REVIEW: Burger King Firecracker Cookie Pie

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Taste the 250

I was thinking a lot about the game show “Is It Cake?” when I ordered Burger King’s festive new limited edition Firecracker Cookie Pie; just like the confections featured on that show, this new dessert is unique and fun to look at, but I couldn’t immediately tell what the texture would be like on the inside.

Red, white, and blue...and whatever the crust color is.

Seasoned Burger King fans (is there a name for them? Burger Loyal Subjects?) may be familiar with the Hershey’s Sundae Pie, which is a variation on a similar theme. But since I’m allergic to chocolate, I didn’t have that frame of reference. Instead, I was drawn in by the promise of “velvety cream,” “crisp sugar cookie crust,” and colorful novelty sprinkles.

Layers of the pie.

What I didn’t expect was for my pie to be practically all cream. No matter how “velvety,” I quickly started craving something more substantial. The promotional images show a clear delineation between the dollops of cream on top of the pie and the fluffy white layer beneath, but there wasn’t much of a distinction in my pie — everything that wasn’t the cookie layer had the same thin consistency. The cream wasn’t as dense as it looked, leading to the feeling that I was mostly just shoveling down mouthfuls of very sweet air.

Those dollops kind of look like fireworks. Or maybe I'm just imagining things.

Yes, there was a sugar cookie base with a nice butteriness that added some interest, but it was thinner than I would have liked and too crumbly to provide a uniform bite. I could barely dig my fork in without the cookie shattering to bits. (Maybe that was why the kind employee offered me a spoon instead? Apparently, I was a Burger Klown to turn that down.)

Ingredients. Ingredients. Ingredients. Ingredients. Ingredients. Ingredients.

I also wasn’t expecting the cookie pie to taste so tangy, but lo and behold, when I flipped the (admittedly adorable) triangle-shaped box over to see the ingredients list, cream cheese was the fifth one listed. Apparently, this was even more like “Is It Cake?” than I expected, because actually, the pie did end up reminding me of cake—specifically, a cheesecake. I do wish the advertising mentioned that something with such a strong flavor would be such a core ingredient for those who aren’t into cream cheese.

The sprinkles did what they were supposed to do. They looked pretty and patriotic and added a tiny crunch. I really enjoyed how the pie was served chilled as well; that was a nice way to slightly temper the sweetness and provide more firmness to something that may have otherwise been too soft.

Pro tip: eat this as soon as you buy it, because I waited until I got home, and I think fresh from the fridge would have been even better.

While I have my critiques about this particular flavor, the cookie pie is a fun and flexible format that I’d like to see more of. This isn’t a bad way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary… if only the price could be $2.50 to match!

Purchased Price: $3.59
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 250 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 22 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Burger King Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake

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Burger King Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake in its cup.

My knowledge of Star Wars is limited, but one of the rare bits of trivia that stuck with me is the fact that Luke Skywalker drinks blue milk. So when I saw that Burger King’s new limited edition Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu menu features a blue-tinged milkshake, I was equal parts excited to try a brightly colored twist on my favorite dessert and just proud that I understood the reference!

Specifically, this shake is called Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake (and if that name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re probably more familiar with its adorable namesake’s nickname, “Baby Yoda”). BK’s press release states that it contains “Grogu’s favorite snack – blue cookies.” I’m not sure if that’s just a play on the blue milk or something that’s actually depicted in the Mandalorian series where Grogu appears (Star Wars fans, sound off in the comments!), but either way, as soon as I tasted the shake, I understood why the little guy likes blue cookies so much.

Burger King Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake look at those fish tank pebbles. Oh wait, I'm being told that they are cookies.

The size of the crumbled cookies in the topping felt perfect to me and yet was different than most other cookie-themed desserts I’ve tried—the pieces aren’t so big that they interrupt your slurping experience, yet are still big enough to have a noticeable taste and texture. I worried they would be, like Anakin Skywalker infamously complains about sand, “coarse and rough and irritating,” but no, the cookie pieces are actually quite soft. They reminded me of a cross between frosted animal crackers and those pillowy Lofthouse Cookies. They did their job of looking pretty, but also were an interestingly chewy and delicious addition to the shake. My only critique is that it would be fun to have cookie pieces blended into the shake too—as is, they’re limited to sitting on top.

Use the Force, Grogu!

The shake has a vanilla base, but it gets both its sweetness and its color from “blue sugar cookie syrup,” giving it a birthday cake-like flavor. It is certainly sweet, but to me at least, it didn’t cross the line into overly sweet territory. I was also impressed by the thick and creamy texture, not watery like the most underwhelming fast-food shakes can be. It even comes in a snazzy cup featuring a cute image of Grogu either concentrating very hard or preparing to take a nap. (Just don’t be fooled by the tiny stars speckled across it—they’re a design on the cup, not extra cookie bits like I originally assumed.)

