REVIEW: Malt-O-Meal Cookies and Cream Cereal

Mark 4 Comments

Malt-O-Meal Cookies and Cream Cereal

In the late 90s, I can remember watching The New Addams Family on Fox Kids on summer afternoons, and there were lots of Oreo O’s commercials with Bessie the cow. Until last summer, it was the only cereal I ever knew of that had a Fourth of July version. But then, as you likely know, the cereal was discontinued in the States, and everyone was sad.

Luckily, Malt-O-Meal has brought it back! Except now it’s called Cookies and Cream.

One of the requirements for reviewing this cereal was that I had to miss Oreo O’s. In full disclosure, I missed Oreo O’s before it went away. After it had been out a few years, they decided to add marshmallows to it. Even as a chubby adolescent who cared nothing about nutrition, I thought that was too much sweetness.

Thankfully, this doesn’t have any marshmallows. When I first tasted a piece dry, it totally seemed familiar, as if I’d just had Oreo O’s last week. In reality it’s been nearly two decades. So, if you miss Oreo O’s, rejoice! This is as close as it’s going to get.

Malt-O-Meal Cookies and Cream Cereal 2

Pouring milk over them is really the way to eat it, and it tastes just like I remember. It’s one of those cereals where I feel like I could eat bowl after bowl. At the same time, though, there’s something not completely satisfying about it. Maybe it’s because it’s so airy and has giant holes in the middle, so it’s not terribly filling.

Malt-O-Meal Cookies and Cream Cereal 3

The leftover milk looks like cookies and cream ice cream and has a sweetness to it, but not the same level of chocolatiness you’d get from Cocoa Puffs or Count Chocula.

When I brushed my teeth immediately after eating the cereal, my toothpaste spittle also looked like cookies and cream ice cream. (I was going to include a picture but decided not to. You’re welcome.)

So if you want the Oreo O’s experience again, definitely pick this up. It’s a worthy replacement.

If, however, you’ve never had Oreo O’s, it’s less important for you to try this. It’s a tasty, passable cereal, but don’t expect it to be like other chocolate cereals. It’s basically cookie-flavored Froot Loops. Does it taste like Oreos? I don’t think so, but it is reminiscent of them. And one cup of cereal still has fewer calories than two Oreo cookies.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 cup (30 grams) – 120 calories, 10 calories from fat, 1 gram of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 0.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 45 milligrams of potassium, 26 grams of total carbohydrates, less than one gram of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein..)

Purchased Price: $5.48
Size: 34 oz. bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like Oreo O’s. No marshmallows. Leftover milk looks like cookies and cream ice cream. Fewer calories than actual Oreos. 90s nostalgia.
Cons: Not very filling. Rough on the roof of my mouth. More sugar than most name-brand cereals. Doesn’t taste like actual Oreo cookies.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Cadbury Chocolate Crunch & Creme Mini Eggs

Marvo 2 Comments

Cadbury Chocolate Crunch & Creme Mini Eggs

Watch out, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme Eggs! These are coming to make shoppers spend a few moments deciding which cookies ‘n cream candy eggs they should put in their shopping carts. (Spotted by Rachel C at Target.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

REVIEW: Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s

Rachel 3 Comments

Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s

The trouble with vanilla cupcake flavor is — just what IS it? Is it simply a marketing ploy because vanilla is “too boring” on its own? What exactly is added to a vanilla item to make it taste like a cupcake? If you asked me what a vanilla cupcake tastes like, I’d say vanilla – in which case, does it need any additions to make it taste like a cupcake? It feels like I’m lost in a hall of mirrors.

Enter Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s. I hoped they would solve this existential crisis for me, since Hershey’s Cupcake Kisses fell short on that task.

Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s 2

The purple & polka dot theme of the packaging is attractive, but I’m not sure I would’ve chosen the Green M&M character for this bag. Cupcakes are fun and silly – the “sexy” M&M (insert eye roll here) vamping seems out of place here. Yellow’s goofy personality would be a better fit. And it would fill my head with J.K. Simmons’ voice saying “Beecher, want a vanilla cupcake?”

