Lucasfilm and Oreo came together to deliver us the perfect food item: Star Wars Oreos. I know what you’re thinking: these are basically just Oreos but with Star Wars packaging. But, it’s not so. Star Wars Oreos are honestly the best kind of Oreos I’ve ever had. And yes, there is a ton of fun to be had with colors, designs, and joining the dark or light side. But the Star Wars Oreos aren’t just more fun than other kinds of Oreos, they are actually more delicious. Strap in for our review of the Star Wars Oreos.

Star Wars Oreos Let You Join the Dark or Light Side

First, the Star Wars Oreos conceit is just a lot of fun. Depending on what your pack of cookies reveals about you, you can join the dark side or the light side. But you can’t know which side you’ll join until you unwrap your box.

If your Star Wars Oreos dictate that you’ll join the light side, then you’ll see bright blue creme, the traditional honorable Jedi color of choice. You’ll also get to chow down on 10 different Oreo designs featuring your favorite Star Wars heroes. You can bite into Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Rey, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Mace Windu. When I opened up my Star Wars Oreos, I ended up being on the light side. (Which I’m fine with, I swear…)

Iconic “Side” reveal!!!!

Read all about it: https://t.co/uhniuL4Zyn @starwars @Oreo #Gifted #StarWars pic.twitter.com/G132eYmKhd

— Rotem Rusak (@Moondancer1626) May 30, 2024

If you happen to end up on the dark side of Star Wars Oreos, then your Oreos will have a Sith Lord red color to them. Inside, you’ll find 10 designs celebrating Star Wars‘ best villains in Oreo form. These Oreos feature Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Darth Sidious, Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, Jabba the Hut, General Grievous, Count Dooku, and Scout Trooper. Potentially, dark side Star Wars Oreos have more fun.

The Packaging for These Star Wars Oreos Is Gorgeous

Who isn’t a sucker for fun packaging? Regardless of what side you’re on, your Star Wars Oreos will come decorated with art by Greg Hildebrandt, who has been a Star Wars poster artist since 1977! The art features all the dark and light Star Wars characters found on the Oreo designs facing off in an epic battle.

It’s also worth noting that the characters on the Oreos themselves are well-drawn. Good job, Oreo designers.

Do Star Wars Oreos Taste Good?

Regardless of the Star Wars fun, though, you should buy these Oreos for one very simple reason. The Star Wars Oreos honestly taste better than regular Oreos, and that’s because of their secret Force powers. Yes, the creme in Star Wars Oreos is not like other cremes; it’s actually studded with  “Kyber” inspired sugar crystals. And that rocks.

Star Wars Oreos Have Sugar Crystals in the Creme

We love the Star Wars Easter egg inherent in “Kyber” sugar crystals. But what we love even more is the critical texture component these sugar crystals add to the Oreos’ creme. And, just to confirm, these crystals aren’t pop rocks; they’re just small hints of sugar. I would describe the texture as something like a slightly crunchier take on funfetti icing. The sugar is a little bit crunchy but also fairly soft, so it’s really pleasing against the creaminess of the creme. The sugar also adds a hint of a slightly different sweetness against that of the creme, and it all works nicely together.

I like an Oreo, but I absolutely devoured these Star Wars Oreos.

How Can You Buy Star Wars Oreos

Happily, Star Wars Oreos are now available at grocery stores near you. Additionally, you can purchase them online. These galactic cookies will cost you $5.29 a pack. And they are worth it!

The post STAR WARS Oreos’ Sugar Crystal Creme Is Galactically Good—A Cookie Review appeared first on Nerdist.

Give me a break… give me a break… break off a piece of the KitKat’Chup Bar? Is that catchy? You might get a chance to decide. After a viral trend of dipping KitKat bars in ketchup swept the internet, Heinz and KitKat are getting into the double act.

You can’t buy a KitKat’Chup bar yet… But it feels like it’s only a matter of time. Fascinatingly enough, this isn’t the first time Heinz and ketchup have gotten into the chocolate game.

Maybe there’s something to it… We guess we could pair them with the Velveeta chocolate truffles or the Miller beer ones. You might be able to find out exactly how you feel about them if you dare Heinz and KitKat to make this ketchup-flavored KitKat bar real. We have to admit the name KitKat’Chup bar is clever.

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In 2022 a few lucky Taco Bell customers in Orange County, California got a chance to try a big new experimental culinary crossover. And we do mean big. That’s when the fast food chain briefly added a giant Cheez-It to its menu at one single store. Now, two years later that two week taste test has turned into a nationwide option. Starting today the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and Big Cheez-It Tostada are available at all Taco Bell locations.

After teasing its inclusion during its own Apple-style announcement event in February, the Big Cheez-It is really here. Or at least it is for a limited time. Customers across the country can now order a Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme ($5.49) or a Big Cheez-It Tostada ($3.99). Both items feature a gigantic Cheez-It in the middle. It measures 16 times bigger the size of a normal Cheez-It. 

If you’re really hungry you can also pick up a Big Cheez-It Box ($8.99). It comes with a Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, regular sized Nacho Fries, and a medium drink.  

While the official rollout took place today, some locations have already had these menu items available early. That’s how some customers have discovered you can actually order a Big Cheez-It on its own. It does not appear to be listed as a solo item, so you’ll have to inquire about buying one.

We definitely plan on asking for one when we also order both the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and Big Cheez-It Tostada. Sure, that might be way too much food considering it will mean eating the equivalent of 48 Cheez-Its alone, but again it will only be available for a limited time. We spent two years jealous of people who only got a chance to eat them for two weeks. We will not let this big opportunity pass us by.

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Forget “Coke or Pepsi,” because there’s a new number two in the eternal Cola Wars. Beverage Digest says that, in a direct head-to-head comparison, Dr Pepper barely edged out Pepsi as the second most popular soft drink in America during 2023.

While Coca-Cola (19.2% of the market) still reigns supreme as the top choice of soda drinkers in America, Pepsi’s longtime status as the second most purchased brand is no more. Dr Pepper topped it, even though it technically tied Pepsi at 8.3% in terms of volume sales. That is purely a measure of the two drinks themselves and does not include sales of either brand’s flavor variations or diet versions.

The news (which we first heard at CNN) reflects both Pepsi’s steady decline and Dr Pepper’s steady rise over recent years. It also reflects Americans’ view that Coca-Cola is still the unquestioned number one soda.

The post Dr Pepper Passes Pepsi As Second Most Popular Soda in America appeared first on Nerdist.

“Delicious and delectable” aren’t the first things that come to mind when we think of a nuclear wasteland. But that’s because Andrew Rea isn’t a playable character in Fallout. Fortunately he is one of our favorite YouTube chefs, and on his Binging With Babish channel he just whipped up a feast that will have post-apocalyptic ghouls, humans, and mutants alike licking their lips. (Or, at least the area where their lips should still be.)

In Rea’s newest video he serves three Fallout dishes. The wasteland menu includes the Jell-O Cake seen on Prime Video’s show, the Spam-like Cram made from scratch, and Nuka Cola served in a “radioactive” glass.

Are these dishes good enough to make living in a dystopian world worth seem like a tasty proposition? Probably not. The giant cockroaches would ruin our appetite no matter what we had for dinner. But we’d definitely like to eat them in our version of America.

The post Binging With Babish Whips Up a FALLOUT Feast of Jell-O Cake, Nuka Cola, and Cram appeared first on Nerdist.

Are Oreo cookies just not sour enough for you? And are Sour Patch Kids just not sweet enough? Do they leave you thinking, “Yeah, these are good, but where’s the cream and crunch?” At this point, I think you know where this is going. Oreo’s newest limited-edition Sour Patch Kids cookies combine two iconic treats into a single, colorful delicious snack.

The new Oreo Sour Patch Kids variation features “Oreo creme filled with multi-colored sour sugar inclusions.” They are then “sandwiched between two Sour Patch Kids flavored basecakes,” which also have their own “colorful inclusions.” The result is something Oreo describes as sour, sweet, and fully Oreo. Even without trying them our bet is these are a sugary winner. The cookie company believes in this crossover so much it even offers Oreo Sour Patch Kids swag on its website. Clearly they think there’s nothing sour about celebrating a sweet combo.

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Chances are you have a nerdy coffee mug of some kind—or probably a few. Maybe you have one with a Game of Thrones House Stark symbol or a Star Wars Rebel Alliance emblem. But what if you had some actually nerdy coffee to pour into those coffee mugs? Pop Culture Coffee has you covered. They are introducing several brands of coffee based on some very beloved properties, starting with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They’re arriving just in time for their big 40th anniversary. You can read the details and check out the first flavors and packaging images for all of these coffee brands below, starting with the Turtles.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pop Culture Coffee

The Turtles’ new “mutated” coffees are 100% organic, ethically sourced, and arrive in artificially flavored ground coffee bags. Each depicts a Turtle in the style of the classic 1980s animated series that helped launch an enduring Turtle empire. Two weeks later, PCC is offering up four cold brews, each themed with 16bit pixel art from the four-player arcade game by Konami, which debuted in 1989. You can purchase them individually or in a four-pack featuring each of the Turtles.

TMNT: Shell-Shocked Sugar Cookie

A combo of sugar cookies and almonds featuring team leader Leonardo.

TMNT: Cowabunga Caramel

A wonderful caramel and coconut team-up with the loveable Michelangelo on the bag. It’s totally “Booyakasha!”

TMNT: Half-Shell Hazelnut

A nutty hybrid of hazelnut and sweet crème, adorned with Donatello.

TMNT: Turtle Power Peanut Butter Cup

A delectable peanut butter cup combination, depicting Raphael.

The folks at Pop Culture Coffee also have other amazing flavors recently revealed, based on Star Trek and Ghostbusters:

Star Trek Pop Culture Coffee

The first classic Star Trek coffee brand out of spacedock is Captain’s Choice, a smooth medium roast featuring Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) on the bag. Following that up is Vulcan Vanilla, a Madagascar vanilla roast featuring the enigmatic Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). The U.S.S. Enterprise adorns the back of both bags. You’ll want to beam these down into your standard Starfleet issue coffee mug right away.

And soon dark Klingon Raktajino will arrive, a brown sugar roast, featuring The Next Generation’s Worf. This was a favorite drink at Quark’s bar on Deep Space Nine. To celebrate First Contact Day, there will be the Federation French Roast, featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and a light Borg Blend roast highlighting the Borg Queen from Star Trek: First Contact on the bag. More Trek coffees will release throughout the year. Hopefully, we’ll get one for Voyager’s Captain Janeway, a big-time coffee connoisseur.

Ghostbusters Pop Culture Coffee

Click To View Gallery

Back on Earth, New York to be exact, Pop Culture Coffee is offering a new series of Ghostbusters blends, timed for the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Among the flavors is Ecto-Espresso, a caramel-chocolate blend featuring everyone’s favorite green ghost, Slimer. Puftmellow is a vanilla-marshmallow manifestation depicting the Mini Stay-Pufts, seen in both Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Frozen Empire. Not pictured, but coming soon, is Death Chill, a chocolatey-minty libation best served iced. There’s also Ray’s Occult, with the blend said to be among the bookstores’ “best-kept secrets.” And finally, there’s Stay S’Mored, evoking the campfire favorite, only now with a Ghostbusters twist. These will get your proton packs at full power on any given morning.

For more information, head on over to Pop Culture Coffee’s official site.

Originally published on April 2, 2024.

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Television will rule summer with House of the Dragon, The Boys, The Acolyte, and more coming to streaming services. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll totally skip the movies, especially if you’re a Marvel fan. Deadpool & Wolverine is undoubtedly one of the most-anticipated films of 2024 that will finally bring these two best bubs (well, in Deadpool’s mind) together for some bloody and ridiculous adventures. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s shenanigans, both as themselves and in character, are certainly marketing gold. That’s why this Deadpool & Wolverine Heineken beer commercial is total perfection.

Wolverine throws Deadpool up against a tree and prepares to thrash him. But, his claws are missing in action. As he wears a confused look on his face, Deadpool explains that he used the adamantium in his claws to make Heineken beer cans. Wolverine is perplexed but, for some reason, has a drink with him. All is well… until Deadpool tries to rest his hand on his best bub’s shoulder. Wolvie says no to it very quickly.

Of course, Ryan Reynolds notes in the Deadpool & Wolverine Heineken commercial that the beer’s cans are not made of adamantium. It is a fictional alloy, after all. But Heineken Silver is a real beer and it is the first time that the MCU is doing a sponsorship for this kind of product. This “world-class light beer for world-class bubs” will probably be a popular one at some theaters but fans can grab it off shelves right now.

The post DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Heineken Ad Shows Two Best Bubs Bonding Over Beer appeared first on Nerdist.

If you’ve ever said your grandmother is “the sweetest old lady” in the world, McDonald’s has the drink for you. The fast food behemoth has announced its celebrating nanas, gram-grams, memaws, and nonnies everywhere with its all-new Grandma McFlurry. And yes, this drink honors their long-standing practice of always having candy on hand.

Starting May 21 McDonald’s customers can pick up a Grandma McFlurry for either themselves or their own grandmothers. (Though obviously you should get two so you can share one with yours when you visit. And you should visit often! Without being told!)

The limited time menu option really is a tasty tribute to the sweetest member of your family. It features “a delicious syrup and chopped, crunchy candy pieces (like grandma’s favorite treat that she hid in her purse!) blended” with vanilla soft serve.

We support both McFlurries and honoring grandmothers everywhere, so this is one very sweet, very appropriate treat.

The post McDonald’s New Grandma McFlurry Is a Tasty Tribute to Grandmothers appeared first on Nerdist.

Light or dark? That’s a question every Star Wars fan has grappled with. But soon we won’t have a choice, because the decision will be made for us. Don’t worry, you won’t be Force-d to live as a Jedi or a Sith no matter which side you end up with. You’ll be getting a delicious, iconic treat celebrating your favorite sci-fi franchise either way. Oreo and Lucasfilm have partnered on a first-ever Star Wars cookie collaboration. Hungry admirers just won’t know if they got a light side or dark side special edition pack until they open them.

The newly announced Special Edition Star Wars OREO Cookies will be sold in two different varieties. Each will come in identical outer packaging that celebrates the original character poster artwork hand-painted by Greg Hildebrandt in 1977. But what snackers won’t know until they open them is whether they cookies that represent the light side or the dark side of the Force.

