Category Archives: Obsessions

Wegman’s Finds: Valentine’s Day Treats & More

If you are blessed enough to live near a Wegman’s, then you know just how truly magical the place can be. The moment you walk through the doors, you are greeted by a wonderland of sublime grocery goods and more. Wegman’s doesn’t just sell food, they sell the best food. Everything that comes out of that place is amazing. Moreover, they sell a plethora of other goodies like gifts, kitchen equipment, home decor, and more.

Basically, they have everything.

I made my bi-monthly trek yesterday. It was actually an impromptu trip because I happened to be in the area. I was only going to grab a few things, but what I found were treasures galore.

Wegman’s was ready for Valentine’s Day. They had a whole section of the store devoted to all things red, pink, and chocolate. Any kind of candy your sweet tooth could desire, they had it. Loving teddy bears and various plushies? They had those too. They even had an entire floral shop to buy flowers for your sweetie. However, what I really enjoyed was all of the romantic-themed eats and treats.

1. Love Bug Cupcakes

These may be the cutest cupcakes in existence. Your choice of chocolate or vanilla cupcake is topped with mounds of fluffy frosting to uncannily resemble a cute little lady bug (or, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, a love bug). Two mini chocolate curls act as edible antlers and amp up the adorableness. The best part is, unlike most elaborately decorated cakes and cupcakes, the love bug itself is all frosting, no chewy fondant or other edible but undesirable medium. So, like all of Wegman’s baked goods, these cupcakes taste amazing. They’re delicious AND cute as a bug!

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Obsessions: The Cider Mill’s Apple Caramel Pie

The thing about apple pie is that it has been done before (a million different times and a million different ways). Such apple exploitation leads to a general lack of enthusiasm about this dessert, which is rather sad considering it’s an American classic. I’ll be the first to admit that fruit pies in general aren’t my favorite dessert. Don’t get me wrong; I can get down with a slice of pie. It’s just not top on my coveted desserts list.

However, I’m not going to say that all apple pies are boring, because that just wouldn’t be true. When you have a good apple pie, it reminds you why it became a classic American dessert in the first place. You understand why it appears at the end of every holiday meal and why every baker embarks on the noble quest to acquire the ultimate apple pie recipe. When apple pie is good, it’s really good. It just has to be done right.

What is the pinnacle of apple pie in my humble (pie) opinion?

The Clinton Cider Mill’s Apple Caramel Pie.

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Obsessions: Last Call for Pumpkin Pie Blizzard

Any loyal little cookie will know that I have an obsession with Dairy Queen. A love affair, if you will. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and nothing in this world gives me quite as much pleasure as a cool, creamy Blizzard. However, you also may know that I currently live nowhere near a DQ. Everyday is a struggle, especially when faced with commercials on TV broadcasting the latest Blizzard treat if for no other reason than to further drive the knife into my heart. My sister, who resides only a few minutes away from a Dairy Queen, likes to send me pictures on her phone whenever she stops in for a treat. She is heartless.

When October first began, a bittersweet excitement fell over me. You see, October means one thing in the world of Blizzard Fans: the return of the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. I love all Blizzards. I’ve never had one that wasn’t delicious, and there are many that vie for the top spot in my heart. French Silk Pie, classic Oreo, Cotton Candy…they’re all heavenly. But alas, there is one that stands above the rest, if only by a thin margin. And that, my little cookies, is the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard.

It literally tastes like they shoved a whole pumpkin pie into their creamy custard and blended it up.

Or, perhaps they created a Blizzard Morphing Machine that takes any food then converts all of its flavors and characteristics into creamy Blizzard form.

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Obsessions: Candy Corn White Chocolate M&M’s

Quick! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think “Halloween“?

Some of you probably said pumpkins or candy or costumes, but the majority of you probably just said “candy corn.” No other candy is quite as synonymous with a holiday as candy corn is with Halloween. Chocolate bunnies with Easter may be close, but you just can’t compare it to classic candy corn. It is festive and iconic, standing the test of time as Halloween’s most symbolic sweet.

The funny thing about candy corn is that, whether or not everyone loves it, everyone eats it. It’s just something you do at Halloween time. However, when you eat it year after year, you might start looking for new ways to consume said candy corn. Last year, they came out with candy corn Hershey Kisses, which were pretty tasty. This year, they have come out with something even better: Candy Corn White Chocolate M&M’s.

