M&M’s are one of those candies that consistently pump out different varieties, and the new Bakery Collection features three flavors inspired by baked goods. We’re encouraged to scan a QR code and vote for our favorite from the following contenders: Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Cherry Cupcake, and Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll. I found these at Walgreens and heard more than one employee remark that they weren’t particularly interested in trying any of them.
It’s somewhat incomprehensible to me that anyone wouldn’t want to try a new snack, even if it sounds terrible (yeah, I bought those Swedish Fish Oreos), but I kind of have to agree – none of these really excite me. They exist, though, and that’s enough for me to fork over seven dollars and hope I’m not left mumbling curses through a mouthful of Lemon Pledge-flavored morsels.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie M&M’s are a white chocolate variety, about the size of a regular M&M but rounder due to a crispy rice center. The yellow, white, and peach-colored candies have a light lemon scent and a lemon flavor that I don’t find akin to a cleaning product, but I also can’t say I enjoy. The color scheme does better at imitating its inspiration than the taste and texture do. Perhaps fans of Crispy M&M’s will enjoy these, but crunch doesn’t align with lemon meringue pie in my mind, and I wish the center were some sort of tart lemony cream or jam instead.
At my wedding, I had a bunch of candy jars that I waited until the last minute to fill (who knew you were supposed to prepare for events like that in advance?), and in my haste, I ended up throwing some Lemonheads in the same jar as some chocolate Sixlets. Later that night, my very honest friend Chris informed me that this was a terrible combination, and I explained I hadn’t intended them to be eaten together. These M&M’s are what I think that combo must have tasted like. I’m sure some people will enjoy the lemon and crunch, but I want nothing to do with them. Chris, stay away from these.
Size: 3.22 oz bag
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 pack) 150 calories, 7 grams of total fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 50 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 18 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.
Chocolate Cherry Cupcake
Chocolate Cherry Cupcake pieces are a thicker size, so you’d expect something in the center, but they’re pure chocolate. This seems like a missed opportunity because the inclusion of a tiny cake bit or something that mimicked it (not crispy rice!) could justify the cupcake moniker. The good thing is that the interior features a smooth combination of milk and dark chocolate, and the deeper notes of the dark chocolate are incredibly welcome.
These have a syrupy cherry flavor, more like a cherry cordial than anything else. There’s been a Cherry Cordial M&M before, but it lacked dark chocolate, and if we can just consider this iteration an upgrade on that, I’m alright with it.
Size: 2.47 oz bag
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/2 pack) 170 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 22 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.
Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll
Lastly we have Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll. While this treat isn’t commonplace in any bakery I’ve ever been to, I have called Peanut Butter M&M’s my favorite since their debut, so these hold some promise. The basic size and structure here is right on; they look like the candy I know and love. For a brief moment, or perhaps if you’ve never had the original peanut butter before, you could bite down on these and be pleased with the perfect ratio of candy coating, milk chocolate, and creamy peanut butter center. But then the cinnamon creeps in. It’s not a hot cinnamon, and there’s nothing really wrong with it except that the original product was somehow much better without it.
If we’re trying to make a cinnamon roll M&M, I’m not sure why we skipped a cream cheese frosting element and went straight to peanut butter. Instead of pulling something fresh from the oven, they’ve just corrupted a perfectly good batch of peanut butter M&M’s.
Size: 2.83 oz bag
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 pack) 140 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 13 grams of total sugars, and 3 grams of protein.
When you throw this many candy-coated chocolate pebbles at the wall, there are bound to be some that just don’t stick. Unfortunately, all three flavors from the Bakery Collection fell into this category for me. The winner of the fan vote gets to stay on shelves, but I wouldn’t be upset if all of these disappeared.
Purchased Price: $3.29 each (buy 2 get 1 free)
Purchased at: Walgreens
I loved the lemon meringue pie m&ms, but i also love white chocolate, and lemon, and crispy m&ms so i guess i am the target demo 🙂
What do they taste like? I want to try them but this review describes more about the wedding candy than the actual flavor. They look larger than regular M&Ms unless the photo is deceptive and the description is correct.
It has a pretty good lemony flavor without being sour. In the past I’ve been disappointed with flavored candy that is too subtle (including some previous M&Ms flavors!) but I don’t think that’s an issue here at all. The white chocolate adds creaminess which, combined with the citrus, is vaguely reminiscent of lemon meringue pie filling. These are very crispy, I thought even more so than the regular Crispy M&Ms but I could be imagining that 😉 Overall I did not find them too sweet at all, I thought they were balanced very very well and it’s by far my favorite of the 3 Bakery Collection flavors.
They’re the same size as a crispy m&m if you’ve had those – so a little bit larger than a regular m&m but smaller than a peanut or peanut butter one. I agree with ruffy that these are very crispy and I didn’t really enjoy that here. They’re sweet and lemony but not tart or sour. There’s some creaminess from the white chocolate but nothing really that reminds me of meringue. They feel like a mismatch of flavors and textures for me, I think this might be a love em or hate em kind of thing.
SAME!!!!!
They could have used their caramel center technology on the Lemon Meringue Pie variety. Lemon caramel, maybe.
There must be something about Walgreens employees throwing shade because I had a similar experience! One employee said that the Chocolate Cherry flavor was the only one worth trying, but it was also the only one that was sold out at my location. I did enjoy the lemon ones…but not enough to vote for them. As a peanut butter M&M fanatic, I totally agree that the cinnamon just corrupted the original.
Funny your store was the same way! I didn’t vote for any of them since I found them all lackluster but since lemon meringue is getting love here I think maybe I’ll throw in a vote for it. I won’t be buying another bag or finishing the one I have but if it helps keep them around for the people who do like them, might as well!
Complete opposite reaction for the Lemon Meringue Pie version. I think they’re fantastic. Best new M&M in awhile. I’ve stocked up while they still have them in stores
Same, Drew, same. 😀
I totally agree, Drew! The white chocolate complements the lemon perfectly and they really are terrific.
M&M’s needs to do more with white chocolate. I’m glad you loved them, too!
I would love to hear a description of the lemon meringue pie flavor as they have been on my radar for awhile.
They are extremely fucking good, and you should buy them! They have a lovely lemon flavor that is not at all bitter or sour, but the lemon does not overpower the white chocolate, and even the crispy rice center does not totally fade into the background. It is the least noticeable flavor, but that’s not a bad thing. Please pick some up and vote for them!
I wish they’d bring back the espresso and coffee flavors. None of these sound appealing to me.
After reading how much everyone else likes the lemon meringue pie ones I’m actually inclined to vote for them. I’d never buy them again and haven’t even finished the bag I got but since I found the other two flavors also lackluster I’d rather keep the one on shelves that other people enjoy!
I have never in my life had an actual peanut butter cinnamon roll. That just seems like too much going on. Ergo, these M&Ms don’t sound appealing. I do like chocolate and cherry, as long as there is enough cherry. Maybe I’ll try those.
I saw that in my local HEB supermarket just last week. Haven’t tried it yet, but looks delicious.
Did not mind the lemon, but the chocolate cherry was the winner by far.
PB cinnamon definitely has too much going on.