News: McDonald's Testing Fresh Bakery Goods in New England

According to the Boston Globe, McDonald's is testing freshly-baked... um... baked goods (yeah, I really strained my brain for that one) out in the New England area.

The new items are: Cheese Danish (McDonald's actually used to serve Cheese Danishes back in the '80s), Blueberry Muffin, Multi-grain Berry Muffin, Banana Bread, and (frosted) Mini Vanilla Scones  and are made with ingredients like butter, fruit, and whole grain oats.

News: Hostess- New, Limited-time Spring Twinkies and SnoBalls

Hostess is celebrating the Spring with two new, limited-edition Twinkies and SnoBalls.

New Lemon Creme Twinkies are the result of a contest a while back where fans voted on what would be the next Twinkie Flavor. Lemon Creme beat out other flavors like Raspberry Tart, Cookies 'n Creme, and Blueberry Pie.

As for Springtime SnoBalls, instead of pink, the creme-filled chocolate cakes coated in marshmallow and coconut will be lavender for the a limited time.

Review: Carl's Jr. - Strawberry Biscuit

The Carl's Jr. Strawberry Biscuit is one of the recent menu additions brought about by introduction of sister chain Hardee's Made from Scratch Biscuits which has rolled out in the southern California market.

The biscuit is a sizable biscuit (it actually weighs more than a Sausage Biscuit at McDonald's) topped with warm strawberry jam and a squiggle of sugary glaze for 99 cents.

News: El Pollo Loco - Two New Chicken Burritos

El Pollo Loco is expanding their line of grilled chicken burritos with two additions: the Roja Wet and Chicken Avocado burritos.

The Roja Wet Burrito is available for a limited time only and features El Pollo Loco’s flame-grilled chicken joined by pinto beans, pico de gallo salsa, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and melted Jack cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla. It is then covered in Colorado sauce (a red chili pepper sauce) and topped with more fresh cilantro and Cotija cheese. On the side, there's fresh, hand-made guacamole and sour cream.

Photo Gallery: Taco Bell Headquarters Tour

I got to tour Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, CA recently as they were preparing for the launch of the Doritos Locos Taco. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the tour and something I whipped up in their test kitchen (it might take a while to load, there are quite a few pictures).

Review: Krispy Kreme - Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors

Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors are mini cake donuts dipped in dark chocolate. Similar to Hostess Donettes, they come in a portable pack of six.

They don't actually sell these at any of my local supermarkets, I picked these up from the Krispy Kreme Blogger Summit. I'm not sure how much they cost but I would guess between $1 and $2.

Frozen Friday: Marie Callender's - Swedish Meatballs

Marie Callender's Swedish Meatballs (aka Beef Stroganoff except with meatballs) is served with egg noodle pasta and a sour cream sauce.

The box touts a new recipe but I'd never tried it before so I really can't comment on the old recipe.

A 13-ounce box retails for about $3.99 but it's not uncommon to find it on sale around $2 to $2.50.

What's on the Menu: Lent 2012 Round Up

Here it is! A round up of the limited-time seafood fair some of your favorite fast food restaurants are offering this year. I've included pictures and descriptions to the menu items that I never got around to doing a news post for and have linked the posts I did manage to write up.

Arby's - Arby's Fish Sandwich is back

Boston Market - Baked Whitefish only on Fridays and only for a limited time.

News: Ben & Jerry's - New Flavors for Spring 2012

Ben & Jerry's has a few new flavors to try this Spring, perhaps they'll catch your fancy. They are: the returning Chocolate Therapy (last seen in pint form in 2005), Chocolate Nougat Crunch, and Rocky Road-ish.

While Chocolate Therapy has been available in Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, it now returns to your grocery aisle in pints. It features chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls of chocolate pudding ice cream.

News: Papa Murphy's - New Mini Murph Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit for Kids

Kids can now make their own pizzas courtesy of Papa Murphy's new, limited-time Mini Murphy Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit.

Each kit is contained in kids-sized pizza box and includes:

- A seven-inch pizza crust rolled out on Papa Murphy's signature bake 'n' serve tray
- a container of pizza sauce
- 100% all-natural, whole-milk mozzarella to sprinkle on the pizza
- almost a dozen slices of pepperoni
- a temporary "Murph" tattoo
- and baking instructions

Review: McDonald's - Shamrock Shake

McDonald's Shamrock Shake is a seasonal St. Patty's Day-themed shake and blends mint-flavored syrup with reduced fat vanilla ice cream and tops it off with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

I paid $1.89 for small 12-ounce size at a local McDonald's.

News: Ben & Jerry's - Free Cone Day Set for April 3, 2012

It's that time of the year again... Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's! This year on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, you can once again wait in line as many times as you want (or can stand) and stuff your face with free ice cream cones!

When: Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 12pm to 8pm

Where: At participating locations. You can check at their store locator to see which locations are participating: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/scoop-shop-locator/index.cfm