Review- Krispy Kreme NEW: Hersey's and Coconut & Raspberry

Oh hi little Bloggy, long time no post! It's been a while since my last review, almost a month* in fact..  But you know how life goes - "Busy" has a sneaky habit of keeping you just that! So what's new with everyone? Anything exciting to tell me? Has Spring, sprung where you are? New faves and foods? Gossip? Let me know!

Kicking things back off today, it's the NEW Hersey's Cookies 'n' Creme (Also available in Ring form) and Coconut & Raspberry Doughnuts from good old Krispy Kreme (Not Cream in name but said as cream, not krem. GOT IT!?), which I picked up in my usual Tesco cabinet. Price wise, I bought an assorted box of 3 for £4.85 but assume they are the usual £1.90 each. 

Hersey's Cookies 'n' Creme

Filled with Hersey's Cookies 'n' Creme Kreme, topped with white chocolate flavoured coating and Hersey's Cookies 'n' Creme pieces. 

I was so convinced that no filling was going to feature within my Hersey's number, I had a complaint tweet practically composed, ready to press send as soon as confirmed by the slice of my knife.. But the eager finger was soon shown the door when some Kreme did turn out to be present! - Not a lot mind but more than what it's weight suggested! Onto the eating and texture wise, the very bottom layer of the dough itself wasn't quite cooked and in turn a bit on the stodgy side. Thankfully, the rest was up to the usual fluffy KK standard and delivered that signature sweet flavour. As for the Hersey's aspect, both inside and on top.. It brought nothing to the party - No real creaminess, certainly not cookies whatsoever, perhaps some more sugary, wannabe white chocolate tones but generally, lacked all kind of flavour. It's a disappointing, 1 out of 5 from me. 

Coconut & Raspberry

Filled with coconut Kreme and topped with raspberry gloss and desiccated coconut. 

Moving onto the Doughnut which has been greatly longed for and the one that I had much higher hopes for.. The Coconut & Raspberry! Cutting in two, the dough still proved to be marginally raw a long the bottom but far less noticeable than the above and probably not something anyone would complain about apart from me! From first bite, the coconut aspect was instantly identifiable with plenty of creamy, tropical tones a long with sweetness, all packed into the super smooth, silky abundance of Kreme. The sticky gloss on top added a real pop of fruitiness which as expected, went wonderfully with both the chewy desiccated coconut and the aforementioned filling. YUM - A 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag here from Krispy Kreme. Hersey's is no Reeses in my opinion** so if KK are expecting it to catch on.. I can't help but think they've got another thing coming given what they've produced - Mine really did taste of nothing! As for the Coconut & Raspberry offering, it is a "spot on" delight and you would be a fool not to get yourself 1.. Or a dozen. Happy Doughnut munching! 

*Whilst I was MIA.. On the 23rd of March.. It was the Bloggy's 2 year birthday.. And I completely forgot. Whoopsie doodle. Happy Birthday Bloggy!! 

**What do I know, I don't even like Peanut. I'm just channelling my inner Nibby Nobs. She knows stuff, that one. 

Review- M&S NEW Baked Doughnut Mix

As some of you may already know.. I am big on baking. Massive in fact. I take no greater pleasure in life than whipping up something from scratch.. So when my Sparks* offers came through this fortnight and one was "20% off Home Baking Kits", I felt nothing but personally offended. How dare M&S force such sacrilege upon me? Who do they think they are? 

Well actually, I should probably eat my words as when having a quick peruse around my local store, I stumbled across this vegetarian friendly, NEW Baked Doughnut Mix which I figured would kill several birds with one stone - 1. Utilise my offer 2. Get potentially yummy Doughnuts 3. Bit alternative thus good for the bloggy. And just like that, I was convinced and hotfooted it to the till where I paid £2 (£2.50 without the 20% off). 

Inside the box was the doughnut mix itself, a bag of caster sugar and 3 sachets of raspberry jam with all one needing to bring to the party being, 90ml of warm milk, 50g melted unsalted butter and a lined baking tray.

So filled with the joys of spring, I cracked on and measured out my milk before giving it a quick zap in the microwave until it felt tepid.

I added it to the doughnut mix, in a large bowl as instructed and mixed to form a dough, prior to giving a good knead on the table for about 5 minutes, until it felt smooth. 

Plopping the dough ball back into the bowl, I proceeded to cover it with clingfilm and left to prove for an hour, or as the instructions stated, until doubled in size. 

Well.. As I often find with anything that is meant to rise, my dough didn't exactly expand much despite being left for longer than an hour and having been sat in a warm spot. So, that's brilliant. 