Those who get a light side pack will find cookies made with a blue creme. Those who get the dark side version will bite into a red creme. Each color creme also comes “infused with ‘kyber’ sugar crystals inspired by the crystals found in a lightsaber.”

The outside of the cookies will also have something for fans to enjoy. Both light and dark side alike come with 10 embossed characters on the cookies. Those iconic figures represent their respective side of the Force. You can see which 20 Star Wars characters made the cut in this official image.

Overall pretty great, but are we sure that’s not Count Dooku’s brother? ….Half-brother?

You can pre-order your Star Wars OREO Cookie Packs starting on May 30 at OREO.com/StarWars. They’ll then start hitting stores nationwide starting on June 10. But don’t delay. They’ll only be available only “for a limited time, while supplies last.” After that you’ll either have to find them on a secondary market or steal them. If you choose the latter, you don’t need a random box of cookies to know you’re a member of the dark side.

The post OREO’s STAR WARS Cookies Come in Mystery Light and Dark Side Packs appeared first on Nerdist.

Panera has shared that its Charged Lemonade will soon no longer be available in its stores. And it seems like it’s about time that Panera discontinued this product. The Charged Lemonade allegedly contains more than 390 milligrams of caffeine, though, according to Panera’s nutrition information, it at most contains 302 milligrams of caffeine. In any case, to put it in perspective, 12 oz of Diet Coke contains 46 mg of caffeine, while 12 oz of coffee contains seems to contain between 80-100 mg of caffeine. Panera’s Charged Lemonade has been named as a cause of two deaths in lawsuits.

According to NBC News, “A spokesperson for Panera said Tuesday that the nationwide discontinuation of the Charged Lemonade comes after a ‘recent menu transformation.'” Panera notes, “We listened to more than 30,000 guests about what they wanted from Panera, and are focusing next on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options.”

Low-caffeine options seem like a wise next move for Panera… as does discontinuing this Charged Lemonade.

The post Panera Will Discontinue Notorious Charged Lemonade appeared first on Nerdist.

It is hard to believe, but it’s nearly summer. That means it will soon be time to lounge around the poolside, taking in the sun, and sipping on a frosty beverage. Well, this year you’ll have a new soft drink to choose from as your soda of choice. This year, Dr Pepper is going a little bit tropical. Thanks to USA Today, we learned that Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut and Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut Zero Sugar will be arriving this summer. Both will start rolling out at retailers starting May 1 and will be available through the end of July. You can check out images of the new Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut cans below.

What Does Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut Taste Like?

As of now, the new Creamy Coconut remains the only coconut cream-flavored dark soda on the market. Although we imagine if this takes off, others will soon follow. Dr Pepper plans on selling their new Creamy Coconut flavor in 12-oz 12-packs, and also in 20-oz bottles. In a statement, the soft drink company says that its newest flavor “brings together the perfect combination of the original 23 Dr Pepper flavors with layers of tropical coconut flavor and a delicious, creamy finish.” Hopefully, folks like this one as much as their Strawberries and Cream flavor last year.

Where Can You Buy Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut?

Although there’s no official product tracker available for Dr Pepper’s Creamy Coconut flavor, you should be able to find it at most stores. Target, Walmart, and more all carry this coconut Dr Pepper.

Is This New Dr Pepper Flavor Here to Stay?

The new coconut flavor will arrive not too long after Dr Pepper partnered with Coffee Mate to create a new coconut lime-flavored creamer. It’s a creamer designed to be mixed with Dr. Pepper to create dirty sodas. (Can we think of another word besides “dirty soda?” Because that phrase is just gross.) This creamer, which combines “refreshing coconut and zesty lime flavors” is also a limited-time offering. Of course, if these new coconut flavors stay popular with consumers, it’s possible they go beyond just seasonal. But at least for summer 2024, you’ll be able to drink a new coconut drink to go with your coconut tanning lotion. Sounds perfectly relaxing to us.

Originally published on May 1, 2024.

The post Dr Pepper Reveals New Creamy Coconut Flavor in Time for Summer appeared first on Nerdist.

If you’ve played Stardew Valley, you know how big an element food plays in the game. You grow it on your farm, you forage for it, you fish for it. Then you craft meals and use them to win the hearts of your fellow Pelican Town villagers. Or maybe you keep those meals for yourselves to provide plenty of energy for long expeditions in the mines. Whatever your motivation for learning recipes in the game, you don’t need any reason to prepare them in real life besides the fact that you want to. The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook by game creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone and Ryan Novak gives you all the reasons you need to pretend to be The Queen of Sauce. You can get started now because we have your exclusive look at recipes for the Strange Bun and Void Mayonnaise.

The Stardew Valley cookbook follows the seasonal vibes of the popular video game. Recipes are divided by the time of year and taken from the in-game meals and food. This cookbook is more than only recipes, though. You get photographs, original illustrations, and lots of little character notes. For this Stardew Valley enthusiast who has put hundreds of hours into different farms, it’s delightful.

You can get a taste of the illustrations and photographs in The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook in these Strange Bun and Void Mayonnaise recipe pages. We know almost no characters like these items in the game, but out of the game? Both recipes sound delicious.

Click To View Gallery

And here are the recipes:

Strange Bun and Void Mayonnaise

LOBSTER IN A SOFT BUN WITH A GARLIC MAYONNAISE DIP

From the Kitchen of: Shane

Yield: Makes 6 Buns

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup (120 ml) WHOLE MILK

1 2/3 cups (230 g) plus 3 tablespoons BREAD FLOUR

3 tablespoons UNSALTED BUTTER, at room temperature, plus more for greasing

3 tablespoons MALTED MILK POWDER

2 tablespoons packed DARK BROWN SUGAR

KOSHER SALT

1 (1/4-oz; 7 g) packet INSTANT YEAST

1/2 cup (120 ml) BUTTERMILK, at room temperature

2 LARGE EGGS, at room temperature

1 cup (140 g) ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

2 whole LOBSTERS (about 1 1/2 lb; 680 g each)

1/2 cup (l stick; 110 g) SALTED BUTTER

FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

6 large SAGE LEAVES, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons finely grated LEMON ZEST

2 GARLIC CLOVES, finely grated

VOID MAYONNAISE, for serving (recipe follows)

Special Equipment:

6-cup JUMBO MUFFIN TIN and 6 (6-inch; 15 cm) WOODEN SKEWERS

In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole milk and 3 tablespoons of the bread flour until smooth. Place the saucepan over low heat and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until thick and like cake batter, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer the milk mixture to a small bowl and let cool until just barely warm to the touch, 5 to 10 minutes.

Lightly grease a large bowl with a little butter.

In another large bowl, whisk together the malted milk powder, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, the yeast, buttermilk, and 1 egg until well combined. Add the remaining 1 2/3 cups (230 g) bread flour, the all-purpose flour, and the milk mixture. Use a rubber spatula to stir the ingredients together until mostly combined and resembling a very shaggy dough. (There will still be a good amount of flour at the bottom of the bowl, and that is okay as long as the mixture is no longer wet.) Using your hands, continue to mix until you have a fairly smooth dough. Add the 3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, using your hands to work the butter into the dough before adding more. Every time you add more butter, the dough will start to feel greasier, but that is okay. Use one hand to knead the dough while you use your other hand to hold down the bowl. Use the rubber spatula to scrape down the sticky side of the bowl as needed. Continue kneading the dough in the bowl until it is no longer wet and sticky, 3 to 5 minutes.

Turn out the dough onto a clean flat surface and continue kneading (now with both hands) until smooth and elastic, 5 to 7 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in the greased bowl, and turn to coat with the grease. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature until puffed to almost double its size, about 2 hours.

Lightly grease the cups of a 6-cup large-cup muffin tin.

Deflate the dough and gently press it into a rectangle (the size really doesn’t matter). Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Use your hands to roll each piece into a 16-inch (40 cm) rope about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thick.

Starting at one end, roll each rope into a semi-conical spiral shape with a larger base and 2 coils that get slightly smaller as you work upward. The second coil will be almost the same size as the base, but the third coil on the top will be much smaller than the first two. Tuck the second end of the dough into the top of the bun and place the buns into the muffin cups as you form them. Nudge a 6-inch (15 cm) wooden skewer pointed side up into the very center of each bun.

Let the buns rest, uncovered, at room temperature until puffy and squishy like jumbo marshmallows, about 1 hour. The fully puffed buns should fill most of the muffin cups. After they puff up, the buns might end up leaning over. Use the wooden skewers to gently lift the buns and coax them so they sit straight again. Don’t be concerned if they are not perfect; the imperfection will add to the “strangeness” of the buns.

About 40 minutes into the buns’ second proof, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and a splash of water. Brush the egg wash lightly onto the risen buns. Bake the buns until golden brown all over and the dough is cooked through, about 30 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once after 20 minutes. Transfer the buns from the muffin cups to a wire rack to cool completely.

Remove the wooden skewers and use a small paring knife to make a roughly 2-inch (5 cm) opening at the top of each bun, then use your fingers to carefully hollow out the buns, leaving a 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) wall on the sides and bottom. (Save the bun tops and any extra pieces to make fresh bread crumbs, if desired.) Loosely cover the buns.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Fill an extra-large bowl with ice water and season it generously with salt.

Add the lobsters to the pot, cover with a lid, and boil until the shells are bright red and the meat is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the lobsters directly to the ice bath to cool.

Pat the lobsters dry with a kitchen towel. Remove the meat from the claws, tails, and legs and roughly chop into bite-size chunks; you should have about 2 1/2 cups (340 g). Chill the lobster meat.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter. Add several large grinds of black pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until light brown specks start to form and the butter smells nutty, 7 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the sage, lemon zest, and grated garlic, and warm for 1 minute in the residual heat. (Be careful during this step because the mixture will get quite foamy and might sputter.) Add the lobster and stir to combine in the warm butter sauce. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Divide the lobster mixture among the 6 hollowed-out buns. Drizzle any extra butter sauce over the lobster and serve immediately, accompanied by the mayonnaise.

VOID MAYONNAISE

Makes 1 scant cup (190 g)

5 black garlic cloves

1/4 teaspoon food-grade finely ground activated charcoal powder

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 large egg yolk, at room temperature

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Kosher salt

3/4 cup (175 ml) neutral oil, such as light olive oil

Use the back of a large kitchen knife to smash the garlic until it forms a paste (about 2 teaspoons). Transfer to a small bowl.

In a medium bowl, combine the activated charcoal and 2 teaspoons of the lemon juice. Whisk until the charcoal is dissolved. Add the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, and a large pinch of salt, and whisk again until smooth.

Very slowly, begin to drizzle the oil into the bowl with the egg mixture, whisking constantly and vigorously. At the beginning, you want to add the oil nearly drop by drop to form an emulsion. Make sure any oil you add is incorporated into the egg mixture before adding more.

When you have added nearly half the oil, increase the speed at which you add the oil but still add it slowly and continue to whisk constantly and vigorously. At this point, your arm will be tired, but muster your strength and persevere (or ask a friend to help out).

When the mixture is thick and creamy, add the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a small splash of water, and the black garlic paste. Whisk until smooth. If the mayonnaise is super thick, whisk in additional water, a small splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Season to taste with additional salt, if needed.

Reprinted from The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook by ConcernedApe and Ryan Novak. © 2024 by ConcernedApe LLC. Published by Random House Worlds, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook arrives on May 14. You can place a pre-order now.

The post Learn How to Make STARDEW VALLEY’s Strange Bun and Void Mayonnaise appeared first on Nerdist.

In 2022 a great injustice was inflicted on the world. And by “world” I mean “me,” though I imagine countless others feel the same way. In March of that year Pepsi announced it was giving out just 2,000 cans of an all-new flavor. The cola company had partnered with IHOP for a limited batch Maple Syrup Cola. I, like nearly 100% of the people on this planet, did not get a can of what I imagined was “delicious tree nectar.” Now the two companies are finally atoning for that terrible wrong by offering up something even better. IHOP’s Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola is now available in restaurants as a fountain soda.

IHOP has brought its highly-coveted Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola to participating restaurants around the country. Only, this time it’s as a superior fountain soda option rather than coming in a can. The drink is part of the chain’s expanded iconic menu. Other new items include Cinn-A-Stack and Cupcake House-Made Milkshakes, Kids French Toast Sticks, a Watermelon Splasher, chicken sandwiches, and Silk Oatmeal Cookie Oat Creamer.

Those all sound good, but I haven’t spent two years angry about never trying them like I have “a perfect blend of maple syrup-flavored indulgence with the crisp, refreshing caramel notes of Pepsi.” The company also claims the soda makes for a perfect vanilla float option.

I am very happy to test that claim. Maybe even two (dozen) times if it seems legit.

Neither me nor my fellow aggrieved diners will have long to do that, though. The Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola arrived at participating locations starting on April 1. But it will be available for only a “limited-time.” That is unless we collectively show why only releasing 2,000 cans was such an awful injustice in the first place. If we make our voices/stomachs heard, they’ll know how much they wronged us before.

The post IHOP Will Serve Its Viral Pepsi Maple Syrup Cola in Restaurants appeared first on Nerdist.

Two of the most well-known brands in the world are coming together for a truly Marvelous promotion this year. The Walt Disney Company and Coca-Cola have announced Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes. This is a new collaboration between the 85-year-old comic book publisher and the 132-year-old soft drink juggernaut (no pun intended). For this limited-time campaign, Marvel’s heroes come to life with a brand-new experience featuring limited-edition Coca-Cola can and bottle designs with 38 different character illustrations. You can check out the fun new commercial, as well as some of the Marvel Coca-Cola cans and bottles, below.

Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes Ad Brings the X-Men and Avengers Together

The first commercial is very inventive, showcasing something Marvel fans have wanted to see on screen for years — X-Men and Avengers interacting together. After decades of formerly Fox-owned characters being forbidden from meeting other Marvel heroes, even on t-shirts, this ad is a true joy. The fact that it takes place in a comic book store is just the cherry on top. It’s nice they remember where these big-screen heroes originated from. Without the comics, there is simply no MCU. Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes offers fans a chance to win prizes from both Disney and Marvel. Among them are an Ultimate Fan Experience, a Disney Cruise, Marvel Studios movie screenings, and more.

Of course, some limited-edition Coca-Cola Marvel fans are on offer. They will surely catch the eye of Marvel and Coke superfans.

The Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ Limited Edition Coke Can and Bottles Available for You to Assemble

Coca-Cola cans will feature Blade, Cable, Colossus, Daredevil, Deadpool, Elektra, Juggernaut, Kingpin, Loki, Moon Knight, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Wolverine, Nick Fury, Storm (US Only), Super Skrull, and War Machine. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Coke bottles and cans will showcase Ant-Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Groot, Hulk, Iron Man, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Rocket, Scarlet Witch, Shang-Chi, Star-Lord, Thanos, and Thor. You can view all the character illustrations here.

Interestingly enough, despite having cans with most of the Marvel headliners, there are no Spider-Man or Fantastic Four heroes on these Coke creations. Their licenses must currently be with another soda company. Hopefully, we get a second wave of limited-edition Coca Cola fun, one where every Avenger gets to assemble on a Coke can.

The post Coca-Cola Reveals Limited-Edition Marvel Cans and a Cool Ad Celebrating ‘The Heroes’ Team-Up appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s the end of March which means we all need to officially be on high alert because April Fools’ Day is coming. The most annoying day of the year means brands will be trotting out fake products to rile up those not paying attention to the calendar. But not every absurd item will turn out to be a joke. Some companies truly commit to the bit. The issue is you can’t always tell which ones are merely a gag and which ones actually exist until someone confirms it. That’s why we have no idea if 7-Eleven is being honest about launching a Hot Dog-flavored sparkling water in a few days.

7-Eleven has announced its partnering with Miracle Seltzer on a line of new sparkling waters. Three of them sound totally legit and are certainly real: Lemon Lime, Green Apple, and Sweet Orange. The issue is the fourth flavor and the details surrounding this alleged product’s release. The final drink in the collection is Hot Dog, a flavor inspired by the convenience store’s Bog Bite Hot Dog. If that sounds super gross it’s actually much, much worse. Here’s how the company describes this supposéd beverage in the official press release:

The Big Bite Hot Dog Sparkling Water combines the delicious and mouthwatering experience of 7-Eleven’s iconic Big Bite Hot Dog into one refreshing beverage – ketchup and mustard included. Gone are the days of alternating bites of a hot dog with sips of a beverage, now those on the go can swap the bun for bubbles.

Even with all these pictures this can’t be real, right? Maybe not. The three fruit-flavored sparkling waters are already available at select stores. Meanwhile 7-Eleven says “more details on the availability” of its Hot Dog drink “will be revealed on April 1.”

April 1. Of course.

Our bet is the only detail we’ll get on the foolingest day of the year is that this product will never be available because it’s not real. At least we hope so. We’d much rather get pranked than drink literal Hot Dog water.

The post 7-Eleven’s New Hot Dog-Flavored Sparkling Water Seems Like an April Fools’ Day Prank appeared first on Nerdist.

Do you love the taste of buffalo wings on your lips but hate eating food? If you said “yes” we have many followup questions. (Many.) But those will have to wait, because right now we have to focus on the fact Hidden Valley and Burt’s Bees just created a product someone like you has apparently been waiting for your whole life. The two companies have combined for a collection of food-flavored lip balms celebrating a football watching staple. This Hidden Valley Ranch and Burt’s Bees lip balm set includes flavors that taste like a basket of spicy buffalo wings.

We’re used to hearing about bizarre Hidden Valley products. The company has released everything from ranch eggnog to a diamond ring made out of ranch dressing. And yet the food company’s latest crossover still caught us by surprise. Burt’s Bees x Hidden Valley Ranch Dippers Lip Balm 4 Pack will both protect and flavor your lips with buffalo wing goodness. This “(very) limited-edition” set, released during the NFL playoffs, celebrates a game day food staple. It’s described as being “like a basket of wings in balm form.” The four flavors include:

• Hidden Valley Ranch​
• Crunchy Celery​
• Fresh Carrot​
• Buffalo Sauce

Despite tasting like food, Burt’s Bees points out these balms are not for consumption “obviously.” To that we say Burt’s Bees obviously doesn’t know what football fans are capable of eating.

The initial offering of the $11.99 4-pack quickly sold out. Fortunately, these tasty flavors will be available once again on April 1 at 9AM ET.

In the meantime, if you want to have an idea what it’s like to use this product, you can always just eat an actual basket of wings before putting normal lip balm on. That is, of course, unless you answered our original question by saying “yes,” you love the taste of buffalo wings but hate eating food. In that case please email us directly so we can ask you those many followups.

Originally published January 18, 2024.

The post Hidden Valley Ranch and Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Set Tastes Like a Buffalo Wings Basket appeared first on Nerdist.

On April 17, Star Wars‘ epic drink, Blue Milk, will hit grocery stores for all to buy. That’s right, those of us on regular old planet Earth will soon be able to purchase Blue Milk right from the shelf, thanks to TruMoo. But we at Nerdist didn’t want you to have to wait that long to know what Blue Milk tastes like. On a galactic mission, we woke up early this morning, flew to Tatooine, and spent all day milking banthas, the Star Wars creature from whence Blue Milk springs. And now we’re ready to report back. Alternatively, we got a preview sip of Blue Milk at a Star Wars consumer products event. Whichever story you’d like to believe, here’s our review of what grocery-store Blue Milk from TruMoo really tastes like.

What Does Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk Taste Like?

Of course, we’ve never tasted Blue Milk fresh from a bantha. So we couldn’t say how grocery store Blue Milk compares to the true original. But what we can say is that Star Wars‘ new TruMoo Blue Milk, fresh from the store or, in this case, the big Blue Milk fridge, tastes, well, galactically good. No offense to cows, but not only is the bantha’s Blue Milk a better color than normal milk, but it’s also basically a milkshake.

The official description of the product states that Blue Milk “features natural vanilla flavor.” We fully agree with that assessment. Some vanilla products can taste very artificial, but Blue Milk’s brand of vanilla brings a much gentler flavor. I would say Blue Milk tastes like a very delicate melted vanilla ice cream. The flavor is pleasant but not overwhelming. There’s no aftertaste or cloying sweetness involved. In fact, the vanilla and the sweet quality of the drink fade in and out so that one gets notes of them while drinking, but the sweetness doesn’t build unpleasantly. Blue Milk is very drinkable, and no doubt Star Wars fans of all ages will get a kick out of it. (As you can see, even dark-side dwellers love a glass of Blue Milk).

In all honesty, I poured a glass to remind myself of the flavor, and I have just continued to drink it until it was gone. So there’s no more glowing review I can offer for Star Wars‘ TrueMoo Blue Milk than that. It’s no wonder Luke Skywalker enjoys it so much. (Among others…)

Star Wars‘ TrueMoo Blue Milk Nutritional Information

The Force is strong with Blue Milk. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also nutritious. (At least, it definitely is when compared to most other fannish food items.) The official product description states, “TruMoo Blue Milk is 1% lowfat milk.” Additionally, you can see Blue Milk’s full nutritional information above. It looks like the banthas have infused their milk with some vitamins and a good amount of protein. Good job, banthas!

The History of Star Wars‘ Blue Milk

Star Wars‘ Blue Milk first emerged onto the scene in the first part of the franchise’s original trilogy, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. In A New Hope, we see Aunt Beru serving Luke Skywalker the now iconic drink. Since then, Blue Milk has emerged in all parts of the Star Wars world, from its movies to its animated series like Star Wars Rebels to its live-action series like Andor to comics, audiobooks, and more.

Over time, we learned that Blue Milk comes from female banthas and is largely available on Outer Rim planets such as Tatooine and Batuu. Blue Milk also became available in our world at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which are located in both Florida’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios and California’s Disneyland. There, Blue Milk is actually made with plant-based products and tastes of fruit.

Naturally, Blue Milk can be made into other products, like Blue Milk cheese and Blue Milk ice cream. We’ll have to wait for those in our world, though.

When Can You Buy Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk at the Grocery Store?

As mentioned, Star Wars‘ Blue Milk will become available for purchase at grocery stores on April 17. It sounds like it’s the closest approximation yet to the “real” Blue Milk that characters drink on Star Wars, and it certainly tastes good.

May the Blue Milk be with you.

The post What Does STAR WARS Blue Milk Taste Like? A Review of the Galactic Drink You Can Soon Buy appeared first on Nerdist.

They’re back. Yes, it’s once again time to blast off into the world of Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast and its many flavors. Last year, we enjoyed several out-of-this-world versions of everyone’s favorite drink (but this time, it’s alcoholic). And, in 2024, the Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast is making its triumphant return, but it won’t just be a seasonal drink anymore. Nope, this Mix Pack will now be available to buy year-round in select states. Let’s take a closer look at the flavors, availability, and other details of 2024’s Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Pack.

Jump to: Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Flavors // Mix Pack Availability // What Does Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Taste Like? // Other Hard Soda Fun

Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Pack’s Four 2024 Flavors

Baja Blast is fabulous in any form. In fact, we can’t wait to try it out as gelato. But there’s a certain perfect wackiness to the Hard MTN Dew version of it. We love the bright colors and fun animal mascots that decorate the cans. In 2024, the Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Pack will feature the following flavors: Baja Blast, Baja Blast Mango, Baja Blast Pineapple, and Baja Blast Punch.

The Mix Pack contains twelve 12oz cans and offers three cans of each flavor. The official website shares more details about the Baja Blast drink, noting, “MTN DEW lovers of legal drinking age can experience the bold, citrus flavors of the soft drink they know and love with 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). It contains zero caffeine, no added sugar, 2.2g of total carbs, and is 100 calories per 12 oz. serving.”

Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Packs Now Available Year-Round

In previous years, the Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Pack was available only as a seasonal offering. But now, it will finally be available for consumers to purchase year-round. What a delightful surprise! Although Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast flavors do have a certain summer vibe to them, we’re sure being able to drink them in wintertime too will help blast away the blues.

Where Can You Buy Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Variety Packs?

Currently, Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast drinks are available in Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming. But the product’s website promises that expanded availability is to come!

The product is not currently available online. But you can find out where to purchase Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Packs with this physical location product finder.

What Does Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Taste Like?

Ah, the question of the hour. What does Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast taste like? Well, Nerdist was lucky enough to try a can of Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast, and we’re happy to report back on its taste. For now, we’ve only tried the original. But let us tell you, Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast is a lot of fun. This can of hard soda was a sweet and tangy experience with just the right amount of carbonation. (And very little taste of alcohol at all.) For some, the flavor might veer on the too-sweet side, but for those with a sweet tooth, it’s just right. And the sweetness could keep you from accidentally drinking too many cans of this alcoholic version of Baja Blast.

Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast, of course, tastes very similar to Baja Blast itself. It may seem obvious, but these days, with so many adaptations and iterations of favorites, it’s worth noting. In this case, there are no big surprises. So, if you’re a Baja Blast fan, then you’ll love the taste of Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast. The hard version of the soda is a little more thick or syrupy feeling than the plain soda version. But, not in bad way. And that mouth feel enhances the fun of trying a drink that’s a little wacky.

Notably, the color of Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast perfectly captures the exact shade of regular Baja Blast. The color is half the flavor experience we feel, so we were glad to see it done right. And who doesn’t want to drink an eerie blue-green concoction?

Other Hard Soda Fun

In celebration of the Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Pack’s new year-round availability, Hard MTN Dew is trying to blast off into space. It hopes to be the first beverage abducted by aliens. March 20 was Alien Abduction Day, after all. Hard MTN Dew didn’t get abducted by aliens, but it did have a good time. You can check out some of the shenanigans above, so crack open a hard Baja Blast and enjoy.

Originally published on March 20, 2024.

The post Hard MTN Dew Baja Blast Mix Packs Return in 2024 and Will Be Available Year-Round appeared first on Nerdist.

Ever since A New Hope, when we saw Aunt Beru serve her nephew Luke some blue milk on their Tatooine moisture farm, we’ve been wondering how it might taste. Well, in 2019, when Disneyland and Walt Disney World opened Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we learned. The theme park lands finally brought us blue milk treats. And it turns out that blue milk is actually pretty yummy. Now, the rest of us Earthlings not near a Disney theme park will get to taste some blue milk straight from the grocery store and not from the planet Batuu, with Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk.

Lucasfilm revealed the official Blue Milk as part of its “Imperial March” of new product announcements. The new Star Wars brand of vanilla-flavored milk will be hitting the shelves on April 17. It comes from the Dairy Farmers of America TruMoo. So on this upcoming May the Fourth, you’ll be able to celebrate Star Wars Day in style and just the way Aunt Beru intended, with a cool glass of something blue. Just make sure you find yourself a Wookiee cookie to go with it. Even better would be a bowl of C-3PO’s Cereal, but sadly no one makes that anymore. You can check out our review of TruMoo’s Star Wars Blue Milk.

This is actually not the first Star Wars milk branding from the Dairy Farmers of America TruMoo. They’ve had little Grogu from The Mandalorian on their milk cartons in the past, as well as Darth Vader. Now the brand have both Vader and Luke Skywalker on their milk containers. The art shows the pair fighting it out in a scene from The Empire Strikes Back. We’re not sure if the Star Wars Blue Milk is a limited-time offering, but we hope this is one that sticks around. We have Star Wars fruit roll-ups and other goodies all year round , right? So we deserve some Blue Milk all year round too.

The post STAR WARS Blue Milk Is Coming to Grocery Store Shelves on Earth appeared first on Nerdist.

Here’s a bit of news that should make just about everyone who goes to Wendy’s during their lunch hour very happy. According to a report in People, Wendy’s has announced a new flavor for the spring menu, an Orange Dreamsicle Frosty, available starting on March 19. It combines Wendy’s Vanilla Frosty with orange cream, recalling the creamsicles most of us enjoyed during the summer as kids. In a statement, Wendy’s said, “The eye-catching orange color of this delectable treat was inspired by the spring season. And it tastes just as good as it looks.” After Frosty offerings for winter, summer, and fall, this will be Wendy’s first-ever spring-themed Frosty.

As this is just a seasonal flavor, the Orange Dreamsicle will replace the Vanilla Frosty temporarily. Wendy’s iconic Chocolate Frosty remains on the menu. The classic Vanilla Frosty will return before you know it. In recent years, Wendy’s has started to release seasonal flavors at most of their locations. Back in November, they brought back the popular Peppermint Frosty, the very first holiday-themed frozen treat Wendy’s ever released. In the fall months, they introduced a Pumpkin Spice Frosty. And many Wendy’s locations overseas have much more varied menus when it comes to their Frosty selection.

