Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies

I could be wrong, but I assume Target is unable to effectively store their refrigerated items because that's all I've been able to find, so far.  First, it was the Halloween Lunchables, and now it's cookies from Pillsbury.  At this point, it's a shame that everything isn't cold and frozen because we're 50 days away from the big day and continue to be stiffed by major retailers.  Oh well, at least we have Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies to enjoy!

As far as I know, these Pumpkin Cookies are new for 2013 and, really, it's about time.  Pumpkin flavor has taken over the season in recent years and it seems like every company is cashing in on the obsession.  There's just something about the smell and taste that screams Fall and wipes away the sweat of Summer.  It's like we're all unable to truly walk away from the beach and heat until we eat or drink something that tastes like pumpkins.  Then, and only then, is it really Fall.  With every bite, another leaf falls from a tree.

Ironically, we just hit 90 degrees here in New Jersey and the Summer is desperately clinging on to a few more days.  But I'm sorry pal, we've had a good time, but the Doughboy is here to help me acquire the taste of pumpkin and cream cheese - two flavors who are not my taste buds - and usher in change.

 

To be honest with you, these aren't something I'd be interested in aside from the package art and newness of it all, but my girlfriend wanted to try them and that was enough for a Holidaze post.  I didn't have any problems with trying the pumpkin flavor, but the "cream cheese flavored chips" gave me reservations.  If you read The Holidaze, you know how picky I am.  I hate the texture of cream cheese, but don't really mind the flavor.  I know, I'm a nut job, but I was excited to see what these had in store.  As soon as we opened the bag, I realized the shape and size were different than the Pillsbury cookies I've come to know.  They're not "doughy," they're "cakey."  That's not a bad thing, but even better was the smell.  Wow, these smell just like pumpkin pie and, instantly, it felt like Thanksgiving in September.  That may be getting ahead of ourselves, but it definitely reminds me more of November than October.

In and out of the oven they go on my charred "Freddy Krueger Cookie Sheet."  This sheet has been around forever and has obviously been burnt to a crisp, but I've never found one any better.  It always brings us the best cookies, top to bottom, and this was no exception.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well these Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies developed.  The cream cheese chips really pop and look delicious.  And if I'm saying that, I'm either hungry or it's true.  Time to see which..

These. Are. GOOD!  I've learned something about my love-hate relationship with pumpkin and cream cheese.  For me, it all comes down to texture because, with the traditional texture of chocolate chip cookies, these Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies have an amazing flavor.  We're in the early part of the season, but I think it's safe to say that we've found Fall's new cookie.  I gave it to the Caramel Apple Cookies last year, but we may have a new champion.  I will admit that I didn't eat many because I'm still adjusting and acquiring the taste, but I'd love to have these again throughout the season and especially on Halloween or Thanksgiving.  Now, unlike last year, I may have to give Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies a chance.  The more and more I acquire this taste, the more and more I want to try.  This could lead to problems, both physically and financially, and I blame you all for making pumpkin such a prominent fixture of the season.

If you're interested in trying these Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies, they're available now at Target in addition the the classic sugar cookie pumpkins released by Pillsbury!  I say get 'em!

Halloween Cinnamon Rolls

Remember when I said I was going to put up 1 post a day, if not more?  What the heck happened?  Well, I'll tell ya.  I work for the Brooklyn Nets and, for the past 9 days, I've been nothing but busy.  Unfortunately, between work and traveling through the NY Subway system, I've been pretty tired.  I hope you understand that I wanted to post more, and that I'm upset over the fact that so much of the Halloween season was taken away by work, but it has cut into my Holidaze.  On the bright side, I'm back today and I'm hoping to keep this ball rolling straight through Halloween.  Despite my lack of posting, I've been taking pictures and attempting to embrace Halloween as best I could.  Hopefully I'll have a few good posts left before things wrap up in.. believe it or not.. 10 days!!