Following the next step of briefly kneading said dough and cutting into 6 equal (Semi equal) size pieces, I "gently" rolled each into a ball and placed them onto a not so lined (I forgot) baking tray, evenly spaced apart. A further 45 minute prove or once again, until doubled in size, whilst being covered and then they would finally be ready for the oven.. Thank the lord. 

In the mean time, aside from doing a jig around the kitchen, a "waiting dance" if you will, I melted the 50g of unsalted butter in a little tumbler - It was certainly sunny in appearance! 

At least the rise was more apparent this time.. Sort of.. Ish. I brushed approximately a third of the above, melted butter onto the balls and whacked them in a preheated 190ºc Fan oven for the recommended 6 minutes.

Out they came and a second coating applied before going back in for a further 6 minutes or.. Wait for it.. Until golden brown! Who saw that one coming? M&S love a vague "until" option. 

I left the little nubbins to cool by the window and got my jam ready..

There was no way I was going to faff around with making a small hole in the top of each doughnut and filling with half a sachet of raspberry jam - How was that ever going to work? Is one meant to spoon it in? It would have to be a really diddy spoon? Who has one of those? Stupid bloody M&S. I chose to utilise the use of a syringe.. Meant for my pet fluffy.. My needs are greater than hers. Soz. 

Tadaaaaa! 6, jam squirted, raspberry doughnuts that had been brushed with the final third of butter and rolled in the caster sugar. 

So what did they taste like? Good question after what felt like an eternity in the making! Unfortunately.. I can't say that the doughnuts produced were anything other than totally boring. Taste wise, the dough itself wasn't one thing or another - Not particularly sweet when eaten alone or possessing the flavour akin to any doughnut, baked or fried, that I've ever had. The jam centre was nice enough in being fruity and supplying pleasant raspberry tones with the sprinkling of sugar on the outside really heightening the overall sweetness - It also provided a crunchy contrast in the texture to the "soft" bun. 

Crikey. What a palaver. Not so surprisingly, this NEW Baked Doughnut Mix just isn't a winner for me. It takes far to much effort, for the end results to be nothing short of lack lustre. One could literally just buy a part-baked roll, slather it in butter, bake it off, roll it in sugar and then consume it with jam.. It would be no different, taste or quality wise. Now, someone go and buy me some proper doughnuts, the need is dire. - It's an exhausted, 2 out of 5 from me.

*Find out about the M&S Loyalty Card here - The offers can be anything from food to clothes to homeware and definitely worth having! 

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW: Chocolate Orange and Tiramisu

Happy Monday! Happy New Year! I have good news. Possibly the best news ever. Krispy Kreme have only gone and released 2 brand spanking NEW Doughnuts today! Could there be any better way to kick of 2017? I think not!

Behold! A Chocolate Orange and a Tiramisu doughy delight! ..You're thinking the same as me, aren't you? Why these weren't the Christmas offerings, I'll never know - It makes zero sense given the festive feel of the duo but never mind I guess, better late than never! Purchased from my local Tesco cabinet as part of a trio box, I assume they were priced at the usual £1.90 individually.. But one can never be too sure when I am forever being charged varying amounts in my store!

Chocolate Orange

Filled with chocolate orange flavour kreme, topped with orange flavour gloss, dark chocolate shavings and decoration. 

Having come to the realisation that it is impossible to guess how much filling is inside all of KK's Doughnuts, I was overjoyed to see a packed centre of smooth kreme despite it's relatively light feel. Smelling exactly that of its namesake, taste wise it reminded me a lot of a cheap "Jaffa" Cake bar with a slightly bitter, medicinally orange flavour combined with generic chocolate - Not the Terry's, I hoped for by any means. The sticky gloss on top, I found to be far more pleasant than the filling adding a different sort of citrus tone.. Although still not quite spot on. As for the doughnut itself, there was not much to complain about with the signature KK flavour and light, fluffy texture, no stodge or uncooked dough. A 2.5 out of 5 from me.  

Tiramisu

Filled with coffee flavour kreme, covered in white chocolate flavour coating - CONTAINS NUTS.

Moving onto the Tiramisu and the sheer panic of reading "Contains nuts" after eating the bloomin' thing! - Since when did Tiramisu feature hazelnuts?! Thank the lord it wasn't peanuts.. That would have been anything but a marvellous start to the year! Cutting into the aerated Doughnut, as seen above, the whipped to perfection kreme proved to be in abundance but didn't really have much of a scent to it at all.. Certainly not that of coffee which immediately didn't bode well in my mind. Taking a bite, thankfully I was proved wrong the a decent enough hit of creamy coffee coming through, albeit once again, a tad on the artificial side. The cracking and crumbling white chocolate added some sweetness to balance but as usual, was hardly of the highest quality and I am not sure, one would know what it was meant to be.. Which essentially summed things up entirely in being nothing like Tiramisu as I know it.. But could pass as Cappuccino/Latte inspired! A 3.5 out of 5. 