The iconic fast food chain has been in the news a lot recently, mostly for reasons that made many of its prospective customers less than happy. News of Wendy’s new “Dynamic Pricing” did not go over too well recently, even if it wasn’t as bad as folks initially thought. It wasn’t really “surge pricing,” as many suspected. We’re sure the fast food chain is hoping news of the Orange Dreamsicle Frosty goes over much better with customers.

The post Wendy’s Orange Dreamsicle Frosty Will Make You Nostalgic for Childhood Flavors appeared first on Nerdist.

When it comes to fandom and fashion, Loungefly is one of the top places to go. The lifestyle brand always has some cool collection to celebrate your favorite franchise. But it isn’t just entertainment franchises that they make apparel and accessories for. It’s also some of our favorite food franchises, often with a nostalgic twist. We saw this with those awesome McDonald’s Boo Buckets turned trendy purses. Now, Loungefly is teaming up with burger brand Jack in the Box for a ‘90s-inspired accessory line. 

Jack in the Box started out in California and soon expanded across America. The brand is know for their burgers, curly fries, tacos, and, of course, their slightly unsettling mascot, Jack Box. He looks like a normal dude but his head is a big white ball (commonly called an antenna ball) with a smiley face and a pointy hat. If you’re an ’80s or ’90s kid, you absolutely remember many of the strange ads with Jack on television.

As a native North Carolinian, I have college memories of grabbing cheap food from the restaurant when I’d ride out to Charlotte with my friends for a night of partying. To this day, there quite a few people who faithfully pull up at Jack in the Box for their favorite snack. Now we can all have a little more Jack in our lives by wearing its mascot and two popular menu items.

The Loungefly and Jack in the Box line will include the following items: 

• Antenna Ball Jack Mini Backpack (MSRP: $80)
• Late-Night Taco Crossbody Bag (MSRP: $70) 
• Curly Fries Card Holder (MSRP: $25)

Check out a few photos of the items:

Click To View Gallery

All three of these items are fantastic but that Curly Fries Card Holder is the biggest vibe. The glow-in-the-dark aspect mini backpack is very, very cool. The collection will be available for purchase on April 1 via this handy link. Are you ready to feed your craving for this tasty Loungefly line?

The post Loungefly and Jack in the Box’s Accessory Line Is a Tasty ’90s-Inspired Treat appeared first on Nerdist.

Anime and manga fans know all about WcDonald’s. It’s the fictional counterpart to the world’s most famous fast food chain. That version has appeared in countless shows and movies. Now McDonald’s is making that fantasy iteration of its restaurant real. It’s partnering with some of anime’s biggest names to launch WcDonald’s experiences around the world. The collaboration will even involve a special sauce and art. But that’s just the start. McDonald’s has also announced this special event will also serve up an original WcDonald’s manga and a short anime series.

WcDonald’s Is Coming and so Are WcNuggets

Starting on February 26, hungry anime fans in 30 markets around the globe will get to eat at an actual WcDonald’s, as McDonald’s transforms its locations into its anime version. The celebration will include a new Savory Chili WcDonald’s Sauce to go with your Chicken “WcNuggets.” It’s made of ginger, garlic, soy and the heat f chili flakes.

McDonald’s has also teamed-up with Japanese manga illustrator Acky Bright for custom WcDonald’s art. For a limited time, “fans will receive manga-inspired packaging featuring WcDonald’s Crew characters, sketched by Acky himself.” Packaging will also come with a scannable code that will let you “access weekly digital manga drops that star a full cast of WcDonald’s Customers and Crew, including Hashirune, a WcDonald’s regular, Mr. Bev, the Crew jokester, WcDizer 3000, WcDonald’s very own mecha, and many more.”

McDonald’s Is Launching an Anime Series

The fast food chain is also launching its own four-part WcDonald’s anime series produced by animation house studio pierrot. For four Mondays, fans can tune into a new short, each accompanied by its own manga. They will follow the “flavorful world of WcDonald’s” for a “story about the WcDonald’s Sauce and WcNuggets unfold each week.”

You can find the shorts either on WcDonalds.com or via a code on your WcDonald’s bag. McDonald’s says each will honor four of anime’s most important subgenres: Action, Romance, Mecha, and Fantasy. They’ll include (in release order):

• The Race to WcDonald’s: A rivalry strong enough to withstand the test of time as our two heroes embark on an epic race to WcDonald’s.
• Love from Across the Booth: Our two protagonists discover the WcDonald’s Sauce and WcNuggets aren’t the only perfect pairing.
• WcNuggets Space Frontier 3000: A team of WcDonald’s pilots must protect the last WcNugget against an ominous force.
• The Wisdom of the Sauce: Three women are transported to a distant land to unravel the mystery surrounding the elusive sauce before it’s gone forever.

You Can Watch Episodes of the McDonald’s Anime Now

The first episode of McDonald’s anime series is now live. You can watch The Race to WcDonald’s, which honors action-oriented anime series, below. McDonald’s second anime short, Love From Across the Booth, which honors romance, has also released. The episodes are available both in English (a dub, if you will) and Japenese with English subtitles.

The Race to WcDonald‘s

The description of this anime short shares, “WcDonald’s Sauce has arrived, marking the moment everyone has eagerly anticipated. The announcement excites fans across the land, sparking an all-out, action-filled race between two strangers to be the first to experience this long-awaited delicacy. Find out who comes out on top in the race to WcDonald’s.”

Love From Across the Booth

The description of this anime short shares, “It’s Friday afternoon, and Kazuki finds himself at WcDonald’s waiting to try the new WcDonald’s Sauce. To his surprise, Shizuru, his crush from college, appears.When they decide to share a booth, only one question lingers in the air for both of them: “Is this……… a date???” Tension mounts as the weight of this question rests on the shoulders of these two potential love interests.”

WcDonald’s Is Launching an Immersive Experience

In addition to its site, more information about WcDonald’s–including the first official immersive experience that will take place in Los Angeles on March 9 and 10, is available here. And if that sauce is as good as it sounds it could be the tastiest anime experience anyone has ever had. At least it will be in the real world.

Originally published on February 23, 2024.

The post McDonald’s Serves Up an Anime Experience with a ‘WcDonald’s’ Celebration appeared first on Nerdist.

Wendy’s recently met a massive public outcry from consumers after indicating it would experiment with dynamic pricing. Ultimately, Wendy’s denied the idea that it would ever participate in surge pricing, i.e. that it would use dynamic pricing to increase prices during times of high demand. But Wendy’s use of the phrase “dynamic pricing” at all certainly implied a planned foray into Uber-like pricing systems where prices can suddenly leap. A recent report from restaurant technology provider Qu indicates this is only the beginning. Wendy’s may have been the first to put fast food surge pricing onto the public’s radar. But it seems like many other brands and restaurants are also eyeing a shift to dynamic prices.

Who would have thought that good old ink on paper was preventing us from experiencing this much stress? It seems obvious now. But we guess we never thought much about how a difficult-to-change menu… Well, it prevents things from shifting on a whim. But that appears to be a thing of the past. In its 5th “Annual State of Digital Report,” Qu highlighted some 2024 trends in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and Fast Casual brands that relate to the advent of surge pricing in the fast food industry. It is important to note that the report gathered data from 179 brands across 62,000 locations. It can be found in full here.

The two main takeaways the report shares concerning surge pricing in the fast-food restaurant world are as follows:

• Dynamic pricing is one of the top three things that brands plan to use AI for in 2024. (Dynamic pricing falls only slightly behind AI-driven analytics and AI-driven voice ordering.)
• Digital menu boards are the #2 technology investment fast food restaurants have planned for 2024. 

Taken together, these trends point firmly toward planned surge pricing in the fast food world. AI investment is an overall top trend for restaurants in 2024. And 39% of those surveyed point to dynamic pricing as an AI priority for 2024. That makes dynamic pricing a priority in an already prioritized space. Of course, we could kindly imagine, as Wendy’s suggests, that dynamic pricing will suddenly take on a new meaning in the marketplace and be used to create discounts. But, it seems much more likely that fast food brands will investigate how prices can dynamically surge up versus shift down. The intense investment in digital menu boards, of course, underscores this point. Dynamic pricing surges will require fast food restaurants to have easily changeable platforms.

So, given that fast-food restaurants are clearly investing in the idea of dynamic and surge pricing, where does that leave consumers? Well, like with all modern shenanigans caused by digitizing everything, nowhere good. If prices consistently change, it could become difficult to even know when a cost is higher than it should be. And if all fast food places use surge prices, there may be nowhere left to turn. Of course, there’s always the grocery store (for now, anyway). Hopefully we’ll see some oversight around this nascent area for food and tech. In the meantime, we’ll have to hope one public outcry at a time will keep astronomical prices at bay for our burgers and fries.

The post Fast Food Surge Pricing Attempts Won’t End with Wendy’s appeared first on Nerdist.

When you hear “Coffee mate” your first reaction is to probably think about coffee, right? It would be weird if that wasn’t your initial (and maybe only) association. The word “coffee” is literally in the brand’s name, and the company makes flavored-creamers designed to go into your coffee. It’s a coffee compliment! Well you might as well forget about all of that at the moment, because for a limited-time Coffee mate is going to be a Soda mate. Coffee mate’s special new Dirty Soda Coconut Lime Flavored Creamer is specifically made to mix with Dr Pepper.

What Is Coffee Mate Dirty Soda Creamer?

If, for some bizarre reason, you don’t think Dr Pepper already packs enough flavor into every sip, you will soon be able to add even more. Coffee mate has teamed with gamers’ soda of choice on a way to spruce up the legendary cola. Coffee mate Dirty Soda Coconut Lime Flavored Creamer (which we first heard about at People) is designed to enhance “the unique blend of 23 flavors in Dr Pepper for the ultimate dirty soda experience.” As the title suggests, we assume this creamer tastes of coconut and lime.

Where Did Dirty Soda Even Come From?

If you want to thank/blame anyone for this product, head to Utah. That’s the original home of the “dirty soda,” a drink that has expanded its presence around the U.S. the last few years. The dirty soda even led to that unsettling Pepsi Christmas commercial with Lindsay Lohan.

Where Can You Buy Coffee Mate Dirty Soda Creamer?

But where can you even buy this dirty soda creamer concoction? Well, Coffee mate’s Dirty Soda Creamer will arrive on grocery store shelves nationwide this month. No exact date is noted, but Coffee mate shares, “Available at grocery stores nationwide for a limited time, beginning in March 2024.” So, this product might already have hit your nearest store. We’d probably gamble on finding this dirty soda creamer in Wal-Mart, if we had to make a bet.

As a Coffee mate buyer who loves trying the company’s new flavors, I recommend grabbing a bottle fast if you hope to get one. The company’s best limited-releases have a tendency to sell out very quick. And this Dr. Pepper Dirty Soda Creamer will only be available while supplies last.

After that we can all go back to thinking about “coffee” when we hear “Coffee mate.” Though we doubt any of us will ever forget the company’s brief foray into being a (dirty) soda mate.

The post Coffee Mate’s Dirty Soda Creamer Is Designed for Dr. Pepper appeared first on Nerdist.

Hidden Valley might specialize in food, but it clearly knows something about self-promotion. From a holiday egg nog recipe to flavored-lip balms and an actual diamond ring, Hidden Valley’s very weird, very intriguing crossover products have been getting our attention for years. But the company’s latest partnership is one of its most tantalizing combo ever. Hidden Valley has teamed-up with Cheez-It for the “cheeziest ranch yet.”

And it’s just one of the many new combo options Hidden Valley is bringing to stores.

Hidden Valley and Cheez-It are celebrating this year’s National Ranch Day on March 10 with a tasty new condiment. New Cheezy Ranch sauce features “100% real cheese and the zesty flavor of ranch.” Unlike some other Franken-foods, this actually sounds like a delicious match made in ranch heaven.

The inspiration for this partnership actually started with customers. “Ranch fans never cease to amaze us with their creative twists on Hidden Valley Ranch,” said CC Ciafone, Marketing Director at Hidden Valley Ranch, in a press release. “When we caught wind of them combining the irresistible flavors of Hidden Valley Ranch with Cheez-It crackers, we were blown away. We couldn’t be more thrilled to make this dream collaboration a reality!”

The companies say Cheezy Ranch will go great with more than just Cheez-Its. (Though that’s obviously the first thing we want to try it with.) They also suggest using it with nachos, French fries, a warm soft pretzel, and any other “dippable foods.”

Customers nationwide will be able to get Cheezy Ranch ($5.99) at Walmart stores starting in late March. It will then arrive at Kroger locales in April. It won’t be showing up alone, either. Hidden Valley also announced six other new ranch flavors coming to stores.

• Garlic Ranch – “the ultimate condiment for pizza dipping”
• Nashville Hot – “the spicy sauce that’s been missing on fried chicken sandwiches”
• Creamy Jalapeno – “perfect for drizzling or dipping nachos and tacos”
• Spicy Hot Honey – “a sweet and spicy sidekick for pizza and fried chicken”
• Green Goddess – “creamy, herb-y deliciousness for salads or grain bowls”
• Parmesan Ranch – “a tangy twist for a classic Caesar salad”

We don’t want to discourage Hidden Valley from more weird crossovers, but tasty new condiments are all the self-promotion it ever has to worry about.

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Have you always wanted to drink one of the most famous fictional beverages in video game history, but without having to live in a wasteland to try it? If you said “yes” (and why wouldn’t you?) then this is a very good day. Fallout fans don’t have to wait for nuclear war to enjoy a refreshing dystopian drink. Jones Soda has is celebrating the upcoming Prime Video series with a special Nuka-Cola Victory release, making Fallout‘s Nuka-Cola Victory a real beverage.

Nuka-Cola has arrived in the real world 20 years before its fictional counterpart. Instead of the Nuka-Cola Corporation, it’s Jones Soda Co. bringing the soda to thirsty vault dwellers and mutants alike. What does a fictional libation taste like? Here’s how the beverage company describes the limited Victory release:

Whether you’re facing off against wastelanders or wandering the post-apocalyptic ruins, you’ll need a tasty refreshment to keep you going. To celebrate the series premiere of Fallout on Prime Video, we invite you to enjoy a Nuka-Cola Victory SPECIAL RELEASE from Jones Soda! This peach mango soda is the ultimate thirst-quenching flavor for any Fallout fanatic.

