REVIEW: M&M’s Bakery Collection

/ / Reviews / 18 Comments

M&M's Bakery Collection wrappers

M&M’s are one of those candies that consistently pump out different varieties, and the new Bakery Collection features three flavors inspired by baked goods. We’re encouraged to scan a QR code and vote for our favorite from the following contenders: Lemon Meringue Pie, Chocolate Cherry Cupcake, and Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll. I found these at Walgreens and heard more than one employee remark that they weren’t particularly interested in trying any of them.

It’s somewhat incomprehensible to me that anyone wouldn’t want to try a new snack, even if it sounds terrible (yeah, I bought those Swedish Fish Oreos), but I kind of have to agree – none of these really excite me. They exist, though, and that’s enough for me to fork over seven dollars and hope I’m not left mumbling curses through a mouthful of Lemon Pledge-flavored morsels.

Lemon Meringue Pie

M&M's Bakery Collection Lemon Meringue Pie shells

Lemon Meringue Pie M&M’s are a white chocolate variety, about the size of a regular M&M but rounder due to a crispy rice center. The yellow, white, and peach-colored candies have a light lemon scent and a lemon flavor that I don’t find akin to a cleaning product, but I also can’t say I enjoy. The color scheme does better at imitating its inspiration than the taste and texture do. Perhaps fans of Crispy M&M’s will enjoy these, but crunch doesn’t align with lemon meringue pie in my mind, and I wish the center were some sort of tart lemony cream or jam instead.

M&M's Bakery Collection Lemon Meringue Pie center

At my wedding, I had a bunch of candy jars that I waited until the last minute to fill (who knew you were supposed to prepare for events like that in advance?), and in my haste, I ended up throwing some Lemonheads in the same jar as some chocolate Sixlets. Later that night, my very honest friend Chris informed me that this was a terrible combination, and I explained I hadn’t intended them to be eaten together. These M&M’s are what I think that combo must have tasted like. I’m sure some people will enjoy the lemon and crunch, but I want nothing to do with them. Chris, stay away from these.

Size: 3.22 oz bag
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 pack) 150 calories, 7 grams of total fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 50 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 18 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

Chocolate Cherry Cupcake

M&M's Bakery Collection Cherry Chocolate Cupcake shell colors

Chocolate Cherry Cupcake pieces are a thicker size, so you’d expect something in the center, but they’re pure chocolate. This seems like a missed opportunity because the inclusion of a tiny cake bit or something that mimicked it (not crispy rice!) could justify the cupcake moniker. The good thing is that the interior features a smooth combination of milk and dark chocolate, and the deeper notes of the dark chocolate are incredibly welcome.

These have a syrupy cherry flavor, more like a cherry cordial than anything else. There’s been a Cherry Cordial M&M before, but it lacked dark chocolate, and if we can just consider this iteration an upgrade on that, I’m alright with it.

Size: 2.47 oz bag
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/2 pack) 170 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 22 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll

M&M's Bakery Collection Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll shell colors

Lastly we have Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll. While this treat isn’t commonplace in any bakery I’ve ever been to, I have called Peanut Butter M&M’s my favorite since their debut, so these hold some promise. The basic size and structure here is right on; they look like the candy I know and love. For a brief moment, or perhaps if you’ve never had the original peanut butter before, you could bite down on these and be pleased with the perfect ratio of candy coating, milk chocolate, and creamy peanut butter center. But then the cinnamon creeps in. It’s not a hot cinnamon, and there’s nothing really wrong with it except that the original product was somehow much better without it.

M&M's Bakery Collection Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll innards

If we’re trying to make a cinnamon roll M&M, I’m not sure why we skipped a cream cheese frosting element and went straight to peanut butter. Instead of pulling something fresh from the oven, they’ve just corrupted a perfectly good batch of peanut butter M&M’s.

Size: 2.83 oz bag
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1/3 pack) 140 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 13 grams of total sugars, and 3 grams of protein.

When you throw this many candy-coated chocolate pebbles at the wall, there are bound to be some that just don’t stick. Unfortunately, all three flavors from the Bakery Collection fell into this category for me. The winner of the fan vote gets to stay on shelves, but I wouldn’t be upset if all of these disappeared.

Purchased Price: $3.29 each (buy 2 get 1 free)
Purchased at: Walgreens

REVIEW: Caramel M&M’s Pop’d

/ / Reviews / 9 Comments

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d pouch

The freeze-dried candy craze has yielded some pleasant and strange surprises from major brands and small businesses alike. While freeze-dried Skittles or Lemonheads are tasty and fun, for example, I would argue that the freeze-dried Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes I once sampled are an abomination to both science and sweets.

