REVIEW: Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze

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Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze cup

Ah, the holidays! A season of peppermint, eggnog… and, if recent product releases are to be believed, confetti? I guess it makes sense with so much to celebrate this time of year, and as someone whose wedding cake was Funfetti, I for one couldn’t be happier with this trend—especially Taco Bell’s Confetti Cookie Freeze.

When I think of Freeze flavors, I think fruity: strawberry, margarita, Baja Blast… so my attention was piqued by a flavor on the different side of the sugary spectrum, more “bakery counter” than “produce section”. I’ll admit, though, I was a little thrown by the premise of a “confetti cookie” rather than “confetti cake,” and a bit disappointed to realize that there would not be real chunks of cookies blended in there.

I wasn’t disappointed for long, though. After some light misadventures—an employee who forlornly informed me “We don’t have that right now… and we might never get it…,” a chilly mile-long walk to the next nearest Taco Bell, and a flurry of mild terror from the new trainee who took my order—the Confetti Cookie Freeze was in my gloved hands. Nothing like a cold drink on a cold night, eh? Well, when a drink is as delicious as this one, I’ll enjoy it any time.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze from above

The base is a vanilla slushie, which is swirled quite thoroughly with a “pink sugar cookie flavored syrup.” The Freeze is also studded with tiny round rainbow sprinkles, more for aesthetic than taste (when cold, they’re extremely hard, and I wouldn’t recommend chomping down directly on them). Though Taco Bell’s website states that this drink also includes “a swirl of creamy vanilla crème,” I couldn’t visually distinguish that from the white base. Visually, the whole thing is reminiscent of Mother’s Animal Cookies—which I, of course, mean as the highest compliment.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze sprinkles

It should come as no surprise to you that this drink is very sweet. However, I was surprised by how rich it tasted for something primarily consisting of ice. That’s where the crème comes in, lending some dairy-like smoothness to round out the grittiness of the slush. The pink syrup is also a powerhouse, reminding me of frosting with its powerful sugariness. Could those pillowy technicolor Lofthouse cookies be another inspiration? (Wow, I never realized how many different desserts are pink and sprinkled.) When I tried to ascribe a more specific flavor to the syrup, the idea of bubblegum briefly crossed my mind—perhaps because of the slight synthetic aftertaste, perhaps just because of the drink’s color—but that’s not quite right. Even if the sweetness is a bit generic, though, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Taco Bell Confetti Cookie Freeze sign

The Confetti Cookie Freeze is a creative, fresh idea that I was excited to see on Taco Bell’s menu. If you’re curious, go try it for yourself; like fallen confetti, I don’t think it’ll stick around long. But despite that, I have a feeling that, like the stray confetti pieces that you might unearth from the corners of your house months later, the sweet memories of this dessert will stick with me even longer.

Purchased Price: $4.34
Size: Regular (16 oz)
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 220 calories, 1 gram of fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 53 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cloud Latte

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Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cloud Latte with lid

After becoming a popular off-menu item last year, Dunkin’ has made the Cookie Butter Cloud Latte an official member of its 2025 holiday lineup. This is excellent news for us all because this delicious drink might be the best gift of the season, and now we don’t have to worry about ordering it wrong.

The iced latte mixes espresso with milk and cookie butter syrup and tops it with cookie butter cold foam and a sprinkling of cookie butter crumbles. In a year where cookie butter has spread all across the food landscape, it’s truly found its sweet spot with this beverage. If you’ve still never tried cookie butter but you have taken a flight in the last thirty years, you’re probably familiar with the warmly spiced flavor of speculoos cookies. Delightful year-round, they’re especially suited to winter and a perfect pairing with coffee.

Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cloud Latte close up of cookie crumbles

True to the name, this latte is capped with a cold foam that is wonderfully airy and cloud-like. It’s soft, gently spiced, and not overly sweet. While I’m sure a glance at the nutrition facts will tell me that I’m essentially drinking liquid sugar, it really doesn’t taste that way. The spoonful of crumbles that adorn the foam initially provides some crunchy textural contrast, but soon sinks into the cloud, something I myself would not mind doing. They soften to a sandy, without being gritty mouthfeel like a cookie perfectly dunked in milk.

Dunkin’ Cookie Butter Cloud Latte side view

Once the foam has sadly subsided, you’re left with my favorite sort of holiday coffee, which is one that actually tastes like coffee. So often these beverages can be over-the-top sweet and feel more like a melted sundae than a latte, but this stays firmly in the coffee zone. You can taste the espresso, and it’s nicely complemented by the creamy milk and buttery, brown sugar cookie notes. It smells and tastes just like you think the holidays should, with a warm spice blend that’s like a complex but less aggressive gingerbread. From the first whiff of the cookie bits and cold foam to the last sip, the aromas and flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and brown sugar make this drink taste like Christmas in a cup.