Four packs of 12-ounce Nuka-Cola sodas are available at Jones Soda’s website for $24.99, but the initial offering sold out immediately. That’s no surprise considering it’s based on a wildly popular video game franchise about to get a highly-anticipated TV series. But don’t despair! The world has not ended yet. The company has already said it is “working on restocking online asap!” In the meantime Jones Soda is warning customers who already ordered theirs to anticipate a two-week shipping delay due to the overwhelming response.

That’s still enough time to for some Fallout fans to have a bottle of Nuke-Cola Victory in their hands when the Prime Video series debuts on April 12, 2024. No matter how good this fictional-drink-turned-real actually tastes, we really hope its bottle caps don’t become currency someday. We want the to try this soda without living in a dystopian wasteland.

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Breakfast’s long monopoly on all things both rooty and tooty are finally at an end! IHOP has realized its customers want a more savory opportunity to feel rooty and tooty, and they want that chance any time of day without going to a restaurant! IHOP is making all of that possible by partnering with Lay’s for another unlikely culinary crossover for the pancake chain. The two food staples have teamed up for a limited-time Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity combo flavored potato chip.

IHOP is turning its iconic breakfast option into a snack. Lay’s new Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity potato chips pack the flavors of strawberry-topped IHOP pancakes, maple syrup, and bacon on what Nation’s Restaurant News describes as “a light-textured potato chip.”

This breakfast-inspired nosh, which Lay’s teased weeks ago online as a potential prank, is the work of IHOP Chef Art Carl. He came up with the recipe in conjunction with Frito-Lay’s R&D and culinary teams to create the chip. We can’t confirm someone first came up with the general idea for them at three in the morning after a night of partying, but…

Lay’s and IHOP are giving customers a chance to win a bag on social media. But you don’t have to get lucky to get these. The special Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity chips are already available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide, and small bags are available on Walmart.com for $2.48.

How do they taste? Despite them just hitting shelves, there are already reviews out there. They’re as mixed as this strange potato chip combo. Some people really like them while others definitely do not. It sounds like your enjoyment will depend on how much you appreciate really sweet strawberry mixed with salty potato.

And it also depends on how much you love feeling rooty and/or tooty in general. If you do, then no matter how these chips taste, this is a day you have long awaited.

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Update as of 2/28/2024: Since the writing of the original article, Wendy’s has officially stated they will not experiment with surge pricing. Wendy’s notes, “We have no plans to do that and would not raise prices when our customers are visiting us most.” And further adds, “Digital menuboards could allow us to change the menu offerings at different times of day and offer discounts and value offers to our customers more easily, particularly in the slower times of day.” Of course, this update comes after much negative consumer reaction. The original article is below.

Where do we begin on this one? Usually, we’re writing up the latest in streaming shenanigans: price increases, more ads, fewer features, etc. But today… Today, a new evil is rising in the form of fast food shenanigans. Is nothing sacred anymore? It’s bad enough that fast food is barely cheap these days, but now we might have to contend with surge pricing for it. That’s just too much. That’s late-stage capitalism for you, though. In a truly egregious move, Wendy’s has revealed that it plans to experiment with surge pricing, Uber-style. Yes. Wendy’s seems to want to set surge prices so that the costs of its burgers, fries, and more increase during times of high demand. Wendy’s is referring to this as “dynamic pricing,” ostensibly to make it sound more palatable than “surge pricing.” And while I love a Frosty, I will be referring to it as “thanks, but no thanks” pricing.

In news that we first saw on Gizmodo, Wendy’s will begin its surge pricing experiments by 2025. Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner shared, “Beginning as early as 2025, we will begin testing more enhanced features like dynamic pricing. We are planning to invest approximately $20 million to roll out digital menu boards to all US company-operated restaurants by the end of 2025.”

As you may guess, digital boards are great for multiple reasons, and one of these is changing around pricing on a whim. There aren’t official details on this “dynamic pricing” yet, but we’ll go out on a very short limb and hypothesize that Wendy’s will surge prices during high-traffic times like lunch, dinner, or always. Given the context of the news, an earnings call with investors to discuss the company’s financial plans, it does seem likely increasing profit is the main idea on the table.

After all, Uber, too, refers to its surge pricing model as a “dynamic pricing model.” And even Google’s Oxford Languages dictionary would define the phrase as “the practice of varying the price for a product or service to reflect changing market conditions, in particular the charging of a higher price at a time of greater demand.“

Wendy’s is likely hoping that rideshare surge pricing, as introduced by Uber and Lyft, has softened consumers to the notion. But, personally, I feel they’ll find they’re mistaken. Unlike a Wendy’s burger, folks often defer to surge pricing on Uber because they really have to get where they’re going at a specific time. And there’s most likely little consumer choice available in the area of ride-sharing apps. Cravings can be strong, but it’s unlikely that anyone will really need a Wendy’s burger at 5 pm. Of course, other fast food companies may get in on this surge pricing game, too (see, password sharing in streamers), and then we’re all screwed. At least we can cook at home… I guess until grocery stores also introduce surge pricing. And then, probably, the revolution. It feels like this all should honestly be illegal.

We just hope streamers don’t get wind of this surge pricing notion, or watching shows during primetime is about to get way more expensive. Ultimately, we’re going to strongly suggest that Wendy’s reconsider this surge pricing plan. At some point, if your consumers have no money left because they’re being gouged left and right, they’re not going to spend it. Then, you won’t make money either. Put that in your Frosty and think on it.

Originally published on February 27, 2024.

The post Surge Pricing Is Off the Wendy’s Menu After Negative Reaction appeared first on Nerdist.

Are pizza and fried chicken two great tastes that taste great together? I mean, they’re both good separately, and I would eat them side by side. But KFC is hoping fast food fans out there will want the two to get even closer. Please welcome the Chizza. Yes, KFC’s Chizza is a fried chicken pizza that will handle all your cravings at once (and also may or may not fill your daily calorie intake to the brim and then some.) But everything in moderation, right? Even Chizza.

According to Today.com, this new marriage between fried chicken and pizza is pronounced “cheet-za.” That kind of makes us think of Cheetos, but thankfully, those aren’t involved here… Not yet, anyway. We feel like a “cheese-a” pronunciation might fit a little better, but what do we know?

Regardless of pronunciation, Chizza’s description is as follows. KFC shares, “It’s not pizza, it’s Chizza: two 100% white meat Extra Crispy fried chicken filets topped with zesty marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and crispy pepperoni.” We feel like the pepperoni is what really pushes it over the edge here. Pepperoni on top of chicken? KFC’s Chizza is really taking us to some wild places.

Nevertheless, we can imagine some folks will feel excited to try KFC’s Chizza. It’s not the craziest thing a fast-food chain has done. For those who can’t wait to try this blend, the Chizza will be available nationwide in the US beginning on February 26. But it will only remain on the menu for a limited time, so don’t delay in trying out this concoction.

We may just be hungry, but the idea of the Chizza is starting to grow on us the longer we think about it. Cheese, fried chicken, and pepperoni. It couldn’t go that wrong, could it? We guess we’ll have to head to KFC and find out.

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The 2024 Super Bowl featured plenty of great commercials, but there’s no question which one stands above the rest. At least there isn’t to me because I’m from Massachusetts. Nothing—nothing—can compete with native sons Ben Affleck and Matt Damon celebrating our region’s greatest institution by rocking out in orange tracksuits as part of the DunKings. Their musical performance was truly a glorious moment for Boston. Now Dunkin Donuts is partnering with Funko to let everyone everywhere get in on the stylish fun. For a limited-time, you can order a custom Pop! figure of yourself dressed like a member of the DunKings.

Starting today until March 1, fans of Dunkin Donuts, Ben Affleck, wicked cool accents, music, and fashion can get a very special collectible. When you order a Pop! Yourself figure ($30) you can adorn yours with those wonderful DunKings’ tracksuits. You can also put some custom coffee accessories in your mini replica’s hands. The collection includes both a Dunkin iced coffee and a Dunkin box of donuts.

For those of you not from New England, an iced coffee is a mandatory accessory. It’s possibly even a legal requirement. We drink iced coffee 365 days a year. This is not an exaggeration.

The collaboration marks Funko’s first-ever partnership for its Pop! Yourself line. If these figures are even a fraction as popular as the replica DunKings tracksuits that sold out with minutes of going on sale, it won’t be Funko’s last crossover. People, rightfully, love the DunKings. If they don’t they’re probably the lowest of the low (a.k.a. Yankees fans).

As a bonus this DunKings collaboration also gives us a perfect excuse to share the full ad, which should get Affleck both a special Oscar and Emmy next year. And also the year after.

Kid, these are my people. Long live the DunKings, both the real versions and their wicked awesome Funko countahpahts.

The post Put a Custom Funko Pop! Figure in a Dunkin Donuts’ DunKings Tracksuit appeared first on Nerdist.

Chief among the many questions that this new Peeps flavor raises is the simple one of, “Why?” Soda-flavored versions of none soda things are always a bit of a contentious offering. Love a coke flavored slushy or hate it, you definitely feel a certain way about it. It’s never just going to be fine. And these Dr Pepper-flavored Peeps feel like they’ll go in that direction. But above all, we feel we really must ask, why are these Dr Pepper Peeps an Easter item? We’ll have to ponder that one for a minute. Dr Pepper has always felt much more agnostic to me. But hey, these Dr Pepper Peeps are back for the second year in a row, so they must be doing something right!

In any case, who are we to pass judgment? We’ve experienced all kinds of bizarre combinations of food flavors. We’ll just put Easter Dr Pepper Peeps right next to Thanksgiving candy corn. It’s a feast for the five-year-old within us all. What do these sodalicious Peeps actually taste like, though? Their description sadly doesn’t make it too clear. So you’ll have to try them yourself. But we’re imagining something of a sugary onslaught.

Here’s what the official Peeps description has to say about this Dr Pepper variety:

These delicious, one-of-a-kind Chicks combine sweet marshmallow with the unique and refreshing flavors of DR PEPPER^®. Treat yourself to the new PEEPS^® DR PEPPER^® Flavored Marshmallow Chicks this Easter season!

As we said, that’s not much to go off of. Do they evoke cherry? Are they more licorice-heavy? We guess you’ll have to take the plunge and commit to Dr Pepper Peeps this Easter. Who knows, they may become a whole new family tradition. We suppose while you’re at it, you could sip some of the soda and compare notes. Who knows, Dr Pepper may very well soon come out with a Peeps flavor to come full circle. Now that would make sense as an Easter treat. And hey, their chocolate version of the soda was actually good!

Dr Pepper peeps are now available nationwide in Walmart, Target, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, and more. Happy hunting for these chicks.

Originally published on January 18, 2023.

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If there’s one thing Taco Bell fans can count on (besides $20 dollars getting you enough food to feed a small village) it’s that the fast food chain remains dedicated to serving you MTN DEW Baja Blast anyway it can. From hot sauces to adult-beverages, that signature flavor profile can kick up any foodstuff. It also turns them into an unusual yellowish-green treat unlike any other treat, something that really stands out. That’s certainly true of the latest Taco Bell offering that’s soon to hit Taco Bell stores nationwide. Adventurous customers will be able to order up a dish of MTN DEW Baja Blast gelato.

Oh madone! We first heard about MTN DEW Baja Blast gelato. when Taco Bell announced it teamed up with its long-time collaborator MTN DEW to test a first-of-its-kind option for the restaurant in August of 2023. The MTN DEW Baja Blast gelato was, at that point, available exclusively available at the Taco Bell in Irvine, CA (4101 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612). And it was only around “for two weeks or while supplies last.”

At the time, we bet it wouldn’t last for two weeks. How could it? Because while this isn’t the first frozen Baja Blast treat, it is the strangest. The regular menu Baja Blast Freeze seems pretty normal in comparison. There’s something very different about drinking a strange-colored liquid versus eating it. Especially gelato of all things. We needed to try it for ourselves, and now we’ll finally be able to. Taco Bell is bringing the Baja Blast gelato to restaurants nationwide.

An official release shares, “Taco Bell fans asked, and now the brand is delivering! First tested in 2023, the delectable gelato will be making its nationwide debut, giving fans more ways to celebrate the Baja Blast 20th year anniversary. The creamy and delicious treat is infused with the iconic BAJA BLAST Tropical Lime flavor and is a perfect complementary addition to any cheesy, spicy, saucy order on the Taco Bell menu.”

We’re excited to try this MTN Dew Baja Blast gelato. But we’re even more excited for the next wild thing MTN DEW will put its favorite drink in. If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that we can always count on Taco Bell to serve MTN DEW Baja Blast in any way it can.

Originally published on September 1, 2023.

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Steve Jobs famously turned Apple product announcements into must-see events. But as memorable as those press conference still are, you know what they never include? A Baja Blast pie. For that we needed was fast food’s answer to over-the-top showcases, the wonderfully absurd, hard-to-believe-it-was-real Taco Bell Live Más Live 2024 extravaganza. It’s where we learned Taco Bell will soon offer chicken nuggets, chocolate ice cream tacos, a Crunchwrap containing a massive Cheez-It, and a whole lot more options we can’t wait to eat.

Taco Bell headed to Las Vegas along with the sports world this past weekend, but the chain restaurant wasn’t there to gamble on the Super Bowl. It was there to host its very own Apple-style announcement event. The first-ever Live Más showcase, hosted by rapper Armani White, provided customers a look at the company’s 2024 marketing calendar. The roughly hour-long exhibit served up tasting opportunities for those in attendance as well as celebrity performances and appearances.

But the real stars of the show were all the new menu items (both new and possible) Taco Bell revealed. That included the announcement of Taco Bell’s flavorful new Cantina Chicken Menu. The shredded “oven-roasted” culinary option comes “packed with a savory seasoning of Mexican spices including pasilla and other varieties of chilies.” It will be available in five ways: the Cantina Chicken Burrito, Cantina Chicken Taco (soft or crispy), Cantina Chicken Quesadilla, and the Cantina Chicken Bowl. The menu is also coming with a new sauce packet, Avocado Verde Salsa, as well as purple cabbage, pico de gallo, and a white corn taco shell.