Hmm.. I can't help but feel a tad let down by these 2 NEW Doughnuts. The desired flavour is just not there with the Chocolate Orange and the Tiramisu is not really what it claims to be whatsoever.. I did much prefer the latter however as a all round coffee fanatic! A few tweaks and some better quality ingredients and KK might just be onto a winner..

Now, only time will tell what else might come our way this year.. But I beg of you KK, listen up and please let coconut feature! I need it! 

Snackmas Day 5- Krispy Kreme Season's Treatings: Santa Belly and Melting Snowman

I've been waiting for it. You've been waiting for it. Nibs has practically been beside herself with worry. We've pondered, we've speculated.. But no more - The sugar plum fairies have finally worked their magic and Krispy Kreme and their 2016 festive Doughnuts are upon us, at long last! 

In stores and cabinets from today, a (Upside down, in my case) jolly, jiggling Santa Belly and a rather macabre, Melting Snowman which I picked up in Tesco for £1.90 a pop - I was so eager this morning, I actually saw the KK van delivering them and everything! Also, isn't it lovely to see how, that despite it being the busy season, the KK monkey's haven't let their decorating skills slip.. The Doughnuts are so neat and uncanny to the promo images, right!? 

Santa Belly

Hand dipped in raspberry flavoured red icing, filled with chocolate truffle Kreme, hand decorated with chocolate iced buttons and belt, then finished with a buckle. 

Did I expect to be slicing poor Santa in half this Christmas? No, no I did not but there I found myself, knife wielding, ready to reveal the filling within. Light, fluffy and of a good KK standard, the dough itself was a winner with no uncooked stodge in sight and delivering that signature taste we all know and love. The chocolate Kreme of 2015 was back but wasn't as whipped as usual although still plenty soft with a real cocoa rich flavour.. And of a more than generous quantity! This paired up nicely with the thick and sticky layer of tangy, fruity raspberry icing (Seen previously with the Love Bug) on top. Tasty but relatively boring - It's a 3.5 out of 5 from me. 

Melting Snowman

Hand dipped in white chocolate flavour coating, filled Lotus Kreme, then hand decorated with chocolate iced buttons and scarf. 

Moving onto the Melting Snowman which came with a cracky and crumbling topping that went pretty much, everywhere. Similarly to above, the doughnut itself was once again faultless in being light and aerated and a good base flavour to the abundance of mousse-like Lotus Kreme which delivered a pure hit of caramelised biscuit. The coating didn't really taste of much, certainly not identifiable as white chocolate but did add further sweetness. Finishing things off, was of course, the Snowman's face, made of a harder fondant icing for that added something extra. Fairly 1 dimensional and that of April but 100 times duller - A 3 out of 5. 

Overall, I am quite disappointed by this duo.. And can't fathom why, after such a cracking year of pushing the boat out with a whole host of "new" flavours that KK would do themselves such a disservice by using the same old chocolate truffle and Lotus Kreme fillings? I like both, don't get me wrong but what about a flavour of the actual season? I am not asking for the world or heaven forbid, demand something as wild as mince pie or cranberry but a simple chocolate orange or mint number wouldn't go a miss rather than adopting the unoriginal and lazy "Let's just take bits from other Doughnuts" approach - It's not even a case of style over substance as they don't even look good! Maybe Krispy Kreme are saving themselves for the New Year? Maybe a bang is coming? I really do hope so as neither Santa Belly or Melting Snowman, even fizzle! 

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW: Bonfire Toffee and Gingerbread Ring

Happy November! Our old friends at Krispy Kreme dropped a lovely surprise last night.. Not one but two NEW Doughnuts would be hitting our Tesco cabinets and stores today, with a seasonal theme to kick off the Fall festivites - We've got a Bonfire Toffee and Gingerbread Ring! 

The delight that is MSW picked me up a Trio box of Doughnuts from a service station and paid £4.90 but I expect they are priced at £1.90 each.. Or maybe the Rings are a tad cheaper - Who is to say when you've been charged all sorts over the last few months! 

Bonfire Toffee

Filled with sticky toffee, dipped in chocolate flavour coating & topped with dark chocolate pieces & caramel balls, drizzled with caramel flavour icing. 

Aaaaaand the curse of the no filling had struck again.. 

Or not! After some digging around, an abundance of ooey gooey toffee was found, super thick and sticky as promised with a gorgeous, buttery sweet flavour that was somewhat similar to Werthers Originals but much richer and generally indulgent - Far more so than a caramel! The Doughnut itself was pleasantly crisp and golden on the outside with a soft, fluffy interior and without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best texture wise I have ever had. As for the chocolate topping, it wasn't anything to write home about but the cocoa tones did go nicely with the filling as well as the chewy scattering off caramel balls on top. Amazing - It's a 4 out of 5!

