YumSugar

Taste Test: Twix Coconut

Susannah Chen — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:11:49 PDT

After its successful debut of Coconut M&M's, Mars has unveiled Twix Coconut, just in time for warmer weather. Much like the lethal combo of chocolate and caramel, in my mind, the tropical fruit and the Summer season go hand in hand. On my last trip to the drugstore, I couldn't resist picking up one of the new candy bars as a grab-and-go treat. But does it live up to its limited-edition hype? To find out the verdict, read on.

Can Peanut Butter Make Snickers Even Better?

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:25:57 PST

Can peanut butter make everything taste better, even America's top-selling chocolate bar? That's what Mars seems to think with the introduction of its latest candy spinoff, Snickers Peanut Butter Squared, a square-size confection composed of peanut butter, nougat, peanuts, and caramel coated in milk chocolate.

To find out whether the chocolate treat held up to its promise that "peanut butter and chocolate just got better," the editors at Slashfood opted for a field test of the new Snickers flavor.

Is it possible to improve the classic? Head over to Slashfood to find out.

Source: Flickr User billsoPHOTO

An Easy and Delicious Way to Use Leftover Candy

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:00:42 PDT

It seems like every year, fewer trick-or-treaters stop by my house. Thus, each October, I end up with a large amount of leftover candy. If this happens to you, turn the leftover chocolate candy bars into a scrumptious topping for shortbread. The brown-sugar-based shortbread crust is simple and effortless to prepare. Similar to chocolate bark, these shortbread bars can be covered with whatever chocolate you have on hand. I used an assortment of peanut butter and caramel treats including Reese's peanut butter cups, Heath bar bits, Reese's Pieces, and caramel-filled dark chocolate. Want the recipe? Get it after the jump.

Taste-Off: Milky Way Original vs Simply Caramel

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:50:30 PDT

It's been a while since I've consumed a traditional candy bar, but I'm a sucker for comparison taste tests, so when we received a shipment of Milky Way's latest product, Simply Caramel, I was dying to compare it to the original.

Unlike the classic Milky Way, which contains a layer of nougat under a layer of caramel, the interior of the Milky Way Simply Caramel is - you guessed it - nothing but caramel. I was expecting it to taste a bit like Rolos, only in bar form. In the end, I wasn't too far off - compared to a Rolo, the Simply Caramel had a milder, less pronounced caramel flavor.

It's ironic that the Simply Caramel has 2 grams more fat and 25 more calories than its original counterpart, because it seems to be skimpier on the flavor (and is actually 0.14 ounces lighter than its original counterpart). The original has an added textural component with the nougat, and more of a fudgey chocolate flavor. In the end, I'll stick to what I know best - a classic Milky Way.

Have you tried the new candy bar? What were your thoughts?

Did This Snickers Commercial Go Too Far?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:58 PDT

For the second time in two years, best-selling candybar, Snickers, has found itself in the middle of a controversy surrounding their latest ad campaign. Candy company Mars has yanked the ad from UK airwaves, where it received backlash from gay-rights activists for being homophobic. The commercial featured surly '80s icon, Mr. T, berating a speed-walking man, calling him "a disgrace to the man race." The tagline? "Get some nuts."

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation criticized Mars and its ad agency for perpetuating stereotypes of gay men. Mars issued a statement last night, saying that the commercial was intended to be funny, not offensive.

While I can see how the ad was meant to be funny, it might have taken things too far. After watching the spot below, let me know what you think. Do you feel the ad is cruel and insensitive, or was the whole situation blown out of proportion?

Source

Yummy Link: Snickers Adventure Bar

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:01:33 PDT

Ready to go on an adventure? Check out Snickers new Adventure Bar. In a special promotion for the new Indiana Jones film, they're releasing a bar with "exotic spice and a hint of sweet coconut." - Candyblog

Bedrest Bash: Edible Invitations

LilSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:00:38 PDT

Past letting people know about an upcoming party, most invitations end up in the trash. So when you're planning the bedrest bash, why not choose something guests will enjoy making disappear. To check out this alternative invitation,

Edible chocolate bar invites by CustomCandyBarWrapper.com ($1-2) will set the mood for a laid back affair for the mama-to-be and double as a sweet treat. Available in numerous patterns, there's one for every occasion.

Introducing the One and Only

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:03:51 PDT

A little while ago, I was browsing the candy aisle at Circuit City - I know, weird place to look for candy, but I was there waiting for someone else to make a purchase - when I came across a candy I had never seen before. Called 1&Only, it was a monstrous offering of Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cups, Oreos, M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and more chocolate. It sounded a bit awful, so naturally I had to buy one.

So how was it? To find out and see close-up pictures,

Well for starters, there are two individual stacks inside. One is a piece of chocolate, stacked with a peanut butter cup, stacked with a chocolate chip cookie and then dotted with some M&Ms. The other is chocolate, stacked with a peanut butter cup, an Oreo, and the sprinkled with white chocolate chips. And based on the description, it should have been delicious. Yet somehow it was just not. It was more gluttonous than anything else. One big sugar bomb, no individual flavors. The calories (240 for both pieces) were comparable to several other candy bars, but personally I'd rather eat a regular Reese's Peanut Butter Cup than this one.

However, if you want to give it a try, here are some retailers that stock the products. Or, you could buy your own, and sandwich them together yourself. Check out what they look like by clicking on the photos below.

View 13 Photos ›

Yummy Link: Twix Java Coming Soon

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:30:29 PDT

Here's a limited-edition candy bar I can't wait to get my hands on: Twix Java. Get ready to stock up on this caramel-y coffee chocolate creation when it comes out in December. - The Candy Addict

Summer Reading: Candyfreak

YumSugar — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:01:37 PDT

"The author has eaten a piece of candy every single day of his entire life."

I could tell from the first sentence in Steve Almond's love letter to candy, CandyFreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, that I had found a book that would really speak to me. As someone who also has a huge weakness for candy, I was excited to read the riveting romp in search of unique and under-represented candy bars. The often hilarious Almond - who has an incredible name for someone who is a self-proclaimed Candyfreak - travels across America in search of regional candy. For example, did you know that Idaho is the home to a candy called Idaho Spud and that it's nearly impossible to find Valomilk bars west of the Rockies? While not completely flawless - he does get a little preachy regarding mainstream chocolate manufacturers - Candyfreak is definitely a delicious read. After each chapter, I found myself scouring the aisles of unnamed convenience stores looking for these hard-to-find treats. I had to have Sky Bars and Big Hunks and everything in between. If you're not interested in developing a severe candy habit, then I suggest you steer clear. However if you really want to know what an Idaho Spud is, or how a Clark Bar is manufactured (or even what a Clark Bar is), then definitely check it out. But don't say I didn't warn you, after reading this book you will definitely develop a severe candy habit.