REVIEW: Limited Edition Dunkaroos Orange Sherbet

/ / Reviews / 13 Comments

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Tray

What is it?

While orange creamsicle seems to be all the rage with candy and energy drink companies, 90s nostalgia titans General Mills chose a different spin for its take on a citrusy sweet treat. The new (ish) summertime limited edition Dunkaroos combine vanilla cookies with orange sherbet frosting.

How is it?

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting D

The re-release of Dunkaroos has been contentious. On the one hand, we got our ‘Roos back. On the other hand, the cookie’s shape and taste are different, so naturally, people got in their feelings about it. I, however, like to approach things glass (or frosting cup?) half-full style and really like the new thin and crispy circular “D” cookie. It’s admittedly a lot less fun than the kangaroo shape, but no less delicious. The cookie carries a wonderful butteriness akin to shortbread that’s slim and crumbly but not so much that it breaks when getting dunked —- functional, tasty, and not too sweet.

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Goo

The orange sherbet frosting is perfection. It is quite sweet and full of zesty orange essence without going overboard. Its creamy consistency and sugary citrus-forward flavor do well to channel the experience of orange sherbet, which complements the buttery vanilla cookie well.

Anything else you need to know?

What makes this release even more exciting is that, as far as I can tell, this variety has never been done with Dunkaroos. The initial flavor of vanilla with rainbow sprinkle frosting is an all-time classic, followed up with chocolate frosting, which was predictable and good. While all of us 90s kids wish they’d bring back the cinnamon graham cookie, I love that the brand skipped over previous entries like chocolate chip and strawberry and went straight for something never done before, which bodes well for future creativity and new releases to come.

Conclusion:

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Cookies

I will admit I’ve had an orange phase in the last year, so this is a profile that currently really appeals to me. But I wholeheartedly believe General Mills knocked it out of the park with its first seasonal release since the relaunch of the ‘Roos in 2020, and I’m excited to see what it might have up its sleeve for the Halloween and holiday seasons.

Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 2 3/4 oz
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 tray with frosting, 42g) 180 calories, 7 grams of fat, 3 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Mtn Dew Energy Baja Blast

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Mtn Dew Energy Baja Blast Can

What is it?

Baja Blast has washed down Nachos Supreme with authority for nearly two decades. Introduced in August 2004 as the first ever fast food exclusive soda collaboration between Pepsi and Taco Bell, the fan favorite has been allowed to spread its bubbly wings over the past eight years. Not only can the popular pop be bought in 20-ounce bottles and 12-packs at Walmart, but in 2022 it expanded into the burgeoning low-calorie energy drink market via Mtn Dew Energy.

How is it?

Baja Blast was designed specifically to complement Taco Bell’s salty and spicy food, so the profile has always been kind of mild and admittedly isn’t a favorite of mine from the Mtn Dew lineup. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll get the Zero Sugar version anytime I get a fountain drink at Taco Bell, but on its own, it doesn’t pack a whole lot of “wow” factor compared to the original, Code Red, or recent limited editions like Spark.

Mtn Dew Energy Baja Blast Glass

The flavor is hard to pin down because it’s so mild, but regular Baja Blast is described by PepsiCo as “a tropical lime storm,” and that’s fairly accurate if we’re talking about a very mild and sweet storm, like a key lime storm. Take that bit of sweet key lime and collide it with the classic inevitable Dew flavor and some nondescript citrus, and you’ve got your Baja blanket. To go along with the mild flavor, the can delivers a low level of carbonation with fairly wide bubbles that I want a bit more presence from. Even though the smoothness may be preferable for some, I like a nice bubbly burst and think some tighter bubbles would bring out more citrus storminess.

Mtn Dew Energy Baja Blast Pour

Anything else you need to know?

