santa, its high-quality execution of an appealing premise still makes it a gift I’d love to find under my Christmas tree.

Purchased Price: $4.99

Size: Medium

Rating: 9 out of 10

Nutrition Facts: 580 calories, 16 grams of fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 440 milligrams of sodium, 96 grams of carbohydrates, 76 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice

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Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice can

I usually only drink energy drinks when I’m desperately sleepy and out of other options, but Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice caught my attention simply because it sounded delicious.

Don’t get it twisted; while it definitely is still an energy drink, it also contains juice, so you can pretend that it’s a slightly more wholesome beverage! And fine, I’ll admit, I was also curious about the moderately edgy name and eye-catching can design, which features an intensely gazing woman dramatically holding an apple.

Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice description

This flavor was first released in the U.K. in March 2024 (though with “Juiced” in the name instead of “Juice”, a minor distinction that it’s likely only a total nerd like me would even notice). While I haven’t tasted the original, if the nearly identical imagery is anything to go by, the new U.S. version seems unchanged. In the spirit of the Adam and Eve imagery that the can evokes, I couldn’t wait to get a taste.

Monster Bad Apple Energy Juice in a glass

As soon as I cracked my can open, I was hit with a lovely apple juice smell. Upon pouring my Bad Apple into a glass, I noticed that the elixir was fizzy, but not overly so, with the bubbles quickly calming down to reveal a rich amber color. You may not be surprised to learn that, true to its branding, this thing sure does taste like apple juice!

To be a little more specific: while it is of course distinct from pure juice due to its carbonation, it reminded me more of an apple soda than a traditional energy drink. I detected only the barest hint of the chemical aftertaste I typically associate with energy drinks. Had I not already known what I was drinking, I don’t think I would have identified this as belonging to the same genus as the classic Shrek-green Monster Energy.

It was pleasantly more reminiscent of an actual apple than I was expecting (despite containing only 6% actual juice). This was probably helped by the fact that, while it was sweet, it wasn’t TOO sweet. If you’re curious, Monster’s website describes its flavor as “Fuji apple,” though as someone who spends much more time consuming junk food than fruit, this nuance didn’t mean much to me. I did concur with the additional adjectives in the description —“crisp” and “dry”!

While I tend to think the tinny tang of an energy drink can be abrasive, Bad Apple is impressively smooth. I found it to be not just an energy-booster, but genuinely refreshing. That being said, it also did its energizing job well; I was a bit groggy before having it, but afterwards I found myself noticeably perky, a fact that both I and, undoubtedly, my employer appreciated! If any of this sounds tempting, I implore you to bite (er, sip) into this forbidden fruit; it may be called Bad Apple, but it tastes great!

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: CVS
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 170 calories, 0 grams of fat, 200 milligrams of sodium, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 41 grams of sugar (including 41 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 160 milligrams of caffeine.

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