REVIEW: Caramel M&M’s Pop’d

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d pouch

The freeze-dried candy craze has yielded some pleasant and strange surprises from major brands and small businesses alike. While freeze-dried Skittles or Lemonheads are tasty and fun, for example, I would argue that the freeze-dried Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes I once sampled are an abomination to both science and sweets.

Maybe we are still in the process of distinguishing what we can freeze-dry from what we should freeze-dry. As M&M’s enters the freeze-dried fray, I’m happy to report that the brand got it right on the first try.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d in the pouch

Of all the flavors to work with, M&M’s Pop’d pulled a Peter Piper and possibly picked the perfect product to pop. Milk chocolate? Too basic. Peanut? Not great for freeze-drying. Enter Caramel M&M’s, which consist of milk chocolate and a chewy caramel center, two elements that, when freeze-dried, are familiar and yet transformed.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d close up

The result is delicious. The expected flavors of milk chocolate and sweet, buttery caramel are recognizable, although lighter and less rich. I was expecting a dulled chocolate flavor, but it remains vibrant. The candy shell—so constant across all M&M varieties that it is almost boring—seems sweeter and more interesting in freeze-dried form.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d innards

The real excitement of these candies is, of course, the texture. The M&M’s are light and crispy with grainy, airy centers that easily dissolve in the mouth. The caramel center is necessary to push this product from fun novelty to tasty treat. It reminds me of sponge candy, a light and crispy confection made with caramelized sugar that is so popular where I live that local shops sell t-shirts proclaiming, “You either love sponge candy or you’re wrong.” I will admit when I am wrong, but if polishing off these candies by myself is wrong, I see no point in being right.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d in a bowl

My only qualm with M&M’s Pop’d is the higher price point that comes with any novelty. Depending on where you shop, you could pay as much as three times more per ounce compared to a bag of standard M&M’s. Because Pop’d candies are so light, it’s easier to eat more, which makes it feel like the product doesn’t go as far. Once I figure out a way to collect and use the candy dust that settles at the bottom of the bag, I may make M&M’s Pop’d a regular purchase rather than a once-in-a-while treat. If you have any ideas, please share . . . I’m getting close to the bottom of the bag already.

Purchased Price: $7.79
Purchased at: CVS
Size: 5.5 oz (155 g) bag
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 1 oz, about 11 pieces) 130 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 45 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein

REVIEW: Jack in the Box Midnight Chicken Sandwich

Jack in the Box Midnight Chicken Sandwich whole

I feel like Jack in the Box attempted to get a deal to offer a Stranger Things menu, but didn’t please the Netflix Gods. So instead of promoting the Netflix show set in the mid-1980s, the fast food chain decided to promote a flick that came out in the mid-1980s — Gremlins.

It’s the 41st anniversary of the original Gremlins movie, so, um, it’s a little beyond a right, round time to celebrate the film. Or maybe Jack in the Box decided to jump on the Gremlins promotion train early because Gremlins 3 is coming out in 2027?

Whatever the deal is with Jack in the Box and Gremlins, the fast food chain is going all in on the collaboration, offering an entire menu. There’s the Gremlins Midnight Meal (Crispy Chicken Strips, Tacos, Onion Rings, Halfsie Fries, Midnight Sauce, a drink, and a Gremlins Air Freshener), the Midnight Snack Shake (a vanilla shake with M&M’s, salty pretzel pieces, mini marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbles), and this Midnight Chicken Sandwich.

Jack in the Box Midnight Chicken Sandwich pickles

The menu item is basically Jack’s regular Cluck Sandwich (crispy chicken filet and pickles on a brioche bun), but with the Good Good Sauce swapped out for the mysterious-sounding Midnight Sauce. Yup, as much creativity went into this sandwich as coming up with the name Good Good Sauce.

Jack in the Box Midnight Chicken Sandwich split

While it sounds mysterious, the Midnight Sauce is just a sweet barbecue sauce with a slight spicy kick. It tastes similar to other barbecue sauces, and, not surprisingly, it goes well with the chicken filet and pickles. Unfortunately, not all was enjoyable with my order. While my filet had a crispy exterior, the poultry inside was noticeably dry. I guess that’s the Russian Roulette we play with fast food.

