REVIEW: Hershey’s Vanilla Frosting Kisses

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Hershey s Vanilla Frosting Kisses Bag

What are Hershey’s Vanilla Frosting Kisses?

The latest Kiss from Hershey’s is a creme-filled variety that seeks to make up for all the times you’ve rushed to a tray of assorted cupcakes at a schoolmate’s birthday party in a backyard, classroom, or Discovery Zone only to find that the more agile kids beat you to your favorite flavor, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.

How are they?

Hershey s Vanilla Frosting Kisses Split

I was the kid who would throw elbows to avoid possibly ending up with chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, but I’ve since learned the error of my ways and have to say these were yummy! Like other creme-filled Kisses, the texture was more like a truffle, with a nice snap from the chocolate. The creme had the right amount of buttery richness to make it taste like canned frosting, and the flavor kept itself separate enough from the taste of the milk chocolate shell to call to mind the experience of eating a cupcake that looks like the one on the package. Adding to that experience, Hershey’s even wrapped each Kiss in adorable plaid foil that looks like the pattern on a baking cup.

Hershey s Vanilla Frosting Kisses Foil

Anything else you need to know?

From the flowers and butterflies on the bag to the colors that were selected to crisscross on the foil, these Kisses are clearly being marketed as a spring product. But I’m confused why this flavor was chosen as something season-specific.

Hershey s Vanilla Frosting Kisses Recipe

Speaking of season-specific, the back of the bag had a recipe for “springtime KISSES surprise brownie bites.” Although, “recipe” might be too strong a word since it was more like instructions for rolling premade brownies around Vanilla Frosting Kisses. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure the creme would pair nicely with a brownie, and it seems like a fun family activity to do with children.

Conclusion:

Arguably the most important conclusion I reached when trying these Kisses was how much more often I was presented with free cupcakes in my youth than in adulthood, and we really didn’t know how good we had it cupcake-wise as young’uns. The second most important was that these Kisses are pretty good! Don’t let your childhood cupcake preferences keep you from trying these.

Purchased Price: $4.39
Size: 7 oz. bag
Purchased at: CVS
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (7 Kisses) 160 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 45 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 19 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate

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Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate Wrapper

Having previously released Mint + Dark Chocolate and Mocha + Chocolate varieties, Kit Kat Duos now introduces a third dynamic Duo of the candy bar aisle: Strawberry + Dark Chocolate. This addition to the line is described as “crisp wafers in strawberry-flavored crème and dark chocolate.” While the bar will be available in standard size wherever Kit Kats are sold, I recently found a King Size version at my local GetGo.

“Oooooh, this looks GOOD!” exclaimed the cashier who rang up my purchase.

Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate Layers

And she was right! The bar’s appearance is striking. The top of the Kit Kat consists of strawberry-flavored crème, colored a rich pink rose. The bottom base offers the stark contrast of dark chocolate’s nearly black hue. The color combination is bright, gorgeous, and made for dessert charcuterie boards, if that’s your jam.

In junk food and in life, however, appearances aren’t everything. Luckily, this Kit Kat delivers a pretty bite beneath the aesthetically-pleasing crème coating. Opening the package, I caught a strong whiff of strawberry that was definitely more appetizing than artificial, giving me a hint of the taste to come.

Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate Pink Creme

The strawberry-flavored crème successfully combines realistic fresh strawberry taste with confectionary sweetness. The flavor reminds me of the strawberry cream-filled chocolates found in Valentine’s Day assortment boxes, except less sugary-sweet. While Kit Kat has issued berry flavors (Raspberry Crème, Flavor of California Strawberry) before, this strawberry crème seems comparatively less sweet on its own, making it an interesting partner for a second flavored coating.

Of course, the dark chocolate complements the strawberry wonderfully by providing a bitter edge. My only qualm: even though the pink crème covers more of the bar’s surface area, the dark chocolate at times overshadows the more delicate strawberry flavor. Despite these moments, the flavors still make a strong team. If no one has yet identified a metaphorical representation of Batman and Robin rendered in chocolate, this Kit Kat could be it.

Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate Split

At first, I thought the wrapper art depicted reddish shading between the wafers, potentially indicating another (jam? chocolate?) layer. But my eyes were deceiving me; the wafers here are the usual delicious Kit Kat fare. A third flavor integration would be stuff for Kit Kat Trios, which exists only in my dreams.

Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate Top Bottom

As Valentine’s Day approaches, a strawberry and dark chocolate pairing may seem either apropos or glaringly obvious, depending on your attitude toward novel flavors. But unlike those Valentine’s chocolate-covered strawberries that will grow soggy in your refrigerator after two days, dampening the chocolate and possibly your spirits, Kit Kat Duos Strawberry + Dark Chocolate is here to stay as a permanent addition to the Duos line. Because I love a classic flavor combination executed well, I plan to revisit this product to satisfy my next fruit-and-chocolate fix.

Purchased Price: $2.49
Size: 3 oz (85 g) – King Size
Purchased at: GetGo
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per package) 420 calories, 24 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 40 milligrams of sodium, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 40 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Black Forest Cake M&M’s

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Black Forest Cake M M s Bag

What are Black Forest Cake M&M’s?

Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, this seasonal flavor takes its inspiration from the Black Forest cake. Each M&M combines milk and dark chocolate with a twist of cherry flavor.

For those of you who haven’t binge-watched an embarrassing amount of baking competition shows, a Black Forest cake consists of layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and syrup- or kirsch-soaked cherries, topped with chocolate shavings.

How are they?

Black Forest Cake M M s Rows

The spirit of Valentine’s Day is strong with this product, from the festive packaging to the pink, red, and white candy shells that scream “Valentine’s Day” (or at least sing it in a Barry White-esque baritone).

Additionally, these M&M’s remind me of a Valentine’s staple: cherry cordial candies. The milk chocolate center of the M&M seems to hold most of the cherry flavor, which tastes a lot like a cherry cordial — minus the sticky filling. The cherry taste complements the chocolate well. It is noticeable, but not overwhelming, medicinal, or sour.

Black Forest Cake M M s Innards

Dark chocolate surrounds the M&M’s milk chocolate core, adding a subtle hint of bitterness to the bite. I don’t often enjoy M&M’s that combine two kinds of chocolate because one always overwhelms the other. This combination, though, creates a successful flavor contrast that reminds me of biting into a filled chocolate or a chocolate shaving on a cake.

Anything else you need to know?

I wondered why M&M’s chose to name these after Black Forest cake rather than cherry cordials, which seem more Valentines-y to me as someone who, granted, participates in Valentine’s Day solely by shopping for discounted candy the next day. A Google search tells me that Cherry Cordial M&M’s previously existed, although that variety used only milk chocolate.

Conclusion:

Black Forest Cake M M s Bowl

Black Forest Cake M&M’s combine milk and dark chocolate expertly and boast a sweet cherry flavor. The candies may seem simple compared to their elaborate namesake, but they are still worthy of a spot next to the cherry cordials in your Valentine’s Day chocolate box.

Purchased Price: $3.28
Size: 8 oz (226.8 g) bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 1 ounce/about 16 pieces) 140 calories, 6 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 10 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Froot Loops Gummies

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Froot Loops Gummies Pouch

What are Froot Loops Gummies?

Discontent with your child’s sole exposure to sugary fruit rings occurring only at breakfast, Kellogg’s is pleased to announce the birth of Froot Loops Gummies, small, chewy rings of a gelatinous nature meant to fill in the afternoon “sweet-snack” slot.

How are they?

Have you ever been chewing a big spoonful of Froot Loops cereal when you had the thought, “I know what would make these better— if they were chewier and grittier”?

No?

Froot Loops Gummies Colors

Well, there’s a reason for that. No one needs Froot Loops in a gummy form. Texturally, these come across like a stale version of your standard gummy peach ring. There’s less gum and more grit, though, giving you an experience akin to dropping your gummy snack in the sand before imbibing.

At first bite, there is the unmistakable artificial fruit taste associated with the namesake cereal, but it dissipates quickly, leaving you with the disappointing ordeal of chewing on a mouthful of rubbery newspaper.

Froot Loops Gummies Size

Anything else you need to know?