Today's topic is nothing new, but one of my favorite traditions that wasn't covered last year.  We've all seen the Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls at the grocery story.  They're always there, usually at the end, enticing you to heat 'em up and indulge.  If your anything like me, you probably do and, really, who can blame you?  These have always been delicious.  Since I was a kid, I've always loved Cinnamon Rolls.  I remember my Mom making them when I was in grammar school and it was always the highlight of my week.  I could be up to my head in homework, stressing out over who the Power Rangers would be up against next, and my Mom would save the day with Cinnamon Rolls.  To this day, this treat can turn my day around.

Now, white icing is one thing.  But, for Halloween, Pillsbury dies the icing orange!!  The flavor stays exactly the same, but it's orange!  That's it!  That's Halloween and, whenever I can find the Halloween edition, I snatch it up.  Last year, I couldn't.  But if there's one thing working in Brooklyn has brought me, it's these Cinnamon Rolls.  I found these at Path Mark across the street from Barclays Center.  Even when I'm working, I'm thinking Holidaze!

With the lid on, the orange icing looks like orange icing.  It could be so many things.  It could be a toxic ooze from Saturn.  It could be pumpkin blood.  It could even be, ya know, icing!  But, with the cap off?

With the cap off, this just looks like cheese.  It looks like I just stopped into Nathan's and they handed me a cup of cheese for their fries.  Believe me, I spent more than enough time at Seton Hall, where all we had to eat was Nathan's, so I know my melted cheese.  If you didn't know anything about this post, you'd think of nothing else when looking at that picture!

Now, after you start icing the Cinnamon Rolls, they begin to look like cheeseburgers.  So far, you're probably wondering why the hell these things are any good or Halloween related at all.  Justified, but I'm telling you what it looks like, not what it smells like.  Not what it tastes like.  When you bring all of your senses together, you're in Halloween Heaven.  It's the perfect combination for a late night Halloween snack.  Like I said, the white icing is classic, but when you start changing colors, you really add so much to the season.  In fact, I would like to see these released with multiple icing colors.  Maybe some green, purple, or red?  It could lead to so many marketing opportunities as well.  That would be great!

Besides my Freddy Krueger cookie sheet adding more horror to the photos than you'd probably like, these Halloween Cinnamon Rolls look amazing.  I wish I didn't already eat them so I could eat them again.  Look at the 2nd picture above and tell me you're not hungry now.  McDonalds pays big money to get their burgers looking like that.  If only they read the Holidaze and knew to fool you with Halloween Cinnamon Rolls instead.  That's the key!

When they've cooled just a little bit, plate them and prepare to get messy.  Don't eat these if you don't want to get messy because that's the best way to enjoy Halloween Cinnamon Rolls.  As for me, my girlfriend sat down with these, put the lights out, and caught up on two seasons worth of The Walking Dead.  Can you believe a Hallowgeek like me missed that boat?  Where was I?  That show deserves a whole blog, let alone a post, dedicated to it.  But now, thanks to Netflix and these Cinnamon Rolls, I'm all caught up and ready for tonight.  

Hopefully you're all still with me here.  I know I've missed a few days, but I love writing in this blog and talking about Halloween so I'll do my best to make the last 10 days worth your couple of minutes.  So stay tuned!

Pillsbury Halloween Cookies

One of the best parts about Halloween are the various varieties of Halloween themed cookies released throughout the season.  Yeah, it's true, the cookies never actually taste any different, but the designs are enough to make you think they do.  A sugar cookie is great, but one with a pumpkin printed on the front?  Well that just has to be better than the plain, old, boring sugar cookie!  Plus, they always come in amazing boxes and/or wrappers.  That, for me, makes walking down the frozen food aisle, freezing my cinnamon buns off, all worth it!

Pillsbury never disappoints me during the Halloween season.  They always go all out on their designs and I appreciate the effort.  For a Hallow-geek like me, it doesn't go unnoticed and usually leads to me spending more money on cookies than I should.  But how do you turn that down?  A costumed doughboy holding brown and orange chocolate chip cookies!?  I love it.  However, if you notice, the wrapper doesn't actually say anything about Halloween.  Maybe they're supposed to be "Fall" themed, but come on, why the mask, then?  ORANGE chips? Nope. Uh-uh.. Whether you say it or not, this IS for Halloween!

