REVIEW: Trolli Limited Edition Mountain Dew Sour Brite Crawlers

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If you’ve been waiting for your chance to “DO THE DEW” and “DO THE WORM” simultaneously (I wish I could take credit for this tagline, but alas, it’s ripped straight from the Mountain Dew website), you’d best slither on over to a package of the new limited edition Trolli x Mountain Dew Sour Brite Crawlers.

These candy critters aren’t the only option to fulfill all of your Dewy/wormy desires—this fruitful (ha) partnership also includes a Zero Sugar Cherry-Lemon soda—but I’m not opening that can of gummy worms today, so I’ll focus on this wriggly business.

As soon as I opened my pack, I was rewarded with a scent cloud that was certainly Mountain Dew-esque. The worms come in three flavors: the green Original Citrus, the red Original Citrus Cherry, and the blue Original Citrus Blue Raspberry.

You may, like me, be disappointed to note that there’s nary a “Code Red” or “Voltage” in sight—the savvy shopper suspects that this decision was made to broaden the pool of potential buyers to those who may be interested in gummies but unfamiliar with Mountain Dew’s intense yet vague naming conventions and while that is a bit of a bummer for Dewhards like Yours Dewly, fair enough. (What I can’t forgive as readily is the omission of Baja Blast, but maybe that’s another marketing thing—I concede that “Original Citrus Tropical Lime” does have a weird ring to it.)

Of course, I had to try the OG flavor first, and my verdict was… yeah, that tastes like what a Mountain Dew-flavored sour gummy worm should taste like! It starts with a burst of mild sourness that quickly recedes into sweetness, with a bright, refreshing throughline of fizzy citrus-ness. I usually don’t opt for snacks much sourer than a Sour Patch Kid, and fortunately for me, these fall on the lower side of the sour scale, such that even if you’re tentative towards tart treats, you shouldn’t have much of an issue. Because of the mellow flavor, if you told me these were Sprite gummies, I would have believed it, but they’re credible as Dew too. While I noticed an oddly artificial aftertaste (how dare my sugary snacks based on a radioactively-hued soda taste artificial!?), I found that to be minimized when I took smaller bites rather than gulping down a whole worm at once.

The red and blue variants had even more intense flavors, which I would say made me enjoy them more than the green, but the tradeoff was that they didn’t strike me as especially Dew-like. Rather, they tasted like pretty generic cherry and blue raspberry slushies. Appearance- and texture-wise, all of the worms are quite satisfying—they are thick, chewy but not too hard, and somewhat stretchy, with an appealing marbled pattern. (I tried to discern whether the lighter parts and the darker parts tasted different, but as best as I could tell, the difference was purely aesthetic.)

If you’re thinking about picking these up, I suggest you Mountain Dew it; they won’t be around forever, so make like an early bird and get that worm.

Purchased Price: $3.79
Size: 12.3 oz package
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (serving size of 5 pieces): 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 45 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Apple Pie a la Mode Oreo Cookies

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The story goes that Isaac Newton discovered gravity after an apple fell from a tree and hit him on the head, and I like to think that that’s the same way an executive at Oreo came up with the inspired idea for its new Apple Pie a la Mode flavor.

As soon as I opened the package, the autumnal smell that wafted up to greet me (like I’d just poured a batch of fresh apple cider!) was a signal that things were about to get good. Visually, these look more or less like Golden Oreos, except the cookies are a smidge darker and the crème is tan instead of white. They’re also quite hearty, closer in crème level to a Double Stuf than a regular Oreo—more on that to come!

I can’t help but play with my food, so I neatly twisted off the top cookie in my first Oreo and sampled it alone. This was a multifaceted flavor; buttery, with notes of apple and cinnamon coming on stronger in the aftertaste. The crème was noticeably fruitier, which felt appropriate. Biting into two toasty cookies with the luscious crème within was a neat and satisfying way to replicate the experience of a tender pie crust encasing a gooey filling (and got bonus points for being much less messy). If you can manage some restraint, though, I would suggest it; in larger mouthfuls, the flavor was a bit overwhelming, feeling too synthetic for my liking, which wasn’t a problem when I was just taking dainty little nibbles.

At first, I thought the “à la mode” aspect might just be marketing jargon to spice things up (which I slightly resented, finding apple pie plenty compelling on its own), but then I pondered the double helping of crème. It occurred to me that perhaps that extra layer was meant to mimic the creaminess of the ice cream served atop a dessert in a la mode style. With this new perspective, I appreciated how the extra richness and sweetness in that robust filling allowed me to visualize myself snacking on a warm piece of pie decked out in slightly melty vanilla ice cream. A quick look at the marketing copy online confirmed that the crème is specifically meant to be “apple pie and vanilla ice cream-flavored,” and while advertising the vanilla flavor in a crème that’s famously vanilla-flavored feels a little like low-hanging fruit, I can’t deny that it works. The combination was nostalgic and comforting.

