REVIEW: Entenmann’s Cake Truffles

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Entenmann s Cake Truffles Box

What are they?

Not content with simply occupying an entire endcap in seemingly every supermarket on Earth, Entenmann’s is taking steps into the more luxurious side of the snack food aisle with these “decadent” chocolate cake truffles.

How are they?

First, I love Entenmann’s; I have since I was a child. That said, I don’t buy their products too often because I find it really hard to exercise portion control with them. Their crumb-topped donuts are God-tier and their chocolate-iced cakes are a chocoholic’s delight. Then there’re those little chewy chocolate chip cookies… yeah, Entenmann’s stuff always makes me want to eat the entire carton. Given my portioning problems, the idea of cake truffles that bundle the company’s cake experience into conveniently-sized balls of sugary bliss that don’t break the calorie bank is appealing.

Entenmann s Cake Truffles Top

Fresh out of the package, they smell exactly like an Entenmann’s iced fudge cake. Under the thin layer of chocolate icing is a really dense chocolate cake — so dense, in fact, that it may be the confection’s greatest shortfall. I know that these are supposed to be like a chocolate-flavored punch to the face, but the interior texture just doesn’t tempt my tongue. When I eat a piece of an Entenmann’s iced fudge cake, I enjoy the contrast between the thick icing and the loose crumb of the fluffy cake. I’m really missing that here.

Entenmann s Cake Truffles Split

However, the portion control aspect might be very appealing to some chocoholics: two of these balls come to a not-that-heavy 260 calories, and polishing off two of them is relatively satisfying. Of course, you defeat the purpose of portion control when you finish off the entire box (not that I would know or anything).

Anything else you need to know?

There are two varieties, Chocolate Delight and Cookies & Cream. Now I wish I’d picked up the latter because, from the pictures on Entenmann’s website, they look like they have more textural contrast.

Conclusion:

These could be very useful if you’re a chocolate-lover watching your caloric intake, but when I really want to indulge, I usually want a big slice of cake, not…little chocolate golf balls.

Purchased Price: $6.89
Size: 9.1 oz
Purchased at: King Kullen
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 pieces) 260 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 140 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 23 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Pancake Wake-Up Wraps

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Dunkin Pancake Wake Up Wrap Both

Wake up (wake up)
Grab a coffee eat all that pancake-up
Dunkin’s got a brand-new breakfast shake-up
Why’d you leave the keys up on the table?

Nah, seriously, why? Grab your keys, and head over to Dunkin’ for its new Pancake Wake-Up Wraps. I promise they’ll leave a better taste in your mouth than that weird System of a Down parody I just opened this review with.

Pancake Wake-Up Wraps are right in my wheelhouse. I think McGriddles are one of the modern food marvels. I love when BK gets frisky and uses French Toast as “bread,” and I truly enjoyed all the wacky Taco Bell breakfast items that Pete Davidson is apologizing for. If you mix a sweet carb with eggs and meat, I’m first in line.

I mean, these aren’t exactly rocket science. Dunkin’ took traditional breakfast sandwich ingredients and folded them into a mildly sweet and fluffy pancake. There’s brilliance in its simplicity, and I gotta say, Dunkin’ did not disappoint me one bit. I can confirm what I already assumed to be true – these are great.

You can order a wrap with sausage, bacon, or meatless. I opted for one sausage and one plain egg wrap.

Dunkin Pancake Wake Up Wrap Sausage

If you’re a fan of Sausage McGriddles, you’re gonna love the sausage version because it’s essentially a taste doppelganger in a different form.

Dunkin’s previous attempt at mini pancakes didn’t really blow me away, but the chain killed it here. As I noted, the pancake wrap’s texture is impressively fluffy.

The eggs weren’t rubbery and probably about as good as fast-food eggs can be. The sausage patty has a pretty overwhelming flavor that kinda masks the subtle sweetness of the pancake, but you’re given a maple syrup dipping cup, so you can control how sweet you want each bite to be. There’s also a slice of cheese that provides a nice salty punch that balances everything out.

Dunkin Pancake Wake Up Wrap Egg

I also got a plain egg version because it was free with a purchase in the app. I actually have a bone to pick with Dunkin’s new rewards program, but I appreciated it here, at least for one day.

