REVIEW: Cool Whip Mix-Ins Oreo and Double Chocolate Brownie

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Cool Whip Mix Ins Oreo

I’m not exactly sure whose daughter I am, because my mom doesn’t like Cool Whip and my dad barely eats dessert.

But since my sweet tooth is always raging (well, that and the fact I gave up sweets at my office for Lent so anything at home was still fair game), I was super excited to find these new Cool Whip Mix-Ins at the grocery store. I’ve always been a fan of frozen section whipped topping, not the stuff that sprays out of the can, so I got some vanilla ice cream and put the Mix-Ins to the test.

We’ll start with the Oreo, which set the bar super high. I first tried each straight from the container before adding them to the ice cream. Oreo had an extremely authentic Oreo flavor – it didn’t taste artificial at all. When I gave my husband a taste, he likened it to an “Oreo without all the cavities” since the Cool Whip is super light. You definitely get a taste of cookie chunks in there.

Cool Whip Mix Ins Oreo 2

This was a new concept to me, since I’m normally not used to something IN my Cool Whip, but on top of it (i.e. sprinkles or chocolate sauce). I really liked the added texture, and the cookie chunks brought the chocolate flavor of the Oreo. It almost tasted like a mousse that I would eat by itself, without adding it to anything. Don’t be surprised if you find me alone with a spoon and this container…that’s how much I enjoyed it.

Cool Whip Mix Ins Double Chocolate Brownie

Double Chocolate Brownie was good, don’t get me wrong, but it just wasn’t as delightful as the Oreo. The best part of this flavor was the brownie bites — so soft, chewy, rich and chocolate-y. But the Cool Whip itself was lackluster — just a simple chocolate with an artificial taste.

Cool Whip Mix Ins Double Chocolate Brownie 2

You know when you crack open a peanut shell only to find a mediocre-sized peanut inside? That’s the way I felt with the Double Chocolate Brownie. I was hoping for the whole package, but only got the chunks. It was because of the brownie chunks that I gave it as high of a rating as I did, because they were so good. I would have liked the Cool Whip itself to be that great, not just the mix-in.

Cool Whip Mix Ins Double Chocolate Brownie 3

On top of ice cream, both flavors added a nice touch. But I’m standing by my proclamation that I rather just eat this straight from the container. I’m not much of a cook in the kitchen, but I think an icebox cake with the Oreo Cool Whip is in my future.

(Nutrition Facts – 2 Tbsp – Oreo – 35 calories, 2 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein. Double Chocolate Brownie – 40 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 10 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of sugars, and 0 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $2.19 each
Size: 8 oz. tubs
Purchased at: Giant Eagle
Rating: 10 out of 10 (Oreo)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Double Chocolate Brownie)
Pros: Good enough to eat on its own or on top of another dessert. Authentic Oreo flavor, epic brownie chunks.
Cons: Artificial chocolate whip.

FAST FOOD NEWS: Jack in the Box Cholula Hot Sauce Buttery Jack

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Jack in the Box Cholula Hot Sauce Buttery Jack

Update: We reviewed it! Click here to read our review.

Impulsive Buy reader Robbie sent in this photo from a Jack in the Box in the San Antonio area. There currently isn’t anything about it on the Jack in the Box website, so it’s either a test or regional item. Update: It’s now on the Jack in the Box website.

It has a 1/4 lb beef patty, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, a double dose of Cholula Hot Sauce, and crispy jalapeños on a gourmet bun.

The burger has 770 calories, 46 grams of fat, 22 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1170 milligrams of sodium, 53 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 37 grams of protein.

There’s also Cholula Fries that’s topped with white cheese, and Cholula Hot Sauce. That has 580 calories, 38 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 1100 milligrams of sodium, 53 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.

If you’ve tried either one, let us know what you think in the comments.

REVIEW: Arby’s Gyro Loaded Curly Fries

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Arby s Gyro Loaded Curly Fries

After venison sandwiches, the monstrous Meat Mountain, and a mustard-slathered Cuban, I suppose the old Athenian route was one of the few remaining avenues left for Arby’s to explore.

