Category Archives: Peanut Butter

Zagnut Bar

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So, Hershey’s has a little secret. Why have you been holding out on us, oh corporate chocolate giant? The secret is Zagnut, a candy bar known for it’s red wrapper, pinball-game font proudly displaying the name. It’s a crunchy, peanut buttery center rolled in toasted coconut—with no chocolate. If you can imagine the crispy layers of a Butterfinger bar with a coconut coating instead of the chocolate shell, that’s very much what Zagnut tastes like. A candy bar with no chocolate—that’s different all right. But the taste is really actually unique and good. I can’t say that I missed the chocolate component all that much, because this bar had the right stuff. It was sweet but refreshing… a wholesome yet tropical taste experience that I’d have over and over again.

Since not everyone goes running out for a candy bar without chocolate, it’s said that most Zagnut bars are sold online rather than in stores. Hershey’s meet the needs of their niche market quite well, especially during summer months when chocolate sales go down. Though I don’t think I’d be tempted to order mass quantities online, I can certainly understand needing to feed an addiction for that one special candy that makes any rainy day shine, or the one sentimental sweet from childhood that takes you back. As a nostalgia candy, the Zagnut bar is worth keeping around. But first-timers are always welcome.

And just to unleash another little secret: the birth of this candy bar isn’t all thanks to Hershey’s. As early as 1930, you could find this delicious treat on sale courtesy of the D.L. Clark company, which has sold its business in the past decade to other candy companies. The Zagnut bar was saved (phew!) and acquired by the Hershey’s brand pretty recently, in 1996. It’s a good thing, because now the many Zagnut fans can pass this candy bar on to their future generations and keep spreading the good news that has for so long been a secret to many.

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Reese’s Big Cup with Mixed Nuts

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Take the classic Reese’s cup. Make it twice as thick as a normal cup. Add peanuts. Add almonds. Add cashews. Add pecans and peanuts. With mixed nuts added to the already creamy, peanut buttery center, this is a formula for greatness. The new Big Cup with Mixed Nuts is Reese’s limited edition treat, to go one step further than the Big Cup with nuts (all peanuts). You won’t get as much Reese’s goodness as you would by eating two normal-size cups, but you will enjoy a hearty candy snack that’s only for serious candy aficionados. From the minute I opened the wrapper, I was assaulted by a strong whiff of peanut butter. I liked this candy, though it should be eaten with caution. Once you try this special edition, you will want to get another one. My only complaint was that it tasted a little greasy, like those Little Debbie brownies with nuts. (If you press the nuts between your fingers, you will get a little pool of grease, and I would have to imagine this would be the same.) Oh, and you shouldn’t come within ten feet of this if you have a nut allergy. Even the smell of all these nuts is enough to tackle you to the ground, if you’re not crazy about them.

I’m a huge Reese’s fan. In fact, I buy this Hershey’s-owned brand of candy often—second only in candy devotion to my beloved Snickers bar. The original was created in 1928 by dairyman H.B. Reese. With the wide number of variations on the standard cup (miniatures, cups made of white chocolate, with or without nuts, with or without caramel, Reese’s pieces), there’s something for everyone. And, as the decades-ago ad campaign stated, “There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s.??? I’ll take you on your word there, and eat it in the car, in bed, at work, in the morning, in the evening…. And mom, I promise I won’t turn into one.

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Palmer Mini Peanut Butter Cups

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If candy lived in Hollywood, Palmer’s mini peanut butter cups would be the next great, undiscovered talent. Palmer really steals the limelight by making peanut butter cups without those cumbersome paper wrappers. Really, you don’t miss unwrapping these things—they are just fine without. But making them tinier than Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups was an even better idea. Here’s why: You get loads and loads of chocolate in perfect ratio to the peanut butter, and you can eat them by the handful. I can’t say that the flavor is equal to that of Reese’s, but the taste is good. Smooth, creamy and rich, these are a real chocolate treat. Dozens and dozens of tiny chocolate-covered peanut butter cups come tumbling out of this 5-ounce box, the size of boxed candy you’d buy at a movie theater. And with this product, Palmer delivers plenty of choco-peanut-licious flavor to share with friends or family.