Gingerbread Ring

A ring doughnut dipped in ginger flavoured icing & topped with caramelised biscuit crumb then drizzled with ginger flavoured icing. 

Moving on to the spicy option which again was picture perfect with bundles of toppings. Taking a bite, the dough proved to be just as flawless as above with a light, aerated texture and tender feel - No undercooked stodge in sight! Flavour wise, the sweetness from the thick, slightly crunchy icing was the first thing to hit which then developed into the warm and comforting tones of gingerbread. The biscuit added a pleasant contrast in texture and was similar in taste to the Lotus variety making for  the perfect accompaniment to the ginger! A 4.5 out of 5 from me. 

So these NEW Doughnut additions may just be the best Krispy Kreme have had to offer in a good while.. I can find very little fault with either of them! If I were to be really, really pernickety, my only qualm would be the quality of chocolate on the Bonfire and maybe the strength of ginger won't be enough for some people in the Ring.. But I loved the latter as is and can easily see past some questionable chocolate for the good of an epic toffee. Get yourself down to Tesco, your local KK store or random service station - They are well worth the effort, believe you me!

Go read The Peanuts review - She goes mad for the KK, does The Peanut!

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW Pumpkin Spiced Cake

Happy Monday! It's a case of "last but by no means least" today with the final doughnut in Krispy Kreme's Vintage selection which would you believe it, has been keeping us busy (And well fed!) for the past 6 weeks - Time really does fly! 

Traditional American cake doughnut, flavoured with autumnal pumpkin spice and covered in our signature glaze. 

It seems as though people have gone off KK in my neck of the woods as once again, I was first to succumb to the Pumpkin Spiced Cake with not a single doughnut in my Tesco cabinet being MIA.. I doubt the staff hold some back and replenish them but surely the store can't be getting more than 1 delivery a day? It's a mystery.. As is the price as today I was charged £1.60. 

Cutting the heavily glazed ring-ish cake in half, I can't say the scent of pumpkin or spice was at all noticeable and certainly not what I had envisaged - Although deliciously sweet smelling, it could have been any old KK ring doughnut which didn't leave me too optimistic! With lingering faith, I took a bite and was pleased to be proven totally wrong! The crisp icing gave a satisfying crunch before hitting the soft, squidgy and remarkably moist "doughnut" which was miles superior to the dry, crumbly texture seen in the Cruller. A real warmth of spice* came through complimenting the sugary sweet tones perfectly - There was even enough potency to pleasantly tingle the back of the throat! As for the pumpkin aspect.. I can't say there was any but can say, it didn't need it! Yum! 

So I think Krispy Kreme may have left their best doughnut until last.. This Pumpkin Spiced Cake is amazing! I have no clue where the pumpkin part is meant to come into play as it lacked all likeness but what is in a name? If you like spices, this could very well be the one for you! - The texture a lone is a winner in my books. Get one in the next 2 weeks and reap in it's autumnal glory - A 4 out of 5 from me! 

*Which spice? Mixed? Cinnamon? I don't know but I liked it.. As did Nibs! Go read her review.

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW Cruller

It's time for another Vintage Krispy Kreme and this fortnight, the turn of the Cruller which allegedly is one of the most popular and very first products to be released in KK's UK history, way back when in 2003.. Before I knew better and prior to the start of my love affair with doughy delights!

Our iconic American cake doughnut, covered in our signature glaze. 

It looks like I got first dibs on the fresh batch at my local Tesco Cabinet today with the tray of twisty turn-y cake doughnuts being full and untouched - Perhaps this throwback isn't quite as "popular" anymore? Who is to say, I was happy to get my chance to try it and paid £1.75 at the till before skipping on my merry way. 

I cut the sweet smelling Cruller in half and was not all that surprised to find it relatively dense and crumbly - Similar to the Triple Chocolate Cake albeit not quite as "spongy". Taking a bite, the familiar sugary taste of KK's signature glaze was instant with its crunchy, almost sticky consistency. The "doughnut" itself was a weird one.. Extremely dry and "bitty" yet with air pockets and the flavour of something which I can only liken to being a bit stale - One might say it was a "needed to be eaten up" item opposed to a fresh and inviting treat! Together, the two elements were alright.. But only that.  

Overall, I can't say I am blown away with this Cruller.. I understand that it is meant to be a cake doughnut but the texture just doesn't do it for me - I can't see past the fact it reminds me of something stale! By all means give it a go before the 17th* but do have a hot beverage on hand to wash it down.. I don't want anyone choking on a rogue crumb! It's a 2.5 out of 5 from me. 