Maybe we are still in the process of distinguishing what we can freeze-dry from what we should freeze-dry. As M&M’s enters the freeze-dried fray, I’m happy to report that the brand got it right on the first try.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d in the pouch

Of all the flavors to work with, M&M’s Pop’d pulled a Peter Piper and possibly picked the perfect product to pop. Milk chocolate? Too basic. Peanut? Not great for freeze-drying. Enter Caramel M&M’s, which consist of milk chocolate and a chewy caramel center, two elements that, when freeze-dried, are familiar and yet transformed.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d close up

The result is delicious. The expected flavors of milk chocolate and sweet, buttery caramel are recognizable, although lighter and less rich. I was expecting a dulled chocolate flavor, but it remains vibrant. The candy shell—so constant across all M&M varieties that it is almost boring—seems sweeter and more interesting in freeze-dried form.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d innards

The real excitement of these candies is, of course, the texture. The M&M’s are light and crispy with grainy, airy centers that easily dissolve in the mouth. The caramel center is necessary to push this product from fun novelty to tasty treat. It reminds me of sponge candy, a light and crispy confection made with caramelized sugar that is so popular where I live that local shops sell t-shirts proclaiming, “You either love sponge candy or you’re wrong.” I will admit when I am wrong, but if polishing off these candies by myself is wrong, I see no point in being right.

Caramel M&M’s Pop’d in a bowl

My only qualm with M&M’s Pop’d is the higher price point that comes with any novelty. Depending on where you shop, you could pay as much as three times more per ounce compared to a bag of standard M&M’s. Because Pop’d candies are so light, it’s easier to eat more, which makes it feel like the product doesn’t go as far. Once I figure out a way to collect and use the candy dust that settles at the bottom of the bag, I may make M&M’s Pop’d a regular purchase rather than a once-in-a-while treat. If you have any ideas, please share . . . I’m getting close to the bottom of the bag already.

Purchased Price: $7.79
Purchased at: CVS
Size: 5.5 oz (155 g) bag
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 1 oz, about 11 pieces) 130 calories, 5 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 45 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein

REVIEW: Skittles Gummies Fuego

/ / Reviews / 2 Comments

While seemingly every candy brand is hell bent on making its products airy and crispy with the freeze-dried fad, Skittles is bringing the salty, squishy heat with a new line of Fuego Gummies. This, of course, is in addition to their already available freeze-dried Pop’d line, but regardless, it’s welcome to see something different coming out in the fruity candy market.

Skittles Gummies Fuego offers five flavors, spanning some of the Original flavors along with some Tropical ones — strawberry, lemon, watermelon, lemon, mango, and raspberry. The gummies themselves aren’t flavored any differently than a normal pack, but rather come rolled in a mixture of chili powder and salt that brings new taste, texture, and life to the Gummies experience.

There is no added lime, but the gritty, spiced up salty flavor tossed generously on every fruity candy reminds me a lot of Tajin seasoning, and I really like it. I’ve had several other gummies, like peach rings, tossed in Tajin and sold as a direct collaboration, so the pairing works great.

What sets these apart from a bag of peach or apple rings tossed in Tajin is the smaller size and variety of flavors that come in one package. It’s a lot more fun, and most of them come across really well. The mango and watermelon feel perfectly in line with the fruits that organically pair with a salty, slightly spicy chili profile found in many Mexican candies. The strawberry and lemon stand out as the most distinctly Skittles-tasting. There’s something about the original Skittles strawberry that is so unique to the brand, and I’ve always loved it. While it still stands out as Skittles strawberry or lemon, the salty chili amplifies and complements the familiar flavor delightfully.

The only one that doesn’t really work for me is the raspberry, and I usually enjoy raspberry-flavored candies. The company doesn’t call it blue raspberry, but the candy is blue and has that more artificial-leaning aggressive candy taste that clashes a bit with the salted chili powder coating. It’s not awful, but it’s the one I want to come back to the least, and would have happily swapped it out with a more established Skittles Tropical flavor, like pineapple or banana, to make this Fuego bag perfecto.

Purchased Price: $2.19
Size: 5.8 ounces
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (12 pieces, 31g) 100 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 115 milligrams of sodium, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 24 grams of total sugars, and 1 gram of protein.

REVIEW: Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s

/ / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Choosing a favorite M&M variety is like choosing a favorite star in the night sky. Every one shines a bit differently. Some stay around for ages, while others are a fleeting gift. Sometimes they are a poor substitute for the Milky Way you were hoping for.

