Author: Ann

REVIEW: Lay’s Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot Potato Chips

Ann 1 Comment

Lay s Kettle Cooked Flamin Hot Potato Chips

I feel certain there’s a chapter in the anthologies of Snacking Americana dedicated to Frito-Lay’s Flamin’ Hot.

This iconic seasoning, which started on the hallowed Cheeto, has now donned the surface of nearly every chip, crisp, and crunchy snack the company produces. In 2019, Forever 21 even launched a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Collection and rumors of a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos origin story movie spread like, well, wildfire.

The challenge in this frenzy of Flamin’ Hot obsession is for the snack company to launch new products that aren’t just flavored with the seasoning but offer a different eating experience from the fire truck red snacks that have already been bestowed upon us. Enter, Lay’s Kettle Cooked Flamin’ Hot.

Lay s Kettle Cooked Flamin Hot Potato Chips Closeup

Their appearance immediately lives up to expectation. They are BRIGHT RED and look to be fully coated in the Flamin’ Hot seasoning, true to the front-of-bag image. It also seems like more of the chips are completely covered in the seasoning as compared to the plain Lay’s Flamin’ Hot. Maybe that has to do with the kettle cook method and how the seasoning clings to oil? I’m not sure, but it definitely adds to their appeal.

So, do they hold up to the tried and true Flamin’ Hot fame?

Oh, hell yeah. These chips rock.

As was previously mentioned in other TIB reviews, the flat chip shape (compared to the Cheeto shape) means that you can place a full crunchy layer of fiery flavored madness over your entire tongue at once. With a Cheeto, there’s way less available surface area, and your teeth take most of the direct hit. With these chips, the flavor is intense right away, in the best way. I also think the kettle cooked texture delivers a more satisfying crunch than plain potato chips. I’m surprised this variety didn’t launch sooner.

I was particularly happy with the cheesiness that comes through, a flavor which is lacking in the Lay’s Flamin’ Hot traditional potato chip variety. After going through a few historic Flamin’ Hot launches, it looks like “cheddar cheese” moves around in the ingredient line, sometimes not present at all. My recommendation to Frito-Lay would be to keep it in any future products because it adds a critical flavor element.

The cheesiness balances the heat beautifully and, when combined with the sturdy crunch of a kettle cooked chip, makes this one of the best all-around chips I’ve had in a long time. It was hard not to eat the entire bag in one sitting. And of course, your fingers will be left with the signature Flamin’ Hot red Cheetle.

Lay s Kettle Cooked Flamin Hot Potato Chips Cheetle

I will say, the one ever so slightly negative thing I have to say about these is that five minutes after eating about two servings worth, my tongue went numb to any other flavors for roughly half an hour. I’m no stranger to spicy things, so this surprised me a little, but didn’t bother me much at all. These chips are worth it.

Upholding their Flamin’ Hot family legacy, these kettle cooked chips receive my most heartfelt 10/10 rating and earnest recommendation for your snacking needs in 2020.

Purchased Price: $3.18
Size: 8 oz. bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 18 chips) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies

Ann 1 Comment

Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies

What are Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Trix Smoothies?

More cereal-themed crossovers! This time, yogurt drinks! Actually, no, technically this time “cultured dairy beverage”! YUM!

With all these branded crossovers, 2020 has me wondering, are cereal brands and candy brands the consumer goods version of The Avengers? Is this the year we get so fully inundated by crossovers that the only remaining option is an Endgame-style product that contains them all? Did I just make such a weakly constructed comic reference that caused half of you to angry? POSSIBLY!??

How are they?

?
Yoplait Trix Smoothies

The Trix smoothie is remarkably close in flavor to its cereal counterpart. I suppose we have the magic of modern flavor technology to thank for that. Although it LOOKS like a glass full of Pepto Bismol (maybe there’s a fun April Fools trick buried in there somewhere), the smoothie has a pleasant strawberry lemon fruity flavor and an enjoyable Trixmilk after taste.

The tangy cultured yogurt works really well with the fruit flavors, in my opinion. The texture is smooth, creamy, and very drinkable. My only qualm is that its so sweet you’d think you were gulping down Trix-flavored frosting.

Yoplait Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoothie

The Cinnamon Toast Crunch beverage smells exactly like opening a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal and has delightful little visible specs of cinnamon. I’m also a sucker for the psycho/adorable cinnamon toast square cartoon characters the brand has adopted recently.