*The Pumpkin Spice will be covering the latter half of October and making for the last of Krispy Kreme's Vintage Doughnut range. 

Go read the Peanuts post too! She does like the Doughnuts muchly!

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW Powdered Blueberry

It's that time again - I can't believe it has been 2 weeks but it's a farewell to the Glaze Kreme and a "it was nice whilst it lasted", to make room for the NEW Powdered Blueberry in town and gracing all your Tesco Cabinets and KK stores from today!

Delicious Wild Blueberry filling, dusted with the perfect sprinkle of powdered sugar. 

This is the doughnut that actually "won" Krispy Kreme's Throwback campaign which we all "voted" in.. Despite all the options now making an appearance over the coming weeks - Sneaky but I am happy nevertheless! Priced at £1.75, this KK comes in cheaper than some of the other LE doughy delights.. Especially when you only get charged £1.45 at the till - Tesco boy, I thank you!

The doughnut cut well down the middle to reveal the deep purple, not to mention most generous, centre filling. Smelling relatively like blueberry, I took a bite and was pleased to find the dough itself was of the better quality that KK produce in being light, fluffy and no stodge. Taste wise, the blueberry did come through but I am sure it was mixed with something else.. Raspberry perhaps? - I am pretty sure it wasn't solely its namesake. As the flavour developed it became borderline medicinal with MSW claiming it to be uncanny to Blackcurrant Tunes (Do such a thing even still exist?) with quite a bit of sweetness mixed in. Topping the lot was of course, the dusting of icing sugar which was nice enough but a glaze would have been better even if very same-y to the rest of KK's range! 

Overall, I am a bit torn by this Powdered Blueberry.. I was so rooting for it but I can't help but feel at the end of the day, it's nothing special. Do let me know your thoughts if and when you try it - Perhaps Blueberry fanatics will go mad for it? I am really not to sure.. It is around until the 3rd of October anyways, until the Cruller takes over! It's a 3.5 out of 5 from me. 

Hop on over to NibsnScribs to read her review of this jammy jammy!

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW: Smores, Maple Crunch, Chocolate Firecracker and Salted Caramel Cheesecake ft. Glazed Kreme

Today was abysmal. It was the start of the working week and it was wet - Possibly the two worst things if like me, rainy days and Mondays always get you down. One little perk however was the fact that NEW Krispy Kreme were in town - Huzzah! Naturally, I got one of each flavour from my local Tesco Cabinet and couldn't wait to get stuck in.

KK seem to have upped their game and veered away from the mundane, plain options with 3 fairly out there flavours: Smores, Chocolate Firecracker and Maple Crunch, along with a NEW and improved, Salted Caramel Cheesecake. Priced at £1.90 a pop (Tesco currently have 2, assorted 3 boxes for £8) and knowing for a fact that the Smores is Veggie friendly*, there really is something to tickle everyone with this quartet. 

Smores

Hand pumped with mallow filling, dipped in milk chocolate coating, decorated with mini marshmallow, shortcake crumble and white chocolate drizzle.

Starting with the doughnut that I and I expect a lot of people will be most excited about.. The Smores! Crackling and tumbling on first cut, it both smelt and looked absolutely amazing with a pure white centre. Taste wise, the silky smooth yet sticky aforementioned seriously delivered in terms of pure marshmallow that was uncanny to mini marshmallows rather than jarred "Fluff" - You really couldn't mistake it for anything other! The dough itself was up to the usual KK standard in being plump and fluffy with the signature sweet flavour with a toping of decent enough milk chocolate adding some cocoa tones and a bit of crunch from the sprinkled extras. It's a 4 out of 5 from me. 

Maple Crunch

Our signature ring doughnut hand dipped in maple icing and sprinkled with maple flavour crunch and a sparkle of gold dust. 

Moving onto the Maple which genuinely almost made me heave - The aroma was of celery. Potent celery! Hesitating greatly, I sheepishly took a bite.. And shock horror, I was mowed down by the yucky and artificial taste that I am still presuming to be a salad vegetable rather than the glorious, pancake topping, Canadian tree sap. Sadly, I didn't actually get to the actual doughnut part but it seemed to be like a doughnut - A big fat 0 out of 5.. It would have been a 0.1 if there had been some gold dust! 

Chocolate Firecracker

Filled with chocolate truffle Kreme, dipped in chilli infused chocolate icing and topped with gold stars.