Customers can also keep an eye out in 2024 for a number of test kitchen menu options getting a trial run. The following foodstuffs will be available for a limited time at participating locations:

• Cheesy Chicken Crispanada
• Crispy Chicken Nuggets
• Cheesy Street Chalupas
• MTN DEW Baja Blast Gelato
• Cheesy Enchilada Dipping Taco
• Dulce de Leche Cinnabon Delights

This year will also see new crossovers with other food companies resulting in some incredible new Taco Bell items. That includes a product containing a Cheez-It 16 times bigger than a normal one. Yes, really. The entire list of the new tasty team-ups, which will also offer a ChocoTaco replacement, include:

• Cheez-It Crunchwrap
• Tajín-Flavored Classics (Tajín Crunchy Taco, Tajín Twists, and Tajín Strawberry Freeze)
• Secret Aardvark Serrabanero Nacho Fries Sauce
• Disha Hot Sauce Packet
• Salt & Straw x Taco Bell Ice Cream Chocolate Taco
• Beekeeper Coffee Horchata Cold Brew Latte

You can read more about all the new menu items in Taco Bell’s official Live Más press release. If you want to help decide another potential food option, though, you’ll need to get the chain’s app. That’s where Rewards Members will choose between adding a Mexi Melt or Caramel Apple Empanada to the menu.

If you want to learn about some ideas that never made it out of the Taco Bell test kitchen, you’ll need to fast forward to the roughly 26-minute mark on the live stream. That’s when the company’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer, Liz Matthews, offered a behind-the-scenes look at experimental dishes that didn’t make it to stores. Those abandoned test kitchen endeavors included the burger-burrito “burgerito,” Boba fire sauce, a bacon-shell taco, pizza-tostada, and a hash brown taco.

Don’t focus on things we’ll never eat, though. Not when we can focus on things we might order very soon. Matthews also delivered a look at some test kitchen items currently in development and/or coming to stores. Taco Bell is working on a triple-decker taco with a jack and cheddar cheese outer shell. She also teased a chimichanga and chalupa mashup, elote queso, taco gyoza, a coming line of churro shakes, Baja Blast-dusted cinnamon twists, and, we swear this is true, a Baja Blast pie.

Would eat even without her glowing endorsement. (By “would eat” we mean “would eat the whole pie.)

Apple could never. That doesn’t mean they should stop holding their showcase events. They’re still important. It just means they should at least serve Taco Bell Baja Blast pie and Cheez-It Crunchwraps when they do hold one.

The post Taco Bell Threw Its Own Apple-Style Showcase and Teased a Baja Blast Pie appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s officially Super Bowl week. For sports fans that means we’ll soon see which team is crowned champion of the National Football League. For everyone else it means watching a bunch of very expensive commercials featuring famous celebrities. Sometimes those ads are memorable and sometimes they’re a big (game) disappointment. How can companies avoid the latter? Simple: reunite two popular stars of a beloved show. That’s what MTN DEW did for its new campaign. It stars ray of sunshine Aubrey Plaza having a Baja Blast even before she rides atop a dragon opposite her Parks and Rec costar Nick Offerman.

“America’s sweetheart” is having definitely having a good time everywhere she goes in MTN DEW’s new promo. Well, she’s having a “blast” in the exact way you’d expect Aubrey Plaza to go through life. But the “good” times really take off at the end of the ad when she goes full Game of Thrones by riding a dragon. As Daenerys learned, though, you’re better off having someone ride with you, and that’s what Plaza does when her former Parks and Rec boss joins her in the skies.

This commercial isn’t just a (Baja) blast for fans of the NBC sitcom. Plaza told Variety she was “dying” over the chance to work with Offerman again. “It was so fun because I love Nick so much,” she said, “And even though we’re not playing our characters in Parks and Rec it does feel in some way like a little April and Ron reunion and I feel like in some alternate universe, this is exactly what they would be doing. So it all made sense to me.”

Ron Swanson would definitely love owning a dragon if he lived in Westeros. April Ludgate would also definitely burn down King’s Landing for no reason if given the chance, so that checks out. As does our theory that reuniting sitcom stars is always a win to make a winning Super Bowl commercial.

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Every year on the second day of February the nation turns its eyes to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. That’s where we pretend a small rodent can predict the weather. It’s one of our sillier traditions, but even if Groundhog Day is an absurd holiday, it did give us a great movie. Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray is a true classic, and this year Lay’s Potato Chips is celebrating the 1993 film with a series of time-loop commercials featuring Ned Ryerson himself, the great Stephen Tobolowsky. And they’re going to run all day on Groundhog Day.

Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and Jimmy Kimmel’s Kimmelot have partnered on a series of eight connected ads honoring Groundhog Day the movie. They’re also going to air on Groundhog Day the holiday. Again. And again. And again. Variety reports PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay has purchased one third of Disney’s available advertising slots at ABC for February 2. The commercials will also appear on Hulu.

Each iteration follows the same scenario. It’s the exact situation Bill Murray’s Phil Connors faced in the movie when he found himself stuck living the same day repeatedly. Only every time Tobolowsky walks up to the grocery store register he carries a different flavor of chips. (These are still ads for a product, after all.) His purchase elicits the same response from the cashier, played by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Artemis Pebdani.

The ads work great as a short film where Tobolowsky quickly realizes the nightmare he’s trapped in. They also have a coherent arc with a payoff. That causes him to goes through a full range of emotions, fittingly giving each encounter its own flavor. But we’re jealous we won’t be experiencing these ads the way TV viewers will. They’re just going to keep coming all day.

Will they confuse people who don’t see them in order? Will they worry they are also losing their minds or even possibly trapped in Hell? Maybe! Or they might think this is all normal on a day we check a groundhog’s shadow to learn when spring will arrive.

The post GROUNDHOG DAY’s Ned Ryerson Is Stuck in a Lay’s Potato Chip Time-Loop in New Ad Campaign appeared first on Nerdist.

Ian Fleming once wrote, “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.” Why are we thinking about that quote? Because we’re getting very close to believing someone is taking enemy action against our digestive systems. Fresh off the news that Burt’s Bees and Hidden Valley joined forces for a set of bizarre buffalo wing-flavored lip balms, Truly is unleashing its own strange spicy brew. The drink company has launched—and we absolutely swear this is true—a new Hot Wing Sauce Hard Seltzer. It combines two of football fans’ favorite game day activities: drinking and doing something we regret the next day.

Truly’s new limited-edition flavor will let pigskin lovers combine the taste of eating hot wings with the experience of drinking an adult beverage. Why? Please don’t expect any sort of rational for the existence of this drink beyond “because.” (Which is usually enough for us.) As for what it tastes like, Truly’s says its Hot Wing Sauce Hard Seltzer concoction with an ABV of 5% brings the “zesty kick” of hot wings to to its “light seltzer base.”

Yeah. Sure. Why not? We’ve eaten and drank far worse during a football game before. And also just in general.

The beverage company says its spicy seltzer will go on sale ahead of this year’s proverbial “big game.” You’ll be able to grab a four-pack of 16-ounce cans when they hit stores in select markets beginning on January 29. Don’t wait if you want some, though. This saucy seltzer, with a listed price of $24, won’t be around long.

As to whether another strange hot wing-flavored product will soon be announced, we have no idea. These back-to-back lip balms and hard seltzers might be nothing more than a coincidence. If a third one follows them soon we’ll know there’s enemy action against our stomachs and tongues.

The post Truly’s Hot Wing Sauce Hard Seltzer Is a New and Very Real Product appeared first on Nerdist.

To cookie lovers everywhere a new type of Oreo is newsworthy on its own. But the iconic sweet treat’s latest offering has something for everyone. It’s more than just a tasty dessert. Space Dunk Cookies are also an out-of-this-world opportunity. Oreo is going to send one lucky winner to the very edge of space.

Oreo has announced its brand-new “galaxy-inspired” limited-edition Space Dunk Cookies. This colorful variation is “stuf’d with layers of a marshmallow-flavored blue and pink ‘cosmic creme.'” They also feature “popping candies that create a supernova bursting sensation with each bite.” On the outside snackers will find five different “galactic embossments” on the chocolate cookie pieces. And, in a first for Oreo, the cookies themselves have a small cut out. That way customers can “peer through the cookie and see the colorful creme.”

Fans can already pre-order the colorful treats. When they get their hands on them they’ll also be able to enter a cosmic competition. Each package will include a QR code customers can scan for entry details into the the Lift Off with OREO sweepstakes. The content will send a grand prize winner on “a transformative six-hour journey to the edge of space in Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune.” You can learn more about the trip and enter to win at LiftOff.OREO.com.

“Oreo cookies are all about transporting fans to a place full of excitement and childlike curiosity,” said Michelle Deignan, Vice President, OREO, US, in a statement. “We’re over the moon about partnering with Space Perspective to give one lucky fan the opportunity to dunk an Oreo cookie while gliding through space. Through this campaign we hope to take playfulness to new heights, proving it is not only in all of us, but also exists in space.”

All cookie lovers would be plenty excited just to learn about a new Oreo cookie. But potentially getting to eat one on the edge of space is news everywhere.

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In my younger years there might have been an occasion—heck, maybe even two—when I tried to hide the fact I’d enjoyed a few too many adult beverages by sucking on a whole bunch of mints. Did it work? Did a strong whiff of lager and rum mixed with Altoids Peppermint fool anyone? Probably not, but even if it did, I wouldn’t remember. What I do know is that a new kind of mint hitting the market would only have made my past (and, lets be honest, future) attempts more futile. Miller Lite Beer Mints will give you beer breath without the alcohol.

This month Miller Lite will sell its first-ever mint. (What took so long!?) Starting on January 12, beer lovers can order a 1.13-ounce tin of mints for $5. And yes, these taste just like Miller Lite beer. Here’s what Miller Lite said about this unusual product in a press release:

At first taste, consumers will be greeted with the freshness of mint, but once chewed, they’ll notice the subtle, yet great taste of Miller Lite that leaves consumers’ breath feeling fresh and their taste buds hoppy. With Beer Mints, beer lovers ‘can chew their brew’ without consuming a drop of beer and enjoy some fresh breath in the process.

The company says it’s launching them now so people participating in “Dry January” can have a “fresh start” to the new year without breaking their no alcohol pledge. The mints won’t make it to the end of January, though. They will only be available while supplies last. Miller Lite (correctly) knows these will sell out quickly, so it will drop a second batch on January 19. Those who hope to get a tin will need to be 21+ to order them.

If you are among the lucky few, we have a suggestion that is probably best thought of as a demand. Mints are supposed to cover up beer breath, not create it. So, if you pop a couple of Miller Lite Beer Mints into your mouth please don’t drive or operate heavy machinery. You’ll be sober, yes. But who the hell will believe you? I couldn’t fool anyone with mints that didn’t taste like beer.

The post Miller Lite Beer Mints Will Give You Beer Breath Without the Alcohol appeared first on Nerdist.

It will never matter how old I am, I will always instinctively turn and run when I hear an ice cream truck go by. But, because I am an adult, these days I collect myself and quickly walk to buy something ridiculous. Some things you simply never outgrow, like a delicious frozen treat purchased from a sidewalk on a hot day. But the next time I have to choose which sweet to eat, I might not opt for Popsicle’s SpongeBob Squarepants bar. The company has given the famous fry cook‘s bar a makeover and we’re not sure who will prefer this new look.

Popsicle has announced a brand-new, updated take on its SpongeBob SquarePants frozen confection bar. The company calls the design a “lovingly drawn sketch-style” interpretation of the iconic Nickelodeon character.

“We were inspired by the many fun faces of SpongeBob SquarePants to create our new sketch-inspired design in a doodled aesthetic,” said Bentley King, U.S. Head of Ice Cream Operations, in a press release. “Capturing his silly smile, his loveable nature beams at fans after seeing what’s behind the wrapper. It is JUST as tasty as the original fruit punch & cotton candy SpongeBob single-serve bar.”

It might be just as tasty, but we’re not sure it looks better. And it is not because Popsicle replaced the gumball eyes with chocolate ones. They did that last summer. (I promise that was a welcome change for parents worried about choking hazards.) This is the most recent version of the frozen confection bar.

That looks like SpongeBob Squarepants. A lot more than the new design does. And it’s not like that old version didn’t qualify as a “sketch-style” treat. SpongeBob is an animated character. He’s already “sketch-style!”

Popsicle created the new bars with Nickelodeon and Paramount Consumer Products. You can grab yours at stores nationwide in six-count packs rather than individually. To buy just one you’ll need to find an ice cream truck where you’ll be too excited to care how much this doesn’t really look like SpongeBob.

The post Popsicle’s New SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Frozen Treat Redesign Leaves Us Cold appeared first on Nerdist.

Television changed forever on January 10, 1999. That night, a drama about a New Jersey mafia crime boss in therapy debuted on HBO. David Chase’s series, starring James Gandolfini in one of the medium’s greatest performances ever, still stands as one of TV’s best and most influential shows ever. It also stands as one of the tastiest shows, too. The Sopranos turned food into a character, and HBO honored that culinary legacy in a montage video that is part of the network’s new 25th anniversary celebration.

And if you weren’t hungry before watching you will be after.

Oh madone! This “25 Years of Gabagool” montage video features a smorgasbord of foods The Sopranos served up in its many kitchens, backyards, and restaurants over six seasons. From “manicot” to “Jersey’s best sangwich,” it’s enough to feed an entire Italian family during Sunday dinner. It should also put to rest the whole (wrong) “sauce” versus (correct) “gravy” argument. Not because I say so, but because I encourage you not to argue with a literal family of sociopaths who also know how to cook.

This video is just an appetizer for what HBO is serving up for its celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary. Max users will now find a The Sopranos: 25th Anniversary collection on the streaming site. It includes “15 deleted scenes, three of which have never been released.” Max also now has “over five hours of behind-the-scenes featurette content.”

HBO is also reuniting the cast for a “Family Dinner,” hosting screenings of the event at Alamo Drafthouse, partnering with restaurants for The Sopranos-inspired dishes and pop-ups, offering 25th anniversary merchandise, and more. You can read all about how you can join in on the fun from HBO and Max.

You can also get yourself some baked ziti whenever you like. And maybe also some nice pastries to bring to your nephew’s. You’ll all want to eat after watching The Sopranos talk about food.

The post HBO Kicks Off THE SOPRANOS’ 25th Anniversary Celebration with Tasty Food Montage appeared first on Nerdist.