I honestly may have liked the meatless wrap more. Without the sausage flavor bully, the pancake provided just enough sweetness that I didn’t even bother with the dipping cup. It was just a nice, soft few bites of food. I see this becoming a regular in my rotation when I need a quick breakfast bite –- and make no mistake, they are “bites.” These are really just half sandwiches, so they go down quickly. You only get half an egg, half a cheese slice, and half a sausage patty, but I’m not complaining.

Dunkin Pancake Wake Up Wrap Side

Dunkin’s Pancake Wake-Up Wraps are one of the best things I’ve ever eaten from Dunkin’, and it didn’t leave me with that “ah man, I just fast food” feeling of regret I get after a McGriddle. The price is also right at less than three bucks.

So yeah, I can’t recommend these enough. If you haven’t already, grab those keys and get moving.

Purchased Price: $2.19 (Egg), $2.69 (Sausage)
Size: n/a
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Egg 180 calories, 10 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 710 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of total sugars, 10 grams of protein. Sausage 290 calories, 21 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 470 milligrams of sodium, 14 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of total sugars, 7 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Lay’s Sweet & Salty Dipped Clusters

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Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters Bag

Sweet and salty may be a time-honored flavor combination, but it truly shines during the winter holidays. After all, this is the time we drizzle cranberry sauce over savory meat and vegetable side dishes. We hoard peanut brittle in tins. We melt Rolos on top of pretzel snaps, crown them with M&M’s, and devour them before even arriving at the holiday cookie exchange. Maybe it is just the sheen of the season, but something about these traditions really elevates the sweet-and-salty pairing in a way no other time of year can claim.

Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters 2

Lay’s Sweet & Salty Dipped Clusters takes the timeless flavor combination and adds holiday sprinkles on top —- literally. Described on the package as a “dipped potato snack,” the bite-sized, bell-shaped clusters consist of potato chip pieces, crisped rice, almond bits, milk chocolate coating, and red and green nonpareils.

Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters 6

The salty body of each cluster contains the potato chips, crisped rice, and almonds. The potato chip flavor dominates, but the other ingredients contribute to the snack’s intense crunchiness. The almonds provide a hint of nutty flavor, but I’m not sure I would have been able to identify almonds as an ingredient. Because the pieces are ground into such small flecks, they are difficult to detect. Like the holiday spirit itself or that one relative who sends a mildly insulting greeting card every year in lieu of visiting, the almonds are not seen, but their presence is still very much felt.

Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters 4

The pieces are packed tightly together in each cluster, which also contributes to their crunchy texture. The snacks almost remind me of a savory Rice Krispies Treat, although without the marshmallow binding.

Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters 3

The sweet flavor instead comes from the milk chocolate, which partially covers each cluster. (The festive sprinkles on top don’t contribute much taste or texture, but they are pretty nonetheless.) The chocolate is the perfect smooth, sweet complement to the salty, crunchy cluster. Together, the components make a delicious small treat that is easy to pop into your mouth during holiday movie marathons. The 5-ounce bag is on the small side, so larger appetites should plan accordingly.

Lay s Sweet Salty Dipped Clusters 5

As I made my way further into the bag, I noticed not every cluster was uniform in terms of shape, chocolate distribution, and sprinkle amount. I prefer the clusters that have a little more chocolate to balance out the rest of the salty snack, but other taste buds may beg to differ. The less aesthetically-pleasing clusters are obviously still delicious, but less festive. This might only present an issue if you value perfect presentation for holiday gatherings. Or did you eat all the Rolo pretzels and are secretly planning to pass off Lay’s Sweet & Salty Dipped Clusters as a homemade treat at the cookie exchange?

I won’t tell anyone if you save a bag for me.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: 5 oz bag (141.7 g)
Purchased at: Target.com
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 6 pieces) 140 calories, 8 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kellogg’s The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Snow Creme Cereal

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Kellogg s The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Snow Creme Cereal Box

What is it?

The Elf on the Shelf line of cereals* has a new Walmart-exclusive flavor that “magically cools your mouth as you eat.”

*I can’t believe Elf on the Shelf is now a line of cereals, plural.

How is it?