If you typically enjoy a non-chocolate Oreo, these are certainly a worthy addition to the pantheon. In fact, even if you don’t typically enjoy a non-chocolate Oreo, these are complex and interesting enough that they might just change your mind. I myself have had a longstanding belief that fruit-flavored desserts are inferior, but Apple Pie a la Mode Oreos are good enough to make me eat my words… plus about five cookies in one sitting.

Purchased Price: $5.99
Size: 10.68 oz package
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (serving size of 2 cookies): 150 calories, 7 grams of fat,2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and less than 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Blueberry Breeze Refresher

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Over the course of this weekend, I noticed Blueberry Pie Oreos at Target, a Blueberry & Crème Pie at McDonald’s, and a whole menu of blueberry ice cream specials at Häagen-Dazs. After all, the vibrantly colored fruit makes the perfect summer snack—it’s in season, it’s light and lively, and it’s refreshing. That last keyword is why I only had eyes for one cerulean sweet, Dunkin’s new summer star, the Blueberry Breeze Refresher.

The press release for this drink emphasizes its customizability, and there is an array of options for bases that almost overwhelmed even my choice-loving brain. Perhaps you’re feeling simple (you can stick with water), fizzy (go for sparkling water), classic green tea (how about black tea?), or sweet ‘n sour (hello, lemonade). But I must have been swayed by the dessert-y blueberry foods I passed by, because I eschewed all those and even my usual go-to, the perky green tea, in favor of something more indulgent. Sure, it was hot out and I was excited for a drink to quench my thirst, but I also wanted something that would feel like a special treat, and so I opted for the oat milk base.

About three seconds after I’d placed my order, an extremely efficient employee handed it to me, and right away I could spot the differences from my typical Refresher base. The oat milk made my drink opaque and lent it a noticeably thick texture that looked closer to a smoothie than a tea. The first sip stood apart as well; it was creamy and full-bodied, with the oat milk bringing out the blueberry’s sweetness rather than its tartness. I can’t say that this drink didn’t taste like blueberry, but the blueberry was more of an aftertaste that made itself apparent once the initial onslaught of the oatmilk’s nutty sweetness had faded. Said another way: this Refresher didn’t evoke eating a handful of fresh fruit so much as it did eating a blueberry-filled baked good. In that way, it reminded me of 2022’s Blueberry Muffin Kit Kat; I recall some initial confusion about why that flavor had specifically been based on a muffin instead of just the berries themselves, but our reviewer for that product noted a cakey note that gave additional depth, and I noticed that same complexity here. That all being said, I didn’t feel like I was chugging straight sugar—despite its richness, the drink still felt light and zippy enough to allow me to fantasize that I was basking in an ocean breeze alongside my Blueberry Breeze. That worked for me!

I suspect the flavor would have been tangier and juicier with a different base, and I appreciate that flexibility. Whether I want to perk myself up before a day in the office, hydrate on a long walk, or relive the nostalgia of my childhood lemonade stand, there will be a Blueberry Breeze Refresher for any occasion. I’m usually one-and-done when it comes to limited-time seasonal variants, but this drink accommodates my desire for novelty and adaptability so well that I can see myself reaching for another whenever I’m feeling blue this summer.

Purchased Price: $4.56
Size: Medium
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (w/Green Tea) 130 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 28 grams of sugar (including 28 grams of added sugar), and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee

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Today was the perfect day for me to review Dunkin’s new limited edition (it’s only around this summer) Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee: I had to wake up at 5 am, I had free time in the afternoon right as my energy was starting to fade, and it was hot as heck outside. Motivated by these conditions that basically begged for a mixture of caffeine and frozen dessert, I perused the three flavor options—Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Butter Pecan—and opted for Butter Pecan.

I sometimes get nervous when purchasing new items that employees might not be familiar with yet, but the ordering process went smoothly… at least until I was handed a bald Frozen Coffee, missing the luxurious whipped cream, syrup swirl, and crunchy crushed waffle cone topping that solidify this drink as “Ice-Cream Inspired.” Being someone who dreads even mild confrontations, I immediately broke out in a sweat so cold I no longer required a frosty beverage to cool down, but I knew I would have to speak up.

The things I do for you, dear Impulsive Buy readers! Fortunately, after I sheepishly showed a picture on my phone (and apologized for the inconvenience about a dozen times), I was rewarded a few minutes later with a new Frozen Coffee looking as glamorous as the one in the marketing materials.