We all know the old joke about gamers loving MTN Dew and Doritos, but a new toaster could change that perception forever. At minimum it’s going to bring video gaming to breakfast. You can now give your favorite bread or bagel a hint of console with the new Xbox Series S Toaster.

Walmart is now the exclusive home to a very special toaster (that we first heard about at DesignTAXI). The white exterior with black trim and an LED screen is designed to resemble a Microsoft’s Xbox Series S gaming console. The two-slice toaster will also leave an Xbox X-logo on your food. That includes bread slices, frozen waffles, English muffins, and bagels (which it’s wide enough to handle). The toaster’s six-setting shade selector dial will let you customize just how brown you want you food to be. The toaster also also includes a digital LED countdown timer with clock so you can use it to reheat food.

The kitchen appliance also has a Quick Warm Up setting. It allows hungry gamers to defrost frozen items. The device’s official description points out that also includes items straight from the freezer or “your Xbox Series X Fridge,” just in case you’re looking to have an entire Xbox-themed kitchen.

It will also fit on any kitchen counter and/or TV stand. The toaster measures 15-inches wide, 7.6-inches tall, and 4.6-inches deep. It also comes with an anti-jam function, automatic temperature control, removable crumb tray, and non-stick coated plates.

You can get yours from Walmart’s online store for $39.99. If you are literally a gamer cliché and plan on using yours to try and toast loose Doritos we recommend buying two so you’re covered when the first one breaks. Even better, we recommend not doing that. But if you want to wash down your morning bagel with some MTN Dew while playing your favorite game, go for it. That won’t do any damage to your toaster, just possibly your digestive system.

The post This Xbox Series S Toaster Just Changed the Breakfast Game appeared first on Nerdist.

Who hasn’t desired to smell like a Thin Mint before? I mean, there are definitely worse ways one could smell. And now, if you’ve ever inhaled a box of Girl Scout Cookies and thought, wow, I could take a shower in those, your dreams could become a reality. Native, a Proctor & Gamble brand focusing on simple and effective body care products, has partnered with the Girl Scouts of America to bring Girl Scout Cookies to life in a whole new, fun way. Through this tasty partnership, iconic Girl Scout Cookie flavors have transformed into shampoos, conditioners, body washes, body sprays, and yes, even deodorant. Honestly, what could be better than Trefoils in deodorant form?

This collaboration does verge on a bit of the absurd, but if you’re a true Girl Scout Cookie aficionado, some shampoos and body washes in your favorite flavors could be just the thing. Native is releasing its body care products in the following flavors: Coconut Caramel, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter, Trefoils, and Lemon. Your mileage may vary on what actually does or does not work as a bath product. But what’s life without living on the wild side?

Not all products come in all varieties, though. The Girl Scout Cookie with the most possible options is Caramel Coconut, which you can purchase in deodorant, deodorant & body spray, sensitive deodorant, plastic-free deodorant, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Most of the other flavors come only in deodorant and body wash. But the queen of Girl Scout Cookies, Thin Mints, also comes in shampoo, conditioner, and 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Thin Mints is special, after all. We were all set to buy a Thin Mints deodorant, though, and feel a little robbed it isn’t an option.

Below you can find the full descriptions of Native’s Girl Scout Cookies body care and shampoo line.

• Caramel Coconut – This oh-so-sweet scent of caramel, coconut, and chocolate cookies is a true delight.
  • Available in Deodorant, Deodorant & Body Spray, Sensitive Deodorant, Plastic Free Deodorant, Body Wash, Shampoo, and Conditioner.
• Trefoils™ – Inspired by the original Girl Scout cookie recipe, this scrumptious shortbread scent blends notes of vanilla, lemon, and buttercream.
  • Available in Deodorant and Body Wash.
• Peanut Butter -This delicious medley of peanut butter, vanilla, and brown sugar scents is a real crowd-pleaser.
  • Available in Deodorant and Body Wash.
• Lemon -This refreshing shortbread scent melds with tangy lemon to create a delicious mix you’ll love to sniff.
  • Available in Deodorant and Deodorant & Body Spray.
• Thin Mints™ – A vibrant blend of mint and chocolate scents to refresh your senses.
  • Available in Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, and 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner.

The most delicious part of this collaboration, though, is the price. Girl Scout Cookies body wash is a mere $9, and shampoo is only one dollar more. Meanwhile, the most expensive item in the collection, Girl Scout Cookies deodorant, is merely $14. Unlike other collaborations, this one is open to a wide range of people looking for a little delight. But we suggest you act quickly. Much like that last box of Thin Mints, or Raspberry Rallies, if you’re in the know, these Girl Scout Cookies bath products are already selling out.

The post Girl Scout Cookies Transform Into Cravable Shampoos, Deodorants, and Body Washes appeared first on Nerdist.

A great 20th century poet once wrote, “The years start coming and they don’t stop coming.” Today we’re reminded just how true that is because this year MTN DEW Baja Blast is celebrating its 20th birthday. How is it possible the Taco Bell exclusive flavor is already that old? And what does the quick passage of time mean for our own mortality? We have no intention of thinking about that. Not when there’s much better news to share. MTN Dew is marking two decades of tropical lime flavor by bringing Baja Blast and its Zero Sugar counterpart to stores everywhere for all of 2024.

This year is going to be a 12-month long party MTN DEW is calling the Bajaversary. That means in addition to finding this tasty drink in Taco Bell restaurants, fans will also be able to get it in bottles and cans in stores nationwide. This will be the first time it’s sold that way for an entire year. Previously it has only made brief appearances on shelves.

In addition to retail availability, MTN DEW is also sponsoring a big Baja Blast promotion. In a press release the company wrote that fans can earn rewards “with every purchase of Baja Blast and Baja Blast Zero Sugar, both in stores and at participating Taco Bell locations.” Each Baja Blast will let you “collect coins for a chance to redeem BAJA gear, accessories, electronics, a Taco Bell deal, and more at the Baja Blast Shop at www.bajablast.com.”

The Bajaversary will also touch the Super Bowl. Baja Blast will make its first-ever on-screen appearance during this year’s NFL championship game. That’s quite a way to celebrate your 20th birthday. How did we celebrate ours? That was a long time ago and we’d rather not think about it. The Bajaversary is a year long part for a soda, not a reason to think about how many years we have left to drink it.

The post MTN DEW Baja Blast Is Coming to Retail Stores to Celebrate Its 20th Birthday appeared first on Nerdist.

This year’s inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl featured the 19-ranked NC State Wolfpack football team taking on the Kansas State Wildcats. The two squads met on the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Who won? ALL OF US. Kansas State’s 28-19 victory resulted in one of the most absurd mascot moments in human history. Since they won, the Wildcats got to eat the first-ever edible mascot after the game’s giant walking Pop-Tart happily jumped into a gigantic toaster so players could consume his flesh.

No, not a single word of that is made up.

The inaugural Pop-Tarts Bowl managed to separate itself from a plethora of otherwise forgettable college bowl games this year by cooking up something new. Specifically it cooked a mascot. The food company’s sentient symbol made a glorious debut at the start of the game. It introduced itself to fans by popping out of an enormous toaster on the field.

That oversized kitchen appliance is also where the mascot ended its story after the game. Holding a sign that said, “Dreams really do come true,” it climbed back onto the toaster. It was then lowered down Terminator 2 style so it could be cooked like a Pop-Tart. Its warm carcass then emerged on a tray below where members of the Kansas State Wildcats partook of the Pop-Tart corpse.

Perfection indeed. Perfection indeed.

Would I eat a mascot? It depends, obviously. I’m not going to eat Grimace.* But would I eat the Pop-Tart mascot? You better believe it. I might go back to college just to try and play in the Pop-Tart Bowl Game. I mean, look at this gigantic toasted pantry pastry. LOOK AT IT.

*I would eat Grimace. Purple monster meat curiosity would get the best of me.

The post The Pop-Tarts Bowl ‘Toasted’ Its Pop-Tart Mascot So the Winning Team Could Eat It appeared first on Nerdist.

Amaury Guichon is a Swiss-French pastry chef and chocolatier with years of history making world-class sweets. He also has millions of followers on social media, where he showcases his skills. Earlier in 2023 he applied his experience and knowledge to the world of Star Wars. Guichon used tempered chocolate and edible finishes to make a wearable chocolate stormtrooper helmet. Yes, the very detailed stormtrooper helmet in the thumbnail below is edible.

Constructing the chocolate stormtrooper helmet seems to be an exercise in patience. Guichon built up the design with layers of chocolate. He then sculpted and carved them into the perfect shapes. The above video shows the process. Construction involved chocolate in about every form. Tempered sheets of chocolate made up the base. Soft, almost clay-like chocolate helped form the curves. Molded chocolates gave the circular pieces on the sides of the helmet dimension. Guichon also used melted chocolate as a glue of sorts to attach elements to the helmet. We can only assume he was working in a room with frigid temperatures to stop the chocolate from softening and collapsing.

We’re in awe of Guichon’s attention to detail. The stormtrooper helmet has a polished finish that would fit right into the Empire’s ranks. Though we shouldn’t feel surprised. One glance over Guichon’s offerings on YouTube reveals a bevy of creative and highly detailed chocolate designs. Next we hope he makes a wearable Mandalorian helmet.

The post Being a Stormtrooper Is Sweet with This Wearable Chocolate Helmet appeared first on Nerdist.

Stories have the power to transport us anywhere at anytime. However, even the best, most immersive ones come with a major downside: they can’t actually fill our bellies. No matter how much we crave dishes we see in shows, movies, books, and video games, we’ll never get to eat them because they’re not actually real. If we could, which ones would we want to eat? To find out we ranked the 15 fictional foods we want served to us.

Note: We only considered dishes that either use a) fictional items or b) never provide a formal recipe/description so we can recreate ourselves. That’s why you won’t see any of Studio Ghibli‘s amazing meals or items like 30 Rock‘s Cheesy Blasters and Homer Simpson’s Moon Waffle.

15. The Broodwich (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)

If Master Shakes says this is “the best d*mn sandwich” he’s ever had, you know it’s good. If only we could get The Broodwich with bacon without being sentenced to an eternity of suffering in the Broodwich Dimension when we finish it. (Seriously, just skip both the sun-dried tomatoes and the free brain surgery and you’ll be fine.)

14. Churron (Broad City)

Considering cronuts lived up to the hype, the thought of a churro crossed with a macaron is enough to have us lining up before dawn on a Saturday. If only we could really do that for Broad City‘s churron, a colorful fictional take on a hip-new pastry fad.

13. Lickety Splits (Angry Beavers)

I do not know what that delectable tree goo inside a log of Lickety Splits is, but I do not care. All I know is no beaver was ever angry slurping up that sloppy mixture. Meanwhile not being able to try this myself will forever make me furious.

12. Reptar Bars (Rugrats)

“Chocolate, and nuts, and caramel, and green stuff?” Yeah, green stuff. What could that stuff that turns your tongue green actually be? I know what the real-world versions used, but those very different, non-canonical candies don’t count. All that counts is the mystery ingredient Rugrats teased us with. That’s the “stuff” I need, because I am green with envy I never will.

11. Meiloorun Fruit (Star Wars)

There are lots of fictional foods in the galaxy far, far away we’d love to nosh on, but none more so than Meiloorun fruit. That melon-like treat, a delectable on many worlds, was delicious enough Ezra Bridger risked the Empire’s wrath by stealing it from Imperial shipments. You must be one tasty fruit if the threat of treason isn’t enough to stop people from wanting you.

10. Brontosaurus Ribs (The Flintstones)

No living creature has dined on brontosaurus ribs for at least 145 million years. Yet there was Fred Flinstone enjoying them during his show’s theme song, mocking us with his gigantic order. I’d willingly tip my own car over just to try a few morsels of the best prehistoric barbecue ever put to screen.

9. Yovo Fruit (Avatar)

The amount of juice that shoots out of a Yovo fruit in Avatar is enough to make us travel across the universe. But it’s the noise Sully makes when eating one that really puts this over the top. His reaction to biting into a Yovo is guttural, as though he’s chewing on a piece of literal nirvana. Forget unobtanium, the whole movie should have been about humans trying to steal Pandora’s Yovo supply.

8. Roast Beast (How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)

Fictional meat good enough to serve in Whoville on Christmas is a fictional meat good enough to make our list. I’d swear off roast beef if I could sit down to a single roast beast meal. I wouldn’t even care if the Grinch did the carving. (Though that would be cool.)

7. Fruit From a Narnia Toffee Tree (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Normal toffee can be sublime. So how good do you think fruit from a toffee tree growing in a magical land created by a lion god tastes? Exactly. Exactly. And this is why Aslan is the best and Jadis the White Witch was the worst. Aslan provided toffee fruit. Jadis manipulated children with Turkish delight, a merely “okay” candy.

6. The “Grey Stuff” (Beauty and the Beast)

Has there ever been a better pitch for any food than a singing French candelabra describing a mystery foodstuff as “delicious” via a fully choreographed song and dance number performed by magical household items? No. There has not.

5. 1-Up Mushrooms (Super Mario Bros.)

Why so high? It’s a giant mushroom that grants you an extra life. Literally, if you eat one and then die you instantly come back as though nothing ever happened. This could be the worst-tasting fictional food in all of pop culture history and it wouldn’t matter. We could have so much fun(gi) if we could dine on a constant source of immortality.

4. Lembas Bread (The Lord of the Rings)

How did the elves of Middle-earth stay so fit and eternal? Was it because they’re magical beings closer to the light of Eru Ilúvatar than any dwarf, human, or hobbit? Maybe, but it might also have been the lembas bread. I don’t even care how good it tasted. Imagine the freedom of feeling full after just a few nibbles of anything.

3. Everlasting Gobstopper (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)

There are so many amazing desserts in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, it’s almost impossible to choose just one. We say “almost” because a delicious candy made by the world’s greatest confectioner that both lasts forever and is the course of international intrigue is too good to pass up. Every kid who has ever seen this movie wanted nothing more than than they wanted an everlasting gobstopper.

2. Krabby Patties (SpongeBob Squarepants)

How good are Krabby Patties? The vegetarian sea burger’s secret recipe has literally ruined Plankton’s entire life. Can you imagine how tasty something has to be to do that? Something so tasty that it drives someone to madness? It must taste like pure hope combined with raw spite on a bun.