Kellogg s The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Snow Creme Cereal Dry

Let’s start with the promise of cooling. When I eat a piece dry, I do notice a sensation in my mouth, one that I don’t get from other cereals. Is it cooling? I don’t know; you might be able to convince me it’s a warming sensation.

Kellogg s The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Snow Creme Cereal Milk

But in milk, the feeling is diluted. I do get some kind of cooling phenomenon when I drink the leftover milk, but that might just be the literal temperature.

I compared the ingredients with the Elf on the Shelf Sugar Cookie Cereal, and it appears that the magic ingredient is calcium carbonate. Any geologist worth their halite* can tell you that’s limestone.

*salt

As for the flavor, I have no idea what “North Pole Snow Creme” is. But the waffle cone on the box suggests that it’s supposed to be vanilla. It does taste like vanilla, which is hard to mess up. But really, this just tastes like any other generically sweet corn cereal.

Kellogg s The Elf on the Shelf North Pole Snow Creme Cereal No Marshmallows

The marshmallows are so rare that Kellogg’s needn’t have bothered.

Anything else you need to know?

I compared this new cereal with the Sugar Cookie variety, and the Snow Creme version is better. So if you’re at Walmart, there’s no need to pick up that red and green variety.

The wintry color scheme of this cereal is my favorite part.

Conclusion:

The Elf on the Shelf branding means this cereal is an opportunistic cash grab, not a worthwhile cereal on its own. The “cooling” sensation is too subtle to be, well, cool.

Purchased Price: $4.48
Size: 12.2 oz. box
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 1/3 cup, 39 grams) 140 calories, 1 gram of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 0 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of sugar (including 13 grams of added sugar), and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cold Brew

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Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Whole

Did you know that cookie butter has been around since 2007? It was first pitched on a Belgium TV competition show (similar to Shark Tank) and caught the attention of Lotus Biscoff. The sweet, spiced spread is a unique blend of flavors that I wasn’t sure Dunkin’ could capture in its newest holiday offering — the Cookie Butter Cold Brew.

Starting with the slow-steeped cold brew coffee, the drink is then sweetened with a brown sugar cookie flavor, topped with cookie butter cold foam, and finished with cookie butter crumbles. Being a cold brew fan, I was happy that the newest holiday drink wasn’t a hot beverage. Don’t get me wrong, I will absolutely enjoy a hot peppermint mocha the week of Christmas, even when the weather is still in the 80s, but I like to stick with cold drinks most of the time.

I was happy to see it look fairly close to the promotional materials. The first sip was mostly a mouthful of the crunchy cookie butter crumble, but once the cold brew broke through, I got a better sense of the overall drink. Unlike a majority of Dunkin’ coffee beverages I’ve tried, the sweetness level was much more measured. The balance of the spice from the cookie butter crumbles and cold foam cuts down on the cloyingly sweet nature of most Dunkin’ drinks.

Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Foam

Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Top

The cookie butter cold foam was delicious from the bit I could taste. Unfortunately, on the 10-minute ride home, it had all but dissolved into the beverage. While it was no longer as strong, it blended well by adding a creaminess to the strong cold brew. The brown sugar cookie flavor wasn’t as noticeable, but when competing with a very loud taste like cookie butter, that’s not a shock. I can’t speak on its comparison to the much missed Starbucks Gingerbread Latte, but the strong cookie butter flavor certainly invokes a gingerbread-like taste.

Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Dissolve

While the cold foam blended in well as it melted, the cookie butter crumbles didn’t fare so well. By the time I got home, half sat at the top like cereal floating on the cold brew, and the other half had sunk to the bottom. Mixing just made them smaller and created a weird mouth feel to the sips that were like wet sand.

Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Bottom

Dunkin Cookie Butter Cold Brew Topping

Dunkin’s Cookie Butter Cold Brew is a unique offering that, with those initial sips, brings a fun flavor to the chain’s holiday lineup. Unfortunately, if you are a slow drinker like myself, you risk it melting into a less pleasant drinking experience, texturally speaking. The overall flavor is wonderful, but not good enough for me to ignore the gritty crumble that settled to the bottom of my cup.

Purchased Price: $5.09
Size: Large
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 390 calories, 19 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 56 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 53 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

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