It tasted pretty glamorous, too! It approached the border of “overly sweet” without quite crossing it, which is just how I prefer my coffee. There was a toasty, generally nutty flavor that I might have identified as almond or hazelnut, but a buttery undertone sealed the deal as living up to its Butter Pecan name. The waffle cone topping lived up to its name as well—as with most ice cream cones I can recall, it was more textural than tasty, a bit bland when sampled on its own, but it provided a welcome crunch as part of a larger experience. (Note that it was best in small doses: when I chomped down on a large, slightly soggy cluster that had sunken to the bottom of the cup after finishing my drink, it was a tad overwhelming.) Luckily though, the butter pecan-flavored swirl perked up the neutral-tasting crunchies right up, providing a perfect pop of sweetness without being laid on too thick. And the whipped cream was light and airy, practically melting in my mouth, which added to the summery feeling.

Another thing I appreciated was how well-blended the drink was. While it clearly was frozen, the sips weren’t gritty, going down as smoothly as regular iced coffee. Though there was a substantial chunk of ice left at the end, I didn’t mind; mixed with the melty remnants of the whipped cream, syrup, and waffle cone pieces, the treat took on a snow cone texture in the final mouthfuls, which may not have been intentional but was still pretty fun.

Truthfully, the Butter Pecan Ice Cream-Inspired Frozen Coffee wasn’t that different than any of the other frozen and/or sugar-bomb drinks Dunkin’ already has on offer. But between its playful seasonal vibe, thematically appropriate toppings, and perfect balance of being both sweet-but-not-cloying and frozen-but-still-drinkable, I’d suggest it for anyone looking to power through a heatwave, an unpleasantly early wakeup time, or just a good old-fashioned sugar craving.

Purchased Price: $5.11
Size: Small
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 590 calories, 22 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 70 milligrams of cholesterol, 250 milligrams of sodium, 92 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 84 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Sonic Cheesy Garlic Pepperoni Bites

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I’m a simple gal: “cheesy,” “garlic,” and “pepperoni” are reliably three of my favorite things, so Sonic’s new Cheesy Garlic Pepperoni Bites should have been a slam dunk for me.

But I have to admit that their appearance made me hesitate. To get a bit philosophical on you, I consider a satisfying “bite” to be something that provides a consistent experience no matter where or how you chomp into it (take Little Caesars’ Crazy Puffs, for a recent example). While the triangular shape of the Bites is fun—if you squint, it could be reminiscent of a slice of pizza, which is a neat nod to their flavor, even though it also kind of makes them look like oversized Doritos—it creates a dilemma when trying to get a balanced mouthful.

The edges of each Bite are thin and crispy, with the filling packed in a plump pocket in the center, so if you were to take just a small nibble, you would totally miss what are arguably the most important flavors concentrated in the middle. But on the other hand, a bigger bite would inconveniently threaten to explode out the hot, liquid-like insides, and that’s not ideal either.

That didn’t end up being my largest issue with these, though. When I pulled apart one of the Bites, what I found didn’t look anything like the promotional image, which shows a neat delineation of gooey white cheese and perfect little pepperoni cubes. Even worse, it didn’t look pizza-adjacent at all. Frankly, what the orange mess specifically called to mind was wet cat food. I would describe the taste as “white noise punctuated by pepperoni.”

Befitting of the filling’s sludgy, indistinct appearance, I couldn’t taste clear notes of its garlic or cheese, just a general salty savoriness that occasionally tasted particularly pepperoni-ish. On paper, the filling is made up of mozzarella and provolone cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce; in practice, the filling is just “blah.” The thin morsels of meat did at least come through way more strongly than I would have guessed after having to squint to find them amidst the orangey ooze. And the cracker-like texture of the outer layer, while it was admittedly more flavorful and heartier than I expected, just wasn’t a good match for the filling. I think a soft center cries out for a doughy exterior, so the brittleness felt underwhelming.

These things aren’t very filling, either—you can order three, five, or seven pieces, and I had hoped that five would be enough to constitute a meal, but even with the extra Bite I swear my friendly cashier snuck in on purpose, I hardly felt nourished afterwards.

The Cheesy Garlic Pepperoni Bites are ultimately reminiscent of pizza in only the same way that a Lunchables pizza is: not very. (If you’re noticing, I’m making a lot of comparisons here; it’s because these things are simply not interesting enough to say much about on their own.) If you’re craving garlic, cheese, and pepperoni, why not just spring for the real thing?

Purchased Price: $4.29
Size: 5 pieces
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (5 pieces) 210 calories, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 370 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 10 grams of protein.

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