I don’t know who first decided that Biscoff cookies were the perfect in-flight snack (okay, the internet tells me it was Michael McGuire who tasted them in Europe and pitched the idea to Delta – Thanks, Europe and Mike!). But Dunkin’ has convinced me that its Cookie Butter Cloud Latte is the perfect holiday drink. Thanks to a recent promotion, I paid less than three dollars for this drink and liked it so much I had it three times in one week. At its regular price of $5.69, I probably won’t purchase it every day, but I would like to, because it’s that good. Dunkin’ gift cards are going straight to the top of my wishlist this year. Santa reads The Impulsive Buy, right?

Purchased Price: $2.22 (with a $2 deal in the app, regular price $5.69)
Size: Medium
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Medium Iced) 370 calories, 12 grams of total fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 56 grams of total carbs, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 56 grams of total sugar, and 9 grams of protein.

6 Other Things I Consumed This Week: 12/12/2025

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Yes Honey Sweet Apple Soda

Yes Honey Sweet Apple and Strawberry Sodas

These definitely taste like they’re sweetened with honey. I picked up the Sweet Apple one first, and when I tried it, I didn’t taste apple. All my taste buds could pick up was the honey, which Winnie the Pooh would be all over and shaking his honey pot-shaped belly in euphoria. But I really wanted more of apple.

Yes Honey Strawberry Soda

Because the honey was so strong with the Apple one, I wondered if it would be the case with another Yes Honey flavor. So I ended up spending another three dollars for the Strawberry version, which had a more noticeable fruity flavor. The honey still comes through strong, but at least my tongue can taste the strawberry.

Adding honey to a strawberry soda creates a unique flavor that’s also quite good. If you happen to see Yes Honey sodas, they’re worth a try.

Yes Honey Soda also comes in Ginger Ale, Watermelon, Berry, and Peach flavors. The latter two flavors have 50 milligrams of caffeine from green tea.

RYSE Sunny D Energy Drink

Ryse Sunny D Energy Drink

I went into my local 7-Eleven to during my run jog brisk walk sloth-paced walk to pick up something to pick-me-up. I had intended to purchase a Monster Ultra, but a can was almost FIVE DOLLARS. So I ended up buying the RYSE Sunny D Energy Drink, which was almost two dollars cheaper.

Does this energy drink taste like Sunny D? I don’t know. It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve had Sunny D, and I’m trying to remember what it tastes like. All I remember is that it was SUPER sweet, and I don’t get that with this sugar-free drink with 200 milligrams of caffeine. It definitely has an orange flavor, but no wave of nostalgia washed over me, reminding me of Sunny D. It’s fine tasting energy drink, and it’s made me curious enough that I might give other RYSE flavors a try.

Pop & Bottle Double Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte

Pop & Bottle Double Cold Brew Oat Milk Latte

This one is not for me. After trying it, I would not repurchase it.

What got me curious about it was that this coffee drink is sweetened with dates. As someone who likes RXBars and Larabars, I thought it might surprise me. As I drank it, RXBars and Larabars definitely came to mind, although too much. It’s not awful, but the date flavor distracts my taste buds from the coffee and cold brew. If I were into niche alternative sweeteners, this would be one of the few coffee drink choices I have.

A can does have 120 milligrams of caffeine. However, the can’s 8-ounce size bothers me. Before I knew it, it was gone.

Starbucks Iced Banana Protein Cold Foam Matcha

Starbucks Iced Banana Protein Cold Foam Matcha

When Starbucks rolled out its protein drinks and protein cold foams, this version that it promoted was the only one I wanted because, if you’re a regular reader here, you know I go bananas for bananas. Anyhoo, this drink was highly disappointing to my banana-loving taste buds.

The foam’s banana flavor was almost non-existent, except for occasional moments when a banana chunk ended up in my mouth. But other than that, all I could taste was the matcha, which isn’t an awful thing because, if you’re a regular reader here, you know I go mmmm for matcha. Well, at least I got a good amount of protein that day.

Alani Nu Winter Wonderland Energy Drink (2025)

Alani Nu Winter Wonderland Energy Drink (2025)

Alani Nu’s Winter Wonderland got rebuilt in Santa’s workshop this year. I didn’t try the previous version, which had a coconut element. However, this updated flavor with a stronger fruity taste is delicious. Out of all the cranberry-flavored holiday beverages I’ve had over the past few weeks, I think this one stands out as my favorite. However, that could be the caffeine talking. But it has a tasty cranberry flavor that’s neither too sweet nor too tart, making it easy to drink. It’s definitely something I’d drink again next year unless Alani Nu changes the recipe again. Which I hope it doesn’t do.

REVIEW: Starbucks Eggnog Cream Cold Foam

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Starbucks Eggnog Cream Cold Foam cup

If there’s something more highly anticipated than the Starbucks bear tumbler (too soon??), it’s the eggnog-flavored beverages. The last time we saw eggnog at Starbucks was in 2020, and for some, that was a long five years. Along with the iced or hot latte, there’s now an Eggnog Cream Cold Foam that can be mixed and matched with other drinks to your liking.

I decided that the best drink to pair with the Eggnog Cream Cold Foam was a standard cold brew. I wanted the cold foam to shine and have a blank canvas for me to work with.

