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Biggest Headline of 2008: Cookies Die and Come Back

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:48 -0800

This year was a turbulent year for all, and the traditional snack cookie was no exception. Snack companies took fans on a roller coaster ride, discontinuing cookies and then announcing their revival. In January of this year, cookie classicists reeled from the loss of the Hydrox cookie, the crispy, chocolate sandwiches the preceded the Oreo. Consumers raised such ruckus over the death of Hydrox that Kellogg's, the cookie's manufacturer, agreed to bring it back. The catch? Kellogg's stated that the cookie's overall future was contingent on whether "it sells a lot."So far, Hydrox has remained on shelves. Mother's cookies, however, were not so lucky. After nearly 100 years of baking, Mother's Cookies crumbled, leaving lovers of Circus Animal Cookies and Taffy Sandwiches up in arms. Archway, which bought out Mother's cookies in 2005, also dissolved.

This month, Kellogg's announced it would be acquiring the rights to Mother's recipes, too. The company didn't reveal too many details, but did say it plans to rekindle the most popular of Mother's snacks. Did you find this year's cookie drama unsettling? Are you worried that any of these sweet Kellogg's deals will sour?

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Hydrox Cookies Are Back!

partysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:00:47 -0700

A couple of months ago, many of you were upset by the death announcement of the Hydrox cookie. Over the past few years, the black and white sandwich cookie had become harder and harder to find until it was practically extinct. However, Hydrox fans have bombarded manufacturer Kellogg, and thanks to consumer demand, the company has decided to bring the cookie back! There's a catch: The cookies will only be around for a limited time - long enough for Kellogg to see how well they sell. Michael E. Allen, the senior VP of marketing for Kellogg snacks, explains:

It's all up to the consumer. If it sells a lot and makes sense for the supermarkets and the grocery stores to keep it on the shelves, then we'll keep making them.

Thus, the fate of the Hydrox cookie lies in the hands of the consumers. Will you help save the cookie? Will you buy Hydrox while you still can?

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Is China's Oreo Really an Oreo?

YumSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:45:06 -0700

If you're ever in China and have a strange craving for an Oreo cookie, you're going to be out of luck. According to the Wall Street Journal, back in 2005 Kraft Foods revamped its iconic cookie there, replacing it with four thin crispy wafers, a layer of vanilla cream, thin layers of chocolate cream, and a coating of chocolate. The Chinese weren't keen on eating the traditional biscuit-style cookies, so Kraft - after testing 20 prototypes on consumers - changed the cookie to appeal to the masses.

Before the cookie transformation, Kraft Foods tried to reach out to consumers by creating a brand ambassador program that equipped university students with free Oreos and bicycles clad in wheel covers that looked like Oreos. However these marketing schemes didn't work, and the change became necessary. Now, with the new wafer version, China's Oreo sales have doubled in the last two years.

All of this is totally fascinating to me. It's interesting to see what brands have to do in order to appeal to foreign consumers. I understand adding new flavors and names. But does changing the product completely actually count? Isn't it, at that point, a completely new product? What do you think? Is it still an Oreo even if it doesn't look like a real one?

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10 Oreo Treats You Can Make at Home

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:55:11 -0800

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, the first Oreo was sold on March 6, 1912. This makes the Oreo ninety-six years old. To celebrate, I thought I'd round up some tasty Oreo-inspired treats. From bread pudding to liquid treats, there's something for everyone. So go ahead and buy a package and whip up one of these delectable delights. To view the treats, click the "Start Slideshow" button below.

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Sorry Folks, the Hydrox Cookie Is Dead

YumSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:28:31 -0800

When I say two chocolate cookies with a thick, sweet white layer sandwiched between them, most of you will immediately think of Oreo cookies. However, there's a small percentage of folks who think of the Hydrox cookie instead. The Hydrox - originally produced by Sunshine Biscuits, then Keebler, and finally Kellogg's - debuted in 1908, four years before the Oreo.

Fans like them for several reasons, one being that they stand up better in milk, and the feud is often compared to Pepsi/Coke. Either you're a "Droxie" person or you're an Oreo person. Interestingly, a taste test done in 1988 by Advertising Age showed that 29 tasters voted for Hydrox and 16 voted for Oreo.

