REVIEW: Dunkin’ Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte

/ / Reviews / 1 Comment

Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Sign

I’ll admit, I’m late to the brown sugar coffee game. It seems like a simple enough swap to have considered it sooner, but it never occurred to me over the years, even as I tried drinking my cup of joe with more adventurous sweeteners like honey and rich chocolate Ovaltine.

Once I finally learned of the warm and cozy depth it provided, I found myself visiting Starbucks more often for their brown sugar syrup. But this month, Dunkin’ one-upped its competitor with a baked good twist: brown sugar cookie syrup, which they’ve lovingly drizzled (I assume, since it doesn’t sound possible to hatefully drizzle brown sugar cookie syrup) into espresso and oat milk to create its new Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte.

Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Cup

Suspecting this was going to be something special, I was able to confidently order a medium at 2:28 pm knowing full well it was going to spoil my bedtime. I cracked off the lid to see if it smelled like brown sugar cookies and instead was met with something closer to caramel. Not a dealbreaker, so I took a sip.

Holy cow, it was tasty. Wait, oat milk, forget the cow. Holy whatever plant oats come from, it was tasty.

Dunkin Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte Top

The drink was rich, sweet, and creamy in all the ways one could want from a flavored iced latte. The syrup was perfectly sugary and had a pleasant cookie-like toastiness but I felt it lacked a hint of molasses that would really confirm the brown sugar flavor. Although, that syrup was so beautifully suspended in the oat milk that I couldn’t hold the lack of specificity against it. The flavor felt balanced throughout and lingered in my mouth after every sip, coating my tongue. After a few experiences with overly sweetened coffees at Dunkin’, this felt more restrained and never became too cloying, especially with the slight bitterness of the coffee and oat. I couldn’t help but recognize what a well-thought-out decision it was to add this syrup to oat milk as I took increasingly awed sips. I appreciated that Dunkin’ seemed to take the time to really pair a flavor with a dairy-free milk instead of adding it to a beverage just to say they used plant milk.

This was an overwhelmingly delicious iced latte that I would love to see permanently added to the menu. However, I think many would view this as a winter flavor, and a news release from Dunkin’ calls the Brown Sugar Oat Iced Latte a “comforting sip” that “warms the soul,” so… maybe snag it while you can. Whenever that may be, even if it’s late in the day; I can assure you it was totally worth spoiling my bedtime.

Purchased Price: $5.29
Size: Medium
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 240 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 49 grams of total carbohydrates, 30 grams of total sugars, 3 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: McDonald’s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double

/ / Reviews / 11 Comments

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Complete

Update: We also reviewed other Menu Hacks — the Surf + Turf and Land, Air & Sea.

I thought I knew all of the McDonald’s menu hacks before they were McDonald’s Menu Hacks. Land, Air & Sea and Surf + Turf, the other two non-breakfast hacks the chain is promoting, are two that I’ve seen before. But the Crunchy Double is a creation I’ve never come across.

To create it, you have to bring together a Double Cheeseburger with a six-piece Chicken McNuggets and Tangy BBQ. Yes, YOU have to build it.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Parts

Combining the two menu items appears to be simpler than the other two mentioned above — pull off the bottom bun, place a layer of McNuggets on it, pour the sauce on the nuggets, and then place the rest of the Double Cheeseburger on top of it. Despite my 20-piece jigsaw puzzle prowess, I was able to put only four of the six nuggets on the bun to make a layer. If you’re able to put five or six on the bun neatly, I bow down to you. Also, teach me your McNugget puzzle ways, sensei.

I didn’t expect a Double Cheeseburger with McNuggets and barbecue sauce stuffed in it would be anything special, but I was surprised by how much I loved it and how much its flavor and texture remind me of a “Western” cheeseburger or chicken sandwich. Sometimes the McNuggets’ seasoned coating comes through and overwhelms the beef patty’s flavor. But other times, it’s the beef that stands out.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Sauce

But when it comes to condiments, the Tangy BBQ takes the condiment reins from the ketchup and mustard in the Double Cheeseburger. It’s as if the red and yellow toppings weren’t even there, but the napkin I used to wipe my hands and mouth assured me they were there. As for the pickles, they add a sour tang that helps push the whole Western burger/chicken sandwich flavor.

