Review: Tesco Red Velvet Cookies

Another new addition to the Tesco bakery range. These Red Velvet Cookies with a white chocolate filling are a similar concept the the Tesco Melting Snowman Cookies which were available in the run up to Christmas. I've always been a fan of red velvet cakes and it's often our first choice of cake for family birthdays (like this Tesco Finest Red Velvet Cake), so I was interested to review this cookie version.

The Tesco Red Velvet Cookies have a reddish brown colour with a scattering of small white chocolate chips. The centre of each cookie contains a soft white chocolate filling.

The cookies have the same soft and chewy texture as any of the other fresh bakery cookies at Tesco. The overall flavour is similar to the previous Tesco Melting Snowman Cookies, especially in the creamy white chocolate centre, although the outer cookie itself is slightly less sweet. They don't really taste like red velvet cake, perhaps a cream cheese flavoured filling would have recreated more of a red velvet flavour, but they're still tasty cookies nonetheless. Unlike the Tesco Lemonade & Cola Doughnuts, the Red Velvet Cookies all disappeared fairly quickly!

Grocery Gems Verdict: Tesco Red Velvet Cookies

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Tesco.
Price: £1.00p.

New Instore: Lemonade & Cola Doughnuts and More!

Tesco Lemonade & Cola Doughnuts: Following on from their previous wacky doughnut flavours (was anyone tempted by the Turkey & Stuffing Weirdoughs?), are these Lemonade & Cola flavoured doughnuts. although strangely the "Weirdoughs" label appears to have been dropped. Described on the packaging as a fizzy selection to make your mouth tingle. £1.00p for 10 mini doughnuts at Tesco. 

Tropicana Sanguinello: There are several new releases in the Tropicana juice range at the moment. The Sanguinello is made with 100% Blood Oranges. £3.59p at Tesco. 

Peppa Pig Strawberry Jelly: I'm not sure if these are new but it's the first time I've seen them in my local Tesco. These individual Peppa Pig shaped jellies are really cute for a lunchbox treat. They are £0.50p each at Tesco. 

Petit Filous Magic Squares: My kids are fans of the Munch Bunch Double Up yogurts (even though they're far too old for this stuff!) and I couldn't help myself picking up this similar looking offering from Petit Filous - Magic Squares. Instead of being half strawberry and half vanilla yogurt, like the Double Up, the Magic Squares are actually sectioned into quarters. £1.85p at Tesco.

Belvita Breakfast Tops: A few new additions to the Belvita Breakfast range. These "Tops" are available in two flavours; Choco + Hazelnut and Strawberry. £2.79p at Tesco.

Belvita Breakfast Crunchy Choc Chips: Probably not that new, but also available in Apricot and Hazelnut varieties. £2.40p at Sainsbury's.

Müller Light Greek Style Raspberry: The Müller Light Greek Style range is one of my favourites but I tend to stick to the Coconut & Vanilla and Mango varieties. However, I did buy a pack of this new Raspberry flavour. £1.50p at Sainsbury's.

A big THANK YOU to Lucy W. who emailed me the following photos of new products that she bought in Tesco - most of which are not available in my local Tesco yet!

Tesco Red Velvet Doughnuts: These look much more appealing that the first doughnuts in this post! However, Lucy found that they were a little disappointing in terms of the filling. I'm hoping to find them and the Red Velvet Cookies (see below) soon - I have to check a bigger Tesco! £1.00p for a twinpack at Tesco.

Müller Corner Hawaiian Dream Pineapple: I definitely haven't spotted this one in store yet - I would have snapped it up! It reminds me of the Müller Inspired by Bali yogurt from last year, but it looks like the Hawaiian one is pineapple flavoured rather than coconut.

Müller de Luxe Corner Cherry Kirsch: Another decadent looking flavour from the Müller de Luxe range. Like a few of the previous flavours in this range, this one also contains alcohol. 

Carte D'Or Cinnamon Biscuit: Oh wow I really need to try this one! From the packaging it looks like a Speculoos biscuit ice cream! £3.49 at Tesco.

Image: Tesco 

Tesco Red Velvet Cookies: I haven't managed to spot these yet so thank you to both Lucy W. and another reader who left a comment letting me know about that they are now instore available instore. Apparently they are a Red Velvet version of the Tesco Melting Snowman Cookies. 

Thanks again to Lucy for the last few photos - we obviously have very similar tastes as I really want to try all of those new products!

