Tag: General Mills

REVIEW: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Reese’s Puffs, and Trix Minis Cereals

Ann 6 Comments

I’ll be the first to admit I’m enchanted by the “tiny” versions of normal things. Travel-sized toiletries are charming. I marvel at the itty-bitty individual glass Heinz ketchup jars accompanying room service trays, even if I’m usually not the person ordering room service. My friend got me a Bonne Maman advent calendar this year, and to my absolute joy, I now have a collection of TEENTSY JARS OF JAM. Maybe some of you are nodding along, thinking, “Yes. Of course. DUH.” While other readers out there are already rolling their eyes. Well, ROLL right along, haters, because General Mills has made three of its Big G cereals MINIATURE: Trix Minis, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Minis, and Reese’s Puffs Minis.

These minis do live up to their name. They’re so smol. The first thing I notice is that their size makes snacking on these cereals hard. Attempting to taste these as a “dry” snack, I feel like a giant ogre trying to cram lentil-shaped noms into my ogre face. They scatter everywhere. I freak out that my dog might eat them. I clean up the kitchen and revert to standard cereal bowls.

Starting with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Minis, I prepare the serving suggestion of one cup cereal + 3/4 cup milk. It does look like a lot more food when they’re this miniature. I was also surprised that General Mills didn’t try to make CTC tiny little squares. It might have been harder, but it would have taken the wow factor up a notch. Still, these little CTCminis taste very similar to their toast-shaped brethren with, dare I say it, even more cinnamon flavor? Maybe it’s a surface ratio thing? They stay crunchy SLIGHTLY longer than standard CTC, but not by much. And, of course, the characteristic cinnamilk is still present. Hello old friend.

The mini Trix sort of look like what would happen if all of the berry fruit flavor Trix fell apart into their own individual spheres. These Trix Minis are not fruit-shaped, but have artificial colors and are visually the most exciting of the three mini flavors. Can you even get the Trix cereal in full-sized spheres, or was that a temporary thing from about five years ago when they made Trix with natural colors until enough consumers demanded the vibrant original be brought back? Regardless, the Trix Minis pack that same sugary punch of flavor. They stay crunchier in the milk longer than the CTCMinis, and I’m guessing a sugar coating drives that. They also don’t hurt your teeth nearly as much to crunch into because the mini-sized spheres crunch completely under your bite.

I saved Reese’s Puffs Minis for last. Reese’s Puffs were the cereal my mom NEVER let me have growing up, which only drove my desperation and adoration deeper into my heart. My favorite way to enjoy Reese’s Puffs is as a dry cereal snack which, as mentioned earlier, is super difficult and extra messy in this miniature form. However, these mini little guys are great. The ratio of flavor coating to inner cereal puff seems to have been perfected here, and the puffs reach optimum saturation level faster and sustain it longer than with the larger version. There are also WAY more pieces in every bite which adds, I think, to the flavor experience and overall satisfaction.

The final bit of fun offered with these new Minis is the kitchen play set you can build yourself from cut-outs in the back of each box which entertained this adult for a solid hour or so in the afternoon I picked these up. Overall I admire the simplicity of this innovation. The flavors are established favorites, offered in a unique format that makes your already beloved cereal treat even more enjoyable.

Or, you know, it’s just the same thing but tiny. Dealer’s Choice.

Purchased Price: $4.89 each
Size: 12.3 oz box (Cinnamon Toast Crunch), 10.8 oz box (Trix), 11.7 oz box (Reese’s Puffs)
Purchased at: Mariano’s
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Cinnamon Toast Crunch), 7 out of 10 (Trix), 9 out of 10 (Reese’s Puffs)
Nutrition Facts: Cinnamon Toast Crunch (1 cup cereal) 170 calories, 5 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 210 milligrams of sodium, 31 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Trix (1.25 cup cereal) 150 Calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 200 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Reese’s Puffs (1 cup cereal) 160 Calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 220 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 12 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Dunkaroos Orange Sherbet

Sean 13 Comments

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Tray

What is it?

While orange creamsicle seems to be all the rage with candy and energy drink companies, 90s nostalgia titans General Mills chose a different spin for its take on a citrusy sweet treat. The new (ish) summertime limited edition Dunkaroos combine vanilla cookies with orange sherbet frosting.

How is it?

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting D

The re-release of Dunkaroos has been contentious. On the one hand, we got our ‘Roos back. On the other hand, the cookie’s shape and taste are different, so naturally, people got in their feelings about it. I, however, like to approach things glass (or frosting cup?) half-full style and really like the new thin and crispy circular “D” cookie. It’s admittedly a lot less fun than the kangaroo shape, but no less delicious. The cookie carries a wonderful butteriness akin to shortbread that’s slim and crumbly but not so much that it breaks when getting dunked —- functional, tasty, and not too sweet.

