REVIEW: International Delight Hostess Twinkies Creamer

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International Delight Hostess Twinkies Creamer Bottle

What is International Delight Hostess Twinkies Creamer?

The bad boys and girls at International Delight are at it again! No longer content with simply making Reese’s into iced coffee, or infusing their creamer with Almond Joy or Cinnabon, now they’re taking everyone’s favorite indestructible snack cake and making it drinkable.

How is it?

Delicious.

International Delight Hostess Twinkies Creamer Itself

While very little of the golden cake flavor shines through, the taste overwhelmingly captures the artificially delightful cream filling. It’s super sugary, sure, but you know what you signed up for: a Twinkies-flavored creamer. There is no nuance here, so maybe that’s a bit of a missed opportunity, but if you’ve ever wanted to drinky a Twinkie, this is your chance.

International Delight Hostess Twinkies Creamer Coffee

Anything else you need to know?

I was delighted/horrified to learn that Hostess released a bottled “Twinkies Iced Latte” in 2020. If you, too, missed your opportunity to consume one of these things, you’ll be happy to note that it is currently available on eBay— along with the Ding Dong and Honey Bun varieties— for just a tick under $40.

Conclusion:

While liquid Twinkies feels a bit too novelty to become a full-time International Delight flavor, if you’re into prepackaged snack cakes, or trying new coffee creamers, or just feel like something a little less adult than “Hazelnut” or “French Vanilla,” you probably won’t regret giving this a whirl.

Purchased Price: $2.88
Size: 32 oz
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Tbsp) 35 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 10 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, less than 0 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar including 5 grams added sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte

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Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Sign

I’ll admit, I’m late to the brown sugar coffee game. It seems like a simple enough swap to have considered it sooner, but it never occurred to me over the years, even as I tried drinking my cup of joe with more adventurous sweeteners like honey and rich chocolate Ovaltine.

Once I finally learned of the warm and cozy depth it provided, I found myself visiting Starbucks more often for their brown sugar syrup. But this month, Dunkin’ one-upped its competitor with a baked good twist: brown sugar cookie syrup, which they’ve lovingly drizzled (I assume, since it doesn’t sound possible to hatefully drizzle brown sugar cookie syrup) into espresso and oat milk to create its new Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte.

Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Cup

Suspecting this was going to be something special, I was able to confidently order a medium at 2:28 pm knowing full well it was going to spoil my bedtime. I cracked off the lid to see if it smelled like brown sugar cookies and instead was met with something closer to caramel. Not a dealbreaker, so I took a sip.

Holy cow, it was tasty. Wait, oat milk, forget the cow. Holy whatever plant oats come from, it was tasty.

Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Top

The drink was rich, sweet, and creamy in all the ways one could want from a flavored iced latte. The syrup was perfectly sugary and had a pleasant cookie-like toastiness but I felt it lacked a hint of molasses that would really confirm the brown sugar flavor. Although, that syrup was so beautifully suspended in the oat milk that I couldn’t hold the lack of specificity against it. The flavor felt balanced throughout and lingered in my mouth after every sip, coating my tongue. After a few experiences with overly sweetened coffees at Dunkin’, this felt more restrained and never became too cloying, especially with the slight bitterness of the coffee and oat. I couldn’t help but recognize what a well-thought-out decision it was to add this syrup to oat milk as I took increasingly awed sips. I appreciated that Dunkin’ seemed to take the time to really pair a flavor with a dairy-free milk instead of adding it to a beverage just to say they used plant milk.

This was an overwhelmingly delicious iced latte that I would love to see permanently added to the menu. However, I think many would view this as a winter flavor, and a news release from Dunkin’ calls the Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte a “comforting sip” that “warms the soul,” so… maybe snag it while you can. Whenever that may be, even if it’s late in the day; I can assure you it was totally worth spoiling my bedtime.

Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: Medium
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 49 grams of total carbohydrates, 30 grams of total sugars, 3 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: McDonald’s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double

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McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Complete

Update: We also reviewed other Menu Hacks — the Surf + Turf and Land, Air & Sea.

