Christmas 2012 wrap

Well I certainly hope everyone had a great Christmas and is looking forward to another awesome year. I'm excited about 2013, there's always a good feeling with the turn of the calendar, its just refreshing :)

Anyhow, I wanted to drop a quick post today for any of you who may have missed the various Christmas candy reviews here on Walking the Candy Aisle. Please remember you can always subscribe to the YouTube channel and then you won't miss a thing. Here's what we covered.

Hershey's Kisses Candy Cane - written / video
Turtles - written / video
Lindt Milk Chocolate Santa - written / video
Baileys Chocolates - written / video
Russell Stover Caramel Santa - written / video
Terry's Milk Chocolate Orange - written / video
Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa - written / video
Lindt Lindor Peppermint
Palmer Caramel Claus
M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint
Cadbury Choco Men
Toblerone Snow-Capped Limited Edition

Well it looks like we made it through 12 reviews this year. Pretty good. That's one for each day of Christmas. Hopefully you'll stick around for next year and we can look at even more holiday goodies.... although I suppose we've got Valentines and Easter next. Just stay tuned, and I promise you'll get even more awesomeness in 2013.

Xmas remainder

Walking the candy aisle a day or two after a candy holiday is always a treat. I've expounded on my general rules for remainder candy hunting here a bunch, but the most important thing is to just keep in mind the timing sweet spot. Two days is great usually. Three gets a bit long (all the good stuff is gone or they've started clearing the shelves), and one day is too short (not a good enough candy sale).

Anyhow I was walking the aisle on the 27th and came across a few great deals.

And since this was the first time I'd really looked closely at a Shoppers drug mart this holiday I actually ended up discovering a few items I hadn't even seen before!

I know I've certainly never seen Hershey's Fondue before.. Anyhow, you can expect a few bonus holiday themed reviews coming in the next few weeks. Until then I'll leave you with a pic of a giant twonie! (only Canadians will even know what that is probably :)

Candy Aisle Update

Hey all, no review today. Instead I've got a few quick updates on the state of the blog and Walking the Candy Aisle in general.

I;ve been really enjoying writing the blog, and posting the videos. Thank you to everyone who's visited and commented both here and on YouTube, this is a great venture that I'd like to continue into the distant future :) I mean I do love candy and chocolate.


For those of you who have read the blog over the past almost year you'll have seen that its sometimes busy and sometimes not so much. Come January the blog will again be reverting a bit to its slower status. I'm still planning to post weekly, and of course continue the weekly reviews, but might be a bit lighter on the rest of the 'extra' stuff. I know a few of you are starting to read the blog more regularly and thats great, but it takes a lot of work to post so much, especially with so many pictures.

You may have noticed that in an effort to streamline things over the end of our Christmas review I stopped posting the written portion of the candy reviews. Unless there's a good reason for a written review moving forward you can expect this format to continue, with less written and more video reviews up here on the site. In fact I'd like to get more video in general up here. Maybe a few different segments other than reviews, but that's all still in the works as it were.

I thank you all for joining me on this walk down the candy aisle. If you've got any comments or suggestions for the site please drop me a line at walkingthecandyaisle@gmail.com and please head over to the Facebook, and Twitter pages to Like and Follow the Candy Aisle even more.

I hope everyone had a great holidays and I wish everyone the best in the new year. I for one am going to just keep on walking down this candy aisle, I hope you'll join me.

- Geoff

Maple Cookies

Ever wonder whats the deal with Maple Cookies? Here in the Great White North, these things are everywhere. Oh sure we've got a maple leaf on our flag, and yes we technically supply something like 85% of the worlds maple syrup, but why are Canadians so obsessed with Maple?

Well have you ever had a maple cookie??? They are actually quite fantastic! My guess is that if you live in another part of the world you may not even be aware of them, but maple cookies are a real thing here and have beenpopular since... well before I was born.

The Wiki page on the matter is brief but straightforward.Maple cookes are cream filled sandwich cookies shaped like a maple leaf and flavored like maple, sometimes actually containing real maple syrup. If you have not had a maple cookie, you are definitely missing out.

Here are a few of the maple cookies offered in the local grocery store. Note the inclusion of Pure Quebec Maple Syrup on some of these packages.

Looks pretty yummy, eh?

Toblerone Snow-Capped Limited Edition review

Merry Christmas candy lovers. Today I've got one more present for you to unwrap. Please enjoy this review of the Snow Capped Limited Edition Toblerone!



I'd like to just take a second here to thank everyone for making Walking the Candy Aisle so fun. I hope you've been enjoying the blog and videos, and that you'll stick with me through the new year. There's a lot more candy out there and I'm looking forward to eating it all!

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Toblerone Snow-Capped Limited Edition - 4 / 5

Toblerone is a Kraft Foods brand, for more on it please check out http://www.toblerone.com/

Cadbury Choco Men review

Happy Christmas Eve everyone. I hope you're holidays are going well so far. And just to add a little more cheer today why not check out this review for Cadbury's Choco Men.



