M&Ms Cookies and Screeem review

I am posting this a bit late but on a trip to Target in the US a few months back my wife came across M&Ms Cookies and Screeem and brought a bag home for review. 

Take a look at the video and let me know if you think this should be a permanent treat on store shelves or if it scared you away for good!!

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Ganong Mashmallow Witch Review

Halloween has come and gone but at least our house is still filled with all kinds of trick or treating goodies!  Do you think the Ganong Marshmallow Witch is one you would keep or trade?  Check out the review for what I thought…  Spooky!!

 

 In case you missed it here are my thoughts on Santa as well! Ho ho ho!

 

 

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Laura Secord's Marshmallow Bar review

We've got a fun one from a Canadian candy company that is just joining me here for the first time on the Candy Aisle, its the Laura Secord Milk Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Bar!


Walking the Candy Aisle rates the Laura Secord Marshmallow Bar - 4 / 5

For more on all things Laura Secord please check them out online at http://www.laurasecord.ca/en/

Russell Stover Caramel Pumpkin review

Back to Halloween with a few remainders, today we're having a look at the Russell Stover Caramel Pumpkin.


Walking the Candy Aisle rates the Russell Stover Caramel Pumpkin - 4 / 5

For more on Russell Stover please check them out online at http://www.russellstover.com/

Candy Throwdown - Milk Caramels

Well here's something new for you, its our very first Candy Throwdown! On today's fight card we've got two Milk Caramels! Let's see who the victor will be...


Let me know what you think of this Throwdown in the comments below and let me know a Throwdown you'd like to see in the future! There can be only one!!!

Candy Corn review

Today we've got a Halloween classic up for review, it's the one and only Candy Corn.

 

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Candy Corn - 3 / 5

This specific Candy Corn is from a company called Cottage Country, you can find out more about them at http://www.cottagecountrycandies.com/

Are not all Candy Corns created equal??? If you think that I should review different or other specific varieties of Candy Corn please leave me a comment below!

Bat DOTS review

DOTS step into the Candy Aisle ring finally with one of their Halloween editions, Bat DOTS.

 

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Bat DOTS - 2 / 5

Dots are a Tootsie product, So for more on all things Dots, please check out their website - http://www.tootsie.com/

Hershey's Marshmallow Pumpkin review

More Halloween goodness today with Hershey's Marshmallow Pumpkin.


Walking the C andy Aisle rates Hershey's Marshmallow Pumpkin - 2 / 5

More from Hershey's Canada can be found online at - http://www.hersheycanada.com/

Rockets review

Another Halloween classic today with our review of Rockets. Or in the States you may know these as Smarties!


Walking the Candy Aisle rates Rockets - 4 / 5

For more on Rockets please visit them on the web at http://www.rocketscandy.ca/

M&Ms White Chocolate Candy Corn review

Here we've got a fun review to kick off a few very special Halloween pieces, this is M&Ms White Chocolate Candy Corn.



Walking the Candy Aisle rates M&Ms White Chocolate Candy Corn - 2 / 5

M&Ms is of course a Mars product, and for more on them please visit their official internet site here http://www.mms.com/

Aisle Walking - August

Well here we are at the end of August. The blog has a few changes in store. Not a lot, just a few, and its all good stuff. But that's not really what this post is about. Today's post is about the things I saw that tickled my fancy this month in the aisle. And you know it wouldn't be the start of September if there wasn't a bunch of Halloween stuff on the shelf to kick us off. Now I know I just posted about this yesterday, but since then I've stopped by the old Dollar store and found a few more items of interest.

I have to say I was surprised the see these Monsters University "candy sticks" there.

I mean, we all know these are really candy  cigarettes right?!

And big shout out to these creepy fellows.These guys are pretty awesome looking! Here's a few other random shots.

The other main thing that keeps catching my eye in the grocery store this month has been the Lays chip promotion. Similar to the recent Kit Kat Chunky promotion, Lays is running a contest for their next great chip flavor and the choices are pretty impressive. Made even more so by the fact that they're all suggestions from customers. Now how cool will that be for the winner to get their own dream chip flavor made for real on an ongoing basis. VERY COOL is the answer.

Here are the rules, and voting info.

And here are the flavors!

