Category: Reviews

REVIEW: Biscoff Sandwich Cookies

Elaine

Lotus Biscoff Sandwich Cookies

What are Biscoff Sandwich Cookies?

Lotus took its iconic airline Biscoff cookie, made them into smaller circles, and then combined two of them with a filling (Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, or Biscoff Cream).

If you are not familiar with these cookies, then I am guessing you have not been on a commercial flight since the 1980s. They are those delicious, crunchy, dark beige cookies with a thoughtful mix of spices and a caramelized taste that often get provided on flights. Does anybody else shyly ask for an extra package from the flight attendant?

How are they?

These retain the unique Biscoff taste and feel, which makes sense given the cookie to filling ratio. I am glad the distinctive characteristics of the cookie were not lost and these are as delightful as the original.

Lotus Biscoff Sandwich Cookies Wrappers

The aroma that came from opening all three packages was scrumptious and almost calming. Maybe it is just me, but the smell is reminiscent of being on an airplane, knowing that your plane has now reached its desired altitude, and cruising along safely for you to lean back and be kindly served cookies and coffee.

Lotus Biscoff Sandwich Cookies Closeup

First, I tried the vanilla one. Of all three filling varieties, it has the strongest taste and is consequently my least favorite. The filling tastes like vanilla frosting and is almost too sweet. If you love how the original Biscoff cookie is just sweet enough, but does not have the heavy sugary feeling as other desserts, you might not enjoy these. On the other hand, maybe the added sweetness and sugar to a crunchy cookie is your thing.

Next, I tried the chocolate one. This was my favorite. It is less sugary-sweet than the vanilla, but still offers a subtle addition of sweetness and flavor that complements the cookie well.

Lastly, I tried the Biscoff Cream filled one. Obviously, if you take Biscoff cookies, crush and cream them, and then put the cream inside two others, the end product is going to taste like a Biscoff cookie (which is great). Not surprisingly, these have more of the iconic taste than the other varieties in the lineup. However, unlike the original, these offer a soft texture that hits right after that lovely crunch.

It should be noted that Biscoff does not label the cream as cookie butter, and while the filling is still soft relative to the cookie, it does not have the same texture as what comes in a jar.

Update: I contacted Lotus’ customer service and they told me its cookie butter is being used as the filling.

Anything else you need to know?

Lotus Biscoff Sandwich Cookies Tops

These are not Oreo and should not be approached as an Oreo spin-off. I have different preferences and expectations for an Oreo vs. Biscoff. For example, I typically prefer more creme with my Oreo and was initially surprised by the smaller-than-expected amount of filling in this product.

However, the amount of filling is actually perfect and allows for an added mini bonus of texture and taste (with the vanilla and chocolate flavors) without taking away from the Biscoff flavor itself. The cookie is still the captain of the airplane, it is just now joined by a supportive first officer.

Conclusion:

Overall, these are just as delicious as the original Biscoff cookies. If you are looking for a little extra something to the already enjoyable treat, then the vanilla and chocolate flavors might be right for you. If you love the Biscoff taste, you may appreciate the texture difference with the cookie-flavored cream one.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free samples of the product from Walmart. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

Purchased Price: FREE (retails for $1.98)
Size: 150 grams (1 package)
Purchased at: Received from Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Vanilla), 10 out of 10 (Milk Chocolate), 9 out of
10 (Biscoff Cream)
Nutrition Facts: (3 cookies) Vanilla – 160 calories, 8 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 12 grams of total sugars, 12 grams of added sugars, and 1 gram of protein. Milk Chocolate – 150 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 12 grams of total sugars, 12 grams of added sugars, and 2 grams of protein. Biscoff Cream – 160 calories, 8 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 10 grams of total sugars, 10 grams of added sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard

Denis 3 Comments

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard

What is the Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard?

For those keeping track of such things, the Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard is technically the Blizzard of the Month for June, even though it was already part of the previously announced Summer Blizzard Menu, which launched on April 1, just 12 days after the start of spring.

DQ is marketing this one as “new,” although there are a few mentions online of it being available back in 2014. But getting back to the original question, even though I trust you could figure it out on your own, the Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard has Oreo cookie chunks and cheesecake pieces.

How is it?

Regardless of whether this Blizzard is truly new or not, it is truly good. It doesn’t have a fancy name, a superhero tie-in, or any unique ingredients like some of its Summer Blizzard Menu friends, but sometimes simpler is better.