Enter the Gyro Loaded Curly Fries, a limited-time-only companion piece to Arby’s armada of Greek-themed seasonal items such as the Greek Gyro Salad and the, uh, just plain old Gyro.

Arby’s proprietary Curly Fries, I suppose, need no introduction. We all know how fantastic they are. This newfangled edition ups the ante with a nice mixture of traditional gyro ingredients, including Tzatziki sauce, red onions, diced tomatoes and, of course, a heaping helping of gyro meat (which, in this instance, is a combination of beef and lamb.)

Two things make this dish stand out. First, the spices are really good. Of course, since I don’t work there I have no idea what the local Arby’s is putting in these things, but my well-traveled taste buds picked up all sorts of flavors that are more than atypical for a fast food haunt, including what appears to be cumin and coriander. For something you can pick up via a drive-thru window, this thing tastes astonishingly comparable to “real” Greek cuisine.

Secondly, the Tzatziki sauce is outstanding. My big fear was that it would be either too weak and watery or too thick and overpowering, but give the meat maestros at Arby’s some credit, they came pretty darn close to striking a nearly perfect balance on this one. It’s extremely unlikely, but I’d love to see this delicious yogurt become a permanent addition to the sauce bar.

Your mileage will vary on the quality of the meat. The slivers are a little chewier than you’d expect, and the very well seasoned exterior might be a turn off to those of you with blander appetites. I guess my biggest gripe is that the chunks of gyro meat are just too small and too few and far in-between the fries. Really, you’d need to get a double order of meat for the meat-to-fries ratio to come out even, so do keep that in mind before you flip open your wallet.

Arby s Gyro Loaded Curly Fries 2

The tomatoes and red onions are kind of an afterthought. The former are so small and inconsequential that you barely taste them and the latter are probably a wee bit too big and overpowering compared to the rest of the dish. Simply put, the fries and the onions just don’t gel at all in terms of taste and mouthfeel, no matter how much sauce you add into the mix. I’d recommend skipping the onions altogether, but hey – that’s just my personal preference.

On the whole, this is a much better than anticipated side item. It’s filling and feels fresh. Of course, it’s not for all tastes, but as long as you’ve got a penchant for spicier offerings, you’ll probably get a kick out of these specially dressed Curly Fries.

(Nutrition Facts – 820 calories, 530 calories from fat, 49 grams of total fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 1,650 milligrams of sodium, 57 grams of total carbohydrates, 6 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of sugars, and 14 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $2.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: The seasonings are superb. The Tzatziki sauce is surprisingly rich. Lamb and Curly Fries go together way better than we ever could’ve possibly imagined.
Cons: The onions are a bit much. The slices of meat are a tad too small. Having to listen to the cashier refer to it as a “GUY-RO” instead of a “YEAR-OH”…repeatedly.

QUICK REVIEW: Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Blizzard

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Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Blizzard

Let’s get this out of the way. Dairy Queen’s April Blizzard of the Month, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, does NOT contain cookie dough that is peanut butter flavored. Rather, peanut butter topping is blended with vanilla soft serve and filled with chocolate chip cookie dough and choco chunks.

While I’m not the brightest tool in the shed, I expected peanut butter cookies and not merely “topping.” It’s not unlike the unfulfilled promise of the Star Wars prequels. Sure, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace has both “stars” and “wars”, but many expecting to see the “Star Wars” of the beloved original trilogy were sorely disappointed.

Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Blizzard 2

That said, the chocolate chip cookie dough and choco chunks work well together. The chunks add a pleasant snap and welcome contrast to the buttery base and soft, gritty cookie dough pieces.

The real draw though is the top-billed combo with peanut butter. The topping description is apt as it creates a uniform and smooth peanut butter ice cream with only a rare vanilla heavy bite. It’s not overly potent, but with no concentrated gobs of the luscious legume, that is to be expected.