Its almost a shame that only one can win these are all such great ideas. While I really want to try the Perogy Platter, my guess is that the Grilled Cheese and Ketchup will win the contest. I somehow forgot to take a shot of the big signage but its all being presided over by Canadian comedy icon Martin Short... cause I guess he knows how to pick a chip... right? I mean he's certainly as qualified at this as say, Jason Priestly is at picking donuts...

Finally I've got two random sightings and notes from the aisle :)

Here we have a bag of M&M dark milk chocolate in the traditional purple bag. As I recently was working away on the 2nd to last piece of my VERY long M&M advertising retrospective series of posts I had I thought come to the conclusion that these were currently not around. Surprise surprise though. They are in fact around. I wonder if this is only in Canada... anyhow, its interesting to see them nonetheless.

There's nothing particularly new about Crunch 'n Munch, I just saw it and realized I haven't had it in ages. Man... remember how good Crunch 'n Munch is.... seriously.

On another good note I just today found a good local convenience store that has a stock of off the beaten track candy and chocolates. Not weird foreign imports from the UK or India or something but the oddball Nestle, Hershey, and Cadbury products that may be offered here in Canada but only in limited supply and not at many places. They have all of the Kit Kat Chunky bars up for Voting, although I think the actual voting is over after the plastic incident and the recall. They also had both White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Kit Kats, and Crunchy Peanut Butter Reese Cups. Pretty fun stuff!

That's all from me for now, I'll see you next time.

Halloween 2013 in the Aisle already!

Yes that's right, Halloween has struck the candy aisle already. I had heard that Costco has had costumes on the shelves for the past 2 weeks, but I finally saw some candy on the floor of regular grocery stores this week.

Other than the big bulk boxes of mini candies, which I documented fairly extensively last year here, the only other real Halloween candy I've seen so far has been the Nestle Halloween editions of their most popular bars. Again this is something I saw last year and I have to say it worries me slightly that these may be the actual same chocolate bars.... but they couldn't be. right?

Since they're all the same flavor and just spooky packaging I feel pretty fine just observing from afar. I mean I like it and all, but I don't know that packaging alone is making me rush out to get these. Although that said they are still great chocolate bars :) so that might get me on board.

As for Halloween, I'm sure the next time I go to a Shoppers Drug Mart or the Dollarama I'll see more.
 Its definitely coming soon.

Coffee Crisp Egg review

Today we are looking at a real oddity, the Coffee Crisp Egg.

This should be a quick and hopefully fun little review for you today. I took a look at the full version of Coffee Crisp a few weeks back here on the blog, and gave it top marks. A full 5 out of 5 for its ingenuity, design, and most importantly awesome taste blending coffee and chocolate into one fantastic candy bar. Today we're looking at that same bar but in another form. Can the egg live up to its big brother bar? Lets have a look.

Right off the bat I'm a bit wary of this. Why is an egg being sold around Halloween / Christmas time? That doesn't fit thematically. And why is this thing on super discount everywhere I look? I have a sinking feeling that this is an Easter holdover that Nestlé Canada is trying to unload before their Christmas goodies come onto the shelves. And most importantly before their 2013 Easter chocolates show up. But hey, maybe I'm wrong...

I think the packaging is fine, kind of a little version of the big packaging. I always liked the cCoffee Crisp font, and especially the steaming cuppa coffee in the letter O. I'm definitely concerned about the picture showing the inside of the egg though. The chocolate bar version of Coffee Crisp that I love so much features a chocolate / coffee mix layered between crisp wafers, this looks like a big blob of chocolate.

Also I understand that eggs are all the rage and everything, but if you're going that route then why put the chocolate into a full bag? why not just a foil wrapper like all the other normal eggs? Maybe this Coffee Crisp has special needs...

Opening it up we see a standard looking chocolate egg. I like the spiral patterning and design work here, and the Nestlé imprint is a nice touch. It feels solid, heavy, and smells alright. Not like coffee, which is something I get a lot of from the bar, but this may just be its own thing. Lets bite into this egg.

Hmm... ok, well this is interesting. So what we've got here is a fairly solid, definitely hard piece of milk chocolate. There is a little flavoring in it... could that really be the coffee? If it is I'm surprised. This is very mildly flavored if it is coffee. The real misstep though is the texture. The texture is nothing like a regular Coffee Crisp. This is not what I'm expecting, or really looking for at all. There are wafers, yes; but they're not layered. There's no line of wafer, no crisp crunch to them. The wafer is broken into tiny pieces and scattered throughout the egg. The closest thing I can think of that this resembles is a Crunch bar. Yes the wafer tastes like wafer, and not rice crispies as in the case of a Crunch, but they are placed thoughout as you'd find in that chocolate, and it has much of the same texture. Well, it would if it weren't such a thick piece of chocolate that I need to chomp through.