One of the features of Mtn Dew Energy is its use of fruit juice, and that small 5% of fruit juice does have an impact here, and it’s not a good one. The use of white grape juice concentrate makes the Energy version of Baja a touch less sweet than its purely artificial-based counterpart, which is a detriment to the flavor as a whole. I even get some grape juice flavor in the finish that builds the more I sip, which isn’t surprising since it’s the second ingredient. It’s very drinkable, and I’m sure it would go swimmingly with a Crunchwrap Supreme, but as a flavor, it’s not an improvement over the original.

Conclusion:

Mtn Dew Energy Baja Blast Caffeine

Mtn Dew Energy remains a good but not great line, with only one or two flavors that really impress me. I could see myself repurchasing this if it was on a good sale but will likely reach for a bolder, punchier lime when I want my citrus craving quenched.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 16 oz can
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 can) 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 180 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips

/ / Reviews / 5 Comments

Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips Bag

What are they?

Everyone knows Ruffles’ ridges not only carry crunch but deliver more flavor than their flatter counterparts. With Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle, those ridges carry a tangy pickle profile with a bit of heat.

How are they?

Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips Spill

These chips boldly deliver on everything their name promises. A perfectly acidic and bright dill pickle flavor hits immediately — on the nose and tongue. If you love pickles, you will love the taste; if you don’t, steer clear. After a prominent pickle beginning, the flavor evolves into a legitimate heat that stacks the more I chomp down on the delightful ridges.

The spice level is medium and never becomes overbearing, but it does linger. The spiciness has enough weight to leave a little tickle when I stop grabbing more from the bag, which is hard because these are addictive.

Anything else you need to know?

Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips One Chip

The heat on these chips is unique for Ruffles. It doesn’t have the notable pepper taste of a jalapeño but also isn’t quite as hot or slightly sweet and cheesy in the way Flamin’ Hot chips are. The spice reminds me of crushed red pepper flakes in that they create a blanket of spiciness without introducing any other flavors, which is great because the strong pickle flavor gets to shine.

Conclusion:

Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips Closeup

Ruffles Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips are excellent. They bring all the big textured crunch and salty satisfaction that the Ruffles brand is known for with a fantastic spicy and tangy smattering of flavor that is an absolute must buy for any pickle fan.

Purchased Price: $5.59
Size: 8 oz bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (13 chips, 28g) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 1 gram of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Batch Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Crumble Ice Cream

/ / Reviews / 13 Comments

Limited Batch Ben Jerry s Cherry Crumble Ice Cream Pint

Recently, most new flavors from Vermont’s most famous company have been Topped, Core’d, or brought back from the dead. But Ben & Jerry’s latest was inspired by one of the company’s all-time successes: cherries. While this pint has some major differences from Cherry Garcia, B&J’s second highest selling pint for eight years running, it will no doubt garner interest from folks who enjoy the Grateful Dead-inspired classic. Cherry Crumble switches up the formula from the brand’s more recent decadent offerings and pairs buttery ice cream with cherries and swirls of oat crumble.

I was intrigued by this pint because the container wasn’t screaming at me with mix-ins and because the base was something I don’t recall ever seeing. Described simply as “buttery,” a word often used to denote that something will be delicious, I needed to know how it tastes. Good news: it’s freakin’ awesome. Bad news: it’s kind of hard to describe. Middle news: I’m going to try!

Limited Batch Ben Jerry s Cherry Crumble Ice Cream Top

The base is rich and decadent in a way I don’t recall ever experiencing from B&J’s sweet cream, which is probably its closest equivalent, but far superior. It has a heavy and luscious mouthfeel with buttery notes, but not nutty like browned butter, more of a clean and deep flavorful sensation, like unsalted butter and sugar on white bread. Like I said, it’s hard to describe, but it’s wonderful and has a density that screams super premium. It’s a really great, nuanced ice cream.

