Snackmas Day 9- Tesco Finest Chocolate & Hazelnut Stollen

We've covered Italy and the joy that is Panettone with a reboot from last year so it's only fair to do the same for Germany.. Move over Cherry & Almond, it's all about the Chocolate & Hazelnut Stollen! 

Tesco's festive aisle is where I found the serves 8 loaf and believe you me, when I saw it.. I was in a store and I was singing! Priced the same as it's traditional fruit counterpart at £7, the bread-cake cross contains wheat, obviously, alcohol, nuts and also comes with a warning that small children can choke on said nuts.. So best not leave your intoxicated, coeliac 3 year old unattended with the Stollen this Christmas!

Fruit cake filled with Belgium chocolate chips, chocolate hazelnut and almond filling, infused with amaretto syrup and decorated with caramelised hazelnuts. 

Okay, I did complain about the flimsy tray last December but I didn't mean to do away with it completely, Tesco! What am I meant to do with a bagged loaf? What/who is going to catch my nuts?

Now is not the time to be hasty and change a habit of a lifetime so I did what comes naturally and just plonked it on some kitchen towel. Check out the brown log glory!

Smelling amazingly of marzipan, the soft and squidgy Stollen cut into slices a dream to reveal the chocolate layer within, surrounded by big chunks of dried fruit. A moist and fudgy texture was that of dough with oodles of rich cocoa tones from the more than generous amount of chocolate, complimented by the flavour of pure almond/amaretto. Absolutely packed to the brim, the sultanas, cherries and cranberries gave a juicy pop aswell as adding some fruity flavour which prevented things from being sickly. I couldn't taste the hazelnuts on top whatsoever, despite the generous scattering but the addictive light crunch from the nibs was more than enough and nothing felt amiss. Life changing! 

I didn't think the Cherry & Almond Loaf could be beaten.. Yet this Chocolate & Hazelnut Stollen has completely wiped the floor! It's everything as promised - Chocolatey, fruity, full of marzipan flavour and having so much more substance than it's lack lustre appearance! An all round fantastic twist on a German classic - Well done Tesco! Top marks from me, 5 out of 5! 

Review- Thomas J. Fudge's LE Caffè Mocha Florentines

It's safe to say I am a huge, massive, gigantic Thomas J. Fudge's fan - I think I have reviewed most, if not all of their sweet biscuits now but there is always one which proves to be the most elusive and seemingly impossible to get your hands on.. In my case, it was the LE Caffè Mocha Florentines! 

Thankfully, Nibs has my back and being the wonderful person that she is, popped a box in the post for me - One that was illustrated in the usual Thomas J. Fudge's fashion I might add.. The art of balancing random objects on ones hat! 

The 8 Florentines looked a tad buffed in their staggered plastic tray although most inviting with both sultanas and nuts plain to see.. And then I read the ingredients list. Brazil Nuts!? 

Deciding to proceed regardless of a potential reaction to the nuts, I picked the Florentine which looked most lacking in the aforementioned department and got stuck into the pure coffee smelling treat. Crunchy with oodles of chew, it was packed with almonds and caramel to produce the wonderful signature feel of any decent Florentine with a sweet, buttery flavour complimented by hits of dried fruit and a tang from the citrus peel. The Mocha aspect was most definitely in the forefront and seemed somewhat artificial at first given the potency but then did mellow to allow the other flavours to come through with as always, the milk chocolate being divine - Super smooth and creamy with the never disappointing cocoa kick. As for the pesky Brazil Nuts.. MSW said they didn't add much in terms of texture or taste purely because there was so much else going on.. And I lived to tell the tale! 

Overall, these Thomas J. Fudges Caffè Mocha Florentines are perfect for any coffee lover out there. Yes, they do seem a bit questionable at first but given a chance with a hot drink (Or something stronger!), they are more than enough to get a substantial sweet fix. Here's to hoping that finding them is easier for you than it was for me! - It's a 3.5 out of 5.

*All Thomas J. Fudge's reviews.

Review- Waitrose Easter Panettone

Today, the 23rd of March is a very special day. It is Reaching for Refreshment's 1st Birthday! YAY!

I can't quite believe it has been a whole year of reviews.. It seems longer than that and yet at the same time, only yesterday that my first post went up. It's been a journey. There have been some amazing snacks and some I wish to forget, some lovely comments and some that leave quite a bit to be desired! I've met some bloomin' brilliant people who I count just as much, if not more, my buddy chums as people I've known for yonks - This blogging malarky is a beautiful business and I would only encourage anyone considering it to give it a go.. You might just find yourself. Anyways, moving on to the real importance of today.. Easter Panettone! 

