Entenmann's Pumpkin Muffins

We say it every year, but it really seems like everything is pumpkin flavored by the time October rolls around.  Cupcakes, cookies, cereal - you name it - it's pumpkin flavored.  For years, that's meant bad news for yours truly because I have hated pumpkin flavored anything.  Thankfully, as previously stated, I've grown accustomed to the taste and have finally acquired it.  But the honest question we have to ask ourselves is - is anything truly pumpkin flavored?  I think, over time, companies have ditched the traditional pumpkin flavor and have opted to call a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and spices "pumpkin."  All of you pumpkinheads have been weened off and over to this new version of the flavor while a guy like me can finally join you.  Meanwhile, we're both wrong and blindly accept whatever this taste is for what it is.

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

One of my favorite products from Pepperidge Farm are their Caramel Apple cookies.  When it comes to cookies, Pepperidge Farm knows how to do it right.  Have you ever had their Oatmeal Raisin?  Have you ever popped their chewey Chocolate Chip cookies into the microwave for that fresh out of the oven taste?  They do a phenomenal job of capturing flavor, texture, and appeal all in one bag.  Sure, they may be a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.  I must have spent at least $40 on Pepperidge Farm Caramel Apple cookies over the course of two years.  Yeah, they're that good and that's why I finally decided to give their Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies a chance!

Entenmann's Pumpkin Pop 'Ems

I've always loved what companies like Entenmann's and Little Debbie do for the holiday seasons.  Whether it's an orange frosted cupcake or a bat-shaped brownie, Halloween cakes have always been a part of my tradition.  Looking back on my childhood, Hostess was actually the best to ever do it.  Do you remember those awesome "Scary Cakes" boxes?  Man, at one point, they even featured The Munsters!!  Today, they don't even release Scary Cakes at all.  That's a shame, but Entenmann's hasn't shut the door on Halloween.  No, they're still all-in and seem to change up their offerings every year!

It's no secret that I'm not the greatest fan of the Pumpkin flavor, but I do love me some Entenmann's Pop 'Ems.  If you're unfamiliar, they're basically Donut Holes similar to Dunkin' Donuts' Munchkins.  We've discussed them before and, especially this time of year, they're always a hit.  Ya can't beat sitting back on a cool night with a box of Pop 'Ems and a Horror movie.  That's what makes the season so special!  Now, how do Pumpkin Pop 'Ems stack up?  Well, opinions are definitely going to differ depending on your preference, but I'll attempt to go into this objectively.  After all, Pumpkin flavor has grown on me through the years and I can actually name a few products I don't hate.  Let's hope this is one of them.

Upon opening the box, there's that awesome scent of Pumpkin.  While I usually don't enjoy the taste, I absolutely love the smell.  It reminds me of my childhood, from Halloween to Thanksgiving, and brings back such happy memories.  There are many aromas associated with this time of year, but Pumpkin definitely ranks higher than most.  Even if I didn't enjoy the way these Pumpkin Pop 'Ems taste, my nose surely got its money's worth.  Scent is the strongest tie to memory and a couple bucks for a box worth of memories isn't a bad deal.

I can't deny it, these are delicious!  That being said, there's only a vague hint of Pumpkin recognized by my taste buds.  For the most part, these are Pumpkin / Cinnamon Donut Holes that taste more like Glazed Donuts than anything else.  For me, that's a hit, but it doesn't mean the Pumpkin flavor isn't present.  It definitely is, but in a way in which non-fans like me can appreciate the subtly.  It's like a beginner's book for those of us who haven't acquired the Pumpkin taste, but desperately want to sit at the cool-kids' table.  For those of you who love Pumpkin more than a white girl at Starbucks, then you're still in for a treat.  These may not be as strong as you'd expect, but they may deliver the balance you're looking for.  The flavor can go either way, but one way it can't go is wrong.  It has something for everybody and I think that was Entenmann's goal.

