Okay, folks, Labor Day is here, marking the end of summer. And before we bid adieu to the sunny season, let's take a moment to review one last summer candy: Crispy M&M's S'mores, the new kid on the block from Mars.
Now, I must say, these babies only come in larger bags—no single servings. The bag itself rocks the signature green of regular Crispy M&M's, but with a toasty marshmallow brown taking over a large part of the front. Talk about setting the mood!
The goal of this flavor, based on the illustration, seems to be combining the delightful flavors and perhaps even textures of s'mores with the crunchy goodness of M&M's. We've got the chocolate covered in a regular M&M, and the crispy factor already taken care of, thanks to the cookie center. Conceptually, it's off to a promising start.
Now, let's talk colors. The pieces come in three shades, a clever nod to the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers that make up a scrumptious s'more. But when I opened the bag, whoa! The scent hit me hard. It definitely had that graham cracker aroma—kinda maple-y, sorta fake butter. Then there was a buttery toffee note that was meant to mimic toasted marshmallow. But here's the thing: It all ended up smelling overwhelmingly like a seasonal Yankee Candle. Not exactly what I was hoping for.
As for the appearance, these M&M's are far from the smooth and consistent Milk Chocolate M&M's I've grown accustomed to. They're lumpy and irregular in shape. But hey, at least they won't go rolling off flat surfaces. So, let's count that as a plus.
Now, onto the taste. They do seem sweeter than regular Crispy M&M's, but that might be because of the increased vanilla flavoring. Vanilla always tricks my taste buds into thinking things are sweeter than they actually are. It's a gentle sweetness, nothing throat-searing. The graham flavor is pleasant enough. They're not terrible, but I have to admit, the initial smell really put me off. Surprisingly, though, after leaving the bag open over the weekend, the smell did mellow out.
Here's the strange part: I expected the crispy center to have a "graham" twist to it, but it looks the same as the airy, ricey, slightly malty version found in regular Crispy M&M's. No real difference there.
Now, let's get real for a second. S'mores are all about the experience—making them, eating them while they're hot, and embracing the messy process. Reducing them to tidy, candy-coated morsels takes away most of the risk (no burnt fingers, no clothes mishaps), and honestly, it removes the challenge. Sure, I can make s'mores at home anytime I want, but they're truly about the ambiance and environment in which they're enjoyed.
For now, I'll stick to my trusty Peanut M&M's, or if I'm lucky enough to stumble upon them in stores, the elusive Almond M&M's. Those never disappoint.