Bad metaphor aside, Peanut M&M’s are among the best of the brand’s stars. And yet, only two peanut varieties reside permanently on shelves: Original and Dark Chocolate. Until now.

Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s are the latest permanent addition to the brand’s lineup. The candy is described as “a twist on the classic favorite, with the harmonious flavors bringing the perfect combination of sweet and salty.” The product embeds a roasted, honey-glazed peanut in its signature milk chocolate and brown and yellow candy shells.

This change elevates the classic Peanut M&M…or maybe it doesn’t. Yes, it does! Well, sort of. No, this one really, really does! So said my ongoing interior monologue as I popped candy after candy, watching my Share Size bag dwindle before my eyes.

This is the experience of tasting Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s: the flavor is familiar, but the “honey roasted” taste vacillates from subtle to distinct. The roasted peanut imparts a rich nuttiness that, along with noticeable salt, gives the candy almost a savory edge.

There are hints of toasted honey similar to a caramelized flavor, but not as overly sweet. The roasted peanut flavor is more discernible than any honey element. The candy is delicious—and different from the original variety, although the exact difference is difficult to put your finger on. In my ever-growing rolodex of M&M flavors, Honey Roasted M&M’s are close to the seasonal Toasty Holiday Peanut variety (minus the spice notes), with honey flavor reminiscent of the limited edition Honey Graham Milk Chocolate variety.

Because I have trust issues, I tried to taste the peanut and chocolate separately to isolate the flavors, but doing this highlighted the inconsistency. Sometimes the peanut tasted roasted, while other times it tasted raw. At times, the chocolate itself tasted salty or honey-tinged. Returning to the night sky metaphor, the mysteries behind the operation aren’t mine to solve, but I still enjoyed the big picture.

Peanut M&M lovers may adore Honey Roasted Peanut M&M’s for their sweet and salty combination and depth of roasted nuttiness. Purists may find the change too subtle to bother with. Although it isn’t the splashiest flavor that M&M’s could have added to its lineup, the balance of flavors is unique, intentional, and interesting enough to pull focus from the usual standouts.

Purchased Price: $4.92
Purchased at: Walmart
Size: 9 oz (255 g) bag
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 1 oz, about 12 pieces) 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein

REVIEW: Twix Snickerdoodle

/ / Reviews / Leave a Comment

Soft, chewy cinnamon sugar snickerdoodle cookies are a cozy classic associated with winter holidays, but they are delicious in all seasons. Case in point: I associate them with Father’s Day, when I would often bake a large batch for my dad, a renowned cinnamon fiend. One year, I mistakenly baked enough snickerdoodles for a small army of dads. I suggested leaving a tin outside for our mail carrier, who was a family friend. Unwilling to share his treat, my dad protested that “if you leave him snickerdoodles today, he’ll get spoiled and start expecting them every time.”

The mail carrier did end up with his snickerdoodles that day, and this is all to say that the new Twix Snickerdoodle may leave me spoiled and expecting all of the brand’s subsequent novelty flavors to be successful.

The milk chocolate-coated candy is imbued with cinnamon flavor in both the caramel and the biscuit. The cinnamon cookie is subtly spiced, like a scantily coated snickerdoodle. The caramel is more forceful in its flavoring, teetering on too artificial, and generates warmth in the aftertaste that reminds me more of cinnamon hard candy than cookies. This quality of the caramel is subtle unless you strip the caramel from its cookie (which I did, for science). The milk chocolate helps to mellow the intense flavor into a more balanced bite.

Despite this, flavoring two components of the bar was the right choice because the spiced cookie alone would not have been enough flavor. I liked the candy enough to forgive Twix’s cinnamon wizard for his liberal hand.

Together, the sweet milk chocolate, buttery spiced caramel, and crispy cookie represent everything we love about original Twix, but with a warm twist perfect for the upcoming season. While I love milk chocolate and cinnamon together, I wonder if a cream cheese or yogurt-flavored candy coating would mimic the tang that cream of tartar brings to snickerdoodles. No such candy bar exists to my knowledge, but you, the cinnamon wizard, or the cream cheese chancellor may have resources that I do not.

Twix Snickerdoodle’s sugar and spice will pair nicely with your autumn chai or holiday candy dish. Are they good enough to refuse your friends, family, or mail carrier a taste? You decide.

Purchased Price: $1.69
Purchased at: Giant Eagle
Size: 1.41 oz (40 g) bar
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 200 calories, 9 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein

Scroll to Top