All in all, Grogu’s Blue Cookie Shake is an out-of-this-world experience. I wish I could come up with a cleverer pun to convey just how much I liked it, but I’ve officially exhausted all my Star Wars knowledge, so you’ll just have to take my word for it. Or not… unlike a Jedi, I can’t Force you. (Never mind, I knew I could fit one more pun in there!)

Purchased Price: $6.59
Size: 16 oz
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 620 calories, 16 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 60 milligrams of sodium, 105 grams of carbohydrates, 84 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Dirty Soda

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Dunkin's Dirty Soda is a combination of Pepsi, coffee milk, cold foam, and love.

I’ve reviewed sodas, and I’ve reviewed Dunkin’s coffee milk-based Dunkalatte. But I never expected to review those two things simultaneously… until, for better or worse, Dunkin’s new Dirty Soda entered the scene.

“Interesting,” I thought idly when I first saw the word “soda” on the limited-time Spring menu. “I guess they’re trying to branch out to beverages other than coffee.” When I realized that this soda actually contained coffee as well, I practically did a spit take.

The sippy lid helps prevent cold foam from ending up on your nose. If you have a long tongue that probably doesn't matter.

If, like me, you’re struggling to wrap your mind around this concept, let me break it down: this new beverage mixes Pepsi, coffee milk, and a Sweet Cold Foam topping. If you remember 2022’s polarizing viral concoction “Pilk” (Pepsi + milk), this is essentially that, but with a jolt of java to boot.

Dirty soda often involves adding creamer to a soda, which, while making it sweeter, doesn’t tend to alter the existing flavor profile radically. The two main ingredients here, though—cola with its notes of caramel and spice and coffee milk with its notes of, well, the two things in its name—both bring distinctive personalities to play.

Look at that cold foam! It looks like, um, foam.

My first sip was such an overwhelming textural experience that it took me a few minutes to even process the taste. The velvety richness of the coffee milk is underlaid with the Pepsi’s acidic fizz and capped off by the fluffy super-sweetness of the cold foam. Creamy, bubbly, airy, this drink has it all! Once my taste buds realized what was happening to them, they were struck by the interplay between the bitterness of the coffee, the milkiness of the cold foam, and the deep cola flavor lurking beneath it all. These disparate flavors come together to form a molasses-y earthiness that almost reminded me of root beer. The uncanny combination made me feel, not entirely unpleasantly, like I was consuming some sort of medicinal tonic or faerie elixir.

Take a deep hard look into the cup of Dunkin's Dirty Soda. Does it make you feel dirty to be so deep inside it?

…Okay, you may notice that I’ve gone on about how unique this drink is, but I haven’t actually said whether it’s any good. Much like how Dunkin’ Dirty Soda is hard to define, that question is hard to answer.

The positives: this drink is certainly exciting. I found something quite charming about a massive global chain selling what sounds like it should only be accessible by unleashing a toddler at a soda fountain. I appreciate the creativity and ambition!

I guess it's not too dirty from the side.

That being said, I think it might just be too weird to work. The clashing flavors and textures never quite perfectly gel. Plus, unlike other beverages with clearly defined roles (like coffee when you’re tired or soda when you’re craving a sweet treat), it’s hard to imagine many customers regularly being in a state of mind where they’re craving a Dunkin’ Dirty Soda specifically.

…That also being said, if Dunkin’ ever wants to bring this weird drink back and make it even weirder, I’d be all in. Cherry Pepsi or caramel coffee milk, anyone?

So I say: live a little! Give this one a shot… even if you never want to do it again.

Purchased Price: $5.11
Size: Small
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 119 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 220 milligrams of sodium, 82 grams of carbohydrates, 43 grams of sugar, and 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider

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As someone who doesn’t love beef, I highly appreciate the touchscreens at Taco Bell that allow you to make substitutions seamlessly—no fear of a disapproving gaze as I sheepishly swap to chicken. The only thing I’d enjoy more would be if the good people of Taco Bell revamped a classically beef-centric dish to include chicken from the get-go… and wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what they did with the new limited edition Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider.

This isn’t the first Slider-ified Crunchwrap; it follows in the footsteps of last year’s Steak & Queso flavor. Where the OG Crunchwrap Supreme contains Nacho Cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream, this new variant has crispy chicken as the main protein, plus a three-cheese blend, pico de gallo, and your choice of either Creamy Chipotle or Jalapeno Honey Mustard sauce. Being a slider, it’s also important to note that it’s smaller than the traditional Crunchwrap Supreme, making it ideal for a quick snack. (If you’re hungrier, you can even get it as part of the Discovery Luxe Cravings Box combo.)