And maybe that’s because Palmer is a family-run candy business that opened in 1878 as a fresh-fruit wholesaler. The founder’s great-great-grandson currently runs the op—that’s five generations of wholesome familial love and history poured into their products. The Palmer company branched out to manufacture chocolates, penny candies and gumdrops in the early 1900s. Palmer put the fruit sales to rest by 1970 and switched to candy production full time. Known widely in the Midwest for their Twin Bing candy bar (a cherry nougat center wrapped in chocolate and crushed nuts), Palmer also focuses on seasonal candies and bulk candy sales to grocery stores and specialty shops. But back to the mini p.b. cups. These candies are absolutely worth a try. If you don’t like them as much as other brands, you will at least like them enough to finish the box. But if you don’t eat it all in one sitting, take note: the chocolate will go stale and start to taste funny if you leave the box open (there’s no good way to seal it). That’s just one more reason to share it with some friends.

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Abba Zaba Sour Apple

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Sam Altshuler, a Russian immigrant founded Annabelle Candy Company, Incorporated, in 1950. Mr. Altshuler learned the art of candy making, and after struggling for years, finally achieved success with the Rocky Road candy bar. He named his business the “Annabelle Candy Company??? after his daughter, and began manufacturing Rocky Road in San Francisco. The item quickly gained popularity throughout the western United States where it has its strongest hold today. In 1965, Annabelle Candy Company moved across the San Francisco bay to its present location in Hayward, California. Mr. Altshuler passed away in 1971, leaving control of the Company to his daughter, Annabelle Altshuler Block. Annabelle purchased two other candy companies after her father’s death, one of which produced the Abba Zaba bar. The candy company continued to grow and has remained a family business through the years. It is the largest independently owned candy bar manufacturer in the United States and the Abba Zaba bar remains one of its biggest sellers.

Whew! That was a mouthful. You know what else is a mouthful? If you guessed the Abba Zaba you are correct! Abba Zaba’s are chewy taffy-y goodness with an ooey, gooey peanut butter-y center. They are sticky, messy and a great treat. The kind folks over at the Annabelle Candy Company have come up with a brand new Abba Zaba flavor – the Apple Abba Zaba. And this, candy kids, is the candy blog du jour. The wrapper of this new and intriguing bar looks just like the old wrapper with one exception – it is bright green. Upon opening the candy, I come face to face with a green taffy candy. Shockingly green! Day-glow green! It looks like it is the same consistency of the old Abba Zaba and when I give it a little tug it has that same taffy-pull feel to it. It smells great, but then again, I am a sucker for sour apple flavored things. Ok, let me bite off a corner. Hmmm…it tastes like sour apple salt water taffy. But I didn’t quite make it to the famous peanut butter center. Let’s try that again. Oophnfg. Mymoufisrweallyfullnow. Hold on one second, please. Ok. Got some water…that’s better. So, it’s basically sour apple taffy with a sweet and salty peanut butter center. The taste is, well, to tell you the truth, it’s not my favorite candy so far. Maybe sweet apple taffy would have been better. Or even sour apple taffy with a caramel center. But the taste of peanut butter and sour apple taffy just isn’t doing it for me. The sweet-saltiness of the peanut butter and the sour, tangy green apple test just don’t blend well. But hey, what do I know? Give this candy a shot and let me know what you think. Maybe I’ll write a letter to the Annabelle candy company with our suggestions. Until then, au revoir candy kids…

Hershey Peanut Butter Kisses

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Hershey’s Kisses were introduced in 1907. A common myth is that the name comes from the “kissing” sound created by the machines used to make the candy. However, it is more likely an appropriation of a common industry term for a dab of chocolate. The candies were originally wrapped by hand. Automated wrapping began in 1921. The same automatic wrapping process allowed for the insertion of the distinctive paper “plume,” that the company used to guarantee that consumers were getting the genuine Hershey product, rather than an imitation. This thin paper strip was registered as a company trademark in 1924. Hershey’s Kisses have been produced continuously since 1907, except for the period of time between 1942 and 1949. Rationing of raw materials during World War II made the aluminum foil for the wrappers a scarce commodity.

