Monday, December 20, 2010

Russell Stover Peppermint Bark Snowman

Russell Stover Peppermint Bark SnowmenI mentioned in the 2010 Christmas Candy Spotting rundown that I picked up this package of the new Russell Stover Peppermint Bark Snowman.

I love Peppermint Bark and I’m kind of disappointed that it’s not available year round. There are a lot of different variations on the idea of peppermint bark, but most involves layering different kinds of chocolate (dark or milk with white chocolate) along with a peppermint flavoring and probably crushed peppermint hard candies.

This package holds a cardboard try with six individually wrapped Peppermint Bark Snowmen. I got them for $1.99 but I expect they’re on sale some places.

Russell Stover Peppermint Bark SnowmenEach molded snowman is rather small. They’re only 7/8 of an ounce and about 135 calories each, so this is a nice way to control portions.

It’s a two tone mold, the base is dark chocolate and the top layer is white chocolate. The package notes in bold and all caps type on the back that its MADE WITH 100% REAL CHOCOLATE. This is what spurred me to buy it. There are so many minty holiday candies that aren’t made with all cocoa butter these days, like the Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and even Andes Mints.

I can say that after eating these, it’s so obvious that real cocoa butter is superior to fractionated or partially hydrogenated tropical oils (and though all are high in calories, at least cocoa butter isn’t bad for your heart).

The fact that these “bark” snowmen are molded does ruin the rustic illusion of bark, but I have to say, I’m not really that fond of bark. I’m a believer in integration. If you want to put something in your chocolate bar, put it in there, get it all covered up. Don’t just let it float on top and get knocked off. Commit!

Russell Stover Peppermint Bark Snowmen

The base layer looks very dark, almost black. The ingredients mention that it’s made with chocolate processed with alkali, which often gives it that almost-black color. The flavor of the chocolate base reminded me of Oreos, it’s a toasted and smoky flavor. The melt is rich and smooth and though the chocolate flavor stands up to the others, it’s not overwhelming or bitter. The white chocolate is smooth and creamy, it has an excellent fresh dairy taste to it, more like butter than dried milk. Then there’s a light touch of peppermint. Though I think there are supposed to be peppermint candies in here, I didn’t get much. I ate three of the snowmen for this review and at first I thought that it was just a variation in the production run. But there were all rather sparse on the candy. This didn’t bother me.

Russell Stover Peppermint Bark SnowmenIt was like a good quality ice cream. Not too sweet, a good balance of flavors, clean and neat. I liked the portion and the molding was nicely done. I preferred the crispness of the flavors and clean distinction between the layers to the slightly more expensive Dove Peppermint Bark.

I really can’t find much fault with these at all. They’re not the most sophisticated candies in the world, but they were very well done. There are some artificial ingredients in there (there’s some red dye in the hard candy chips) but overall it tastes like a quality product considering the price (about 33 cents each). It would be nice if they can do other variations of the snowman for other holidays - I wouldn’t even mind seeing other flavor variations like strawberry for Valentine’s Day or Orange for Halloween. (I think Mint could return for Easter.)

Russell Stover really seems to shine with their holiday treats. These are easy to afford and stash in stockings or pass around at the office.

Related Candies

  1. Florida Tropic Oranges
  2. Dove Peppermint Bark
  3. Ritter Sport Peppermint
  4. Ghirardelli Holiday Squares
  5. Trader Joe’s Peppermint Bark White Chocolate Bar
  6. Jo’s Peppermint Crunch


Name: Peppermint Bar Snowmen
    RATING:
  • SUPERB
  • YUMMY
  • TASTY
  • WORTH IT
  • TEMPTING
  • PLEASANT
  • BENIGN
  • UNAPPEALING
  • APPALLING
  • INEDIBLE
Brand: Russell Stover
Place Purchased: Target (Harbor City)
Price: $1.99
Size: 5.25 ounces
Calories per ounce: 153
Categories: Candy, Christmas, Russell Stover, Chocolate, Hard Candy & Lollipops, Mints, White Chocolate, 8-Tasty, United States, Target

POSTED BY Cybele AT 2:17 pm Tracker Pixel for Entry     CandyReviewChristmasRussell StoverChocolateHard Candy & LollipopsMintsWhite Chocolate8-TastyUnited StatesTarget

Comments
  1. I’m okay with having candy pieces on top. What drives me crazy is bark that’s too thick to bite through or break!

    Comment by Abi on 12/20/10 at 2:30 pm #
  2. The Russell Stover Peppermint Bark Snowman is absolutely the best. The chocolate is smooth and delicious and the peppermint pieces are very small..so not too much crunch which in my opinion is a good thing. I can really taste the dark chocolate. The portion size of the candy is just right. I can eat one of these and not feel too guilty for indulging. Can’t wait until next Christmas season when I will stock up.

    Comment by maggie morris on 1/18/11 at 11:42 am #
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