Walking the Candy Aisle rates Cadbury Choco Men - 4 / 5 

For more fun reviews, please check out the review page.

Choco Men is of course a Cadbury product, for more on it feel free to visit their website http://www.cadbury.co.uk/

M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint review

Hooray for more holiday reviews! Today we've got a fun one, the Target exclusive M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint.


Walking the Candy Aisle rates M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint - 3 / 5

For more fun candy reviews please check out our reviews page!

M&Ms are a Mars product, and you can learn more about them at their website http://www.mymms.com/

Palmer Caramel Claus review

Another day closer to Christmas and we've got another review for you! Lets have a look at the Palmer Caramel Claus.


Walking the Candy Aisle rates Palmer Caramel Claus - 3 / 5

For more candy and chocolate reviews, why not have a browse through our reviews page.

For more on all things Palmer please check them out at their site http://www.palmercandy.com/

Lindt Lindor Peppermint review

If you've been with us here at Walking the Candy Aisle through other candy holidays you'll know that what we love to do running right up to the last day is give you LOTS and LOTS of reviews! Starting today going through Xmas we'll have daily reviews for you. Today please enjoy a look at Lindt's Lindor Peppermint.



Walking the Candy Aisle rates Lindt Lindor Peppermint - 5 / 5

For more reviews please check out the reviews page right here.

For more on Lindt and Lindor please check out their website - http://www.lindt.com/

The Many Faces of Oreo

If you'll recall my recent post on some of my favorite cookies you'll remember that I am indeed a fan of Oreo. I mean how can you not like them?! They're nearly perfect in every way. With chocolaty, crunchy cookie on the outside and creamy frosting inside. Where else can a kid get that much frosting? I mean its not like mom is going to let you eat cake everyday!

But Oreos are SO much more than just the old black and whites nowadays. This is a massive brand for Nabisco and it shows through the plethora of products you can find on shelves with the Oreo logo. Aside from the classic that you can see above,for your indulgence I've gathered here a few others that I've come across.

Almost as classic as the original, Double Stuff came around at a time before the world even knew about Super Sizing everything. AMAZING.

Of course these days here's what you're more likely to find...

For the non-chocolate fans out there.

Yes they come in Double Stuff too!

A bit on the newer side, these Cakesters seem to be a hit nowadays.

A few other nice options on these Cakesters. I'd like to try the chocolate ones.

I know it says Limited Edition, but I've been seeing these Birthday Cake Oreos around for a long time now. They are great if you haven't had the chance yet, definitely pick some up.

A new addition for the more health conscious.

Here's a favorite from vending machines everywhere.

Another great idea from Oreo.

For the more ambitious out there, these cake baking items will require a little (very little) work, but are totally worth the effort.

Oh so good! There's always room for Oreo Jell-O.

But you say you want ice cream. Oreo's got you covered there too!

So much Oreo goodness here its hard to know where to start... But I suppose I know where to end. For Christmas Oreo has a few special editions that you should definitely check out while you can.

I know there are more Oreo products out there, if you see some please let me know in the comments.  Until we meet again, why not have an Oreo?

Aisle Walk Mish Mash

I've got a few random things I wanted to post today. New and interesting always catches my eye and there has been no exception to that since I've been back in Canada. To start there are a few Limited Time items in the aisle... I suppose they're her just for the holidays, so check them out quickly if you're interested.

Yes that is in fact Cinnabon bread! Seems like a great idea, although personally I never go to Cinnabon I know there are a lot of people out there addicted to it so this is probably a win for them. They should sell Cinnabon branded frosting spread as a side for that bread.

This product has me concerned. I feel like I want it to be great. I mean Ritz are great, and fudge is great... so what could possibly go wrong? I suspect everything.

 

And as expected Little Debbie has gotten into the holiday spirit too with these Christmas Snack Cakes. I wonder if these have really been around as long as the dated graphics imply. That seems to be the Little Debbie motif for everything even if its brand new. I will say though that I like the back of the box since it has cut-out gift tags on it. Kinda weird, but maybe works if you're planning on giving a Little Debbie snack cake for Christmas...

Now here we have a bit of an odd, not overly seasonal special edition. You remember what the Aero bar is supposed to look like right? Well if not click here to check out my review from about a month ago. Why the bubbles need to be actual bubbles I'm not sure... Maybe it saves on chocolate overall. I don't think I'm a fan though.

Finally there's this:

That is a whole display case full of Jelly Belly scented air fresheners! Seriously, that's pretty awesome. I totally want my car smelling like Buttered Popcorn!

Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa - video review

Once again we've got a Christmas review for you, and surprise surprise its another chocolate santa! Here we have the Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa.


For more please check out the written review, and / or the full reviews page. Stay tuned for a bunch more Xmas reviews as we get right up to the big day.

Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa review

Today we've got another entry in the weird and wonderful holiday fare with this Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa. 

While I've been seeing this around all over the place this holiday it still smacks to me of dollar store fare. I can't find anything on the company behind this confection online. Its distributed by One Better Inc here in Canada, but all I'm seeing on them is a lame website on calorie counting...