Remember, don't leave your Entenmann's Pop 'Ems unattended.  They're delicious and bound to get stolen by a ghoul or two.  I made that mistake for one second, and look your peered through the plastic.  These Pop 'Ems are available everywhere, so why do green goblins need to lay their eye(s) on mine?  Get your own!

Then again, who am I to argue with Ghostface?  There's plenty to go around, just take your Pop 'Em and I'll sit over here with my laptop pretending you're all real to the six people who will ever read this.  Ha, and real-life wonders what's so important that I need to get home.  Umm.. duh!

8 / 10

Pumpkin Spice Oreo Cookies

It may be the most highly anticipated cookie of all-time.  CNN calls it breaking News.  The President has called it a National Treasure and, from what I hear, thousands of white girls are lining up around the corner to get their hands on new Pumpkin Spice Oreo cookies. Okay, none of that true, but it wouldn't surprise me.  Have you seen the attention these are receiving?  They're all over the media.  Major news outlets have them covered and foodie blogs have been counting down the days to their release.  It's an odd happening for junk food and I haven't seen anything like it since Nabisco first released their Candy Corn Oreos. As a fan of these gimmicks and the variety of Oreo flavors, this is surely a treat!

Reese's Orange Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Their may be no more traditional Halloween treat than the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkin!  For as long as I can remember, the Peanut Butter Cup spin-off has been a part of my Halloween experience.  I remember getting tons of them as I Trick-or-Treated with my cousins down the shore.  The pumpkin shape was always simple, much like the Peanut Butter Cup, but the wrapper truly set it apart from what we're used to.  Whether it was that spooky purple background, fall leaves, or a more classic orange design, the art is just as nostalgic as the candy, itself.  Just looking at retro images on Google is enough to get my head spinning in a Halloween 'daze!  But, this year, there's something new!  Or, is it?

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 Treats

Growing up, Trick-or-Treating was one of the highlights of my year.  I loved everything about it.  That cool crisp air whistling through your Halloween mask.  The sound of dead leaves crunching as you walked over them to get to the next house.  The sights and sounds that come from highly decorated houses.  Everything about Trick-or-Treating contributed to the amazing memories I have now and, if I wasn't as tall as I am, I'd probably throw on a Scream mask and do it again!

But..come on, the atmosphere may provide an extra hint of spooky, but we all know what Trick-or-Treating is all about...The CANDY!  Halloween and the season I love to celebrate has become an unofficial holiday in The United States with 9 out of 10 kids in America hitting the streets in search of free goodies.  In recent years, over 2 billion dollars worth of candy flew off the shelves and you can bet your jack-o-lantern that this year won't be any different. 

Now, I may not be out there with the kids, but I sure as hell like the candy and, as I've gotten older, I've grown to love the Fall and Halloween packaging that distributors develop every year.  Anytime you take an ordinary Kit-Kat package and enhance it with cartoon bats, color me interested.  Anytime you change the actual candy itself, consider it bought.  I love those things and, every year, I look forward to seeing what these big companies are going to roll out.

To my surprise, we're already starting to see Halloween merchandise.  I'm pretty sure this is earlier than ever before, but that may just be my own experience.  Either way, here are a few things I picked up while out at Walgreens.

Here's a perfect example of packaging playing a major economic role.  I'm not the biggest Tastykake fan.  I don't dislike their donuts, but I don't love them.  I'd much rather pick up a dozen Dunkin' Donuts than this box but, unfortunately, DD hasn't impressed me with any orange donuts with chocolate bats just yet so, until then, these will have to do.

Regardless of which flavored donut you prefer (I'm boring and go with the plain jane cinnamon), you can't deny how great this packaging is.  It's completely fall with the perfect hit of Halloween.  Those pumpkins make me happy.  The one on top of the powdered donut gets me downright jolly.  I mean, if that pump isn't excited for this season, then I don't know who is.

Even the back of the box is completely decked out in Autumn.  Not only is this how you sell a box of donuts during the Holidaze, but it's also how you get a jump start on the competition.  September?  As soon as my family saw this box they said "wow, pumpkins already?"  Yep, already.. That's why there's a box of uneaten Tastykake donuts in my kitchen and not Entenmann's..

