Monthly Archives: October 2021

News: Swiss Miss Cocoa Puffs

Swiss Miss Cocoa Puffs

Bullying works!

See, when Hot Cocoa Cocoa Puffs debuted way back in 2017, I made fun of the name for being redundant and clumsy to say. Now, the concept of wintery marshmallow’d Cocoa Puffs is back from its four-year embarrassment-induced hibernation, and with a less tongue-twisting name. Sure, “Hot Cocoa” is still the flavor descriptor—despite no one in their right mind actually eating hot Cocoa Puffs—but “Swiss Miss Cocoa Puffs” sounds a lot neater.

Sadly, the cereal itself will probably be more tongue-tiring than tempting. Looking back at my Hot Cocoa Cocoa Puffs review, it’s clear I need to get at least halfway through a box before giving it a full review, for while the charm of marbits and cocoa-powdered puffs was cozy at first, I remember getting really bored of the cereal’s one-note adequacy long before I finished it. Cocoa Puffs as a corn-based cereal has simply lost its luster in the face of other, better-base-grained chocolate cereals, plus the marbits are boring and Cocoa Puffs’ recent reformulation has left me distrustful of Sonny the Cuckoo and his bowl-gripping feathers…

…even if I happen to love his sweater, which makes the bird look like a Fat Albert side character.

Swiss Miss Cocoa Puffs have already been spotted at Sam’s Club.

News: Coffee Mate Golden Grahams Creamer

New Coffee Mate Golden Grahams Coffee Creamer

January 2022 is gonna be BIG

…for fans of viscous cereal fluids.

Yes, Coffee Mate, the folks who already brought us Cinnamon Toast Crunch Coffee Creamer, are double dipping into the great big bowl of cereal inspiration for this shining supernova of liquid sweetener known as Golden Grahams Coffee Creamer.

It’s no secret that I’m a Golden Grahams fan—honestly, we need a term for that. Golden Grahamaniacs? In fact, I’m a big fan of all things graham’d, be they crackered or Teddy’d. I even find it quite silly that graham crackers were invented to curb prurient urges, because nothing gets me going like a coffee-dunked sheet of twinkling Honey-Maid goodness.

And now, with this GG (fitting acronym) Coffee Creamer, I can dunk my graham crackers in graham cracker flavored coffee creamer that I’ve poured in my coffee….which I’ve then poured into a bowl of actual Golden Grahams. I expect a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure villain-tier ability to see through time to develop shortly after. Continue reading

Review: Apple Pie Toast Crunch

New Apple Pie Toast Crunch Review – Box

Picture this epicurean odyssey: it’s the day after Thanksgiving, and you’ve just finished a delightful franken-wich of fused leftovers—gravy-braised turkey suspended in cranberry sauce topped with a mashed potato schmear, all on a bun made from waffle-ironed stuffing.

And now it’s time for dessert, so you make Grandma’s classic: a fat slice of toasted bread thickly buttered with the puréed result of cramming an apple pie slice into your food processor.

At least, that’s what I picture when I think of “Apple Pie Toast,” the latest naming convention-transgressing foodstuff implied by the people who brought you “Frosted Toast” Crunch and “Sugar Cookie Toast” Crunch. I mean hey, I understand that it’s just the name of a cereal and therefore it doesn’t need to conform to reality, but c’mon, they did this flavor already with Apple Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a name I had no trouble accepting.

But whatever, I’m just grasping at semantic straws. If Apple Pie Toast Crunch is good, I’m willing to forgive its eponymous sin. Continue reading

News: Frosted Maple Eggo Pop-Tarts

New Eggo Pop-Tarts

Well if it isn’t the no-brainer patrol, here with a new Pop-Tart flavor that should’ve been made years ago.

I mean c’mon, maple is such a good flavor. It’s probably in my top 5, with the legendary likes of PB&J and gingerbread. But there have only been two maple-flavored Pop-Tarts, and both came with drawbacks. 2012’s Mapley Brown Sugar Oatmeal Delights Pop-Tarts were incredible, but they were only around for a very limited time and I only ended up trying them in a dusty, nearly expired form after unearthing them a year later at some catacomb of a grocery outlet. Meanwhile, Maple Bacon Pop-Tarts were about as appetizing as a pig’s belch.

Finally, though, we’re getting an allegedly permanent and straightforward maple toaster pastry with Eggo Frosted Maple Pop-Tarts, debuting this December. Granted, it would’ve been cool if they actually gave the Tarts little indented squares, but hey, if I want syrup pockets, I can always squelch some Mrs. Butterworth into my jorts.

All that said…

…while my bloggerly duties would feel unfulfilled if I didn’t report on news like this, it’s also my due journalistic diligence to remind you that 1400 Kellogg’s factory workers are on strike right now, fighting for healthcare, retirement benefits, vacation pay, and for their jobs not to be outsourced altogether! Hopefully they can reach an agreement before December, so we can all enjoy Eggo Pop-Tarts, but ultimately, the livelihoods of the people working hard to make our breakfasts are far more important than some sweet ‘n’ sticky toaster slab.

I encourage you to join me in standing with these brave Kellogg’s workers by avoiding Kellogg’s purchases until an agreement is met.

News: Kellogg’s & Wendy’s FROSTY Cereal

New Kellogg's Wendy's Cereal

Sorry Wendy’s, but this is neither penance nor atonement. Your sin is far too great to assuage with a sweet cereal.

I know I seem crass, but in my eyes (all full of glistening milky tears of spite), Wendy’s is at fault for popularizing the “kooky brand social media” trope that’s infected Twitter, Tumblr, and somehow my small intestine. Listen, it was funny the first umpteen times a big, million-follower account got snarky and all “sorry not sorry” for “throwing shade” at a competitor, but holy trash-talking guacamole, it’s gotta stop. I’m tired of brands pretending to be people. 

I know nothing I say will stem the tide, though, so let me get to the point: Kellogg’s is teaming up with Wendy’s to drop the fast food chain’s first ever cereal, based on their iconic chocolate Frosty milkshake. According to Kellogg’s, “hitting shelves this December, the limited-edition cereal features chocolate-flavored marshmallow pieces that intermingle with crispy, cocoa-coated round cereal bites — each spoonful evokes the irresistible taste of a Wendy’s Frosty.

Well, to me, each spoonful looks like it’ll evoke the tepid taste of an Elf on the Shelf Cereal (apologies, but I’m triggered by those molar-nesting capsule marbits). As with any new cereal, I’m willing to give it a chance to surprise me, but hey, either way, Wendy’s Frosty Cereal comes with a consolation prize: each cereal box includes a FREE small Frosty or Frosty-ccino with any Wendy’s app purchase.

Wait, I’m also still triggered by my childhood memory of throwing up a Wendy’s cheeseburger with a small Frosty I dunked my fries in.

Boy, I just can’t win today. Maybe I can assuage the pain by having @Wendys publicly dunk on me instead.