REVIEW: Keebler Whoopsy! Fudge Stripes Cookies

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Keebler Whoopsy Fudge Stripes Cookies

Is “accidentally” coating shortbread cookies completely with fudge instead of being dipped on one side and drizzled really worthy of a whoopsy?

I can think of several true whoopsies that could happen to Ernie and his fellow Keebler Elves.

If Keebler Club Crackers were shaped like Ritz Crackers, that would be a whoopsy. If Ernie the Elf burned down the Hollow Tree by accident, that would most definitely be a whoopsy. But the new Whoopsy! Fudge Stripes Cookies don’t seem to be as bad as those hypothetical situations.

Keebler Whoopsy Fudge Stripes Cookies 2

The fudge enrobes the shortbread cookie, making it look like its wearing a skintight Speedo body suit so that it can do laps in a glass of milk. At some angles, they look like thin donuts dipped in chocolate icing.

But, it’s might be a bit too skintight since the fudge sinks into every nook and cranny of the cookie’s design, allow us to see the outline of what’s underneath. It’s like seeing the shape of your innie or outie belly button or nipples from the way a skintight Speedo bodysuit stretches.

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Despite the extra fudge, the cookie within provides a hearty crunch. I somewhat expected the chocolatey exterior to dampened the crispiness, like with a fudge-covered Oreo, but the layer’s thinness doesn’t affect the baked good’s snap.

The extra coating also doesn’t affect the shortbread’s flavor. I mean, it tastes like a regular Fudge Stripes Cookie, but, obviously, fudgier. The flavor of the sweet and buttery cookie under the coating still comes through. But the difference between it and the original version is so slight that it disappoints me a little.

There’s nothing intriguing about Whoopsy! Fudge Stripes Cookies. They have more of something they had a lot of to begin with, and that’s it. Yeah, more fudge is nice, but they’re not better or worse than the original, which is pretty gosh darn tasty. If there was a significant difference between it and the original, like Oops! All-Berries Cap’n Crunch Cereal and Crunchberries Cereal, then it would be a bit more exciting.

With that said, if you enjoy the classic cookie from Keebler, I guarantee you’ll like these.

DISCLOSURE: I accepted a free sample of these cookies from a PR firm representing Keebler. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

(Nutrition Facts – 2 cookies – 170 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 11.5 oz.
Purchased at: Received from Keebler
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like a regular Fudge Stripes Cookie, but slightly fudgier. Crunchy shortbread cookie. More fudge.
Cons: Not really a true whoopsy. Not that different from original Fudge Stripes Cookies. Accidentally burning down the Hollow Tree.

QUICK REVIEW: My Oreo Creation Pina Colada Oreo Cookies

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My Oreo Creation Pina Colada Oreo Cookies

What is it?

Piña Colada Oreo Thins are one of the three finalists in the #MyOreoCreation contest. It’s a thin layer of pineapple and coconut flavored-creme sandwiched by two thin Golden cookies.

My Oreo Creation Pina Colada Oreo Cookies 2

Conjured up by a guy in Camden County, NJ, I chuckle a bit as I imagine him trying to think happy tropical getaway thoughts in the dead of a snowy, cold winter.

How is it?

It takes you to there – there as in that sunny beach destination. I expected this one to be overly coconut-y because most tropical flavors typically lean that way. But, there’s a great balance of between the two flavors.

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The trusty flavor we know and love from the existing Coconut Oreo Thins provides a nice backdrop and ending note to the brighter, more citrusy pineapple. The Golden cookie is just there as the vehicle, but a chocolate cookie would definitely not work in this flavor combo. I’m glad Nabisco made this an Oreo Thins because if it were a regular Oreo, the creme might be too much.

Is there anything else I need to know?

This cookie reminds me of a Big Stick and that’s a compliment. It reminds me of my childhood and those hot California summers with melted sugary goodness running down my hands and face. Now, I can taste that but without the mess!

Conclusion:

I’ve had all three flavors and this one is my favorite by far. Vote for it on #MyOreoCreation to keep it around!