The flavor isn’t as strong in cinnamon as I would have expected, and because of that, I don’t think it matches the cereal flavor as well as the Trix version does. This one is sort of like a yogurt horchata. There’s a stronger, blander, vanilla yogurt taste.

Is there anything else you need to know?

SHOOGAARR!!!

Both smoothies are surprisingly tasty. However, each drink has nearly double the sugar as a serving of their cereal counterpart. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to sugar guilt anybody. I just think I’d rather have a double serving of either cereal than drink one of these smoothies again. Maybe if you like, can’t chew things and still want to taste your favorite cereals? Yeah, that works.

Conclusion:

These drinks were, for the most part, accurate in flavor, but incredibly sweet. They’re certain to give you a sugar rush, which might be what you’re looking for to propel you into 2020 and the inevitable cereal flavor mashups we have left ahead of us to taste.

Purchased Price: $4.99 each
Size: 4 – 7 fl oz bottles
Purchased at: Mariano’s (owned by Kroger)
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Trix), 4 out of 10 (Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
Nutrition Facts: (1 smoothie) Trix – 160 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein. Cinnamon Toast Crunch – 160 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 115 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 22 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Peanuts & Reese’s Pieces Bar

Ann 2 Comments

Hershey s Milk Chocolate Peanuts Reese s Pieces Bar

I feel it’s accurate to say Reese’s is having a cultural moment.

Over the past 18 months, that tantalizing yellow, brown, and orange color combination has popped up across a multitude of sweet treats, whispering perfect peanut butter promises into our ears. In the never-ending (not a bad thing) parade of every conceivable ratio of peanut butter to chocolate (Peanut Butter Lovers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with Reese’s Pieces, the Take5 rebranding, etc.) comes the GIANT sized Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Peanuts & Reese’s Pieces Bar.

Hershey s Milk Chocolate Peanuts Reese s Pieces Bar Comparison

Hershey s Milk Chocolate Peanuts Reese s Pieces Bar Comparison 2

We reviewed the original 1.55 oz. Hershey’s & Reese’s Pieces bar in November 2018 (shout out Denis). This new GIANT version is different in that it’s, well, GIANT, and includes both Reese’s Pieces and peanuts. Knowing that the concept of ratios would be important here, I also picked up the “King Size” version of the peanut-less bar to compare. What can I say, I’m empathetic to a middle child.

Hershey s Milk Chocolate Peanuts Reese s Pieces Bar Comparison 3

The GIANT bar is clearly still using mini Reese’s Pieces. And, on cross-section, I can definitely also see the peanut pieces. There was the same delightful crunch from the candy pieces and the higher ratio of chocolate to inclusions in the GIANT bar made the overall flavor more balanced. The peanuts didn’t come through as strongly as the Reese’s Pieces.

Hershey s Milk Chocolate Peanuts Reese s Pieces Bar Back

My biggest issue with this bar is that I’m not sold on the graphics and description. Based on the packaging, I would expect the chocolate in this bar to be Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, but it definitely tastes different. There isn’t a clear ingredient line culprit to prove my suspicions, but the chocolate in the GIANT Peanuts & Reese’s Pieces bar is lighter in color and has WAY less cocoa flavor.

The chocolate in this bar is a lot more reminiscent of a Mr. Goodbar, but I’m not sure if that’s a flavor difference from the added peanut pieces, or if Hershey’s actually used different chocolate.

Overall, I think the GIANT version of this new(ish) candy mash-up is the best ratio of the three available sizes. If you’re looking for that true Hershey’s milk chocolate flavor, you’re not going to be completely satisfied. But, if you think the Mr. Goodbar is underappreciated, you might just love this.

Purchased Price: $2.24 (Giant)
Size: 7 oz. bar
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/6 of bar or 33 grams) 160 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, less than 5 mg of cholesterol, 40 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 19 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte

Ann 3 Comments

Dunkin Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte

While other coffee chains attempt to dominate the autumnal flavor board, Dunkin’s New Signature Latte line-up takes a commanding stronghold of classic winter holiday flavors. One of its four new varieties, available hot or cold, is the Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte, which features “the flavors of gingerbread, marshmallow and chocolate all in one cup, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and cinnamon sugar.”