Well, let me tell you, folks, if you want eggnog, stick to the lattes. I was so excited… and then very disappointed.

Starbucks Eggnog Cream Cold Foam top layer

Starbucks Eggnog Cream Cold Foam from top

The cold foam’s flavor was good on its own. If you gave me a cup of that and a spoon, I think I’d kick my rating up a couple of notches. I appreciated the slightest sweetness and how it made the cold brew creamier. However, the flavor died just as quickly as the cold foam dissolved into the drink. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the cold foam dissipate as quickly as this one. Within 10 minutes, it was completely gone from the top. And the eggnog flavor I got while it was alone did not come through once it disappeared. Perhaps the cold brew was too strong, overpowering the foam’s flavor? I’m honestly still willing to give this one another shot, and a regular iced coffee with it might be on the horizon…

I could also see this working if you wanted to jazz up a vanilla latte and didn’t want the full eggnog flavor – just the cold foam. But if you do try, just be prepared that it might not live up to the flavor potential.

Purchased Price: $5.50 ($4.25 for a tall cold brew + $1.25 for the Eggnog Cream Cold Foam)
Size: Tall
Purchased at: Starbucks
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: No nutrition numbers available for cold foam.

REVIEW: Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle

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ARE YOU READY, KIDS?

Ready for what, you ask?

Ready for the most epic collab of 2025: Burger King x SpongeBob, aye-aye!

Burger King celebrates the new movie with a full lineup of limited-time offerings, all decked out in true squarepants fashion. And yes, Wendy’s rolled out its “Krabby Patty Kollab Meal” last year, but sorry – BK knocks it out of the pineapple with this one.

The sea of offerings and the adorable packaging put me in full Bikini Bottom mode before I even placed an order. They even handed me a SpongeBob-themed paper crown. I’m 99% sure it belonged to a kids’ meal, but that didn’t stop me.

The Bikini Bottom Bundle is the clear MVP because it includes all four limited-time items: the Krabby Whopper, Mr. Krabs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots, Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie, and the Pirate’s Frozen Pineapple Float.

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle slush and crown

The float came out first, and like SpongeBob waiting for the bus at Rock Bottom, I refused to wait. My eyes begged it to be a Dole Whip cousin, but it landed closer to a 7-Eleven Slurpee – icy, not creamy. Still, the tanginess surprised me in a good way, and it worked perfectly as a palate cleanser. The press release promised “tropical cold foam,” but if it existed, it vanished faster than Plankton’s plans.

On the drive home, my car smelled incredible – like someone melting butter in the backseat. The Bikini Bottom box works as both packaging and aromatherapy.

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle tots box

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle tots innards

Upon arrival, I dug right into Mr. Krabs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots. They come in an absurdly cute treasure chest. They’re coin-shaped (very on brand for Mr. Krabs), savory, salty, and satisfying. I wanted gooier cheese, but that’s just me nitpicking.

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle Whopper yellow bun

Then I moved on to the main course: SpongeBob’s Krabby Whopper. It looks exactly like what 10-year-old me dreamed a Krabby Patty would look like: a bright yellow square bun. The color comes from “natural spice,” which I assume is code for turmeric. One bite in, the classic flame-grilled Whopper flavor hit instantly. Nostalgia achieved. Ten-year-old me would have screamed; current me still felt pretty jazzed.

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle pie box

Burger King SpongeBob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bundle pie

I wanted to end the meal on a high note, as dessert is my favorite meal, of course! However, Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie was rough. Visually, it’s adorable. Taste-wise, not so much. The cookie crust has a soggy bottom, the filling leans too heavily into Cool Whip territory, and the strawberry flavor tastes overly artificial. I tapped out after one bite.

But whether you’re a SpongeBob superfan or just squarepants-curious, the Bikini Bottom Bundle delivers. Four new LTO items, special packaging, toys, crowns…BK didn’t phone this in; it went full send.

BK now stands for “Bringing Krabby vibes,” because this collab lands as fun, flavorful, and just the right amount of chaos. Grab the bundle, channel your inner kid, and dive in.

Purchased Price: $15.39
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Float), 8 out of 10 (Tots), 8 out of 10 (Whopper), 1 out of 10 (Pie)
Nutrition Facts: Pirate’s Frozen Pineapple Float (1 medium drink) – 250 calories, 9 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 110 milligrams of sodium, 45 grams of total carbohydrates, 41 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber, and 9 grams of protein. Mr. Krabs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots (8 pcs) – 260 calories, 11 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 990 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of total carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber, and 8 grams of protein. SpongeBob’s Krabby Whopper – 780 calories, 49 grams of fat, 16 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 120 milligrams of cholesterol, 1620 milligrams of sodium, 54 grams of total carbohydrates, 9 grams of sugar, 4 grams of dietary fiber, and 35 grams of protein.Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie – 260 calories, 12 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of total carbohydrates, 23 grams of sugar, 0 grams of dietary fiber, and 3 grams of protein.

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