REVIEW: Little Debbie Banana Puddin’ Creme Pies

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Little Debbie Banana Puddin’ Creme Pies box

There are two types of people in this world: people who love artificially flavored banana foodstuffs, and people who are just wrong. Over time, however, I learned to align myself with these banana haters. Their distaste, in the simplest sense, means more for me. More Banana Laffy Taffy. More Banana Runts. If it’s banana-flavored and you don’t want it, I’ll take it.

Therefore, I was very excited to see Little Debbie’s new Banana Puddin’ Creme Pies. Though Debbie doesn’t generally stray much from her usual lineup of tried-and-true offerings, she has been known—on a rare occasion—to get a little frisky in the kitchen. And while I’ve never found these dalliances to be very good, they’re always worth a couple of bucks.

I should have stifled my enthusiasm and saved my money.

Little Debbie Banana Puddin’ Creme Pies' not very good wafers

Opening the package, I had hope. The artificial banana aroma is strong, but that’s where the magic begins and ends. The outer sandwich layer—meant to mimic the classic banana pudding inclusion of ‘Nilla Wafers—had sufficient vanilla taste, but the cake itself was dry and lifeless, like a slightly mushy rice cake or a moistened piece of cheap toast. It’s been a while since I had Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies, but those cakes—in my mind, at least—are moist and maybe even pleasantly greasy, true little discs of sugared beauty. These spongy cakes, on the other hand, were only slightly better than the thin layer of banana-flavored grit paste in the middle. The artificial banana flavor was present in the paste—I’ll die before I call this a “creme” or “cream” or anything remotely close—but it was beaten into submission by the bland tastes and textures around it.

Little Debbie Banana Puddin’ Creme Pies' artificial banana creme filling

The idea of a handheld banana pudding creme pie is a good one, and I encourage restaurateurs to try their hands at the Southern-inspired sweet. Debbie, however, should stick to what she does best—Fudge Rounds, Oatmeal Creme Pies, and the other things that’ve been around for oh, half a century or more. She’s never been much of an innovator, and sometimes, there’s no shame in giving up.

Purchased Price: $3.18
Size: 9.57 oz box/8 sandwiches
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cake) 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 14 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Kellogg’s Cocoa Loops Cereal

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Kellogg’s Cocoa Loops Cereal box

While some cereals churn out new varieties all the time, Toucan Sam has mostly been content to stay in his lane, or should I say loop, for sixty years. There have occasionally been marshmallows added, or the rings swapped for hearts for Valentine’s Day, but the fruity essence has remained largely the same until now. A new iteration, Cocoa Loops, has arrived on shelves and is slated to be a permanent addition to the Kellogg’s lineup. This feels overdue, but perhaps it took this long to perfect things?

The box features a delighted Sam along with his niece and nephews, stirring up some liquidy-looking chocolate batter that looks like it should become brownies, but the crew is somehow able to use their feather-fingers to form it into tiny hoops. There’s a pleasant cocoa scent upon opening the bag, not overwhelming but enough to let you know it’s a chocolate cereal. When eaten on its own, the cocoa flavor doesn’t come through as much as I’d like, and I don’t enjoy the chalky experience of eating it dry.

Kellogg’s Cocoa Loops Cereal dry

Cereal is one of the easiest foods to assemble, since it basically only requires you to pour it into a bowl and add milk. But I know there are a lot of people out there who, due to laziness or personal preference, sometimes skip the milk component. If you’re looking for a cereal to snack on by the handful, keep looking cause this isn’t it. But that’s not a deal breaker, let’s try it with milk!

Kellogg’s Cocoa Loops Cereal in milk

Cocoa Loops fares so much better with this addition. When given the chance to mingle with milk for a few moments, the corn and oat-based loops soften to a nice texture and aren’t quick to sog. The chocolate flavor is more pronounced, and it’s a big improvement, but I still don’t think I’d choose it over already established chocolate favorites in the aisle. The box declares that it “makes milk chocolatey!”, and as with most chocolate cereals, if you truly want to experience chocolate milk flavor and not just milk that’s a slightly darker shade, you’ll have to let that bowl sit around for a while.