Limited Batch Ben Jerry s Cherry Crumble Ice Cream Cherries

The cherries are also well executed. There are plenty, and they pop with a lovely bright sweetness and touch of acidity. More importantly, they do so with zero iciness. They provide the perfect balance of sugary and tartness against the rich buttery base. A jam or pie filling swirl might be more faithful to the concept of a crumble, but I enjoy the squishy flavorful chunks of fruit. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m getting older, but I’ve been having a serious cherry renaissance in the last two years, and I love this simple old-timey mix-in.

Limited Batch Ben Jerry s Cherry Crumble Ice Cream Swirl

The oat crumble is where this pint could use some improvement. I still really enjoy it, but it reminds me much more of a cinnamon-y graham cracker swirl than a chunky oat crumble. When I read “crumble,” I instantly think of a crunchy, buttery, and salty topping that erupts with flavor, and while this swirl is good, it doesn’t deliver on the punchiness or texture I’m looking for. It has some pleasant grittiness with a touch of spice but no butteriness that can compete with the fantastic base.

While this pint falls a bit short in flawlessly executing a cherry crumble a la mode, it’s a very scoopable flavor that should be in anyone’s cart who enjoys a fruit-driven profile with a rich, buttery foundation.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: One Pint
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup/140 grams) 350 calories, 21 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 75 milligrams of cholesterol, 125 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 35 grams of sugar, 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: H-E-B Limited Edition Vanilla Milkshake Wavy Potato Chips

/ / Reviews / 3 Comments

H E B Limited Edition Vanilla Milkshake Wavy Potato Chips Bag

What are H-E-B Limited Edition Vanilla Milkshake Wavy Potato Chips?

I often see new interesting items in the SPOTTED section of this site that I never see in person. Sometimes that’s just bad luck, sometimes it’s a product I would never buy, and sometimes it’s region-specific. A couple of weeks ago, a chip caught my eye so strikingly that I had to seek it out.

Exclusive to Texas-based grocery store H-E-B, this gorgeous teal bag is part of the Late Night Flavors collection, promising the flavor of a vanilla milkshake on wavy chips.

I put out a request to my Instagram followers, and someone in San Antonio was down for the hunt! Shout out to Lauren T for not only going to H-E-B and finding the chips but shipping them more perfectly than any other junk food oddity I’ve bought online (like that one time I purchased Cola Pringles from South Korea).

How are they?

H E B Limited Edition Vanilla Milkshake Wavy Potato Chips Pour

Much like a trip to the diner for a creamy shake and hot fresh, salty fries after a night of revelry, these chips are awesome. It’s an undisputed fact that wavy chips bring more flavor and crunch than their flatter counterparts, and these are excellent crunchy chips. Not as crunchy as a harder-cooked kettle style chip and not as greasy as the iconic Ruffles, these have a firm but gentle crunch akin to the Lays Wavy line.

The flavor strikes an even 50/50 split of sweet and salty with a strong undercurrent of pure potato. They aren’t too aggressively sweet or salty, which allows them to stay in balance as a crave-able chip that doesn’t steer too far into weird “is this dessert?” territory. These chips would have been a confusing train wreck if they were chocolate-based, but the nice neutral blanket of mild vanilla keeps them smooth and just sweet enough to keep me endlessly snacking in glee.

Anything else you need to know?

H E B Limited Edition Vanilla Milkshake Wavy Potato Chips Closeup

Have you ever dunked your fries into a fast food vanilla shake? That’s exactly what these taste like. I prefer to eat my fries and shake separately but for them to be combined into one flavor and bagged is fully a-okay by me. Fried potatoes and sweetened milk are a helluva tasty combo and one that should be explored more.

Conclusion:

Would I pay $20 to have these shipped to me again out of pure curiosity? No. But if I lived in Texas, near one of H-E-B’s 340 stores in Texas and Mexico, I would absolutely grab another bag the second these are gone because they’re enjoyable to eat.

Purchased Price: $2.55 (minus my crazy shipping scheme)
Size: 7 oz bag
Purchased at: H-E-B
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (11 chips/28 grams) 150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

Scroll to Top