Oreo cookies have been a staple of Blizzards since the frozen treat debuted in 1985 (although DQ apparently had a thick milkshake in the 1960s, also called a Blizzard) and cheesecake pieces have been a common component in recent years. So I can’t give DQ much credit for creativity here, but I’ll take great-tasting over great creativity any day.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard 3

I’m going to take a leap of faith and assume you all know what an Oreo taste like. If you like them and you like Blizzards, then the only issue here is what the cheesecake pieces bring to the party. Well, they are bringing a keg (and not Natural Light), a bunch of pizzas, and a high-end sound system because they are awesome and know how to party.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard 2

The chunks are sizable and plentiful, and their texture is a perfect contrast with the crunch of the Oreo. I almost named my dog Cheesecake, so you can be confident that I am fully qualified to judge the quality of cheesecake. And I really want to know where DQ gets its cheesecake pieces because they are perfectly sweet and creamy. The vanilla soft serve takes on a chocolate flavor from the pulverized pieces of Oreo, and it blends beautifully with the cheesecake. This is how the Queen of Dairy would want a Blizzard to be.

Anything else you need to know?

Kudos go out to my Door Dasher, who challenged the already outrageous pre-summer Texas heat and prevailed to deliver my Blizzard still fully frozen. He even gave it that trademark DQ upside down-flip as he left it at my doorstep. Fun fact: Kudos granola bars were introduced in 1986, one year after the Blizzard. Not so fun fact: Kudos are no longer being made, and I really want one, especially the kind with chocolate and M&M’s that was more candy bar than granola bar.

Conclusion:

This Blizzard is not royal or outrageous and doesn’t involve any kind of “quake” like some prior cheesecake versions, but it tastes great and has earned a spot as one of my favorites.

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: Medium
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Medium) 1,220 calories, 58 grams of fat, 24 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 740 milligrams of sodium, 159 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of dietary fiber, 115 grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.

REVIEW: DiGiorno Croissant Crust Pizza

Tiffany 11 Comments

DiGiorno Croissant Crust Pizza Pepperoni and Four Cheese

What is DiGiorno’s Croissant Crust Pizza?

DiGiorno has added a 10th crust line with its new Croissant Crust pizza. The Nestlé PR gurus tout that this innovation combines the goodness of a croissant with “It’s Not Delivery!” to create a unique twist. It launched with three different toppings: Pepperoni, Three Meat, and Four Cheese. But, I was only able to find two: Pepperoni and Four Cheese.

How is it?

Sometimes marketing speak is way too lofty. In this case, though, I do think it’s a unique twist. It’s not something that I’ve seen from the pizza delivery giants nor other frozen pizza brands. Another aspect that speaks to its uniqueness is that I didn’t have a frame of reference for what a croissant crust pizza should be like. However, unique and a 10 out of 10 rating are not synonymous.

DiGiorno Croissant Crust Pizza Crust Closeup Uncooked

They say you eat with your eyes first, and I immediately nitpicked at the lack of lamination on both. The uncooked layers looked more like a biscuit than a refined French croissant. Even in its pre-baked state, I picked up on a very buttery smell that reminded me of the way Pillsbury biscuit dough smells. While I was appreciative it wasn’t an artificial or overpowering movie theatre popcorn butter smell, it unfortunately further reinforced biscuit.

DiGiorno Pepperoni Croissant Crust Pizza

DiGiorno Four Cheese Croissant Crust Pizza

I was also a little peeved that there were ONLY 19 pieces of pepperoni. After the baking process, my perception changed because the 19 produced quite an amount of grease. So, the skimping worked out well. Four cheese, on the other hand, was the perfect amount of molten stringy goodness. I wouldn’t be able to tell you which “100% real” cheese is which to save my life, but it was enjoyable.

DiGiorno Croissant Crust Pizza Crust Closeup

A key win is that the crust created a firmer texture like an elementary school cafeteria pizza. I know that may sound like an off-putting comparison, but it conjures a lot of nostalgia for me. It also speaks to the fact that there was not a soggy crust in sight!

DiGiorno Croissant Crust Pizza Crust Closeup Side

It actually flaked nicely like a croissant, and surprisingly not like a biscuit. Also, when I was cutting it, I could hear a bit of the crispy crackly like the top of a croissant. The butter smell and taste were still prevalent, but with the harder and crispier texture, I was able to get past the biscuit context.

Anything else you need to know?

The mark of a solid pizza is how it tastes when it’s cold. These did lose a bit of the croissant flakiness, but the flavors were still there.

Conclusion:

At this price point, I’d place this in the Little Caesars $5 Hot & Ready realm. In most instances, I’d probably only pick this over a Hot & Ready if I had enough room in my small freezer, which unfortunately isn’t often enough.