I’ll be completely transparent here, I bought this drink twice, and I’m still not sure I’ve had the website description of this beverage. But look, I get it, seasonal menus are difficult with unique flavors, special prep instructions, and stress!

Dunkin Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte First Latte

The first version of the Toasted Gingerbread Latte I received had nothing on top. No whipped cream, no drizzle, no cinnamon sugar. It was overwhelmingly sweet and tasted like a lightly spiced hot chocolate. If I got this at a freezing cold football game, I wouldn’t be mad, but I was definitely missing any trace of the traditional gingerbread flavor (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, etc).

Dunkin Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte 2nd

Feeling like surely something had gone wrong, I tried a second Dunkin’ location a few days later and received an entirely different beverage. This time, there was whipped topping, chocolate drizzle (the website says this was supposed to be caramel, but I didn’t mind this modification), and a cinnamon spice sprinkle topping. Again, I’m not sure this was “correct” either, but it was a massive improvement from the first attempt.

Dunkin Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte 2nd Top

This second version of the Toasted Gingerbread Latte had a much stronger spice flavor both in the drink and from the cinnamon sugar topping. It was still ridiculously sweet and could pass more as gingerbread spice hot chocolate, with almost no coffee taste coming through. It was much more enjoyable with any type of topping accoutrements. I do think Dunkin’ could have done more with the notion of “toasted” (maybe if it was made with oatmilk?), and I would have loved more molasses flavor. But all-in-all, this wasn’t a total miss.

If you’re a fan of sweet drinks, holiday spice, and random barista surprises (because WHO KNOWS how this drink is really supposed to be made), go ahead and roll the dice to see what your local Dunkin’ decides the Toasted Gingerbread Signature Latte is. Maybe try one every day in December like an Advent Calendar surprise!

Purchased Price: $3.08
Size: Small
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Small made with whole milk) 300 calories, 11 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 125 milligrams of cholesterol, 43 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 39 grams of sugar, and 8 grams of protein.

REVIEW: McDonald’s McCafe Donut Sticks with Chocolate Sauce

Ann 7 Comments

McDonald s McCafe Donut Sticks with Chocolate Sauce

McDonald’s Donut Sticks are BACK, and this time they’ve got an accompanying chocolate sauce (maybe the folks there read our February review requesting this addition?).

I swung into the McDonald’s drive-thru and was told to wait five minutes for some fresh sticks. Usually, I’d grumble a little about the wait, but in this instance, I wasn’t upset since the result would be impeccably fresh ones, which I figure is the best way to enjoy them.

McDonald’s Donut Sticks with Chocolate Sauce are available in a six or 12 pack and only during breakfast hours. I’m not sure if you get double the chocolate sauce with 12, but it’s probably worth asking for. I went with the six-pack for $1.59.

McDonald s McCafe Donut Sticks with Chocolate Sauce Innards

They look the same as the ones from earlier this year. They’re incredibly light, super flaky, and very fragrant of cinnamon and donutty goodness. I would almost call these “cronut sticks,” but they lack a few pastry layers to qualify fully. My car began smelling like a donut shop almost immediately after I’d received the bag.

McDonald s McCafe Donut Sticks with Chocolate Sauce 2

Let’s talk about this chocolate sauce. This sauce is thicc. It’s also smooth, sticky, rich in chocolate color, and it adhered well to the donut sticks. I did find I needed to be careful, as some of the pieces were a little too fragile and would sort of collapse from the pressure of the “scoop.” But a generic dip was quite successful.

The sauce tastes exactly like the hot fudge topping on McDonald’s soft serve sundae and comes in packaging similar to McNugget dipping sauces (careful not to mix those up, although honey could be an interesting adventure for these donut sticks. OOH! Or Hot Honey! Okay, I digress.)

Overall, the chocolate is a welcomed addition to the already delightful donut sticks. It’s not overpowering, and there was enough sauce in the container to dip my way through all six pieces. The chocolate doesn’t take this treat to an overly luscious place, but it certainly elevates the regular sticks.

Purchased Price: $1.59
Size: 6 Donut Sticks + 1 oz. Sauce
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts**: 280 calories, 13 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

**This is only for the donut sticks. The chocolate sauce nutrition facts are not listed on the McDonalds website or printed on the container.