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Goo

The orange sherbet frosting is perfection. It is quite sweet and full of zesty orange essence without going overboard. Its creamy consistency and sugary citrus-forward flavor do well to channel the experience of orange sherbet, which complements the buttery vanilla cookie well.

Anything else you need to know?

What makes this release even more exciting is that, as far as I can tell, this variety has never been done with Dunkaroos. The initial flavor of vanilla with rainbow sprinkle frosting is an all-time classic, followed up with chocolate frosting, which was predictable and good. While all of us 90s kids wish they’d bring back the cinnamon graham cookie, I love that the brand skipped over previous entries like chocolate chip and strawberry and went straight for something never done before, which bodes well for future creativity and new releases to come.

Conclusion:

Limited Edition Dunkaroos Vanilla Cookies Orange Sherbet Frosting Cookies

I will admit I’ve had an orange phase in the last year, so this is a profile that currently really appeals to me. But I wholeheartedly believe General Mills knocked it out of the park with its first seasonal release since the relaunch of the ‘Roos in 2020, and I’m excited to see what it might have up its sleeve for the Halloween and holiday seasons.

Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 2 3/4 oz
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 tray with frosting, 42g) 180 calories, 7 grams of fat, 3 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 100 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Limited Edition Banana Caramel Cheerios Cereal

Marvo 9 Comments

Limited Edition Banana Caramel Cheerios Cereal Box

What is it?

Banana Caramel Cheerios combines banana-flavored sweetened whole grain oat cereal and caramel-flavored sweetened whole grain oat cereal. From what I can taste, it’s not a mashup of Banana Nut Cheerios and Dulce de Leche Cheerios, if you were wondering.

How is it?

On paper, this limited edition variety looks as if it might challenge Honey Nut Cheerios for supremacy on my personal Cheerios Chart. But it doesn’t because I’m having difficulty tasting the banana and caramel. What I do taste is a nondescript sweetness that turns out to be a decent flavor.

Limited Edition Banana Caramel Cheerios Cereal Bowl

Look, I tried really hard to taste the individual flavors. That involved me separating the lighter colored banana pieces from the slightly darker caramel pieces, creating a spoonful of only one flavor, shoving that spoonful into my mouth, putting my head into my hands, closing my eyes, chewing slowly, and letting the Cheerios-saliva slurry sit on my tongue before swallowing. But even taking all those extreme steps to eat this cereal mindfully didn’t help. With both, there wasn’t anything that made me think banana or caramel.

Cheerios have never had bold flavors, but I can taste what I’m supposed to taste with previous varieties. But with these, not so much.

Anything else you need to know?

Why doesn’t General Mills mix Honey Nut Cheerios with other varieties? Recently, it seems like the company is throwing various Cheerios flavors, except regular and Honey Nut, at the wall to see which ones stick to make new varieties. Wait. That doesn’t make sense. Cheerios don’t stick to the wall like Taco Bell ingredients. However, wet Cheerios do. Okay. Recently, it seems like the company is throwing various soggy Cheerios flavors at the wall to see which ones stick to make new varieties.

Conclusion:

Limited Edition Banana Caramel Cheerios Cereal Milk

Banana Caramel Cheerios is a bit disappointing but not offensive. If a family-size box magically appeared at my doorstep, I’d eat it and give thanks to the breakfast gods. I’m not going to give up a perfectly edible box of sweetened cereal that can help lower my cholesterol.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 10.9 oz box
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup w/o milk) 140 calories, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 1 gram of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar (11 grams of added sugar), and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Honey Vanilla Cheerios Cereal

Jenna 4 Comments

Honey Vanilla Cheerios Cereal Box

I don’t know about you, but the name “honey vanilla” instantly calls to my mind some kind of skincare product; something sweet but not syrupy, understated and tasteful but with a hint of sumptuousness. The back of this Cheerios box, with its posh descriptors “rich,” “delightfully tempting,” and “O so joyful,” only made me more confident in this association.