While it tastes fine, because it’s pretty much just a Cluck Sandwich with a different sauce, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed by it. Since it’s topped with a barbecue sauce, maybe adding a few mogwai-colored onion rings would’ve made everything a bit more interesting. Or if Jack in the Box wanted to be a bit extra, and expand on the midnight theme, it could’ve added a purple cabbage coleslaw.

Purchased Price: $7.99*
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 680 calories (Other nutritional numbers are not available on the Jack in the Box website or app.)

*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.

5 Other Things I Consumed This Week: 11/28/2025

Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar wrapper

Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar

Unless prices start going down, this might be my first and last Dubai-style chocolate bar. This bar, which was not that much bigger than a Left or Right Twix, was over six dollars. Yes, it shouldn’t have been surprising since other Dubai Chocolate products on this site have had Dubai-ble, I mean, double-digit prices. Now that I’ve tried it, I have to admit its flavor and textures are really great. However, I can’t say I would regularly pay its price to experience them.

Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar innards

The creamy Lindt chocolate pairs wonderfully with the even creamier, crispy pistachio-flavored filling. It’s all like a melted milk chocolate Nestle Kit Kat with pistachio-flavored creme between the wafers. Oh geez, that last sentence almost convinced me it’s all worth it. I could spend the six dollars on another bar, or spend it on a few bags of holiday-shaped Reese’s after Christmas at 50 percent off. The latter sounds like a better deal.

Liquid Death Severed Lime and Doctor Death

Liquid Death Severed Lime and Doctor Death cans

I’m attempting to spear all the Liquid Death flavors. These two are the ones that readers said I should smash. Ugh. How does Liquid Death cram violent verbs into its names so easily? My fingers can’t keep stabbing my keyboard to stuff violence into every sentence. Ugh. They’re dead.

Oh, they’re alive again to type how much I enjoyed both sparkling water varieties with the right amount of flavor. Severed Lime has a light lemon-lime soda vibe, while Doctor Death has a Dr Pepper-like flavor. Although I got more recommendations for Severed Lime, I loved Doctor Death much more. But both make me regret not getting on the Liquid Death train earlier. So much hydration I missed out on. If you’re not into Bubly or La Croix because you want more flavor from your sparkling water, Liquid Death will give you what you want. Now that I’ve consumed and liked three flavors, I want to buy all the different variety packs on Amazon.

Nerds Strawberry Punch Juicy Gummy Clusters

Nerds Strawberry Punch  Juicy Gummy Clusters pouch

As I mentioned many times on this site, Nerds Gummy Clusters surprised me. I didn’t think something as simple as sticking Nerds candy to a gummy would be so pleasing. But after trying it, I was hooked. Since its introduction, other flavors have been introduced, all of which are great. However, I think its latest evolution makes it even better.

Nerds Strawberry Punch  Juicy Gummy Clusters innards

Think of these as Gushers candy inside a Nerds coating, but with a better gummy candy. The liquid-filled candy creates larger clusters and gives the candy three levels of texture: chewy, crunchy, and gooey. I absolutely love chewing on these. Then there’s the flavor. Nerds have a sourness to them, but the gummy candy and its filling amp up the sweetness, giving the candy an almost equal balance between sour and sweet. It’s a difficult candy for me to put down. This should be the default Nerds Gummy Clusters.

Too Good & Co Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer

Too Good & Co Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer in a mug with my morning caffeine jolt

After trying to gain some market share in the crowded yogurt market, next to its cousin, Dannon, Too Good & Co is now attempting to get into the crowded-but-not-as-crowded-as-yogurt coffee creamer game next to its cousin, International Delight. I guess it’s competing with Coffee mate’s Natural Bliss line.

Along with this Sweet Cream flavor, there are also Lavender (seasonal) and Roasted Vanilla varieties. The creamers are made with real milk, have 40% less sugar than leading coffee creamers, and have no artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, added gums, oils, or preservatives, and come in small 25.4-ounce cartons.

As someone who buys mainly sugary coffee creamers with artificial flavors, added gums, oils, or preservatives, and sometimes artificial sweeteners in 32-ounce bottles, I enjoyed the mild but sweet taste and the creaminess from this Too Good & Co creamer. But I wouldn’t replace my usual choices with it. Much like the Natural Bliss line, price is an issue. These natural products are more expensive. And on top of that, it comes in a smaller bottle.