Yes, you did read that right - Christmas has merged into Easter with a Hot Cross Bun twist on an festive classic! I figure this is quite a natural progression really.. Despite having very little knowledge on the history of said Italian cake as well as being no expert on the religious connotations of it all, but Jesus, right? Lets just eat the bloody thing (It cost £8 from Waitrose, FYI). 

Italian cake made with butter, sultanas and candied orange peel.

Those are some big sultanas right there, studding the top of the cake which can only be described as perfectly golden brown! As you may be able to see, there is a lighter cross through the centre which is ready for the following.. 

A dusting of spiced icing to be sprinkled on with the help of a handy dandy stencil! 

There was no way I was going to miss the full experience here so did as instructed to get my cross - The stencil was surprisingly effective and produced a neat design.. The same can't be said for the table, unfortunately.  

Oh how I love Panettone. Cutting a wedge was a dream with the knife slicing through super easily thanks to the ridiculously light and airy texture of the bread. The pure buttery flavoured dough melted in the mouth after an initial soft chew to deliver the sweet, rich taste that we all know and love. Dotted throughout was an abundance of both plump sultanas as well as chunky pieces of orange peel - I have never seen such big bits with these here being 10 times the size of any bought "tub" kind! Fruitiness came in every mouthful which as expected, paired beautifully with the cakes flavour and with the ever so subtle spice of cinnamon, thanks to that light sprinkling of icing sugar, it certainly rang distant Hot Cross Bun bells! Delicious! 

Once again when it comes to Panettone, I am lost for words to describe how amazing this Easter offering is - It is everything you could ever want it to be and so much more! If I was to be really  really pernickety, the Hot Cross Bun aspect could be elevated just that little bit as it is quite subtle.. But then again, I didn't pour the entire contents of the spiced icing sachet on so perhaps this is my fault. Sensational - It's a 4.5 out of 5 from me!

Lastly.. Just a quick thank you to all of you who continue to read and support R4R. I appreciate it probably more than one should and most likely more than what is deemed normal, but it really does mean the world to me. You're the best Snack Army a Warrior could ask for and I salute you all. Here's to a fabulous and perhaps, slightly less soppy year 2!

Review- Tesco Finest Hot Cross Buns: Extra Fruity and Bramley Apple & Cinnamon

Easter may be a whole month away but in my house, that doesn't prevent us from buying Hot Cross Buns as soon as they hit the shops - We do like them an awful lot and get through packets and packets! Nowadays you seem to be able to get a smorgasbord of different flavours.. I've seen Cherry ones, St Clement, Ginger, Toffee, Chocolate, Mocha - You name it, you can pretty much get it! 

Some say we are boring but we say we are traditional when it comes to the humble Hot Cross Bun. I picked up these tame Finest offerings from Tesco on a 2 for £2 deal - Extra Fruity and Bramley Apple & Cinnamon.. Oo exotic! 

Extra Fruity

Packed with plump orange juice-soaked raisins, sultanas and Chilean flame raisins. With a touch of honey. 

Extra fruity, plump dried fruit? Hell yes - The bun was packed as you can see! Soft and squidgy, the dough itself was the perfect texture and wasn't remotely dry with pieces of fruit running throughout. The signature taste of the well loved Easter treat was very much apparent with its subtle spice and citrus-y notes from the peel as well as the juice. I personally couldn't taste any honey but naturally, there was a sweetness with a super sticky exterior to match. Sheer perfection - A 4 out of 5 from me. 

Bramley Apple & Cinnamon

Made with Kentish Bramley candied apple, juicy sultanas and spiced with cinnamon.

Moving on to the "exotic" option.. Once again, the Hot Cross Bun was packed to the brim with both plump, squidgy dried fruit as well as apple pieces - Although these claimed to be candied, I found them to be much softer than a citrus peel and would have just assumed they were just chunks of the fruit. The warmth of cinnamon paired with the apple went perfectly together and had a very much Autumnal/Christmassy feel which not so surprisingly was a match made in heaven to all the other elements of the melt in the mouth, springy, moist bun. Another 4 out of 5! 

See, it pays not to break from tradition! These Tesco Finest Hot Cross Buns are very enjoyable indeed and far superior to any supermarket regular line, I've ever had - You don't even need to toast or smother them in butter (Although I understand if you do feel the need) because they are perfect as is! I highly recommend you hop on down to Tesco, buy both now and maybe keep your eyes peeled for the Hot Cross Scones of last year for me, as they were superb.. And I am still in denial over the fact they are no longer doing them. Boo. 