Dairy Queen Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Blizzard 3

Despite worshiping at the altar of Mr. Peanut, I feel, though tasty, the peanut butter topping flavored ice cream clashes with the mix-ins. The cookie dough, in particular, is slightly masked whereas the standard cookie dough Blizzard is enhanced by the complementary fudge.

In the end, I suspect chocolate chip cookie dough fans will be disappointed that the flavor is muted. Conversely, peanut butter lovers will wish they had fulfilled the tantalizing promise of the name by using peanut butter cookie dough. What we are left with is something Jar Jar would say “isa okeeday, no bombad and missa thinkin some people ganna be little bitty underwhelmt.”

Purchased Price: $3.59
Size: Small
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Small) 730 calories, 31 grams of fat, 17 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 50 milligrams of cholesterol, 360 milligrams of sodium, 99 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 76 grams of sugar, and 14 grams of protein..

REVIEW: Hostess Peanut Butter Ding Dongs

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Hostess Peanut Butter Ding Dongs

Sometimes, life presents small, yet pressing emergencies that must be addressed at once: the printer is out of ink, your car engine’s sputtering fumes, your roommate ate all the popsicles on the first 80-degree day of spring (always share the popsicles!).

These are the everyday, yet highly significant crises, the things that cannot wait for some imagined perfect time on your agenda. And today? That crisis is the craving for peanut butter and chocolate. To ignore this need would be reprehensible, so let us not dilly-dally. Onward! To the snack cake!

Hostess Peanut Butter Ding Dongs 2

I have tried all the snack cakes – the rolls, the crispies, the fluffies, the strange holiday shapies — and, I dare say, this iteration is quite pleasant. While not nouveau or flashy by any means, this humble pastry circle does good on its promise to highlight the cake’s prima donna: chocolate and peanut butter.

Biting in, there’s an ample floof of creamy peanut butter filling much akin to peanut butter-fied frosting from the tub. Surrounding it is a milk chocolate-y coating that’s been drizzled together with peanut butter confection, which has enough nutty, cocoa-y chime to remind me why I shovel Reese’s into my mouth like a Hungry Hippo.

The chocolate portion of the coating is a tad thin, yet quite tasty. Sure, it’s not Ghirardelli by any stretch of the imagination, but it brings flavors of fudge, milk chocolate, chocolate frosting to the fore and, like all the Hostess goods of my youth, combines into an experience that is deliciously familiar and so crammed with sugar, I probably have enough energy to perform Riverdance blindfolded right now.

Now, the cake is another story. Maybe I got a crummy batch, but when it comes to being light and fluffy, this pastry has hitched a one-way ticket on the struggle bus. It’s dense, flavorless, and nothing more than ho-hum. That said, I didn’t expect some extravagant cake straight from the ovens of the Great British Bake-Off, especially when a pack of two is only 50 cents.

The cake’s really just a neutral vehicle to hold all the chocolate and peanut butter together, which it does quite well and for a super inexpensive price. So if, and I’m just thinking ahead, you know, thinking of us, you were to buy, say, 29 packs, it may prove to be one of the best decisions you’ve made in 2018.

Hostess Peanut Butter Ding Dongs 3

If you’ve ever been charmed (understandably) by a Reese’s, these are not going to replace the confection in the chocolate-and-peanut-butta-lovin’ pocket of your soul, but if you’d like a pretty good, no-nonsense snack cake, these are chocolate-y, peanut butter-y, and sturdy enough that you can add ice cream and they will not turn to mush.

Simple and to-the-point, they require little thought other than ripping open a little tag of cellophane and even make a nice breakfast on a Wednesday. And don’t we all deserve a nice breakfast on a Wednesday?

(Nutrition Facts – 2 cakes – 350 calories, 160 calories from fat, 18 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 36 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: 50 cents
Size: 2-pack
Purchased at: 99-Cent Store
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Chocolate coating. Peanut butter drizzle in coating. Frosting-like peanut butter floof inside. Reason to use “floof” in everyday language. Clogging Riverdance blindfolded.
Cons: Dense, flavorless cake. Could have greater ratio of chocolate coating. Discovering you’re out of printer ink. Roommates who eat all the popsicles without asking.

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