Purchased Price: $5.99
Size: 25 oz. (Pepperoni), 25.3 oz. (Four Cheese)
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Pepperoni), 8 out of 10 (Four Cheese)
Nutrition Facts: (1/5 Pizza) Pepperoni – 380 calories, 20 grams of fat, 780 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of carbohydrates, 2 gram of dietary fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein. Four Cheese – 370 calories, 18 grams of fat, 680 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Lotus Biscoff KitKat Minis (United Arab Emirates)

Rachel 4 Comments

Lotus Biscoff KitKat Minis

What are Lotus Biscoff KitKat Minis?

Some absolute genius has combined KitKats (those wafer/chocolate bars you’re probably supposed to eat one stick at a time, but I take a giant bite out of all four sticks at once because I’m an animal) and Biscoff Spread (that amazing butter made from cookies, which I eat with a spoon, not my fingers because I’m an animal with manners).

Is there a snack foods innovation category for the Nobel Prize? There should be. And whoever dreamed this up should win. It’s so obvious – KitKats and Biscoff – but here it is 2020 and it’s only just born into the world.

Right now, Biscoff KitKats are available in the United Arab Emirates and some outlets in the U.K. They come in “Mini Moments” format (half of a chunky KitKat).

Lotus Biscoff KitKat Minis 2

How are they?

I was sure I’d love these, but there’s always a chance that when you put something on a high pedestal, it can’t live up. These lived up.

The chunky shape allowed for a nice slab of Biscoff above the wafer cookies. The texture of the Biscoff was a little thinner than the usual spread – you can usually get a bit of caramel-like “pull” from Biscoff in a jar. But that didn’t bother me at all. I didn’t notice the crunchiness mentioned on the wrapped, but again – didn’t care. The flavor was spot-on Biscoff – gingery, buttery, brown sugary. Delicious.

Lotus Biscoff KitKat Minis 3

Anything else you need to know?

It’s an absolute tragedy that these aren’t stateside yet. If you want to try them, you’ll have to track them down online.

Conclusion:

These were terrible. Categorically the worst. If you see them in stores here in the U.S., just walk away. If you see me at the store, loading them into a cart by the boxload, it’s because I’m going to burn them in a barrel behind my house. No, that’s NOT a Biscoff KitKat in my mouth. Stop asking questions.

Purchased Price: $2.99 per mini bar + shipping
Size: 17.5g mini bar
Purchased at: Mexican Candy Lady
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per mini bar) 93 calories, 5.2 grams of fat, 2.3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.8 grams of cholesterol, 1 milligram of sodium, 10.3 grams of carbohydrates, 0.5 grams of dietary fiber, 8.3 grams of total sugars, 7.2 grams of added sugars and 1.2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto

Marvo 3 Comments

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto

I’ve eaten a hibiscus flower before, but I can’t tell you what it tastes like. My hibiscus rosa-sinensis taste test happened in the 80s, when I was really young, naive, and could be dared to put almost anything in my mouth for the high price of one dollar.

While I can’t tell you what the flower is supposed to taste like, the internet can, and it says it has a tart cranberry-like flavor. So if Ocean Spray ever comes out with a cran-hibiscus drink, be skeptical of it.

Talenti’s Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto features, according to its jar, “Sweet strawberries and real hibiscus flowers are blended for a perfectly sweet and tart dairy-free sorbetto with a hibiscus swirl.”

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto Topless

Strawberry is the second ingredient listed, behind water, but the sorbetto also contains hibiscus powder AND hibiscus flower. However, it smells and tastes like strawberry is the second ingredient listed.

When I put my nose over the top of the pint, the aroma that wafts out is similar to what comes out whenever I open the bag of Kirkland Signature Frozen Strawberries in my freezer to make smoothies. All I taste with every spoonful of the sorbetto is something similar to a tart strawberry jam, but much lighter. I don’t get that cranberry-like flavor the internet tell me I’m supposed to taste. Even when I taste just the dark colored hibiscus swirl, all I get is strawberry with a bit more tartness than the rest of the pint.

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto Top 2

Since there’s no dairy, the texture isn’t creamy or dense, like gelato or ice cream. But it scoops easily, and the lack of dairy helps make it a light dessert that your belly won’t regret eating after a big meal. The pint also contains something that initially has a texture of seeds, but then melt away.

Although Talenti’s Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto tastes a bit one-note to me, its fruity flavor was enjoyable enough that I don’t need a dollar to encourage me to put it in my mouth.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 1 pint
Purchased at: Received from Talenti
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup) 150 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 34 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.