I thought I knew all of the McDonald’s menu hacks before they were McDonald’s Menu Hacks. Land, Air & Sea and Surf + Turf, the other two non-breakfast hacks the chain is promoting, are two that I’ve seen before. But the Crunchy Double is a creation I’ve never come across.

To create it, you have to bring together a Double Cheeseburger with a six-piece Chicken McNuggets and Tangy BBQ. Yes, YOU have to build it.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Parts

Combining the two menu items appears to be simpler than the other two mentioned above — pull off the bottom bun, place a layer of McNuggets on it, pour the sauce on the nuggets, and then place the rest of the Double Cheeseburger on top of it. Despite my 20-piece jigsaw puzzle prowess, I was able to put only four of the six nuggets on the bun to make a layer. If you’re able to put five or six on the bun neatly, I bow down to you. Also, teach me your McNugget puzzle ways, sensei.

I didn’t expect a Double Cheeseburger with McNuggets and barbecue sauce stuffed in it would be anything special, but I was surprised by how much I loved it and how much its flavor and texture remind me of a “Western” cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. Sometimes the McNuggets’ seasoned coating comes through and overwhelms the beef patty’s flavor. But other times, it’s the beef that stands out.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Sauce

But when it comes to condiments, the Tangy BBQ takes the condiment reins from the ketchup and mustard in the Double Cheeseburger. It’s as if the red and yellow toppings weren’t even there, but the napkin I used to wipe my hands and mouth assured me they were there. As for the pickles, they add a sour tang that helps push the whole Western burger/chicken sandwich flavor.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Split

But, my favorite aspect of the sandwich is the combination of the chopped onion’s flavor with the McNuggets’ crispy texture, which makes it seem like there are onion rings in the burger.

My least favorite part about the Crunchy Double is its name. I’ve never considered McNuggets to have a crunchy texture. Crispy? Yes. And I believe this so deeply that I accidentally typed or started typing “Crispy Double” every time I should’ve typed “Crunchy Double.” The only way this could truly be a Crunchy Double is if, instead of McNuggets, this had a layer of those small, pointy French fry end nubs that fall to the bottom of fry sleeves.

McDonald’s says Menu Hacks can only be ordered through its app. But, let’s be honest, they can be ordered via the drive-thru, in the restaurant, or even through the app, but instead of ordering a Crunchy Double, you just have to order a Double Cheeseburger and a six-piece McNuggets with Tangy BBQ. It’s the same price no matter how you order it.

I’m glad I now know about McDonald’s Crunchy Double. It was worth putting together.

Purchased Price: $5.98
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 740 calories, 39 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1890 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 16 grams of sugar, and 39 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Chocolate Confetti Cake Oreo Cookies

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Chocolate Confetti Cake Oreo Cookies Package

In celebration of Oreo’s 110th birthday, Mondelez has released Limited Edition Chocolate Confetti Cake cookies. Oreo is the world’s most successful cookie, sold in over 100 countries with sales of more than $500 billion. Isn’t it a bit gauche for a rich and famous cookie to ask us to buy something for its 110th birthday? I’m getting “Bilbo celebrating his eleventy-first birthday” vibes from this. But, like a good little hobbit, I can’t help but attend and see how the food is.

The cookie contains two crème layers: standard chocolate and a buttercream-flavored white crème with confetti mixed in. They’re sandwiched between classic chocolate Oreo wafers sprinkled with even more confetti.

Birthday cake flavor can be tricky to get right, and it takes a special kind of alchemy to distill the essence of birthday cake and infuse it into a snack. I felt regular Birthday Cake Oreo were a rare misfire from the brand. They tasted too artificial, less like alchemical magic, and more like a laboratory accident.

Chocolate Confetti Cake Oreo Cookies Wafer

These are much better. The confetti is eye-catching and stands out from the dark cookie. The buttercream filling has a creamier flavor than the standard white crème, though it’s also a little artificial tasting. However, the chocolate crème and cookies manage to overpower that defect. The result is a creamy chocolate cake flavor that evokes a real cake. They’re maybe even better with milk than regular Oreo.