I don't know about you but when I first heard Firecracker, I thought "Ooh.. It's going to be popping candy in a doughnut!". Boy, was I wrong - It's chilli! Who puts chilli in a doughnut?! Crazy KK clearly! Once again, slicing in half wasn't a problem with zero toughness but plenty of softness and slightly more bizarrely, a floral scent. Inside was an abundance of somewhat curdled kreme which despite not looking all that appealing did taste nice and chocolatey. The heat of chilli from the icing was unmissable with a tongue tingling sensation which was not to my liking whatsoever but I did appreciate the ever so slight, raspberry flavour from the red icing to cut through.. Whether this was meant to be the case or not, I am unsure as the description mentions nothing of the sort! It's a 3 out of 5 from me!

Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Hand dipped in cheesecake icing, filled with salted caramel and vanilla cheesecake, topped with crunchy biscuit and salted caramel pieces finished with a salted caramel drizzle. 

Last up.. The Salted Caramel number which I was interested to see how would fair as the Lemon version earlier in the year, had improved. My little bubble was burst upon discovering some KK monkey had failed to put any vanilla cheesecake inside! Thankfully, the blob of caramel wasn't measly but still.. It ain't ever going to be cheesecake with no cheesecake! Tasting extremely like a buttery toffee with a good saline kick, the sauce made the perfect accompaniment for the soft fluffy dough with extra sugary goodness from the set, cracked topping - Not particularly cheesecake in flavour but nice enough. A 2.5 out of 5! 

Blimey. It's a Doughnut.. Disaster? Well, the Smores is a keeper and I can quite easily see myself buying a few of them whilst they are around but the others? Maple Crunch needs to be banned, entire stock and ingredients incarcerated and then banned again. The Chocolate Firecracker may woo the chilli fanatics but I would like popping candy please.. And stars on top! ..AND the Salted Caramel Cheesecake obviously needs cheesecake. Perhaps KK have tried to be too adventurous and taken on to much but it is really not on to be chucking out half-arsed products.. They cost enough and shouldn't be sloppy! 

Just to make their workload even more strenuous for themselves, the jolly chaps at Krispy Kreme have also decided to run a Throwback campaign which we all "voted" on with Powdered Blueberry winning.. But of course, the contest was too close to call and all entrants will be making an appearance for 2 weeks each.

Glazed Kreme

Our glazed doughnut filled with light and fluffy Kreme filling. 

It's the Glazed Kreme to kick things off! Extremely sticky on the outside thanks to a water icing glaze, the doughnut left a visible puddle of semi dissolved sugar which was pretty much a nightmare to get off the table! The dough aspect was hugely superior to the previous 4 (Despite none lacking or being poor) the spring and aerated texture was, I think the best I have ever had from a KK. As for the filling, it was also sheer perfection with a light, whipped feel and super sweet, vanilla flavour. A 4.5 out of 5 from me!

For anyone interested, this is the order of Throwback Doughnuts to come:
Powdered Blueberry - 19th September
Cruller - 3rd October
Pumpkin Spiced - 17th October 

And for anyone still reading.. I now feel a bit sick. Hop on over to NibsnScribs for a totally different take on todays newbies and have a lovely evening! 

*Apparently all KK are Vegetarian? Who knew. 

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW: Lemon Cheesecake and Nutty Chocolatta

As I am sure many of you are aware, Krispy Kreme have released a Nutella Doughnut.. Rather sneakily "leaked" through a "Confidential Internal Memo" marketing stunt which caused uproar all over social media. I wasn't champing at the bit to buy into this NEW Nutty Chocolatta but decided to bite the bullet along with a NEW and improved version of the Lemon Cheesecake. 

Both of the Doughnuts looked pretty darn flawless with a nice circular shape and a decent size - It's a miracle. I bought them as part of a trio box from my local Tesco Cabinet but individually they were priced at the usual £1.90 for the Lemon and £2 for the Nutella - KK know how to take our money! 

Lemon Cheesecake

Hand dipped in cheesecake icing, with a lemon & cheesecake filling topped with crunchy biscuit and lemon sugar finished with a tangy lemon drizzle. 

Fruity first and I wasn't sure what to expect - Aesthetically the doughnut didn't appear all that different apart from a moving in topping placement. Cutting in half, I was naturally disappointed by the amount of filling but held out in hope that more would be hidden inside - Thankfully in the right half, lemon was in abundance! A real zingy kick came from this with a ever so slight tang from the cheesecake goo which surprising did taste of cream cheese.. Well with some imagination, I mean. The dough incasing all this was up to the usual KK standard in being soft, fluffy and generally a delight. Topping wise, I tasted nothing listed in the ingredients, not even lemon - It was just plain sweet! Not bad and marginally better than last year - It's a 4 out of 5 from me. 

Nutty Chocolatta

Filled with pure Nutella hazelnut spread, coated in chocolate and decorated with white chocolate swirls and caramelised hazelnuts. 

