Trolls World Tour Oreos

As part of a tie-in with the release of the movie Trolls World Tour, Oreo released some limited edition cookies in March. There were two packages available: chocolate cookies that had "green colored creme with glitter and popping candy," and golden cookies with "pink colored creme with glitter." 

I don't know much about the movies other than that my nieces and nephews like them, but I like the concept behind these cookies. The colors of the creme go well with the traditional Troll hair colors, and might suggest the neon lights you would see at a rock/pop concert. The music industry has also never shied away from glitter and glamour. (It is a curious thing that the more "feminine" cookie is the one without popping candy while the more "masculine" cookie has it, but that is for another blog. Though I suppose these are targeted towards kids, and some will like the popping candy and some won't.) 

There isn't a lot to say about these cookies because they aren't too far off from the original. The pink cookies are traditional golden Oreos with pink creme, while the green cookies are like the Firework Oreos from recent years. Flavor-wise, these aren't anything new. 

The "glitter" described for each cookie is disappointing, appearing like small blue spots in the green creme and small purple spots in the pink creme. I've seen edible glitter before, though perhaps it would be expensive to mass-produce and may not taste all that good if it's more the sprinkles/sugar crystals variety. (Anyone want crunchy Oreo creme?)

For each cookie, one side had the typical Oreo logo and design, while the other side had a music-related design. The designs for the pink cookies included the stylized words "Music Is Life," a guitar surrounded by music notes, and a pair of headphones surrounded by flowers. The green cookies also had a version of "Music Is Life," along with a vinyl record and a boombox. These designs can add some interest if you notice them, but you may be just as likely not to see them. 

Still, it's a fun concept. I have to give points for trying. Perhaps like a movie or a troll doll or a rock concert, the reality doesn't live up to your imagination, but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Around the same time the Trolls Oreos were on store shelves, Oreo released an Easter Egg limited edition cookie. 

I thought this was a really cool idea. In the past, there have been Easter Oreos using chocolate cookies with purple creme, and I've always wanted them to use golden cookies. 

However much I thought this would be a good idea, something about it didn't work for me. I think my issue was with the way the pink golden cookies tasted. They were lacking a certain buttery quality that is usually there with a traditional golden cookie. Instead, it tasted like someone forgot an ingredient, and the cookie had a flour-like taste to it.

I did like the size and shape of these cookies. These were the perfect size to dunk in a mini glass of milk, a bit smaller without being mini-sized. They also had a fun design to them. However, if these are ever released again, I probably wouldn't buy them.

Oreo also re-released their previous Carrot Cake Oreos. These have carrot cake flavored cookies with cream cheese frosting-flavored creme. 

I'm a fan of these. The carrot cake and cream cheese frosting flavors aren't perfect, but they're close. If you want a carrot cake fix but don't feel like buying or making a whole cake, these just might do. I can't eat package after package, but I will buy at least one whenever they release them. 

Key Info: 

Flavor: Trolls World Tour Oreos
Date Announced/Found: March 2020, Jewel (Albertson's)

Description - Pink: Pink colored creme with glitter, golden cookies

Description - Green: Green colored creme with glitter and popping candy, chocolate cookies
Package size: 20 Cookies

Serving size - Pink: 2 cookies, 150 calories, 7 grams fat, 12 grams sugar

Serving size - Green: 2 cookies, 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 13 grams sugar

Flavor: Easter Egg Oreo

Date Announced/Found: February 2020, Target

Description: Pink colored golden cookie - original creme, 5 egg shaped designs

Serving size: 3 cookies, 180 calories, 15 grams sugar

Flavor: Carrot Cake Oreos

Date Announced/Found: February 2020, Target

Description: Carrot cake flavored cookie with cream cheese frosting flavor creme

Package size: 24 Cookies

Serving size: 2 cookies, 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 13 grams sugar

Blog Update

Hello, reader.

It's been a few months since I've been on a regular posting schedule. When the pandemic started, I decided to put this blog on hold temporarily for a few reasons. For one, I didn't know if I'd be venturing out as much to find limited edition flavors. I've been ordering grocery delivery and I haven't had much luck finding these flavors through online or delivery methods. (I still haven't been able to try the new Tiramisu Oreos.) 

I also didn't want to encourage anyone to go out looking for these flavors during a pandemic. I know I'm not quite the Oreo influencer I might someday wish to be, but it seemed like a good karmic move to not go on pretending everything was normal. 

And, well, the pandemic itself has been something to deal with. I've been lucky to be able to continue working from home, and that has been going well, but there's been a lot to process with the lock-down as well as daily updates and discussion around it. We are also in the middle of a large and complex conversation on racism and policing. In light of that, this just doesn't seem that important. Both the pandemic and the marches/protests are making me do some self-examination and evaluation of my community and country. 

I do have some reviews I've been saving to write, and I need to write those so I can delete the pictures from my phone and let go of the food items themselves. I don't mean to take away from anything going on right now (not that this blog gets much attention). But my plan is to write these reviews and then see where things stand.

Thanks for reading. 

Hershey's Kisses Cereal

When I saw Hershey's Kisses Cereal on the shelf at the grocery store, I chuckled to myself. It seems like cereal makers keep coming up with new cereals that are candy or dessert-based. Do you remember that SNL sketch in which John Belushi played an Olympic athlete who boasted of eating "little chocolate donuts" as part of his training regimen? Some newer cereals remind me of that. 

Still, I wanted to try these. I grew up eating Hershey's chocolate, and I view it as a standby: not necessarily my first choice of dessert, but something that will satisfy if need be. I know there's a whole debate about American chocolate versus chocolate from other countries, and I don't wish to go there today. But I was curious about what the cereal version of Hershey Kisses would taste like.

When you pour a bowl, each piece of cereal looks vaguely in the "kiss" shape, though a flat, porous version since it is cereal and not actual chocolate. I thought the cereal tasted okay at first, but I had a few bowls in a little over a week and it grew on me. This cereal hits the mark as a chocolate-flavored cereal. 

However, there wasn't much to distinguish it from similar cereals, like Cocoa Puffs. Except for the cereal shape and the branding, both cereals are similar. But that's not a bad thing if you like cereals like this. After you're done with the cereal, they both leave you with a bowl of chocolate-flavored milk that you can enjoy. 

One interesting tidbit: I'll sometimes see foods described as being "chocolatey-flavored," I assume as a way to get around the fact that they don't use actual chocolate. This cereal is touted as being "naturally flavored." Sure enough, this cereal includes both Hershey's cocoa processed with alkali and unsweetened chocolate. 

Key Info
Product: Hershey's Kisses Cereal
Date Found: February 2020, grocery store (Mariano's/Kroger)
Package size: 10.9 oz., 8 servings
Serving size: 1 cup, 140 calories, 1.5 grams fat (without milk)