Next up.. Candy

Reese's, Butterfinger and York Peppermint Patty all have their Halloween candy out already and that's just how I like it.  This is nothing new but, for me, these packages are a symbol of tradition.  As soon as I see them in the aisles, I know the ominous spirit of Halloween is nearby.

Now, knowing that the flavor never changes in these legendary candy recipes, we have to look at the packaging and candy size and shape to see just how invested Hershey and Nestle are to pleasing that die-hard Halloweenies like me.  First up, York Peppermint Patty..

This is not your grandpa's Peppermint Patty.  No, this is a horrifying York Peppermint BATTY.  Nice touch.  Now, it's not the greatest looking package art I've seen, but I like what they've done.  They stayed true to their classic color scheme but added an overly round bat with yellow eyes.  I'll take it!  But most specifically, I like the fact that this isn't a pumpkin.  Everybody seems to make pumpkins.  Where's the love for Frankenstein and Dracula?  I'd love to see Hershey make a Frankenstein shaped Symphony Bar.  That would be insane but, oh well, at least they created a mint bat.  At least we're making progress here.

Now, let's see what this bat looks like unwrapped..

This is supposed to be a bat. I mean, I see it but he'd have to be mostly deformed.  It's, again, overly round and his sides are uneven.  I was also expecting the filling to be orange when I should have figured it'd remain white.  But, yeah, he's a bat.  See?

Obviously!

I know I've seen this packaging before but I like it so much that I don't mind that they haven't changed it.  Unless you're into the disgusting white chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, you know Reeses rarely strays from their orange wrapper.  But, every Halloween, they bring out that black and purple.  In my opinion, there are only 4 Halloween colors:  Black, orange, purple and green.  Yellow gets an honorable mention.  Reeses gives you three out of those four.  I love it..

With packaging like that, you know they pulled out all the stops on their peanut butter pump!  Right?

Are you serious, bro?  This is what I get for falling for that same old packaging every year?  This looks like they took two melted peanut butter cups and smashed them together to create a circle.  This is just unacceptable.  I love the taste of Reeses, but no flavor makes up for this complete lack of disrespect...

Obviously, I'm not taking it that serious.. but almost..

Regardless, this is one sad Pump

Ok, we have one left and we're breaking away from Hershey here to see what Nestle has in store for us with their Butterfinger Pumpkin.  Yep, another pumpkin..

Give it up for the package art!  This Butterfinger pumpkin obviously comes from an evil patch and one that we probably wouldn't want to pick from.  Not unless we were gullible enough to believe that Scarecrow Pump wasn't going to come to come alive, unhitch and chase us.  Ha, there's no fooling me, Nestle!

However.. Pedazos en chocolate con leche??  Last time I checked, this was America and our one and only official language is English.  If you don't understand the language, then you don't get to know that this candy features Butterfinger pieces in milk chocolate.  Come on, Nestle.. stop drinking the Kool-Aid.

Anyway.. ¿Qué hace este dulce parece?

To quote one-hit wonder Montell Jordan, "This is how we do it!"  Look at this Pump.. He's perfect.  Not only does he have a face, not only does he have a stem, but he actually looks carved.  He appears to be your typical Jack-O-Lantern and, for that reason, I am willing to forgive Nestle for forcing me to use Google translator.

So, in conclusion, which treat should you pick up when the time comes to make that decision? Well, I'd say get them all but, if you can only pick one, it comes down to who you are.  Are you the type who only wants to eat some candy?  Then go with what you think tastes best.  BUT, if you're the type who cares about the little things and attention paid to detail then, there's no decision to be made.. Butterfinger wins!

This was fun.. I enjoyed reviewing the Holidaze treats and I'm sure there will be many more to discuss in the coming weeks.  Like the Holidaze, this was a nice break from the real world.  But, on this day, there are obviously more important things to keep in mind and remember.  There's a reason why we're able to spend hours talking about candy and donuts and that reason is freedom.  Thank God we have it and may He continue to bless the United States.

Never forget.