The aroma inside the bag was 80 percent vanilla, 20 percent…something else. Something I imagine is meant to remind one of frosting, but comes off as a chemical-y approximation.

Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s 3

The intense pastel hues of these M&M’s made my eyes very happy. They definitely belong in a cute bowl on display next to a bouquet of spring flowers.

Inside, these are the white chocolate/candy coating base we’ve seen in other recent flavor releases like White Cheesecake and Boo-terscotch.

Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s 4

If given a blind taste test of these M&M’s, I would swear they were vanilla milkshake flavored. I picked up on the strong vanilla flavor and I got the milky white chocolate, but the essence of “cupcake” evaded me. The frosting-esque smell didn’t carry over to the taste buds, either.

Vanilla Cupcake M&M’s 5

So did these M&Ms fail at capturing that certain cupcake je ne sais quoi? Or were they right on target, since they tasted like vanilla – exactly as a vanilla cupcake would? I DON’T KNOW!

What I do know is they were delicious and I promptly ate the entire bag. If you like white chocolate M&M’s – and can ponder vanilla cupcake philosophy better than I – give these a go.

(Nutrition Facts – 1.5 oz – 210 calories, 100 calories from fat, 10 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 40 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 28 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein..)

Purchased Price: $2.55 (on sale)
Size: 8 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Beautiful, happy spring colors. Strong vanilla milk flavor.
Cons: A vanilla cupcake this is not. (Or is it?? My head hurts.)

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 2/17/2017

Marvo 8 Comments

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Sargento Sweet Balanced Breaks

Sargento Sweet Balanced Breaks 2

Sargento Sweet Balanced Breaks

I’d love to know what Sargento R&D has learned about foods that should never be paired with cheese. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Kellogg's Monster High and Monopoly Fruit Snacks

Kellogg’s Monster High and Monopoly Fruit Snacks

Kellogg's Despicable Me Fruit Snacks

Kellogg’s Despicable Me Fruit Snacks

Kellogg's Paw Patrol Fruit Snacks

Kellogg’s Paw Patrol Fruit Snacks

It wouldn’t surprise me if they all taste the same. It also wouldn’t surprise me if I type the same thing next year when Kellogg’s releases a bunch of new kids fruit snacks. (Spotted by Robbie at Target.)

Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ Sauce and Camp Fire Sauce

Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ Sauce and Camp Fire Sauce

TGI Fridays Sauces and Marinades

TGI Fridays Sauces and Marinades

Yes! I can enjoy the sauces of TGI Fridays without having to hear the sounds at a TGI Fridays. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Sonoma Creamery Bacon Cheddar Crisps

Sonoma Creamery Bacon Cheddar Crisps

(Spotted by Sylvia at Costco.)

Skinny Pop Popcorn Mini Cakes (Sharp Cheddar and Cinnamon & Sugar)

Skinny Pop Popcorn Mini Cakes (Sharp Cheddar and Cinnamon & Sugar)

(Spotted by Elizabeth L at Shaws.)

Nature's Child Strawberry Pudd'n Pouches

Nature’s Child Strawberry Pudd’n Pouches

I think this is an old product, but during my Google searches to double-check, it appears it’s new. Can someone in the comments just say it’s old, even if you have no idea if it is, just to ease my mind. (Spotted by Rachel C at Target.)

Siggi's Vanilla Whole Milk Drinkable Yogurt

Siggi’s Vanilla Whole Milk Drinkable Yogurt

There are also strawberry and blueberry flavors. (Spotted by Rachel C at Whole Foods.)

Quaker Popped Sea Salt & Lime Rice Crisps

Quaker Popped Sea Salt & Lime Rice Crisps

Quaker Garden Tomato & Basil Rice Cakes

Quaker Garden Tomato & Basil Rice Cakes

I should really give rice cakes another chance. Oooh, potato chips are on sale! (Spotted by Carla at Walmart.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Pepsi 1893 Citrus Cola and Black Currant Cola

Marvo 15 Comments

Pepsi 1893 Citrus Cola and Black Currant Cola

If Pepsi is making more 1893 flavors, it must’ve sold more than 1893 cases of their 1893 Original and Ginger Colas. (Spotted by Zach at Safeway.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.