I'm not sure what Nestlé was thinking but this does not taste like a Coffee Crisp. I wouldn't be nearly so disappointed if I didn't have that in my mind. And frankly this is so different they could've called it anything else and it would be ok. I mean this isn't terrible, but its not very good. This is just ok. And the fact that they've tricked me into thinking I'm getting Coffee Crisp in one form or another is shameful. I simply cannot recommend this chocolate egg.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates the Coffee Crisp Egg - 2 / 5

For more on all things Nestlé please check out their site here.

Halloween 2012 Wrap

Halloween has sadly come and gone. In the States people are getting ready for Thanksgiving before the major Christmas onslaught and here in Canada we've got a little breathing room before things get crazy again. At Walking the Candy Aisle though we've got some big plans for the blog through the end of the year. Expect full tilt coverage on the Christmas candies you love, and a starting look at some of the Canadian chocolates and candies you may or may not be so familiar with.

As for Halloween, it was definitely a success here. And considering the fact that my family and I have only really just moved to a new country I'm amazed so much content went up. In case you missed it, here are the various Halloween themed reviews that posted on WTCA this month. Please click through to any you may have missed.

Cadbury Screme Egg - written - video
Cadbury Screme Egg Snack Cakes - written - video
Russell Stover Milk Chocolate Pumpkin - written - video
Marshmallow Brooms - written - video
Scary Eye - written - video
Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin - written - video
Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins - written - video

I hope you all had a great Halloween. Here's hoping things keep going strong through until next Halloween :)

Second Scream

With Halloween over now, there are a few good things to sort through in the candy aisle. Of course I'm talking about remainders. The trick for you remainder hunters out there, is to come early and come often. The very best stuff goes fast, but then you'll have to come back a day or two later to get the best deals. At the end of your stores remainder time you may find yourself in a sweet spot with a whole box full of something they carry in bulk. But pay attention,after a while the stores need it off the floor and will remove it forcibly :(

Anyhow, while walking my local Shoppers Drug Mart  yesterday I saw that Screme Eggs are now down to .99 cents. I decided to give it a second shot because I've heard, from you and others, that my egg I reviewed was an anomaly. That in fact the yolk should be just green and that the rest of the egg is in fact, supposed to be white (as with a standard Creme Egg). If you missed it, just click here to watch my video review of the Cadbury Screme Egg from a few weeks ago.

I got the fun mummy design this time :)

Biting in, you'll see that in fact it is actually white, just like a real egg! So mine was off for the review!

And getting down, you can see that there is a green yolk, but its nothing like what I had in the review egg, this one is much more solid, and much more contained.

In terms of my review, it stands. I can only review whats in front of me, but this was certainly  a case I wanted to investigate further. Besides anywhich way you crack the egg, its all pretty delicious.

Hope you all had a great Halloween. The X-Mas reviews start next week!

Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins - video review

Hey all, Happy Halloween! I'm excited today, as I am every Halloween, for fun times and of course candy. I've got one more Halloween review for you today. Here's a look at Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins.
 
Yes I know I should probably be calling them Marshmallow Pumpkin Peeps... its a long and convoluted story on why I'm calling it the other way around, just deal ok :)


Great stuff, honestly this score surprised even me!

For more on this, please check out the full written review, or all of our reviews on the reviews page. And look for a standard review coming this Friday, as we move into a look at some of the Canadian classics, before jumping headlong into Christmas candy! See you soon!

Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins review

Its finally here! Happy Halloween everyone. Today I've got one more special Halloween review for you, its time to look at the oh so spooky Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins.

There's something almost otherworldly ab out Peeps isn't there? I mean people seem to certainly regard them in high esteem. I for one have never fallen prey to the cult of Peeps. No its not because I hate them, I just don't get why people get so worked up over a few sugared marshmallow ducks. I'm looking forward to trying out these Pumpkins though. I can't remember the last time I actually had a Peep, so this should be exciting.

First off, Peeps all have some pretty nice design and packaging work. They're wholly original in presentation. From the font of the logo to packaging in the open, letting the candy talk for itself under clear cellophane. Its minimal and ingenious. I mean, look at how much you're getting for your money here! that's a lot of jack-o-lanterns smiling back at me.