You might remember by cookie sheet from last year.  Disregard it.  It's old, it's ugly, and it looks like it's been through a horror movie.  It is the Freddy Krueger of cookie sheets, but it gets the job done and that's all that matters to me.  Regardless, pretend it doesn't exist and that all you see are the tiny blobs of cookie dough filled with chippy Halloween goodness.

Fresh out of the oven, here are the Pillsbury Halloween Chocolate Chip cookies!  I'll admit, I'm not the best baker.  Usually, my girlfriend is the one that makes these come out so great, but this time it was me.  My 2-year-old cousin was over and I saw the perfect opportunity to create a memory.  I remember when I was growing up, my family always did everything they can to make a simple Wednesday or Thursday as special day.  That's what I wanted to do for somebody else.  He may only be 2, but hey, maybe it will stick with him and he'll also be a geek who writes in a Halloween blog one day!  The tradition lives! ;)

I wish I could share them with you through the computer screen, but unfortunately Apple hasn't gotten around to that technology just yet.  Give it time.  Maybe next year.

Pillsbury Halloween Cookies

There's never a bad time to make cookies, but the Holiday season is always a better time.  When I was younger, I really only associated cookies with Christmas.  I remember baking them with my Mom, decorating them red and green, then eating them throughout the month of December.  But, as I got older, I realized how much emphasis is placed on the Halloween season as well.  Now, one of the highlights of every year, is waiting to find a pack of Halloween-themed cookies and Pillsbury never disappoints.

While they're nothing new, they're still awesome.  The box art tends to change annually, but not by much.  In previous years, the Pillsbury Dough Boy has worn a mask and been seen in various types of costumes.  But this year, the lovable ball of dough is going as an undead version of himself.  Well, that's what I'm saying anyway.  He's obviously trying to to be some type of ghost or zombie.  Either that or he's trying to scare away all potential pokers.  Ya gotta figure that gets old after a while.

Don't ask me why, but I enjoy looking at these Pumpkin Shape Cookies before they're put in the oven.  I could stare at them for hours.  For whatever reason, I'm fascinated by the edible images and how the same face can look so different from cookie to cookie.  I'll admit, that's a bit odd, yet every year I wind up taking the same picture as the one posted above.

Okay, into the oven..

When it comes to timing cookies as they're in the oven, I'm definitely not the one you want to depend on.  I tend to ignore the box and eyeball it as time goes on.  Sometimes my method of madness works out, and other times I'm left with a burnt bottom.  However, this time, they're absolutely perfect.  Not too crunchy, not too soft.. just right.  I felt like Goldy-Locks when these came out of the oven.

Just look at that Jack-O-Lantern's face!  I love it!  That's what's so great about Halloween Shapes.  Sure, at any other time throughout the year, you can bake sugar cookies and they'll taste exactly the same.  But only during the month of October can you eat one shaped like a pumpkin and have it mean much more than it probably should.  That's why I love Halloween!

I wish I could share them with you, but I can't.  The picture posted above is the best I can do.  If you can develop some type of invention that allows you to reach through the screen and grab a cookie, then you're welcome to it.  Unfortunately, until then, you're going to have to buy your own.  Luckily, there are various shapes available besides the classic pumpkin!  This year, Pillsbury has released a Spooky Cat and Ghost as well.  I almost picked up the Cat Pack, because it looked awesome, but I decided to stick with my own tradition.  Maybe next time.

Before I end, I have to point out the back of the box.  Not only are you getting tasty treats, but you're also getting a free Halloween costume.  No, I'm certainly not going to wear this mask, but you might want to.  Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing.  I'd have to get at least 5 comments on this entry for me to post a picture of me wearing half a pumpkin, and we all know that ain't happenin'.  However, I do know somebody who will... Dr. Acula!

Everybody's favorite doctor with the identity crisis strikes again.