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 10.1 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (4 cookies) 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 11 grams of sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Hershey’s Flavor of California Chocolate Covered Strawberry Kit Kat

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Hershey s Flavor of California Chocolate Covered Strawberry Kit Kat

When I ask you to associate one food with California, what comes to mind?

Excuse my ignorance, but I don’t know. Wine? Fish tacos? I’ve only been to Southern California once and it was a culinary melting pot.

With that ignorance, I decided to roll with Hershey’s “Flavor of California” – the chocolate covered strawberry.

Yeah, strawberries, fine, that makes sense. Delicious California strawberries – the number one food I associate with California. Everybody loves sweet California strawberries!

Now, what if I told you Hershey decided to inject some California strawberry flavor into their world-famous Kit Kat bar? I bet that would interest you, right? Luckily, I’m here to let you know if it works.

Hershey s Flavor of California Chocolate Covered Strawberry Kit Kat 3

As I broke off an awesome smelling stick at took a bite, nothing seemed to differentiate from a normal Kit Kat, but fear not because the strawberry flavor snuck in almost immediately, and man, it was nice!

There isn’t a HUGE strawberry flavor, but that’s exactly why I dug it. They could have easily made it artificial and overbearing, but there’s a delicious, light strawberry flavor that lingers. It’s a perfect mix, acting as almost an inverse of a real chocolate covered strawberry. Once you get through the chocolate shell, the freakishly huge strawberries usually become the dominant flavor.

You’re obviously not gonna get the juicy refreshing element of a real strawberry, but you’re also not gonna get that tartness of the fruit either. I’ve always found that unless you’re eating perfectly in-season California(!) berries, they can be a bit of a buzzkill.

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I ate a chocolate covered strawberry for comparison, and maybe I’m just a child with an unrefined palate (I am), but I’ll take the Kit Kat all day, every day.

I haven’t had a ton of chocolate/strawberry flavored candies, but as far as I’m concerned Kit Kat is the new top dog. This is easily better than Strawberry Nut M&M’s.

If I was basing my review on the smell and the taste, I’d consider giving these a perfect score, but I gotta nitpick a bit.

Hershey put out

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While I’m whining, I also expected more off the wall ingredients from Hershey’s “Flavors of America” line. Chocolate covered strawberry is pretty tame, no? Good, but tame. Last year, I

So yeah, I can sit here and pine for all the weirdness of Japanese Kit Kats, or petition Hershey for some Philly Cheesesteak-infused Whoppers or something, but that would be a disservice to this sweet flavor of California. Pick these up if you see them.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 package – 210 calories, 11 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 30 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 21 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $1.25
Size: 1.5 oz.
Purchased at: CVS
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Perfect balance of chocolate and strawberry. No artificial taste. Smell amazing. Best chocolate/strawberry candy bar I’ve had to date. Giving me a California food association. Hershey’s “Flavors of America” line in general.
Cons: Boring appearance. Idea is a tad bit lazy. North America’s lack of Kit Kat flavors. The Kit Kat jingle which is now stuck in your head. This dude actually said “Philly cheesesteak Whoppers?”

QUICK REVIEW: Orange Vanilla Cream M&M’s

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Orange Vanilla Cream M M s

What is it?

When I look at the Orange M&M on the bag of this new, Dollar General-exclusive Orange Vanilla Cream flavor, I can’t help but think it has a facial expression that says, “Am I committing cannibalism right now by eating this Orange Creamsicle?”

In order to taste like an Orange Creamsicle, the candy combines natural and artificial orange flavoring with white chocolate. The chocolate is coated with orange and white candy shells.

How is it?

This new variety proves once again that white chocolate is the best vessel for any flavored M&M’s variety. Unlike milk and dark chocolate, the white chocolate doesn’t get too much in the way of the flavoring. The orange combines perfectly with the creaminess of the white chocolate, creating a balance of flavors that does, at times, remind me of a Orange Creamsicle. But, and this is a good “but,” there are also moments when I think I’m eating Fruity Pebbles, and the crunch of the candy shell helps with that impression.

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But, and this is a bad “but,” at other times, the candy reminds me of another edible product.