The back of the box is pretty simple too. I like the note that they are "always in season" since its certainly true. Nowadays you can get peeps for almost any reason. They may not be on the shelf all year exactly, but anytime there is a candy holiday on the rise you'll find them in the Candy Aisle. Is that comforting to you? I'm not sure.... I guess if you're one of those die hard fans then it probably is.

Getting the actual Peep out requires a little ripping and minor disfigurements, but its all worth it. This is a squishy marshmallow candy coated generously in sugar. The sugar is very... granular, and a residue will come off on your fingers, but thats also just the nature of Peeps.
 
I'm on the record now with my complaints against candy marshmallow, and I usually stand by that claim. However Peeps may be the exception to the rule that marshmallow needs to be paired with a stronger flavor like caramel. Here its paired with simple sugar, and for the most part works very well.

There's something very viscerally satisfying about manhandling a Peep. They crush, crack, and tear so easily. Despite how adorable the face here, how kind of un-pumpkiny it actually looks (is this the Easter rabbit face design re-purposed into a pumpkin?) There's something very pleasing about pulling the cute smiling face apart. This is a happy pumpkin, and destroying it makes me happy too. Is tat weird?

And when you get down to actually eating the Peeps, you'll find its really pretty decent. The marshmallow isn't terrible quality, and the texture of the sugar adds a lot to the smooth, slightly melty mallow. This is a candy that lives, and is loved for a lot of reasons other than how it tastes, but for all that grandstanding, its really not all that bad. In fact its far better than it needs to be considering all the other stuff its got going for it.

I do like Peeps, and I do recommend the Marshmallow Pumpkins. I'm not quite ready to sign up for cult membership, but this is definitely worth your time.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkins - 4 / 5

Peeps are a Just Born product, these are the same guys behind Mike & Ikes and have possibly the best company tagline ever, "A great candy isn't made... it's Just Born.". You can find them online at http://www.justborn.com/

Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin - video review

Its almost here. One day left! check out this review for Russell Stover's Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin.


Nice work guys! Check back tomorrow for yet another Halloween review! For more on this little gem, please check out the written review, or all of our reviews over on the reviews page.

Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin review

Russell Stover just loves the holidays, and that's why we've got another review from them for you today. Its the Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin.

Here we are once again with a Russell Stover Pumpkin candy. I've generally been a fan of their marshmallow treats, and I'm hoping for something good here. Looking at the packaging I'll say I'm finding it pretty delightful. That is a very happy pumpkin. He's smiling, he's jovial, you can just tell he's glad to be there sharing all his pumpkin goodness with the world. It looks like it must be the magic hour in the pumpkin patch as well, with a yellow orange sky, and a few stars peeking out. This is a good time waiting to happen, and I am thrilled to dig in.

Getting the chocolate out of the wrapper you can see that while it doesn't have an actual jack-o-lantern carved into it, there is certainly some specific pumpkin-y qualities to be found. I really like how it actually has a round bulging shape, and the vertical lines are very reminiscent of an actual pumpkin. It also smells pretty decent, and despite a small flaw on the back (you can see that in the video review) the pumpkin gives a very good overall impression. 

Biting into the pumpkin the most important and immediate sensation is the caramel. This is excellent caramel. The marshmallow has little to do here, in fact it acts more as textural filler to support the caramel. While I have gone on the record that I'm not generally a fan of chocolate bar marshmallow, I think really the issue is that the marshmallow needs to be paired with something else to support it. In this case the caramel is really great, and ties this entire chocolate together. Oh there is a chocolate vibe as well here, but the chocolate isn't mixing too much into the caramel as it does with some higher quality bars, instead its just nice;y there adding an extra bit of separate flavor.

This pumpkin, is worth it for the caramel alone though, and I have to say I am looking forward to trying more of this moving forward. Hopefully I'll have a chance to grab one of the pure Russell Stover Caramel Pumpkins somewhere. For now this will definitely do though. This is a solid recommend.

Walking the Candy Aisle rates the Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkin - 4 / 5

For more on all things Russell Stover, you can check them out online at http://www.russellstover.com/

Scary Eye - video review

A new Halloween review for you today. Its the super creepy Scary Eye!


Pretty greusome stuff :)

For more, please check out the full written review, or all of our reviews over on the Reviews Page. Expect another Halloween review tomorrow!