Kellogg’s Cocoa Loops Cereal back of box

I’m unsure if it’s intentionally goofy in the name of being “loopy,” but I have to mention some bizarre aspects of the box art. We have one nephew sounding like a Bluey knockoff by introducing himself as Pluey, and according to a heart-shaped craft project on the kitchen shelf, these kids refer to their uncle as “Uncle Toucan Sam”. I get that they can’t call him Uncle Sam without sounding like they’re talking about the familiar red, white, and blue-clad figure, but something about this moniker seems strange and redundant. Cocoa Loops with milk are a perfectly acceptable but not especially remarkable cereal. Without milk, I think these are for the birds.

Purchased Price: $6.99
Size: 9.2 oz box
Purchased at: Mariano’s
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 ¼ cup) 140 calories, 2 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of total carbohydrates, 4 grams of dietary fiber, 12 grams of total sugars, and 2 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.

REVIEW: Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips

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Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips bag

Ya know, I’ve never actually had Mexican Street Corn.

Growing up near NYC, I’ve eaten many street pretzels, various street meats, street nuts… and while I’m talking about the literal gutter, I’d kindly ask to keep your mind out of it. Street gum is another big one! There’s a veritable rainbow of delicious street gum on every block, and it’s there for the picking, Buddy the Elf buffet-style.

However, Elote eludes me. I just never WANT corn on the cob, especially if I don’t have floss nearby. All that said, I’ll absolutely demolish some Elote-flavored snacks. I love Mexican food, and I love that Elote flavor profile, so when I saw Tostitos dropped a Mexican Street Corn chip, I hit the streets in search of them.

These chips probably mark the seventh or eighth “Mexican Street Corn” flavored snack I’ve tried, and they’ve all been good. If I had to choose the best, it would be Trader Joe’s “Organic Elote” Corn Chip Dippers. I’d rank these Tostitos just below those.

Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips masa label

Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips masa explanation

What you get here are restaurant-style tortilla chips made with whole corn kernel masa, the “traditional way.” I don’t know the exact Aztecan process, but I can tell you that these are larger and denser than a typical Tostito. You get some “thiccc boys,” as no one still says.

Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips are thicc

I wanted to guess the ingredients before reading the label and landed on a hint of “Hint of Lime,” mixed with a soft cheese/queso-adjacent flavor (representing the cotija), mixed with maybe some sour cream, and a chili-like powder providing a flash of heat. In the end, I almost nailed it.

Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips seasoning

Seriously, you can envision a little bit of every flavored Tostito that came before this while chomping down on one of these massive triangles – Hint of Lime, Queso, Salsa Verde, Black Bean and Garlic – their spirits live in these chips. If I had to describe the flavor, I would call these Tostitos All Dressed.

These pack so much flavor that they’re almost a Dorito. You get savory, tangy, and spicy all in one. It’s everything you’d want from Mexican Street Corn without the strings of the cob stuck in your teeth.

I had a stack with turkey chili, and they were money. I’d imagine they’d be versatile enough to work with literally any of the Mexican-style dips on the shelf.

All that said, there is one thing that bugged me a bit.

Tostitos Mexican Street Corn Tortilla Chips closeup

I don’t usually harp on the nutrition of the snacks I review because it’s junk food, no one’s under the impression it’s healthy… but I gotta say, these things are highly caloric. Six chips are 140 calories. For context, Nacho Cheese Doritos are twelve for 150, so while six of these chips are basically the size of a taco shell, try not to indulge too much.

The “big game” is over. If it weren’t, I would tell you to grab a bag along with every dip you can find. But ya know what? There will be more big games that call for big chips. Hit the streets.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: 11 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (6 Chips) 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 140 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of total carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of total sugars, 1 gram of dietary fiber, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry’s Sundaes (PB Blondie Bestie, Straw-Bae Shortcake, and Mocha Mood Pie)

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Ben & Jerry's Sundaes 2026 all three new flavors

After finally bringing the popular European pre-packed Sundae line to eager ice cream fans in the States last year, Ben & Jerry’s is back in the creation kitchen with three new classic dessert-inspired flavors to kick off 2026. With the initial release, I found these 14.4-ounce containers of ice cream and mix-ins, topped with a light whipped topping and a textural flourish, to be quite successful, and this year’s lineup has a lot of promise, too.