Nutella time and it smelt jolly good! Once again, the dough itself proved to be perfect with 0 in terms of stodge and certainly not dense. Amongst the fluffyness was a big old blob of the delicious chocolatey spread which was thick, rich and super nutty - More so than you find in some jars anyways! A generous layer of set chocolate coated the top and although it was pleasant enough, it wasn't exactly anything to get excited about. Contrasting to all the soft were the nibs of hazelnut for that final boast of nutty flavour, to round up things nicely. Decent enough but just Nutella in doughnut.. I didn't faint, dribble or scream - It's a 3.5 out of 5. 

At the risk of sounding like a right Debbie Downer*, these 2 NEW offerings from Krispy Kreme are alright hence the marks.. But really nothing special. By no means is there anything wrong with them.. The Lemon Cheesecake tastes of lemon and the Nutty Chocolatta tastes of Nutella but they are hardly going to change ones life - Heck, any fan of the aforementioned has probably already put the spread with a KK to get their fix! Now, if only I could find the Berry Pavlova.. I really do have high hopes for that one!

*I would just like to formally apologise to my Debbie Downer of a twin, NibsnScribs who I failed to tell I had these Doughnuts. As she is the Peanut Butter Queen, I suggest you all go and pester her for a review of the NEW Reeses PB & Jelly, leave her a nice comment for me and fingers crossed, reap in its glory! 

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW Lotus Billionaire and Lotus White Choc & Raspberry

Monday was what I like to call, KK Day - That special start to the week, only occurring once in a while* where the almighty Krispy Kreme release their NEW Doughnuts. This time the offerings weren't so "ingenious" but an extension to the already existing and bloomin' marvellous Lotus Caramelised Biscoff.. We've got Lotus Billionaire and Lotus White Choc & Raspberry! 

I didn't actually have any intention to buy into this duo given that the Original Biscoff should never, ever be messed with.. But MSW came home with them and I wasn't about to say no. Priced at the usual £1.90 a pop, the Doughnuts were noticeable smaller than other KK which seems a bit cheeky to me! - I'll definitely be keeping my eye on the Tesco Cabinets to see if this shrinkage discrepancy can be seen throughout the range or whether ours were just duffs. 

Lotus Billionaire

Filled with rich salted caramel, hand dipped in Lotus Biscoff spread & topped with dark chocolate shavings, Lotus Biscoff crumb and a sprinkle of gold dust. 

I appeared to have all shavings and very little dust on my Billionaire - It practically took over the dinky Doughnut.. Never mind that though, look at the golden puddle of a filling! Starting with the dough itself.. I can't fault it - Soft and supple with the signature flavour, there was nothing not to love. The oozing, runny, sticky caramel was also sheer perfection in being buttery, toffee like and the all important SALTED! I expected nothing but the usual, mediocre stuff but I was point blank wrong! - It was just the right amount of saline to compliment the sweet and went superbly with the spread topping along with crumb which naturally, tasted identical to the Original Lotus Doughnut. As for the dark chocolate shavings, they too delivered in terms of rich cocoa tones and were by far the best I've experienced from KK who's chocolate more often than not, leaves quite a bit to be desired. It's a 4.5 out of 5 from me! 

Lotus White Choc & Raspberry

A raspberry jam & kreme filling infused with Lotus Biscoff, dipped in white chocolate and topped with Biscoff crumb, white chocolate and raspberry pieces. 

Onto the fruity option which naturally, I had extremely high hopes for after the shocker of a brilliant, Billionaire. Similarly to above, both the texture was spot on along with the flavour as well as a packed filling. Biting through the fluffy dough, the white chocolate topping cracked and ended up everywhere but tasted lovely and sweet and creamy - Not many raspberry pieces though which was a a shame! The whipped Kreme centre which was combined with a well proportioned blob of thick jam was super creamy, fruity and together, uncanny in taste to Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream! The Biscoff crumbs on top were just enough to give a whiff of Lotus without ruining what was essentially already exemplary. Another 4.5 out of 5 from me! 

Wow. Some serious game uppage from Krispy Kreme has just occured here.. These NEW Lotus Billionaire and Lotus White Choc & Raspberry have to be the best release since the Original Lotus Caramelised Biscoff! - I don't know why I ever doubted them and more importantly, why they weren't the Christmas Doughnuts.. They would have been ideal! My only qualm is the questionable size but other than that, I can find very little fault and can see myself easily consuming dozens before they disappear.. They just need to be part of the permanent range really! Don't you dare let down the team and fall from grace, KK.. We're** watching you. 

*Sometimes weeks, sometimes months, sometimes forever and a day. 