McDonald s Menu Hacks Crunchy Double Split

But, my favorite aspect of the sandwich is the combination of the chopped onion’s flavor with the McNuggets’ crispy texture, which makes it seem like there are onion rings in the burger.

My least favorite part about the Crunchy Double is its name. I’ve never considered McNuggets to have a crunchy texture. Crispy? Yes. And I believe this so deeply that I accidentally typed or started typing “Crispy Double” every time I should’ve typed “Crunchy Double.” The only way this could truly be a Crunchy Double is if, instead of McNuggets, this had a layer of those small, pointy French fry end nubs that fall to the bottom of fry sleeves.

McDonald’s says Menu Hacks can only be ordered through its app. But, let’s be honest, they can be ordered via the drive-thru, in the restaurant, or even through the app, but instead of ordering a Crunchy Double, you just have to order a Double Cheeseburger and a six-piece McNuggets with Tangy BBQ. It’s the same price no matter how you order it.

I’m glad I now know about McDonald’s Crunchy Double. It was worth putting together.

Purchased Price: $5.98
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 740 calories, 39 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1890 milligrams of sodium, 60 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 16 grams of sugar, and 39 grams of protein.

SPOTTED: Hershey’s Vanilla Frosting Kisses

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 3 Comments

Hershey s Vanilla Frosting Kisses

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

Those foil wrappers would make great tablecloths for a dollhouse. The milk chocolate filled Kisses with vanilla frosting flavored creme that are in those wrappers would make a great candy to put in the middle of a cookie. (Spotted by Scott W at Stop & Shop.)

COMING SOON: New 2022 Starbucks Ready-to-Drink Coffee Beverages

/ / Coming Soon / 3 Comments

For 2022, Starbucks has a swath of new ready-to-drink coffee beverages that’ll be rolling out later this year to local grocery stores, national retailers, and convenience stores as well as online.

Stboatcbdc

If you’re into oatmilk, a few new products will be available. Starbucks Cold Brew Dark Chocolate Oatmilk features creamy oatmilk and rich dark chocolate flavors. It’s already heading to shelves in 40-ounce bottles with a $4.99 suggested retail price. Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino Coffee Drink with Oatmilk will come in two flavors — Caramel Waffle Cookie and Dark Chocolate Brownie.

Stboatfrapbot

Stbcbontappro

If you’re into boxed cold brew, the brand is bagging and putting into a box its Cold & Crafted coffee drink that features no preservatives, lower sugar, and less calories than other coffee drink options. Starbucks Cold & Crafted on Tap is a 72 fl oz offering with a $15 suggested retail price. It’ll be available later this year in two flavors — Black Unsweetened and Coffee with a Splash of Milk.

Stbncbzero

If you’re into coffee that comes in aluminum cans, Starbucks will be adding a new flavor to two existing coffee drink lines. The canned Nitro Cold Brew line, which made its debut in 2020, will be getting a new Splash of Sweet Cream flavor ($3.69 SRP), and the Tripleshot Zero Sugar line, which also debuted in 2020, will be adding a Milk Chocolate variety.

Stbpasshaztir

Finally, if you’re into coffee drinks inspired by world travel, there’s the new Hazelnut Tiramisu flavor that’s part of Starbucks’ Bottled Frappuccino Passport Series ($3.40 SRP). It follows last year’s Chocolate Churro flavor.

(Images via Starbucks.)

SPOTTED: Little Debbie Snack Cake Ice Cream Flavors

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 5 Comments
Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Ice Cream
Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Ice Cream
Little Debbie Honey Buns Ice Cream
Little Debbie Honey Buns Ice Cream
Little Debbie Nutty Bars Ice Cream
Little Debbie Nutty Bars Ice Cream
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies Ice Cream
Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies Ice Cream
Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls Ice Cream
Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls Ice Cream
Little Debbie Swiss Rolls Ice Cream
Little Debbie Swiss Rolls Ice Cream
Little Debbie Zebra Cakes Ice Cream
Little Debbie Zebra Cakes Ice Cream

Poor Little Debbie Fig Bars and Pecan Spinwheels! They didn’t get their own ice cream flavors. If you’d like description of these pint that got made, check out our Coming Soon post about them. (Spotted by Rachel C at Walmart.)

Scroll to Top