 So lets break this down and just consider what we're looking at. Here's the in-store signage.

So this is a weird solid milk chocolate lollipop. And its shaped to look like Santa. Alright... I have to say it is certainly eye catching. These seem to be a register display mainly. This is the definition of impulse item. I mean come on... who really buys a chocolate lollipop. That's like a gimmick unto itself. I genuinely like the packaging even though I'm getting a vibe of cheapness off the whole thing. I like how Santas cheeks have that rosy glow, and his mouth is just a little open, like he's in mid "Ho" also I want to keep this somewhat PC but I really like the eyes.

The eyes especially make me think that perhaps this is the result of some overseas graphic designers trying to put their interpretation on a "western" Santa Claus and getting it just slightly wrong. Sure it looks cool and stylized but I wonder if that was the intention here. I suppose it doesn't really matter, I'm just interested in all of these different interpretations of old saint nick.

Getting it out of the wrapper gave me a real initial shock. My first impulse... something has gone horribly wrong here, I mean just look at that head!?!

Kind of like Brainia, or Leader from the comic books, Santa also resembles a very specific Star Trek alien from the original series I can't quite remember. The top of his his head looks huge. And YES after a few seconds I realize it is of course actually supposed to be his hat on top of a regular head. But then you've then gotta ask, why is the hat square?

I like the rest of the design. Its got decent detail, including some decidedly more almond shaped eyes than the outer packaging. Its definitely weird to see chocolate on a stick like this, since its not melty or sticky or anything, and so kind of defeats the purpose of a stick. The smell is actually ok.

Biting in you'll get another surprise with this chocolate santa head. And its that the chocolate really isn't so bad at all. In fact its actually alright.

Like the package says this is solid milk chocolate.Weather its real chocolate though is a question I'm just not sure about. This is surprisingly good though so even if its fake chocolate it tastes very close to the real stuff. Maybe "good" is too strong word for this, its alright. Not great, but definitely alright. For the money I spent this definitely seems like it is worth it.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates - Milk Chocolate Lollipop Santa - 4 / 5

Walking the Toy Aisle

This time of year many of us are thinking of the holidays, and if you're like me, probably dreading the inevitable trip to Toys R Us for those gifts. Oh not that I don't like Toys R Us. Hey I love toy stores; but even the most rabid toy store fanboy gets flustered when it comes to the insanity of holiday crowds. I think the best strategy is to know exactly what you want to get, and if possible have a backup idea ready to go. Then just get in and get out. Hopefully you can do it all while wearing headphones and ignoring the throngs of people.

Well for those of you who might be a little behind on the gift giving, here are a few ideas I came across while walking the toy aisle. There are a lot of candy themed and inspired toys out there these days, and if I don't share them with you, who will???

Its so much more than this these days... Although, that said this version of Candyland (which has been significantly updated since my youth) is pretty great!

Mark my words now, this is the big one to know about. Cake Pops.

 

Heard it here first. Cake Pops. Its a thing. Tell your friends...

Sorry that second picture above is a bit blurry, but just look at how excited that little girl is!!! I mean seriously this is THE greatest day in her life! I actually wonder if they photoshopped her eyes to make them even bigger here...

 

Of course, if you'll remember I posted about the Pillsbury Brownie and Cake Pop kits back in August. Now it seems they have hit the big time... A few weeks ago, one of the kids at my sons school who already has this, brought a bunch in to the class for his birthday... This is a really big thing.

Does that mean we should ignore the classic though? No of course not! What little girl doesn't want to spend 8 hours making whoopie pies with a lightbulb???

I will say that I like the graphics on these boxes. At least they've updated them. I remember it was a few years ago when they re-packaged and made a big push to get these things back in stores and homes. I think they were only moderately successful though. I guess kids today just don't want to play homemaker... At least not the way they used to.

If you're looking for candy themed toys though you really need look no further than Play-Doh and the Sweet Shoppe or Sweets Cafe line... I want to like this product line, I really do, but ultimately I have the same complaint about this that every 'old' person does about Play-Doh. The sets like this do not encourage kids to be creative, make up new things, and imagine the literally endless possibilities of creating with play-doh. They encourage a very certain kind of focused play. Its not terrible, I mean kids like structure and direction, but I can't help but feel that it  places limits on kids.

This is of course the exact same argument 'old' people have about modern Lego sets. Essentially its just a statue builder, its not as much about real creative play.

That said, there are a lot of different sets in this line and some of them are pretty darn cool.

But do you think that's all I found on my trip through the toy aisle?! Hardly!

Do you know any kid who would not seriously flip their lid if they got this on Christmas! I mean who doesn't want their own Cotton Candy Maker!!! That is awesome!

What about this beauty? I'm not a huge Dippin' Dots fan but it'd definitely be cool to have this bad boy on your shelf...

And finally the DQ Blizzard Maker. Yes that is awesome. And practical. I should totally get that....

As I left the aisle though I was wondering where my long lost favorite was... the classic Snoopy Sno Cone maker. Good luck on your Xmas shopping everyone :)