**"We're" being myself and the NibsnScribs - Go read her review! She's snazzy!

Review- Krispy Kreme NEW Halloween Pumpkin Doughnut

Its been ages since there have been NEW Krispy Kremes in our Tesco cabinets - The Reese's Peanut Butter Crunch was the last edition and in my opinion, has been around way to long! Thankfully, KK have pulled their fingers out and yesterday released their Halloween Range consisting of a Sprinkled Ring and this Kreme filled, Pumpkin.

The Limited Edition doughnuts are decorated with a thick orange icing and black and green fondants to produce their Jack O'Lantern faces. 

I felt a bit mean cutting my cute little Pumpkin in half - It may be only a doughnut but knifing his face didn't half seem brutal.. Even if that is what they're design for! Inside revealed loads and loads of Kreme with the dough itself being up to the usual deliciously soft, Krispy Kreme standard - I must have picked a good one! I took a squidgy bite and at first I thought the icing on top was orange flavoured but after another taste, it proved to just be sugary sweet and vanilla-y which was probably more likely to be coming from the smooth and thick "mallowy" filling. The fondant decorations on top of the slightly crunchy icing, were harder than I expected but most likely due to the fact it had just come out of the fridge. Very sweet and nothing special! 

Overall, this Halloween Pumpkin Krispy Kreme is hardly ingenious - Tasty and cute, yes but very lack lustre. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't something to accompany the Kreme because without, it is essentially just a plain doughnut, with the same vanilla filling you find in a Strawberries & Kreme (Minus the Jam of course) with a flavourless icing on top.. Its a good job there was a lot of the pure white, whipped stuff otherwise I would have felt even more put out! Krispy Kreme, you've missed an opportunity here - Why you didn't whack Lime or Blackcurrant inside.. Or heaven forbid, have orange flavoured icing on top, I will never know! Its a 3 out of 5 from me. 

Review- Greggs Caramel and Pecan Greggsnut

Greggs is somewhere I never, ever go. I did spend a lot of my youth in them though.. I don't know about you but there's something about a Chicken Bake, that just screams, sweaty, hormone raging teenager, to me. With that delightful image in mind.. I was on my way back from my holidays, early Sunday morning and found myself so ravenous, I had to stop at a service station to get something to eat. I grabbed a Sausage & Onion Toastie in Costa, a Strawberry & Cream Cooler to wash it down and this Caramel and Pecan Greggsnut from.. Wait for it.. Greggs! I can't think of a better 7am breakfast combo, can you? 

Delicious layered doughnut with toffee flavour filling, topped with white icing and pecan pieces decorated with a chocolate flavour drizzle. 

You'll have to excuse the terrible lighting - Never something to complain about but it was a gloriously bright morning which made picture taking in my car, a tad troublesome! 

This may have been the best thing I have ever eaten and I am not just saying that due to my ravenous nature at the time! It was like a doughnut/pastry/bun hybrid! The flakey layers were crumbly yet super soft and chewy with a sweet, buttery dough flavour. Inside, hide a thick layer of "caramel" which tasted exactly like a Werther's Original and not to dissimilar to my own toffee sauce - Greggs have clearly stolen my recipe! A sugary layer of set, white, water icing coated the doughnut with a topping of chopped, crunchy pecans for added nuttiness and a chocolatey drizzle, as the finishing touch. Absolutely divine! 

I think I need to visit Greggs more often.. If their other sweet bakery goods are anything like the Greggsnut, I could easily find myself embracing my inner teen and setting up camp in there, once more! At £1 a pop, I highly recommend dashing down to your local store, buying a dozen and not sharing them with anyone. Its an almighty, top marks from me - 5 out of 5! 

Review- Krispy Kreme Chocolate Hazelnut Kreme

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are my weakness. I avoid the cabinet in my local Tesco like the plague as I know I won't be able to resist! Having said that, I'm so glad Krispy Kreme are now sold in most stores - doughnuts make me happy. 

I knew the Choco Mania Range was out so was excited to find this little beauty - Chocolate Hazelnut Kreme! 

Filled with hazelnut Kreme and topped with chocolate hazelnut topping and caramelised nut sprinkle. 

With a description like that I couldn't wait to get stuck in! I cut it in half to check out the Kreme filled centre. I love how whipped and light it is! 

How good does that look?! 

The doughnut itself was the perfect super soft buttery dough you know and love from Krispy Kreme. The hazelnut flavour of the filling was quite subtle which I'm glad about. I think it could have easily been overpowering! I'm not sure I could taste any hazelnut in the actual chocolate topping but paired with the crunchy nuts, it gave a hazelnutty taste. 

Overall this wasn't quite Nutella perfect but it was mighty tasty! I would eat another tomorrow.. Or now if someone had one to offer me! There's a Chocolate & Honeycomb Kreme in the same range which I'm keen to try if my Tesco gets them in. It's a 4 out of 5 from me!