Ingredients peeking out of the Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider

While the Slider shares the same iconic hexagonal shape as the original Crunchwrap Supreme, mine wasn’t folded quite flawlessly, so I could see some sauce-coated bits of tomato peeking out. The small size came in handy here, since I was able to grip the Slider fully in one hand and keep the other ready to catch any fillings that might tumble out. My first bite was remarkably solid, which made sense when I realized I had bitten directly into one of the nuggets of crispy chicken. (“I see, it’s like a chicken nugget wrapped in a tortilla,” remarked my husband, who, I guess, had never heard of a Crunchwrap before? Technically, there were three chicken nuggets in there, but his observation was more or less accurate.)

Taco Bell Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider chicken nugget plumpness

I enjoyed the plumpness of the nugget and the tasty fried coating, even if it was a bit dry. That problem was mitigated by mouthfuls that had more mustard, though I still couldn’t help but think that shredded chicken would have been a better fit. I know, the whole reason this item exists is to promote the fact that Taco Bell sells chicken nuggets these days, but still! It also didn’t help that my Slider came out a bit lukewarm, and my suspicions that it hadn’t been properly heated all the way through were supported when I unwrapped it to see an abundance of unmelted cheese shreds.

It kind of looks like a taco Salad with the tortillas peeled back.

The pico de gallo was mild, mostly sweet from the tomatoes, which obscured the onion’s bite. And speaking of “sweet with a bite,” the jalapeno honey mustard was a bit strange. I mostly tasted the acridness of the jalapeno, which was a tad too vinegary for my liking, though my very last bite somehow tasted like pure, classic honey mustard, so it wasn’t the most consistent sauce.

While the Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider didn’t knock my socks off, I enjoyed it enough to try it again if the opportunity arises. Maybe my Taco Bell was just having an off day! Maybe I would fare better with the Creamy Chipotle! And if all else fails, I can always do a little more customizing on my beloved touchscreen.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 320 calories, 12 grams of fat, 860 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale

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Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale bottle (also available in cans and a zero sugar version)

Ginger ale and I go way back—my nickname as a child was even “Jen-ger Ale”! So, combining my longstanding affinity for this particular beverage with my general love for all things flavored and novel means that Canada Dry’s new Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale was a no-brainer for me to pick up when I saw it peeking from the refrigerator of the corner store that somehow always gets the new releases before anywhere else in my neighborhood.

You may be familiar with the Fruit Splash line from its initial Cherry flavor, and this new Strawberry offering makes a strong impression. It smells potently like the strawberry flavor it advertises—I thought I caught a whiff of kiwi as well, but perhaps I’m just conditioned to associate strawberry with kiwi because they’re so commonly paired with each other. Strawberry is the only fruit mentioned on the ingredients label, so I probably was just smelling things that weren’t there. In any case, I was excited about the prospect of some fruity sweetness to offset ginger ale’s typical fizziness and spice, and that’s exactly what I got.

Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale poured into a glass. Fancy.

In fact, this soda was so sweet and mild upon first sip that I wasn’t sure I would even have identified it as ginger ale until the aftertaste, where that familiar bite kicked in. It struck me as more fruity than gingery, but that’s not to say that the drink was overly sweet. While the mellowness did take me by surprise, especially compared to other flavored ginger ales I’ve had, I quite enjoyed it. The ginger flavor was still present, just in a slightly different way—the juiciness of the strawberry flavor meant that there wasn’t that spiky acidity that can sometimes prevent me from finishing my glass.

Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale looking down in to a glass.

There was a slight tartness as well, which makes sense given that the Fruit Splash line advertises that they’re “made with a splash of real juice”. Sure, the pale pinkish-gold color of the ginger ale didn’t scream “fruit juice”, but the taste sure did. And while the ginger ale fizzed up quite nicely when I first poured myself a glass, it quickly simmered down, so my drinking experience wasn’t overly bubbly. Overall, Strawberry Fruit Splash went down quite smoothly— crisp, refreshing, and very drinkable!

Canada Dry Strawberry Fruit Splash Ginger Ale label up close.

I think this flavor is a winner. Ginger ale has a reputation as a good mixer, and it certainly mixes well with strawberry flavoring, leading to a well-balanced drink that goes down easy. And best of all—unlike many of the unique flavors I’m used to loving and losing, this one is a permanent addition to Canada Dry’s lineup, so if you enjoy it as I did, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to drink your fill. If you’re in the market for some ginger ale that contains sugar and spice and all things nice, Strawberry Fruit Splash will indeed make a splash!

Purchased Price: $2.44
Size: 20 fl oz bottles
Purchased at: A local convenience store
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 bottle) 240 calories, 0 grams of fat, 80 milligrams of sodium, 63 grams of carbohydrates, 62 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

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