Bloom Pop Limited Edition Winter Pomberry Soda

Bloom Pop Limited Edition Winter Pomberry it's clear

Is this supposed to be pomegranate- and cranberry-flavored? I ask because it tastes like a cranberry soda to me. And I’m pretty sure the “pom” in pomberry isn’t for pomelo. The ingredient list says it has cranberry juice, but no pomegranate juice. However, it does have pear juice. Maybe the “P” in pomberry stands for pear, while the “om” stands for something else. Of course, all of this confusion could’ve been avoided if this soda’s flavor were called cranagranate, which is a 100 percent better name than pomberry. Om well. Anyhoo, this tasty cranberry-flavored soda has prebiotics and a tiny amount of sugar, but no fiber, which is a bummer.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese box

Google A.I. defines “novelty” as “a story with a compact and pointed plot.” Kraft is no stranger to novelty food…

Hold on, that seems off to me. Is that even the proper definition? Let me check ol’ Funk and Wagnalls.

Nope. That’s a “novella.” That’s not what I asked at all. “Novelty” is “something new and unusual.” Why is Google so bad now?

Is it just me? I’m not breaking any new ground here, complaining about A.I. like the proverbial man who yells at clouds, but A.I. stinks, man. I’m tired of it already, but it’s not going anywhere.

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese cheese sauce pouch and dried noodles

Since we’re living in a slightly off, ever-growing A.I. blur, I have to imagine Kraft used an A.I. prompt to come up with Apple Pie Mac & Cheese, a seemingly disgusting take on a classic.

Everyone knows what Kraft Mac & Cheese is like. It’s a tasty staple of childhood. This Apple Pie flavor is like a warped memory of childhood you aren’t sure even happened. Did I actually watch that movie about a unicorn that runs for Congress? There’s no record of it, but mayyybe?

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese powder

First off, the flavor powder smells like the cinnamon you found in Grandma’s cabinet that expired in 1987. It’s strong cinnamon up front, with a cheese funk that follows. It’s really hard to make cinnamon smell bad. They succeeded.

I honestly think they copped out on the taste. It’s not good, but it’s not offensive enough to be really bad. I wanted to hate it. Perhaps it’s my A.I. internet riddled brain rot, but I think the novella novelty of this type of food is to make it over the top so more people talk about it.

Say you ate cereal, lazily rinsed the bowl, and then plopped mac and cheese in said bowl. You’re left with a distant “Congressman ‘Corn” memory of something sweet and fruity.

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese cooked in a pot

This tastes like regular Kraft with what I will call “a sweet spiced aftertaste ghost.” There is an “air of apple.” If it’s A.I., it’s “Almost Indistinguishable.”

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese cooked in a cup

I feel like they should’ve gone for the virality of it all. Who’s buying this to be pleasantly surprised? I would have gone all out on some Jones Soda/Bertie Botts-type gimmick.

I’m aware that apple pie with cheddar cheese is a delicacy in some regions, but Google A.I. defines “delicacy” as “something nasty forced upon you at a young age that you’re afraid to say tastes bad because it’s cultural or something.” Actually, pretty spot on. Well, they defined that after defining “delicately” first, which is ironic, because that second definition is pretty harsh.

I’m mad that I’m not mad. I wanted to write an outrageous review. This should’ve tasted like rancid apples instead of what it tastes like, but I know I sound stupid saying that.

Limited Edition Kraft Apple Pie Mac & Cheese closeup

I guess I didn’t hate it. I ate a mug’s worth and stopped there. Just enough of a “wait, something is off here” fear crept in for my failing brain to tell me to stop eating.

I bought the box on Walmart.com because I coulda sworn it was a web exclusive, but now I’m getting mixed search results about that being true, because, ya know, A.I. bad, and whatnot. This may seem like a fun Thanksgiving side dish, but don’t even bother.

Purchased Price: $1.48 ($8.47 with S&H)
Size: 7.25 oz
Purchased at: Walmart.com
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 Cup prepared) 320 calories, 10 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 510 milligrams of sodium, 45 grams of total carbohydrates, 7 grams of sugar, 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 8 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Papa Johns Salted Caramel Blondie

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.

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