1. Scooby Snacks (Scooby Doo)

Remember what it was like as a kid when you learned Santa Claus isn’t real? If someone ever definitively told me what goes into a Scooby Snack I’d feel the exact same way, only infinitely worse. Not knowing why Shaggy and everyone else loves Scooby Snacks, even though they look like dog treats, is a big reason they’re among the most iconic fictional foods ever.

The post 15 Fictional Pop Culture Foods We Wish We Could Eat appeared first on Nerdist.

We all know potato chips are a popular snack after a night out of drinking. Among other snacks one can find at the all-night convenience store down from your local bar. Among those snacks, Doritos brand are usually at the top of the list. Well, why wait till after you’ve thrown back a few drinks at the pub to have your Doritos, when now you can have them both at once? Thanks to Foodbeast, we’ve learned that the Doritos brand is collaborating with Empirical for its Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit. Yes folks, soon you can drink liquor with some Doritos flair. It sounds like a good time.

Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit will be a limited edition release liquor. It will offer consumers “a spicy take on both Doritos and alcohol.” As a way of creating the flavors of corn tostada and umami, they extract the essence of Doritos Nacho Cheese through Empirical’s production process. They use real chips and retain their essence through vacuum distillation. According to Empirical, unlike the traditional methods of distillation, vacuum distillation operates at lower temperatures. This preserves the full spectrum of flavor.

According to Frito Lay (Doritos’ parent company), “we’re always pushing our fans to try new things, so we figure it is time we disrupt the spirits category by offering our iconic nacho cheese flavor in a bottle.” Of course, you can make cocktails with this new brand of drink. Empirical has released the recipes for three, “Double Triangle Margarita,” “Mary Mary,” and “the Doritos Bangarang.” The limited-edition bottles of Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit will hit in January, and set you back $65.00. It’ll be available online and in select New York and California markets only.

Pre-orders are already up for this unique concoction. Now, if only someone could see about making some Pringles flavored beer.

The post This Doritos Flavored Liquor Delivers Spicy Cheesy Delight appeared first on Nerdist.

‘Tis the season to have sweet treats and sprawling feasts on your mind. Whatever holiday you celebrate, it very likely involves some kind of gathering with loved ones. That probably means food—lots of food. Preparing meals for others is one way to express love and gratitude for them. And if you and your festive fellows happen to be Critical Role fans, we have a whole holiday feast menu planned for you. The pages of Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role have piles of recipes inspired by the world of Critical Role. It’s easy to pair dishes for a spread, and we’re happy to share such a meal. This Critical Role holiday feast features Spire by Fire’s Beer-Braised Brisket, Heartmoor Harvest, High Summer Honey Polenta, and Black Moss Cupcakes.

First up, Spire by Fire’s Beer-Braised Brisket.

Spire by Fire’s Beer-Braised Brisket

MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 20 minutes

COOK TIME: 4 hours 30 minutes

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked

One 4-pound / 1.8kg untrimmed flat-cut beef brisket

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1½ cups / 210g diced yellow onion (from about 1 large onion)

3 large celery ribs, cut into 1½-inch / 2.5cm chunks (about 2 cups / 150g)

2 large carrots, peeled, halved, and cut into 1-inch / 2.5cm chunks (about 2 cups / 230g)

5 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves (from about 2 sprigs)

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (from about 10 sprigs)

24 ounces / 710ml beer such as porter, stout, or pale ale (see Note)

2 cups / 475ml unsalted beef stock

One 28-ounce / 794g can crushed tomatoes

2 dried bay leaves

Crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or polenta, for serving (optional)

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, the garlic powder, and paprika. Pat the brisket dry with paper towels and rub the spice mixture evenly over the entire surface. Transfer to a large plate or baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300°F / 150°C. In a large Dutch oven or oven-safe heavy-bottomed pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the brisket and sear until dark brown, 4 to 6 minutes. (It’s okay if the brisket is slightly too large for the pot and the edges come up the sides; it will shrink while cooking.) Flip the brisket and sear on the other side until dark brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a large plate and set aside.

Add the onion to the pot and continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring often, until lightly browned and softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and continue cooking, stirring often, until very fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the beer, beef stock, and crushed tomatoes and stir together while scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any brown bits. Return the brisket to the pot, fat side up, and nestle it into the vegetables. Add the bay leaves, cover with a lid, and carefully transfer to the oven. Cook until the meat can easily be torn apart with a fork, 3 to 3½ hours. If the meat still feels tough, cook for an additional 30 minutes and check it again.

Transfer the brisket to a large cutting board and tent with foil. Strain the braising liquid through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids. Return the strained braising liquid to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and reduced by about half, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Thinly slice the brisket against the grain and arrange on a large serving platter. Top the brisket with a few ladles of the braising liquid and serve the remainder on the side. Serve with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or polenta, if desired.

NOTE: Just about any beer can be used in this recipe. Pale ales will provide a brighter, more hoppy flavor, while darker beers like stouts will give the sauce a richer, more gravy-like flavor. Just avoid using any flavored beers or beers brewed with fruit.

Reprinted from Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role. © 2023 by Gilmore’s Glorious Goods LLC. Published by Random House Worlds, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Every entrée needs sides, so how about some High Summer Honey Polenta?

Highsummer Honey Polenta

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes

4 ears fresh yellow corn, shucked

4 cups / 950ml water

One 14-ounce / 403ml can unsweetened coconut milk

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons / 55g unsalted butter

1 cup / 175g coarsely ground yellow polenta

1 large shallot, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

Spicy Citrus Honey (recipe follows), for drizzling

2 green onions, thinly sliced

Cut the kernels away from the corn cobs (about 4 cups / 600g) and set the kernels aside. Use a spoon or the back of a butter knife to scrape the “corn milk” off of the cobs and into a large saucepan. Break the scraped cobs in half and place in the saucepan along with the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Remove the cobs and discard. Measure out the corn stock; you should have 2½ cups / 590ml. If you have less, add water to get to that amount; if you have more, ladle out the extra stock and reserve to thin out the polenta later (if needed).

Return the corn stock to the saucepan and stir in the coconut milk, 2 teaspoons salt, and several large grinds of black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally so the coconut milk doesn’t scorch. Slowly whisk in the polenta, then lower the heat slightly to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, until the polenta is tender and thick, about 20 minutes. If the polenta gets too thick before it is tender, whisk in a little bit of hot water (or extra corn stock if you have it). Whisk in 2 tablespoons of the butter, then remove from the heat. Cover the saucepan with a lid to keep the polenta warm and set aside.

In a large skillet set over just below medium-high heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the reserved corn kernels, season with salt and pepper, and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, until the corn is crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir half of the sautéed corn into the hot polenta and season with additional salt and pepper. If needed, adjust the consistency of the polenta with additional hot water (or corn stock if you have it). It should be thick but pourable. Divide the polenta among four to six bowls, then top with the remaining sautéed corn, drizzle with some Spicy Citrus Honey, and garnish with the scallions. Serve immediately.

SPICY CITRUS HONEY

MAKES ABOUT 1 CUP / 240ML

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

1 to 3 (depending on your spice preference) Fresno chiles, thinly sliced

3 long strips of orange rind (4 to 5 inches / 10 to 13cm long)

¾ cup / 175ml clover honey

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chiles, orange rind, and honey and slowly bring almost to a simmer, swirling the saucepan occasionally. This should take close to 20 minutes (if not longer, depending on your stovetop). Once it comes to almost a simmer, immediately remove from the heat and cool the infused honey completely in the saucepan at room temperature. Transfer to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Reprinted from Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role. © 2023 by Gilmore’s Glorious Goods LLC. Published by Random House Worlds, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Let’s not forget our greens!

Heartmoor Harvest

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP TIME: 25 minutes

COOK TIME: 25 minutes

1½ pounds / 680g small blue potatoes, scrubbed (see Notes)

½ cup / 120ml extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 cups / 480g multicolored cherry tomatoes, halved

⅓ cup / 80ml white wine vinegar

1 small bunch radishes with nice green leafy tops (see Notes)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons honey

 ½ cup / 10g fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, lightly packed

1 cup / 15g torn fresh dill

1 ounce / 30g shaved Parmesan cheese (about ¾ cup)

2 cups / 40g baby arugula, lightly packed

Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C.

In a large bowl, combine the blue potatoes and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, then spread the potatoes out on a small rimmed baking sheet (reserve the bowl). Roast in the oven until the potatoes are fork-tender, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring the potatoes once halfway through the cooking time. Let the potatoes cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in the same bowl that you used to season the potatoes, combine the cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Let marinate at room temperature while the potatoes roast, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cut away the green tops from the radishes. Hand-tear the leaves into large pieces and set aside. Thinly slice half of the radishes and cut the other half into small wedges. Set aside, keeping the green tops and cut radishes separate.

Use a slotted spoon to scoop the marinated tomatoes into a medium bowl, then pour the marinade into a blender. Add one-fourth of the marinated tomatoes and the mustard, honey, and remaining 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and blend until smooth. Remove the cap from the blender lid and with the blender running at low speed, slowly drizzle in the remaining 5 tablespoons of olive oil. The dressing should have the consistency of a creamy vinaigrette that drizzles easily off the back of a spoon. If it is too thick, add a splash or two of water and blend it again.

In the same large bowl that the tomatoes were marinated in, combine the roasted potatoes, radish slices and wedges, and the remaining marinated tomatoes. Toss gently to combine. Reserve a bit of the parsley, dill, and Parmesan cheese to use for a garnish, then add the rest to the bowl along with the baby arugula and radish greens. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss to combine. Transfer half of the salad to a large platter and drizzle with some of the tomato vinaigrette. Top with the remaining salad and drizzle with more of the tomato vinaigrette. Garnish with the reserved parsley, dill, and Parmesan. Serve immediately with any extra vinaigrette on the side.

NOTES: Small blue potatoes work well in this salad because they resemble small stones, but you can substitute red-skinned or baby Yukon Gold potatoes if needed. If your potatoes are on the larger side, slice them in half before you roast them.

If your radishes do not have nice green leafy tops, you can substitute 11/2 cups / 30g of additional baby arugula instead.

If you have any leftover vinaigrette, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reprinted from Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role. © 2023 by Gilmore’s Glorious Goods LLC. Published by Random House Worlds, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Last but not least, it’s time for dessert!

Black Moss Cupcakes

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES

PREP TIME: 30 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes

1 cup / 140g all-purpose flour

¾ cup / 150g granulated sugar

⅓ cup / 25g unsweetened natural cocoa powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 large egg

⅔ cup / 80ml whole milk

⅓ cup / 80g sour cream

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 or 3 drops black food coloring (optional)

Chocolate-Matcha Frosting

4 tablespoons / 55g unsalted butter, softened

2 ounces / 55g full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1⅓ cups / 160g confectioners’ sugar

¼ cup / 20g unsweetened natural cocoa powder

½ teaspoon matcha powder

1 tablespoon whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of kosher salt

Moss Cookie Crunchies

¾ cup / 40g vanilla wafer cookies such as Nilla Wafers

1½ teaspoons light brown sugar

1½ teaspoons matcha powder

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

To make the dark chocolate cupcakes: Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325°F / 165°C. Line the cups of a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a second large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, sour cream, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and black food coloring (if using) until no streaks of egg yolk remain. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix with a rubber spatula just until a smooth batter forms and no pockets of dry flour remain.

Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full. Bake, rotating the pan front to back halfway through baking, 16 to 19 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let cool slightly, then transfer the cupcakes onto a cooling rack and let cool completely.

To make the chocolate-matcha frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, matcha powder, milk, vanilla, and salt. (Alternatively, use a large mixing bowl and electric handheld mixer.) Mix on low speed just until the ingredients are combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, 1½ to 2½ minutes. Transfer the frosting into a large piping bag fitted with a straight tip, or a zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.

To make the moss cookie crunchies: Place the vanilla wafer cookies in the bowl of a food processor and process until they are the texture of fine sand, 15 to 25 seconds. (Alternatively, place the cookies in a large zip top bag and smash with a rolling pin or skillet.) Transfer the crushed cookies to a large mixing bowl and add the brown sugar and matcha powder. Toss until the cookie crumbs are evenly coated in the matcha powder. Add the melted butter and mix, using your hands, until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Frost the cupcakes by piping an even, generous layer of frosting on top of each. Working with one cupcake at a time, invert the cupcake and gently press the frosted top into the bowl of cookie crunchies, rotating so the moss sticks to the sides of the frosting, until the top is evenly coated. Repeat this process with the remaining cupcakes.

Adapted from Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role. © 2023 by Gilmore’s Glorious Goods LLC. Published by Random House Worlds, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Make this feast and many others inspired by the world of Critical Role. Exquisite Exandria: The Official Cookbook of Critical Role is available now from wherever you buy books.

The post These Official Recipes Bring CRITICAL ROLE to Your Holiday Feast appeared first on Nerdist.

McDonald’s is about to do what every big franchise does at some point in its lifetime—get a spinoff. According to a report coming from CNBC, the fast food behemoth has announced a trial run for a chain of spinoff locations, which they’re naming CosMc’s. If the name CosMc sounds familiar to you, there’s a good chance you grew up in the early ’90s, when McDonald’s introduced a character mascot called CosMc into their ads. CosMc was an alien whose favorite thing on planet Earth was McDonald’s food. Right now, the plan is to open 10 CosMc’s locations, including nine restaurants in Texas, by the end of 2024.

So what will set a CosMc’s location apart from your regular old McDonald’s? The new locations are specifically intended to sell customizable drinks and coffee, notably to the afternoon “just getting off of work” crowd. So, kind of like a Starbucks. However, no one at the McDonald’s corporation is mentioning that chain specifically. Doesn’t sound like there will be Big Macs or any kind of chicken sandwiches at CosMC’s, with a focus instead on a menu with Egg McMuffins and M&M McFlurries, plus new items such as Churro Frappes and pretzel bites. And coffee drinks, of course. The first CosMc’s restaurant will open this week in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

The new CosMc’s locations will have a smaller real-estate footprint than a regular McDonald’s restaurant. But the company is still figuring things out, and some may have different layouts. One of the plans involves having multiple drive-thru lanes. And customers using credit cards will also be able to pay at the drive-thru speaker. All as a way to speed up service times. If the 10 new locations take off in their trial run, then McDonald’s will decide if they will expand. We just hope that since they are naming the chain after CosMc, he will get his own comeback. If McDonald’s brought back Grimace, they could bring back the little alien guy.

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