Baskin-Robbins Banana Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Review

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Baskin-Robbins Banana Dulce de Leche Ice Cream a double scoop because I loved this flavor so much

I have banana bias. So read this Baskin-Robbins Banana Dulce de Leche Ice Cream review with your BS detector on. BS stands for “banana skewed,” of course.

But maybe there is no banana bias in this review because I imagine banana custard and brown butter ice creams with crunchy toffee pieces and dulce de leche swirls would make just about any sweet tooth dance with excitement. If that sentence made your sweet teeth shimmy, then let me tell you that it is as delightful as it sounds. Even before trying it, I knew I’d love this flavor, and I doubled down on my prediction by ordering a double scoop instead of my usual single. Or maybe I have ESP.

REVIEW: Baskin-Robbins Banana Dulce de Leche Ice Cream a closeup of a spoonful

Going into the scoop, it was a little disappointing that the banana custard ice cream made with banana puree had to share some space with a brown butter base. But it turned out pretty well for my banana-loving taste buds. While there were occasional spoonfuls in which the banana faded into the caramel-y background, most bites delivered the sweet, fruity flavor I was after. It’s not an in-your-face, overly artificial banana, and even though the sweet, buttery dulce de leche swirls, toffee pieces, and brown butter base outnumber it, it still stands out as the star of the scoop.

The dulce de leche swirls were gooey and sweet, though they tasted more like a mild caramel than a true milky dulce de leche. That said, the other sweet and buttery components in the scoop helped elevate the swirl’s flavor. The toffee pieces added a satisfying crunch, making the spoonfuls that included them a little more exciting with their textural contrast. The combination of components was extremely delightful and I so glad I got two scoops. I might have to get a few more before it goes away.

Baskin-Robbins’ Banana Dulce de Leche is easily one of my favorite scoops from the ice cream chain. But again, I go a little bananas when it comes to banana-flavored anything, so your taste buds may differ. However, if you’re also banana-skewed, then it will absolutely satisfy your banana-loving heart.

Purchased Price: $7.19
Size: Double scoop
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (4 oz scoop) 300 calories, 15 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 28 grams of sugar (includes 22 grams of added sugar), and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Unwell Peach Sorbet Energy Drink

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Unwell Peach Sorbet Energy Drink can

I think I’m done with Unwell Energy Drinks. Forever, forever ever.

My taste buds were intrigued by Frosted Cranberry, the first Unwell Energy Drink I ever caffeinated myself with. But the follow-up varieties I’ve tried, Cherry Lime and now this Peach Sorbet, have been letdowns with flavors that don’t get me excited for future releases the way Monster, Alani Nu, and Bang energy drinks do.

The Peach Sorbet has a pleasant peach aroma that smells wonderful, but, like the Cherry Lime, it doesn’t translate into a flavor that’s equally sublime. There’s some peach juice from concentrate that gives the drink a natural, but mild and mediocre peach flavor, but it doesn’t hit the taste buds hard like other peach-flavored beverages in the energy drink space. Its cane sugar and stevia-sweetened flavor makes me want to nurse it for a while instead of chugging it down.

Unwell Peach Sorbet Energy Drink in a glass

Like the Cherry Lime flavor, there’s also an odd mid-sip texture that makes this protein-free drink feel somewhat like a protein drink. My best guess is that the 745 milligrams of electrolytes are the culprit, but whatever the cause, it makes the drink less refreshing.

Also, I’m not sure what the deal is with the “sorbet” name. I didn’t taste anything that would make me think of sorbet. It’s just a mild peach drink that uses a fancy word in its name.

Overall, if Unwell’s Peach Sorbet Energy Drink didn’t have sweet, sweet caffeine, I would probably just let it sit in my fridge. Forever, forever ever.

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: 12 fl oz can
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 20 calories, 0 grams of fat, 490 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugar (includes 2 grams of added sugar), 0 grams of protein, and 150 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies

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Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies box

Girl Scout Cookie Season is upon us! The lineup expands to 11 total varieties this year with the addition of Exploremores. Girl Scouts describe this new cookie as Rocky Road ice cream-inspired, featuring chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond crème.

First impression: two sleeves in the box. Thin Mints energy, which gets me hype because they’re a classic favorite of mine.

Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies sleeves

As soon as I open the package, I notice a strong marshmallow aroma. The cookies look just like the photo on the box (love when expectations match reality). They twist apart like an Oreo, which feels intentional given the sandwich-cookie setup.

Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies wafers

Flavor-wise, the almond stays extremely subtle. I don’t get toasted nuttiness or aggressive almond extract notes. Honestly, I almost wonder if I’m imagining it. Double chocolate dominates. Not deep, dark cacao energy. More of a classic chocolate cookie vibe.

Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies creme top view

Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies creme side view

The marshmallow shows up more in the smell than in the taste. The crème layer runs much thinner than an Oreo’s, so don’t expect that thick, fluffy middle.

Sweetness lands right in the standard Girl Scout range. It tastes balanced and actually less sweet than a Samoa, which I appreciate.

Girl Scouts Exploremores Cookies in milk

I dunk one in milk to see if it enhances the almond or unlocks more Rocky Road vibes. It doesn’t. The milk amplifies the marshmallow note instead, and I prefer the cookie plain.

Texture-wise, the cookie feels softer than an Oreo. Think chocolate Teddy Grahams rather than that crisp cookie snap.

Within the full Girl Scout lineup, I like it. Just don’t expect full Rocky Road in cookie form. Go in thinking double chocolate sandwich cookie and you’ll be set. It doesn’t dethrone my personal favorites, but I appreciate what it adds to the roster.

Purchased Price: $6
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 cookies – 26g) 130 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: M&M’s Bakery Collection

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M&M's Bakery Collection wrappers

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

M&M's Bakery Collection Lemon Meringue Pie shells

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.

M&M's Bakery Collection Lemon Meringue Pie center

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

M&M's Bakery Collection Cherry Chocolate Cupcake shell colors

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

M&M's Bakery Collection Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll shell colors

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.

M&M's Bakery Collection Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll innards

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

REVIEW: McDonald’s Big Arch (US)

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McDonald's Big Arch box

After globetrotting through Canada and several European countries over the past few years, McDonald’s Big Arch has finally landed in the US for a limited time. Okay, there was a layover at the McDonald’s headquarters restaurant in Chicago last year. Either way, it has more passport stamps than me, and now it’s available to everyone across the country.

The highly anticipated burger features two quarter-pound beef patties, white cheddar, slivered onions, crispy onions, pickles, lettuce, and a Big Arch Sauce on a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun.

McDonald's Big Arch bun with sesame and poppy seeds

Just opening the box and seeing that bun made this feel like an elevated experience. I’m used to the standard sesame seed bun on most McDonald’s burgers, but the black poppy seeds gave it a premium feeling. They don’t add much flavor, but they make a strong first impression.

McDonald's Big Arch two 1/4 lb patties

Think of the Big Arch as the Big Mac’s younger, but more sophisticated sibling — a Big Mac that went abroad, and came back to the States more refined, mature, and cultured, and clearly hit Planet Fitness three times a week while it was away. Its size alone makes the Big Mac look, well, less big. Though for all its refinement, it still has the bad habit of leaving toppings scattered across the bottom of the clamshell box, just like its older sibling.

McDonald's Big Arch lettuce, sauce, pickles, and onions

As for the flavor, it’s Big Mac-ish, thanks to the familiar combination of beef, pickles, onions, lettuce, and cheese. The creamy, slightly sweet Big Arch Sauce reminds me of French dressing with the tang dialed back, and it works beautifully with the pickles and onions, much like Big Mac Sauce does. The crispy onions add a pleasant crunch and a mild onion bite, though I’d say the slivered onions do most of the heavy flavor lifting. The white cheddar is milder than the orange American slices in a Big Mac, but its cheesiness still comes through among all the other toppings. Although there’s a lot of beef, every ingredients shares a bit of the spotlight, making each bite well-balanced, and I can taste why this burger was a hit abroad.

McDonald's Big Arch split

While it tastes great, the Big Arch isn’t something I’d order regularly if it became a permanent menu item. At 1,020 calories and as the most expensive burger my local McDonald’s currently offers, it’s firmly in splurge territory. If it were brought back periodically, like the McRib, I’d order it every time it returns.

It’s also worth asking: does it actually need two patties? The photos in this review are from the second Big Arch I ordered, which I had to purchase because the first one I bought had only one patty. Even with just one, I walked away completely satisfied with the meatiness and the overall flavor. A single-patty version would bring both the price and the nutrition numbers down to something far less intimidating, and, just like the Quarter Pounder, McDonald’s could always offer a double-patty version for those who want more meat.

Either way, McDonald’s Big Arch is a delicious burger, and I’m glad I don’t need to pull out my passport to try one.

Purchased Price: $8.99*
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 1,020 calories, 65 grams of fat, 25 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of trans fat, 175 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,760 milligrams of sodium, 59 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar (including 10 grams of added sugar), and 53 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

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