Chocolate Confetti Cake Oreo Cookies Creme

You may ask how I figured out the white crème tastes bad by itself if the two layers are smushed together. You see, like a hobbit, my social life revolves around food. I have a Cookie Friend. My friend and I sample every new Oreo, carefully assess, and then rank them. We’re methodical in our process, so we pried the two fillings apart to critique them independently. He pointed out these cookies seemed grittier than regular Oreo, and perhaps it’s due to the confetti. I don’t know if I agree, but you don’t disregard the opinion of your Cookie Friend, so I’m reporting it here. Then again, he also thinks that Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Oreo are good dunked in Screwball peanut butter whiskey, so can you really trust his judgment?

Chocolate Confetti Cake is an excellent addition. I think they’re a natural addition to Oreo’s growing collection of flavors, and Mondelez should consider making them permanent. These are a limited edition, so I recommend grabbing them when you see them.

Purchased Price: $4.50
Size: 12.2 oz (345g)
Purchased at: Oreo.com
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Two cookies) 140 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 13 grams of sugar including 13 grams added sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Pizza Hut Spicy Lover’s Double Pepperoni Pizza

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Pizza Hut Spicy Lover s Pizza Whole

If your love for spicy foods is anywhere on the spectrum between having a favorite Ghost Pepper sauce and tattooing flames on your tongue, Pizza Hut’s Spicy Lover’s Pizza might disappoint you.

The latest from the pizza chain gets its heat from spicy marinara, sliced red chilis, and fiery flakes. It’s advertised with three varieties — Spicy Double Pepperoni, Spicy Hawaiian Chicken, and Spicy Veggie. As you can see in the photos, I went with the first one that comes with standard pepperoni slices and the newer crispy cupped pepperoni that made their debut with the chain’s Detroit-style pizza.

Pizza Hut Spicy Lover s Pizza Surface

Even before trying it, I thought this would taste like a standard Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, but, you know, spicy. For the most part, it does. However, there’s a nuance or two. The red chili slices give some bites a slight red bell pepper-like flavor, and it almost tricks my brain into thinking I’m biting into a supreme pizza. And then there’s the added flavor of those crispy cupped pepperoni that have a meatier and less greasy taste than the standard stuff.

With my first bite, I intentionally took one that had just the cheese, sauce, and bottom crust because I wanted to know how much heat the spicy marinara had. It burns, but the cheese and sauce’s sweetness make it a mild experience. The fiery flakes are a combination of herbs and crushed red pepper flakes. When I learned that, I was surprised because when I sprinkle the crushed red pepper flakes from the packets Pizza Hut provides, they give the slice a noticeable kick that I didn’t get with this pizza. It makes me wonder if I even got the seasoning.

Pizza Hut Spicy Lover s Pizza Seeds

Oh, if you’re wondering what those white-ish pieces are in the chili slices that look like they could be the fiery flakes, they appear to be pepper seeds because they show up only within the peppers. Even with those seeds, the chilis aren’t as spicy as the sauce.

Overall, the pizza I purchased had what I’d consider a low-medium heat. I’m typing this sentence 10 minutes since my last bite, and while there’s some spiciness lingering in my mouth, there hasn’t been any sweating, nose running, mad dashes to my fridge’s beverage shelf, or saying, “I can take it” as an internal mantra.

Pizza Hut Spicy Lover s Pizza Slice

Pizza Hut’s Spicy Lover’s Double Pepperoni was a nice deviation from the standard pepperoni. Like most Pizza Hut offerings I’ve had, I found it enjoyable and filling. However, if you love spicy foods and are looking for something that pops a bunch of capsaicin into your mouth, you’ll probably be disappointed that this packs less heat than Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

(Day After Update: I had the pizza the next day for dinner and it was spicier to me. I’d say it was on par with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and my nose did start to run a little after eating the leftovers.)

Purchased Price: $16.99*
Size: Large
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Hand Tossed Slice) 300 calories, 12 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 680 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 13 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

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