Hershey’s kisses are such a cute and well known candy. With so many new flavors popping up every few years, it’s hard to keep up with them. But of course, I have to try the Peanut Butter Kisses – because the Sheriff loves her peanut butter and chocolate combination! These little kisses are wrapped in the signature Hershey foil but this time it’s a beautiful, gleaming gold. The words “peanut butter??? emblazon the foil in red lettering. I am so excited to try this product, I can hardly contain myself. Ok, a few deep breaths…I am ready to go. The well known and beloved Hershey’s chocolate is present in all of its “kiss shaped??? glory. My teeth break through that and for a second or two, I savor the flavor of the rich, sweet milk chocolate. But what has my tongue and palate detected? Why, it’s the taste of sweet and slightly salty, smooth, creamy and oh-so-delicious peanut butter. Yes! It’s fantastic! The combination is, as always a glorious one, and Hershey’s has done it with such class, such finesse, such wonderful candy making ways! This is a dream come true! Cute little kisses filled with wonderful, glorious peanut butter! Can life get any better? I, think not.

M&M’S Amazing Bar (Peanut butter)

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There are some things in this world that make me utter, “that’s amazing!??? Like seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, watching a baby giraffe walk right after it’s been born, the Chargers getting closer and closer to going to the Super Bowl and now, the M&M’S Amazing bar. Yep, the Sheriff is back to review a new (to me) candy bar.First off, I gotta say…this is one loaded candy bar! It’s a thick piece of milk chocolate with peanut butter sandwiched between the top and bottom layers. Plus, the good folks over at Mars decided to throw in a ton of mini M&M’S, truly making this an AMAZING candy bar!
 
The milk chocolate is great. Really great. It’s smooth, creamy, and sweet.  The peanut butter (creamy, not chunky) is smooth and has just the right salty quality to it. And the mini M&M’S are just as great as they always are. They are bright and colorful and really add some pizzazz to the candy bar. Little dots of red, green, blue, yellow, orange and purple grace the usually dull (but delectable) chocolate and their crisp sugar shells add a pleasing crunch to the candy. All in all, this bar is a taste and texture sensation that would be hard to beat. If you haven’t given this bar a try, you gotta. You just gotta! 

PEANUT BUTTER M&M’S (Another Perspective)

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Here’s my take that is a bit different than my co-reviewer.  1990 marked the introduction of M&M’S Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies—and the beginning of a whole new fan following! And boy, am I one of those fans! I don’t know how often I can stress this, but I absolutely adore the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. There’s just something about the saltiness of the peanut butter offset by the sweet chocolaty flavor of the, well, of the chocolate. It makes my mouth water just thinking about them. And peanut butter M&M’S are no exception!

Every kind of M&M is delicious (am I wrong?), and these peanut butter babies certainly follow suit – they really deliver the goods. Then they RE-deliver the goods! You’ll crave a second bag, no joke! They feature a delicious, real peanut butter center that is smooth, sweet and just salty enough. This is covered by rich milk chocolate and the whole thing is encased in the signature M&M candy shell. These colorful little circles of goodness are one of my favorite sweet treats. They are similar to Reese’s Pieces, but in my humble opinion, SO much better. They have way more peanut butter in the center and we all know that that seals the deal. These also taste great over ice cream or in cookies. Mmmmm…peanut butter cookies with peanut butter M&M’S baked inside. You can’t go wrong!

 

 

 

REESE’S CRISPY CRUNCHY BAR

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OH. MY. GOD. I have died and gone to candy bar heaven. What did I do so right in my time on earth to deserve such a delicious, delectable taste sensation? Seriously people, this new candy bar from Reese’s is (as the Good Doctor so eloquently puts it) the “BOMB DIGGITY!??? This candy bar is the shnizz, shnap, shnip, shnat, snack! The candy that bar is four, count them, FOUR layers of goodness. Four layers of peanut-y, peanut-butter-y, peanut-flaky, chocolaty awesomness. It is a taste explosion. God, this bar is good!