Gingerly plucking a single glossy “O” before preparing my bowl (I may or may not have even felt elegant enough to do this with my pinky finger raised), the first thing I noticed was its sticky texture. Crisp and firm on the outside, this cereal glistened with a vanilla-glazed gleam. Upon my taste test, the solid interior gave way to its airy inside with a satisfying crunch. Eaten dry, the cereal tasted pleasant but not overly flavorful. It struck me as more or less just a milder version of the ubiquitous Honey Nut Cheerios, and I’m not sure I could have pinpointed which ingredients made it unique without the box’s helpful visual cues of a vanilla flower and generous honey swirl adorning the iconic heart-shaped bowl. It had a faint sweetness, but the foremost flavor was oat-y; it didn’t surprise me when I noticed the box also bore a proud (but perhaps unnecessarily capitalized) proclamation of “first ingredient WHOLE GRAIN OATS.”

Honey Vanilla Cheerios Cereal Bowl

Pouring milk over the cereal coaxed out more notes of both honey and vanilla, but it remained alluringly demure. Another word that kept springing to my mind was “mature.” I was introduced to a measured, subtle wave of sweetness, not the punch to the face of sugariness that I frankly often look for in my cereal choices. These Cheerios were also pretty quick to become mushy in the milk, and while I know that can be a controversial quality, I was personally a fan.

Honey Vanilla Cheerios Cereal Back

I’m a strong believer that the back of a cereal box should be given just as much consideration as the taste, and this one certainly fits the product’s “refined but slightly saccharine” aesthetic with its honey-and-vanilla-themed sudoku-esque visual puzzle. A high school classmate of mine infamous for his elaborate and uncomfortable outfits used to live by the motto “aesthetics over practicality,” and while our gym teachers disagreed, I think Honey Vanilla Cheerios would. This charming puzzle seemed kind of impossible to actually fill out since the six icons you’re tasked with drawing in the correct order are mostly differentiated by color, and I’m guessing most people don’t eat their cereal with neutral-toned crayons at the ready. But hey, still cute and classy!

Overall, Honey Vanilla Cheerios are plain but pleasing, an ideal breakfast for a day filled with agreeable-but-not-too-spirited activities like gracefully smelling a moderately-scented flower or playing a prim game of checkers where, win or lose, you’d never dare get in your opponent’s face about it. If the prospect of purchasing a cereal with a name that sounds straight out of Bath & Body Works excites you, these should suit you just fine.

Purchased Price: $3.00
Size: 14.3 oz box (“Large Size”)
Purchased at: Stop & Shop
Rating: 6 out 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup – cereal only) 140 calories (180 with 1/2 cup skim milk), 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 170 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 9 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal

Marvo 10 Comments

Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal Cluster Box

Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal looks like it’s for grown-ups.

No puffs. No rings. No marshmallows. No cartoon mascots. No toys. No puzzles on the back of the box. But its name does have a misspelling that’s the equivalent of replacing plural S’s with a Z or chopping off the E in the word “extreme” that you might find on products meant for younger palates.

This mature-looking cereal has flakes that seem as if they are plentiful with fiber and whole grains, which they are. It also comes with nut and seed clusters, which sound like stuff doctors recommend adults eat more of.

While Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal appears to be a product for those whose ages are well into the double digits, it tastes like a product that would appeal to those who watch PAW Patrol or PJ Masks. It’s wonderfull.

From the moment I opened its bag to the last sip of milk at the bottom of my bowl, I got a nutty experience I was not expecting. It does peanut butter better than most cereals with cartoon mascots on them. Is it the reincarnation of Post’s discontinued Nutter Butter Cereal? It could be. I don’t know how transmigrations work, so I don’t know if a cereal from one company can be reborn into one from another company. I should ask Buddha, I guess.

Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal Cluster Bowl

Its potent peanut butter punch comes from the coated flakes, which not only provides flavor but also help prevent the rice and corn flakes from getting soggy quickly. I was surprised by the coating’s slight saltiness when I first tried the cereal, but after the second spoonful, I was more enthralled by its nutty knock. The layer on these flakes does a better job at presenting flavor than what Kellogg’s did with Frosted Flakes. But, oddly, the milk at the bottom of the bowl didn’t have much of a nuttiness.

Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal Cluster

As for the nut and seed clusters, which are made of oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, they provide a Honey Bunches of Oats cluster-like crunch that’s slightly different from the flakes’ crunch. The seeds’ flavors are noticeable among the peanut butter, but if I happen to buy a box that didn’t have them due to a production error, I’d be happy with that flawed box because it’s the coated flakes that make this so great.

With a flavor and aroma that would appeal to kids, a decent amount of protein, and a whole lot of fiber and whole grains, Plentifull Peanut Butter Cereal is a product this adult recommends.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free product sample from General Mills. Doing so did not influence my review at all.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 15.7 oz box
Purchased at: Received from General Mills
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup without milk) 270 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 2 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 4 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 310 milligrams of sodium, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 16 grams of sugar (including 15 grams of added sugar), and 6 grams of protein.