Don't forget if you spot any new products in store please let me know via email - grocerygems@gmail.com. Thank you!

The Fabulous Bakin' Boys World Cup-Cakes!

I think I've mentioned a few times of this blog that I love flags (not football just the flags!). Well you can imagine then just how much this box of World Cup-Cakes appealed to me! The Fabulous Bakin' Boys have come up with some great limited edition themes in their time but this multi flag themed box for the World Cup one surpasses them all. The St. George's Cross features prominently in the middle, whilst the cakes are also themed in red and white, with a red velvet sponge and a strawberry flavour topping.

At the moment I've got a box of these permanently on display on my kitchen table, I just love looking at it. It might be the first time in my life that I actually keep a product packaging - I don't think I can bear to throw this one away.

There are six cupcakes in each box, all individually sealed, perfect for packed lunches. 

The insides of the cakes are very disappointing when it comes to the "red velvet" sponge description on the box. A "pale pink" velvet would be a better description. They really should have just stuck to calling them "strawberries & cream flavoured" because these are not even remotely similar to red velvet cakes. The flavour here is all from the strawberry topping, with a fairly standard cupcake sponge underneath. It's a little dry, but I quite like the fact that these are not too greasy. As strawberry & cream flavoured cakes they are actually quite nice and we've been enjoying them with a tea or coffee (in fact I've since gone back and bought a few more boxes). I can't be too negative about them because I still love that flag box too much!

Funnily enough I haven't seen these in any supermarkets, only in discount stores. Has anyone else seen these in major stores? UPDATE: I spotted them today in Tesco, also for £1.00.

Grocery Gems Verdict: The Fabulous Bakin' Boys World Cup-Cakes

RATING: 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: 99p Stores.
Nutrition 146 calories per cupcake.

Valentine's Day Meal Deal at Asda for £10!

Asda have a great value meal deal for Valentine's Day. There are lots of options available, and the deal includes one Main for Two, any two Side Dishes, and any of the specially selected Valentine's Day Dessert options. Many supermarkets seem to have doubled the prices for their Valentine's Day meal deals compared to their usual prices, so I'm glad to see that Asda have some lovely options for a very reasonable £10! Here are some of my top picks:

There were lots of impressive main meals for two available in the deal . I was tempted by the Slow Cooked Seafood Paella, Slow Cooked Lamb Shank in Redcurrant & Port Sauce, or the delicious looking Seafood Risotto but in the end I choose the Beef in Red Wine with Herb Dumplings - I'm in the mood for comfort food! It's a large serving and can be prepared in either the oven or microwave.

Choosing two sides was quite hard as there was a lot of choice in this section! The first option was easy as I can never say no to bread and this Caramelised Shallot, Garlic & Herb Flatbread looked irresistible.

For my second choice (after a ridiculously long deliberation!) I decided on these Boulangère Potatoes, mainly because I've never tried this dish before. There were plenty of other potato options available from Dauphinoise Potatoes to Chunky Sea Salted  Chips, and vegetable options such as Parsnips in Olive Oil, and Carrot & Butternut Squash mash.

The dessert choice was easiest of all as I'd heard about these Melting Red Velvet Moments online a few weeks ago and can't wait to give them a try. It's a red velvet sponge, filled with a melting Belgian chocolate centre and covered in chocolate ganache, a lovely looking dessert for Valentine's Day. There was also a Belgian Chocolate & Salted Caramel Dessert which looked divine too.

Have a look at my post HERE for some Valentine's Day gift ideas from Asda. 

PR Samples.

Review: Tesco Finest Red Velvet Cake

My husband is a big fan of red velvet cake, and his birthday last weekend, gave me the perfect excuse to buy this gorgeous Tesco Finest Red Velvet cake. I've been casting a longing glance at it every time I pass through the bakery aisle! I'll let the photos mostly speak for themselves here, as this cake is a real beauty.

The cake features a red velvet sponge, with delightfully swirled cream cheese frosting and decorated with red crumb topping.

From the first slice I could see this cake had just the gorgeous dark red colour I was hoping for - and it also had a lovely flavour to match! The sponge is moist and sweet with a subtle cocoa flavour, perfectly complimented by the sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting. It's a delicious cake that is comparable to similar (but much more expensive!) red velvet cakes I've tried previously, and it certainly looks very impressive for any special celebration.

Grocery Gems: Tesco Finest Red Velvet Cake

RATING: 10 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Tesco.
Price: £10.00.