I first saw these candy corn cuties on Cookin’ Cowgirl’s blog. I knew I had to try ‘em! Let me tell you, these festive M&M’s are not for the faint-at-sweet-tooth. Like regular candy corn, they are super sweet, but not in a bad way. I personally love all things sweet! They don’t taste exactly like real candy corn, but they are reminiscent of it. The M&M’s are festively adorned with the classic candy corn color trio: yellow, white, and orange. Their crunchy, colorful shell gives way to a smooth and sweet filling. The flavor is a combination of white chocolate, candy corn, and something sort of caramel-esque. In fact, it tastes an awful lot like those candy corn Hershey Kisses I mentioned!

If you’re longing for a new twist on a classic Halloween treat, then fill your candy dish with these Candy Corn M&M’s. They’re tasty and addicting little buggers, and I’m obsessed!

Have YOU tried Candy Corn White Chocolate M&M’s? Did you like ‘em? What are some of your Halloween candy obsessions?

Pssst…Looking for more Halloween Treats?


Obsessions: CocoPop

Have you seen these things? They’re called CocoPops and they’re some of the coolest snacks I’ve seen in a while. I have become obsessed. The name is a bit misleading; there’s no chocolate or cocoa or coconut involved, so I’m not sure where that came from. CocoPop is actually a light crispy, crunchy snack, sort of like a rice cake but thinner, lighter, and with a larger radius. Basically, CocoPop is a lot better. It’s made from all natural ingredients: wheat, rice, corn, and sea salt. I love when I can read an ingredient list and easily recognize every item on it. There’s nothing weird or chemical-sounding.

If you’ve never checked these out, you can find them at Wegman’s. CocoPop’s website says they’re available in several stores nationwide, but so far, I’ve only seen them at Wegman’s. What’s awesome is that you get to watch them being made fresh in the store! They come flying out of this CocoPop maker and you here a startling WHACK when they hit the glass surrounding the machine. Then, the CocoPop Popper Person bags ‘em up and they sell them to you fresh! It’s quite an experience.

Now, what I really love about these guys is that they’re twice the size of a rice cake for half the calories. For one CocoPop, you’re looking at 16 itty bitty calories and 0 grams of fat. That means they’re the perfect guilt-free vessel for any toppings of your choice. Their mild flavor makes ‘em crazy versatile. Some of my favorite variations are Nutella or Peanut Butter and Fluff, but it goes way beyond that.

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Obsessions: Wegman’s Sugar Cookies

I have a deep, unconditional love for Wegman’s. Anyone else who has been to one knows exactly what I’m talking about. Wegman’s is the king of all grocery stores with a vast spread of endless aisles that are filled with only the best that food has to offer. It’s a magical place. Unfortunately, my closest Weggie’s is about 45 minutes away, so my mother and I only get to frequent there every couple of months or so. Thankfully, I stopped in a few days ago to stock up on my favorites while I could. What’s one Wegman’s product that I can’t get enough of? Their sugar cookies.

I’m OBSESSED.

You can find these sweet darlings, packaged up all pretty like so, in Wegman’s extensive bakery. That place is HEAVEN. They have every treat you could ever want, and they make them all themselves. I’ve yet to try something from there that wasn’t fantastic. Now, back to the cookies. What I really love is that they have different-shaped cookies every time I come in, depending on the time of year. They have watermelon and ice cream cones in summer, snowmen and snowflakes in winter, and all kinds of cute cookies in between. Naturally, I was drawn to these cupcake cuties this time around. You see, every single time I stop at Wegman’s, I make it a point to get at least one of these frosted sugar cookies. They are that good.

The cookie itself is sturdy, but not crunchy, with a nice chewy center. It has a subtle flavor which is perfect for the mile-thick layer of super sweet icing on top. Don’t misunderstand me; the icing is not too sweet. It’s perfect, actually. The icing is what really takes this sugar cookie over the top. It’s so smooth and sweet, with a firm exterior and super soft interior. This stuff literally melts right in your mouth. It’s absolutely heavenly, quite possibly the best frosting I’ve ever had. Plus, you get a generously thick serving of it on every cookie. I think it lies somewhere between royal frosting & buttercream. Whatever it is, it’s amazing.

You’ve got to try these cookies; just take my word for it. They are the best sugar cookies I’ve ever had by far. Wegman’s really knows their stuff, especially in that bakery. They’ve got magical little fairies in there, baking love and pixie dust into all of their magical pastries and treats, I SWEAR. Or, at the very least, they’ve got bakers who really know what they’re doing. Go grab yourself a cookie or two (or ten) from Wegman’s asap. Go on and sink your teeth into that sweet, melt-in-your-mouth icing atop the buttery sugar cookie. I guarantee, you’ll be obsessed too.

What’s YOUR Wegman’s obsession???