In 1994, Kellogg’s introduced the world to Puey, Susey, and Louis, Toucan Sam’s nephews. It feels like maybe they should have told Uncle Sam to stay away from the fruit snack market.

Conclusion:

My seven-year-old daughter ate these with me, lest you think this is solely the opinion of a snobby adult. She declared, “I’d give these about a three. Out of 100.” I said, “Wow, you think they’re THAT bad?” And she said, “Well, maybe like a three out of five.”

The thing is, she’s seven, and numbers are still a bit conceptual to her in a lot of ways. She was right with the three, though. Just, you know, out of 10.

Purchased Price: $1.00
Size: 4 oz.
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 3 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (10 pieces) 110 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 5 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and less than 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Cinnamon Bun Snickers

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Cinnamon Bun Snickers Wrapper

Cinnamon rolls are not cinnamon buns and I am ashamed of you for even thinking so.

Sure, they are both pinwheels of dough slathered in butter, cinnamon and sugar. And they both masquerade as breakfast in places where nutrition doesn’t matter. But there, the roads diverge.

Cinnamon rolls get baked, slathered with sugar or cream cheese, and stop trying. Cinnamon buns get flipped back into their own glaze like heroes, and are pummeled mercilessly with caramel and pecans. They are what baby cinnamon rolls hope they will one day become. They are breakfast for people who don’t eat lunch and dinner. And, on the day Snickers executives were supposed to debate whether to make a Cinnamon Roll Snickers or a Cinnamon Bun Snickers, I bet they all went home early. I bet they thought that Snickers, the candy bar that markets itself for hungry people, had cinnamon bun DNA in its peanuts.

So I had big hopes, hopes as big as the trucks that pulled into the Colorado truck stop where I once had my first cinnamon bun. The light aqua packaging was sleek and encouraged these hopes, although in the glare of the turquoise neon, I overlooked some troubling details. First, the picture depicted not a cinnamon bun, but a pedestrian cinnamon roll, hinting that the Snickers executives were taking some sloppy liberties. And then there was the label’s marque, which listed, in bold letters and in explicit disappointing detail, Peanuts, Cinnamon Bun Flavored Nougat, Caramel, Milk Chocolate.

I could have, I should have, stopped there and gotten a hold of myself. This was a Snickers bar, a typically busy conglomeration of textures and flavors, in which only one player in a diverse cast would be taking on that Cinnamon Bun challenge. Yes, that colossal cinnamon bun flavor was all going to be on nougat’s shoulders. Peanuts, caramel and milk chocolate would be stepping back, letting him do all the work. And replicating a cinnamon bun is a lot of work. Poor nougat. Poor sad, sweet nougat.

Cinnamon Bun Snickers Split

You see, Snickers nougat, like some rare orchid, is a fragile and delicate thing. In your everyday Snickers bar, it is the glue that marries the dominant peanut and caramel sensations, adding a fluffy chewiness but content to not muck up the flavor profile. Discerning palates might detect a touch of molasses or a dark honey in it, but it’s strictly back seat. Cinnamon Bun Snickers hands nougat the keys.

And it’s safe to say nougat is an overly cautious driver. The same bland molasses flavor is present, but with the slightest wisp of cinnamon, resulting in a bar that has echoes of cinnamon and is even slightly sweeter than ordinary Snickers. It resembles the button down nougat we know in every other respect, but the touch of cinnamon may be enough to transform the bar into something else, but there will be a few uneducated rubes out there who buy Cinnamon Bun Snickers thinking it is a regular Snickers, and never realizing the error of their ways.

Cinnamon Bun Snickers Caramel

Ironically, the caramel and the peanuts, which by all appearances are no different at all from the other Snickers bars in the Snickers universe, come to the rescue, primarily because cinnamon buns also have nuts and caramel and the combination evokes them. They keep the bar from being too dramatic a disappointment.

But a slight disappointment, nonetheless. Then again, if it was as good as a regular cinnamon bun, I’d never have to go back to that truck stop in Colorado. That actually sounds like a good idea right now. OK, nougat, get back in the back seat.

Purchased Price: 88 cents
Size: 1.5 oz bar
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 100 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

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