So Reese’s is known for their original peanut butter cups. One of my all time favorite candies. If you’ve been paying attention to my blogs, then you’ll know that peanut butter and chocolate together are two of my favorite things in the world. I love that flavor combination. It goes so well together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Nutella and banana. Lamb and tuna fish…

Now, Reese’s has decided to throw in a hail mary and go for the gold. And they have struck it rich with this lil’ number! A flaky, peanut-buttery center is topped of with sweet and salty peanut butter. You know the kind I am talking about. Reese’s signature peanut butter. No one in the world can make it like they can. Then, they add a layer of chopped, fresh-roasted peanuts and the whole thing is drenched in rich, creamy milk chocolate. So again, four layers of peanut butter chocolate goodness. Not one, not two, not even three, but FOUR! It is crunchy and creamy, sweet and salty, oh-so-yummy-in-my-tummy. I can’t stand it! It’s so tasty! Try it. Stop whatever you are doing and go get this candy bar. I’m not kidding, it’s that good. What are you waiting for??? GO!

5th Avenue Bars

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The 5th Avenue bar of my childhood was not a Hershey product but made by Luden’s (yes, the cough drop people). Also made in Pennsylvania, the 5th Avenue bar may not have had the wide distribution of the more well-known Butterfinger. When I first got to California, I was introduced to candy bars that seem to have not made there way to Texas and I tried a 5th Avenue bar at a friend’s house. Her mom must have loved them, because she had a whole jar full of them. I seem to have a vague recollection of there being a couple of almonds on top. Does anyone else remember that?

The center is a crispy, crunchy peanut butter crisp. Kind of like a flaky toffee – it is much flakier than a Butterfinger bar. It has some peanut butter between the layers, as far as I can tell. It also has a distinct molasses flavor to it, which brings out the roasted flavors of the nuts. Whoever made this candy bar knew what they were doing – it is distinctly more peanut buttery than the Butterfinger bar. I would not go so far as to say that one is better than the other – they both bring something tasty to the table. The crispy peanut butter center is enrobed in sweet milk chocolate. Again, I cannot stress how much I love this flavor combination. It’s like a gift from the god’s. I wish that this bar still had the almonds on top, though. They added a great flavor and added crunch to the already crunchy bar. I’m a sucker for almonds and chocolate, too. I guess that like many candies, the original recipe died out when consumers were given a choice of almond or sans almond. I, for one, would have chosen almond. And that’s all I have to say about that…

Reese’s Peanut Butter Caramel Cups

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Hey candy kids! It’s the Sheriff, here, ready to review a brand-spankin’ new candy…Reese’s Peanut Butter CARAMEL cups. Yep, those crazy folks over at Hershey decided to throw a curve ball at us and add caramel to the already perfected Reese’s peanut butter cup. I, for one, am skeptical at this flavor combination. Will it be too sweet? Will it be as good as the original? Better? Well, there’s only one way to find out… *Munch, munch, munch. Chew, swallow, gulp*

Hmmm…well, it is good. It’s not great, but it’s good. It’s very sweet, but some people like really sweet things. This isn’t triple-decker fudge-cake sweet, but it’s definitely sweet. It looks just like a normal peanut butter cup, but inside, it is so much more. It’s got the original peanut butter spread that is in the classic candy, but underneath that is a layer of smooth, silky caramel. The caramel is gooey and really delicious, but (for me) it’s a bit much. One of my favorite things about the original peanut butter cup is the fact that the peanut butter has a sort of saltiness to it, and that is now overshadowed by the layer of caramel. The whole thing is encased in the famous “cup?? of rich, milk chocolate. I think that this might be good with a huge glass of milk to cut the sweetness, and it is definitely a candy to savor, rather than gulp down. I say it is worth trying, so the next time you want something new, pick up a package of Reese’s Peanut Butter Caramel Cups. Give the little guys a shot.