Once the cream flavor fades, I’m left with an orange aftertaste that makes me feel I’m getting a dose of chewable vitamin C tablets. Sadly, no vitamin C is included (but a serving does have 4 percent of your daily calcium YAY BONES). As much as I enjoy these, I can’t help but taste an orange vitamin, and that flavor lingers to the point where I need something to get rid of it.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Like other white chocolate M&M’s, the candy pieces are noticeably larger than regular milk chocolate M&M’s. Their size probably helps deliver their strong flavor. But their size also helps make them, perhaps, a bit too sweet. While I do think they have a wonderful citrusy and creamy flavor, after eating several, the sweetness builds up to the point where they’re cloying and I don’t want to eat anymore.

Conclusion:

Orange Vanilla Cream M&M’s are a great tasting variety, but in small doses.

Purchased Price: Purchased online for more money than people should pay
Size: 8.0 oz. bag
Purchased at: eBay (Available at Dollar General)
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz.) 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: KFC Crispy Colonel Sandwich

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KFC Crispy Colonel Sandwich

I’ve often wondered why KFC doesn’t join the 21st century and put a regular chicken sandwich on its menu. And no, I’m not talking rectangular-ish chicken sliders or carbless heart-attacks-waiting-to-happen, I’m talking about a regular-sized bun with a decently-sized fried, all-white chicken breast in the middle.

The introduction of the new Crispy Colonel Sandwich ends my hypothetical smatterings when it comes to this question; available in variations featuring KFC’s various chicken flavors (Nashville Hot; Georgia Gold; Smokey Mountain) it’s also available in a regular extra crispy version with mayo and pickles, the seemingly now standard fare when someone decides to put fried chicken between a bun.

KFC Crispy Colonel Sandwich 4

The good news is that the chicken steals the show and lives up to its crispy billing. Actually, I was blown away by how good the all-white meat chicken patty was. Granted, calling it a patty is a bit of a misnomer -— think a supersized extra crispy tender, or perhaps a boneless, skinless chicken breast. But the balance of crispy breading and moist interior meat nailed the texture element, while KFC’s much-beloved herbs and spices provided more than enough flavor.

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The problem is that it’s a rather kindergarten-ish attempt at sandwich construction, at least as far my local KFC is concerned. The bun – already ridiculously thin, tasteless, and crumbly – was absolutely murdered with mayo, which both drowned out the pickles and failed to enhance the flavor of those famous 11 herbs and spices.

With the laws of physics working against me, I abandoned the soggy underside, which had already marred the underneath crispiness of the chicken. While I realize mayo can be more divisive than cilantro (which I decline to comment on at this time), I do try to keep an open mind to such things. But I have to say the addition and amount of the globby mayo brought the sandwich down a few notches.

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And yes, for the record, a simpler treatment, such as Chick-fil-A’s buttered bun, would have been preferable. As for the comparison, everyone seems to want when it comes to these chicken sandwich faceoffs? It’s hard to say; Chick-fil-a cooks their chicken differently, in different oil, and with different spices. In some ways, it’s an apples to oranges comparison. I will say, though, that from a chicken element alone, I like KFC’s Crispy Colonel more than similar offerings from Burger King, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s.

All in all, KFC’s rather pathetic treatment of everything outside of the chicken in its long-awaited chicken sandwich answers a lot of questions for me. Namely, why KFC hasn’t committed to a regular sandwich in the past. That said, the execution of a nearly perfect chicken patty — crispy outside, juicy inside, plenty of flavor in the breading — makes me wonder if the colonel just needs to plan a different line of attack — one that pairs his famous chicken with a bun and condiments that enhance and don’t detract from the sandwich.

(Nutrition Facts – 460 calories, 25 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 60 milligrams of cholesterol, 1170 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of total carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of sugars, and 24 gram2 of protein.)

Purchased Price: $3.99 (sandwich); $5 (Fill-up Box)
Size: N/A
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Excellent balance of extra crispy breading and juicy, moist interior chicken. All white meat. 11 herbs and spices. Good value as a $5 Fill-up Box.
Cons: Bun is a complete afterthought. Mayo detracts from flavor of the sandwich and reduces underside crispiness. Expensive as just a sandwich. A bit small. Not being able to give a 7.5 rating.

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