Review- Thomas J. Fudge's Wondrous White Chocolate Florentines

I think I need to make up a Thomas J. Fudge's, chant - I love them so and have lost count of how many reviews I have done now! My trusty old and ever so slightly nutty, Mrs 1T very kindly sent me these Wondrous White Chocolate Florentines for Christmas (Along with something else which will be revealed another day) after not being able to find them for love nor money - How wonderful is she?! 

I do enjoy the illustration on these boxes.. Who knew balancing buildings on ones hat could be such fun? I am almost tempted to give it ago myself! 

I don't mean to alarm anybody but the 8 Florentines were presented in a plastic tray within a cardboard outer.. What is this sorcery?!

It may look like I picked the Florentine that was the most loaded, for the sake of a good picture but I assure you this wasn't the case at all - The distribution of dried fruit was on point with only 1 round, lacking a Sultana or 2.. A vast improvement to what I have experienced previously! Taking a bite, I was shocked by how hard it was. As usual, there was an abundance of crunchy almonds but I think it was the caramel holding the lot together that resulted in actual effort having to be used to chomp through. This in turn caused the thick white chocolate to crack and crumble everywhere but where it was suppose to go and I ended eating most of it off the table top! Taste wise, there wasn't as much to complain about as they were delicious - Rich, buttery and sweet with nuttiness and a fruity, zingy kick thanks to the citrus peel. The quality of the thick chocolate was superb in being super creamy and sweet but not to sweet to handle.. So I can forgive its crumbly state! 

Overall and not surprisingly, these Wondrous White Chocolate Florentines are fantastic. I have moaned previously about the quality control of Thomas J. Fudge's goods but these were spot on.. They even softened up and went slightly gooey once opened which made them easier on the teeth. I can't fathom how or why the texture of each variant of Florentine* has been so different but I don't suppose it matters all that much considering how delicious they always are. It's a 4 out of 5 from me - Thanks Mrs 1T! 

*All Thomas J. Fudge's reviews (Including Florentines)

Wonderful White Chocolate Flapjacks, I am coming for you next! 

Snackmas Day 23- Tesco Finest Stollen Loaf

Since we have already said Feliz Navidad to our Italian friends with Panettone and Ricciarelli, it is only fair that Germany gets a look in too. Stollen - In all of it's dried fruit, marzipan laden, icing sugar glory.. It's essentially Christmas in a bread-cake cross and our 'Eve Eve review! 

I picked up this Finest Stollen Loaf from.. Wait for it.. Wait for it.. Oo the suspense.. TESCO! My home away from home! Situated in the festive aisle, next to all the other "premium" goodies, the cake cost a whopping £7 - Is it just me or is that ridiculously overpriced? Yes, I did still buy it but.. £7?! 

Our finest Stollen loaf is beautifully moist, packed full of soft and juicy rum soaked sultanas and raisins. A soft centre of rich marzipan offers a lovely almond flavour to the rum syrup and butter soaked loaf. Hand decorated with a glacè cherries and tasted almonds for a beautiful finish. 

A fat price tag and yet they couldn't even be bothered with any sort of fancy presentation - A flimsy, plastic tray, Tesco.. Really? 

My anger at the lack of show was fairly short lived once I had smelt and more importantly tasted the Stollen! The fruit cake scented loaf was deliciously, doughy and dense with a soft and super sticky feel and flavour somewhere between a Hot Cross Bun and Christmas Cake - Sweet, buttery and a hint of spice to go perfectly with the packed in fruitiness of raisins and sultanas as well as the citrus notes. The marzipan aspect wasn't all that strong until biting through the almost gooey, log that ran throughout the centre which went amazingly well with the, stronger than I expected, punch of Rum. On top it was almonds and then some which added a serious bite in contrast to all the squidgy elements.. Another in being, the line of glistening glacè cherries, adding that final bit of sweet goodness. Superb!

Overall and without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best Stollen I have ever had - It is ridiculously moist, packed, and generally all round scrumptious! It may be expensive for what it is and you probably will question if it will serve the suggested 8 on the box but it is well worth it and most definitely will considering its richness! Santa Baby, slip another Stollen under the tree for me - A 4.5 out of 5! 

Review- Thomas J. Fudge's NEW Salted Caramel Florentines

I couldn't see the month out without a Thomas J. Fudge's review.. And what a treat to end on - Salted Caramel Florentines, Folks! I finally found them in Waitrose and paid a whopping £3.50.. I've never known such sporadic pricing!

As usual, the box had a funky pink design with some sort of architecture balancing on the chaps hat - How very fancy! 