PB Blondie Bestie

PB Blondie Bestie top with whipped topping, caramel, and mini PB cups

Peanut butter ice cream with blonde brownies and graham cracker swirls, topped with caramel-swirled whipped topping and mini peanut butter cups.

If this description reads like pure decadence, you’re right, and it is absolutely delicious. As much as I love peanut butter, the Ben & Jerry’s peanut butter base has never been one of my personal favorites, but it’s especially successful here when paired with the caramel-swirled whipped topping. The extra sweetness from the caramel and the whipped topping’s lightness bring out qualities to the PB base that really work in its favor.

Spoonful of PB Blondie Bestie with PB base and blondie brownies

When you combine the base with the triple threat of Ben & Jerry’s three best mix-ins, you’re in for a real treat. The blonde brownies are dense, chewy, and buttery with a golden flavor that works perfectly with the peanut butter, while the graham brings some crunch and extra salty-sweet to the spoon. Top that off with ample crunchy mini peanut butter cups, and this sundae is nearly impossible to stop eating. It’s among the best in the line and one to seek out for peanut butter lovers immediately.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup, 129g) 470 calories, 25 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 340 milligrams of sodium, 58 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 35 grams of total sugars, and 6 grams of protein.

Straw-Bae Shortcake

Straw-Bae Shortcake top with strawberry-swirled whipped topping and shortcake crumble

Sweet cream ice cream with shortbread cookies and strawberry swirls, topped with strawberry-swirled whipped topping and shortcake crumble.

For those who have eaten a lot of Ben & Jerry’s (guilty), this is a pretty familiar flavor profile, and I think it is the most successful iteration of it in pint form yet. The sweet cream ice cream provides a smooth backdrop to the sweet and acidic strawberry swirled throughout. Those two components are very classic, like a sleeve of sundaes bought for a little league team to be eaten with wooden spoons.

Straw-Bae Shortcake spoonful with sweet cream ice cream with shortbread cookies and strawberry swirls

But what really makes this flavor work better than before is the saltiness from the shortbread cookies and crumble. The buttery cookies, with a touch of salt, add more contrast and a much-needed depth to this simple, throwback profile. While it’s not quite as revelatory as the Strawberry Cheesecake Bar from January, which also utilizes salt to enhance the sweetness, it’s a great spin on a mellow fruit-forward bite that will satisfy those who want something a little less rich.

Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup, 122g) 300 calories, 13 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 41 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 35 grams of total sugars, and 4 grams of protein.

Mocha Mood Pie

Mocha Mood Pie top with fudge-swirled whipped topping and fudge chips

Chocolate cold brew ice cream with chocolate cookies and chocolate cookie swirls, topped with fudge-swirled whipped topping and fudge chips.

This is another flavor profile that’s pretty familiar to well-versed Ben & Jerry’s fans, but this one has a twist: a brand new base. The chocolate cold brew ice cream is chocolate-forward, with a smooth, bittersweet coffee finish that isn’t as punchy as the original cold brew bases of the past but is very complementary to the rich cocoa. At first, I thought I didn’t get much coffee, but the flavor builds as you keep eating, leaving a nice coffee-kissed aftertaste in the sea of chocolate.

Mocha Mood Pie spoonful with chocolate cold brew ice cream with chocolate cookies and chocolate cookie swirls

The mix-ins are classic B&J with the tandem of cookies and swirls bringing more rich, dense chocolate to the flavor party. Where this sundae really shines is the contrast the whipped topping offers — bringing lightness and sweetness to the heavy darkness beneath it, really elevating the concept of the sundae full tilt. The whipped topping has enough unique presence compared to the base that it’s almost like having a scoop of vanilla on top of the chocolate and coffee, making this another must-scoop for fans of the sundae lineup.

Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup, 127g) 370 calories, 21 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 130 milligrams of sodium, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 33 grams of total sugars, and 5 grams of protein.

DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary product samples from Ben & Jerry’s. Doing so did not influence my review.

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