Yet despite the devotion of its fans and the taste test win, the Hydrox cookie has gone the way of the dinosaur. For the last several years, Hydrox cookies have been harder to find, and a report from the Wall Street Journal is confirming that the Hydrox cookie is dead. Fans of the product have voiced their opinions, but at this time Kellogg's has no plan on bringing the cookie back. They have, however, confirmed that the Hydrox still lives in "crushed cookie form" as a mix-in for yogurt and ice cream - many fans have noted sightings in several brands such as Edy's/Dreyer's and Carvel.

So tell me, were you a Hydrox fan?

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Happy Hour: Drink Your Cookies

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:28:33 -0700

I have a friend who loves a creamy smooth cocktail. She usually orders White Russians, but likes to change it up from time to time. Next time we hang out, I'm going to make her order an Oreo Cookie Cocktail. It's perfect for National Cookie Month and sounds amazing as well. It's the perfect balance of coffee liqueur, Irish cream and creme de cacao, topped with a tiny splash of vodka. To try it yourself, get the recipe now, just read more

Oreo Cookie Cocktail
From DrinkSwap.com

1 splash Vodka
1 oz Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Irish Cream
1 oz Creme de Cacao

Carefully layer the kahlua, creme de cacao, and bailey's into a shot glass. Top with a splash of vodka.

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Yummy Link: Coffee Oreo Rum Ice Cream

YumSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 08:27:19 -0700

I've said it once before and I'll say it again, Elise was put onto the internet in order to make us all drool. Have a look at this glorious Coffee Oreo Cookie Rum Ice Cream, oh man I can't wait for the summer to begin. - Simply Recipes

Chocolate Cheesecake + Oreos = Indulge!

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:08:28 -0800

I love these ridiculous national days. You would think I'd get tired of talking about them, but there are so many, it definitely keeps things interesting. Today is one for all of you cheesecake lovers, specifically chocolate cheesecake lovers. Yep the luscious mousse like cheesecake is all grown up and has its very own day. So mark it in your calendars for next year, March 6, National Chocolate Cheesecake Day. Oh and what's this I just read? March 6 also happens to be the day that Nabisco debuted the Oreo cookie. Hrmmm... This can only mean one thing. Time for a Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake! You know you want it, so read more

Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake
From Diana's Desserts via Kraft Foods

12 Oreo Chocolate Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed

4 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pkg. (8 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate baking squares, melted and slightly cooled
4 eggs
20 Oreo Chocolate Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, quartered

For Crust:
Press crushed cookie crumbs onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 10 minutes if using a silver or light- colored springform pan. (Bake at 300°F/150°C) for 10 minutes if using a dark springform pan.)

Tip: Use bottom of straight-sided glass to evenly press cookie crumb mixture onto bottom of springform pan.

For Filling:
Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Blend in melted chocolate. Add eggs, mixing on low speed just until blended. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups of the quartered cookies. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining quartered cookies. Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 1 hour or until center is almost set if using a silver or light-colored springform pan. (Bake at 300°F/150°C for 1 hour or until center is almost set if using a dark nonstick springform pan.) Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Store any left-over cheesecake in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings.

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Yummy Links: From Oreo Kisses to Bacon Candy

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:58:52 -0800

Create your own adorable Oreo Kisses. - Bakerella
In South America, Kraft is creating a line to help fight intestinal worms. - Slashfood
Learn how to make felt fortune cookies filled with treats. - CasaSugar
Did you see this list of unlovable Valentine's Day Sweets? - Serious Eats
Find new ways to satisfy your chocolate cravings. - iVIllage
Flavor your food with something other than salt. - FitSugar
Learn how to broil a steak in the oven. - The Kitchn
Discover how to turn leftover wine into vinegar. - Chow
Let's all make a batch of bacon candy! - Al Dente

Yummy Link: Oreo Truffles

partysugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:28:31 -0800

Looking for something sweet to serve your sweetie on Valentine's Day? Why not whip up a batch of these decadent chocolate truffles made from Oreo cookies? - Bakerella