8 Florentines in a plastic tray within a cardboard outer? Surely not! 

The first thing to strike me about these Florentines were how soft they were - I picked one up and it immediately bent! This wasn't all that surprising considering the sheer quantity of caramel binding the lot together. Although still crunchy in texture thanks to the almonds, a far greater chewyness was apparent due to all of the golden "glue". Taste wise, they were very buttery with the usual nuttiness and subtle citrus tones but foremost was the salted caramel.. Boy, was it salted! Usually I am moaning about the lack of the stuff but on this occasion it was borderline to much even with the sweetness of the dried fruit which was far better distributed than seen previously. Such a shame! 

The tables have turned - I can't quite believe I'm moaning about a salted caramel being to salted! Maybe it was just this box of Florentines that were so saline but I am not sure I would want to pay another £3.50 to find out. Sorry Thomas J. Fudges, its a 3 out of 5 from me! 

Previous Thomas J. Fudges Reviews

Mouthwatering Milk Chocolate Florentines

Marvellous Milk Chocolate Flapjacks

Roasted Almond Blisscuits Dipped in Milk Chocolate

Decadent Dark Chocolate Florentines

Stem Ginger Blisscuits Dipped in Dark Chocolate  

Review- Thomas J. Fudge's Decadent Dark Chocolate Florentines

Its Thomas J. Fudge's time again!  I can't help but pick up a different box from my favourite biscuit makers when ever I walk past them in the supermarket. With Almond Blisscuits, Milk Chocolate Flapjacks and Florentines all in the bag, today is the turn of the Decadent Dark Chocolate version of the latter, costing £2.99 in Tesco - I am not sure why the pricing is so sporadic as I have never bought any of them when on offer but hey ho, here we go!

A purple theme is rocking the box of chocolate, nut and caramel Florentines which this time, contain a hint of stem ginger too.

As usual, the 8 Florentines were presented in a plastic tray within a illustrated cardboard outer. 

Rich cocoa was the scent coming from the Jaffa Cake sized treats which corresponded to the deep dark chocolate that coated one side of the Florentine. Similarly to the Milk Chocolate variety, these were packed to the rafters with crunchy Almonds - I am always impressed at the number, Thomas J. Fudge's manage to use! The delicious, buttery caramel which held everything together was pleasantly sticky and produced a super chewy consistency.. It certainly gives your jaw a work out but thats  a small price to pay for a good Florentine, I reckon! Subtle notes of citrus came through with the aforementioned hint of ginger although I am not sure you would notice it unless you were expecting /looking for it. My only complaint is the how sparse the dried fruit was..

As you can see, the Florentine on the left contained 5 sultanas whilst its Mate on the right had none whatsoever! It turned out that 3 out of the box of 8 were completely missing dried fruit - They were still delicious but no one likes inconsistency.. Especially if you are the poor soul who picks a plain one! 

Overall, enjoyable but not as much so as the Milk Chocolate Florentines - I am such a nag when it comes to quality control but if I have bought something on the promise that they ALL contain x, y and z, then it best be true otherwise I get very grumpy! My next mission is to find the NEW Salted Caramel version which are only available in Waitrose and Ocodo.. I will not stop until I have tried the entire Thomas J. Fudge's range! As for these Decadent Dark Chocolate jobbies, its a 3.5 out of 5 from me! 

Review- M&S NEW Lemon Curd Whitby Buns

I have been a bit wary of buying any more NEW bits from M&S, considering the whole host of bad reviews I have given them lately! Having said that, I couldn't resist these Lemon Curd Whitby Buns priced at £1.30 - I love fruit buns and I love lemon, even more so! 

2 sultana and lemon buns filled with lemon curd, topped with lemon icing and a drizzle of white vanilla icing

Look at that little beauty! The buns were perfectly round and smelt amazingly lemony.

Upon cutting the bun in two, I was disappointed at first by the amount of lemon curd in the centre.. I then realised that a more than generous filling was hiding, deep within the dough! It was thick and smooth with a lovely tangy, citrus flavour. The bun itself was super soft and buttery as well as being full of plump sultanas - I was impressed at how many were packed in there! A thick layer of zesty icing, coated the top which added further sweetness to what already was, one delicious treat!

These Lemon Curd Whitby Buns are hands down, the best out of all the sweet doughy delights, and their variants, I have ever had! Every element was ridiculously plentiful which makes a change to the usual scrimping, supermarkets do. I wish I had bought 2 packs as I was longing for another as soon as I finished mine. Marks and Spencer, you have redeemed yourself - Its top marks from me, 5 out of 5!