Cadbury & More Nutty Praline Crisp Review (Tesco) By @Cinabar

We popped into Tesco today and the first thing I noticed was how quickly the Easter chocolate had disappeared. We were there on Good Friday and the shelves were packed, but now it has all gone. The only trace left was a few reduced Cadbury Creme Eggs, which we picked up anyway. What the Easter clear-out has done, though, is make space for new releases. I spotted three new bars in the Cadbury & More range, and as a big fan of nutty chocolate, I went straight for the Nutty Praline Crisp.

The packaging is eye-catching. The wrapper is mostly blue, with the wording in classic Cadbury purple, so it really stands out on the shelf in Tesco. It is also a large sharing bar, with nicely chunky pieces that feel a bit more premium than your standard bar.

Taste-wise, this is a proper treat. The Cadbury milk chocolate is smooth and sweet, and the praline brings a rich, nutty flavour that works really well. If you enjoy praline chocolate, this will be right up your street. There is also a crispy wafer layer running through the bar, adding a light crunch that balances the softness of the praline. I always like a mix of textures in chocolate, and this delivers without being too heavy or overly sweet. It feels indulgent, but still easy to eat a few squares at a time.

Overall, the Cadbury & More Nutty Praline Crisp is a strong addition to the range. If you are looking for a new Cadbury chocolate bar to try from Tesco, especially one with nuts and praline, this is well worth picking up. I am already looking forward to trying the other new Cadbury & More bars.

Dr Pepper Cream Swirl (Morrisons) By @Cinabar

I used to buy Dr Pepper quite often, but somehow it just dropped off my regular purchases. I never went off the flavour, and I definitely still have a sweet tooth, so I am not quite sure how that happened. When I spotted this new Dr Pepper Cream Swirl, it felt like a good time to give it a try.

The bottle is very eye-catching, keeping the classic burgundy but with added patterning that makes it stand out on the shelf. On opening, there was that familiar fizzy kick, and it poured with a light froth. Taste-wise, all the usual Dr Pepper flavour is there, but with a really smooth vanilla edge. It is almost like a softer version of the original. The base flavour is still recognisable, just creamier and slightly more mellow thanks to the vanilla.

I really enjoyed this one. Served cold with a few ice cubes on a warm bank holiday, it made the perfect drink for sitting outside in the sun.

I also noticed a Dr Pepper Cherry Crush on the shelves, which I will definitely be trying next.

Star Wars - Millennium Falcon Pizza / Hot Dog Stuffed Crust - Iceland [@NLi10]

 In a Frozen Foods Shop Far Far Away...

We wanted some back-up pizzas for the freezer, and Iceland is my go-to shop these days for cheaper but quality choices (plus their range changes so often you don't get bored).  I risked my partner's wrath and chose her a glorified garlic bread, and I had the hotdog crust meat feast.

Shockingly similar on calories too - although the meat edges ahead.

Possibly because this really does look sparse!

(she enjoyed it but all the cheese in the crust is the main event here)

And here's my choice - but why is it Star Wars?

Millennium Falcon Pizza! Obviously this is the bit where the sausage isn't hiding in the crust, but it's a fun bonus.  The meat on the topping is interesting, but really could have more flavours in there.

The hotdog that encircles 95% of the circumference is the main event here too - and it works well.  You can hold on to it safely (the tomato sauce crust is insanely hot for the first few slices and cold an unappetising for the last one)

And surprisingly it's a decent quality.  Yes - I'm sure that they could make one with quality Italian Deli meats - but not at £4 or whatever this is.  As it stands, this is a decent meal for two (I mean - I soloed it but I do like a pizza) with a few olives or a dip.

Orchard Pig Reveller Cider (Morrison’s) By @SpectreUK

I don't drink cider very often. It's not that I don't like cider, I just prefer a good ale or stout with my dinner. I have pork chops tonight, which is perfect for a good sweet cider to wash it down with.

This Orchard Pig Reveller is a 4.5% in volume medium cider. It's named after the free roaming pigs in the cider apple orchards of the West Country in Somerset.

On opening the bottle there was a light fizz and a medium dry cider apple aroma. On taste there was sweetness from the cider apples to begin with, and then a little dry citrus bitterness to finish. I was hoping for a cider that was little sweeter, but I have to say this Orchard Pig Reveller went perfectly well with my pork chops and roasties. Yum.

Carrot Cake Hot Chocolate (Whittard) By @Cinabar

This is a new limited edition from Whittard, presumably released for the Easter season. Easter means bunnies, bunnies eat carrots, carrots become carrot cake… I might be overthinking that one. Either way, it is a new hot chocolate and I am always up for trying one.

The drink has a white chocolate base, and the powder itself is pale in colour. When I tried the blueberry version from Whittard, it looked white but turned lilac once hot milk was added. Sadly, no such magic here. The colour stayed the same when mixed, but the aroma more than made up for it, with plenty of warm, inviting spices.

It mixed easily into hot milk, and the first sip was a winner. The flavour genuinely captures carrot cake, with a smooth, comforting sweetness. The cinnamon really stands out, which I personally love, blending nicely with the white chocolate base.

I will admit to a strong cinnamon bias, as mentioned before, but this really was lovely. Rich, cosy, and exactly what you want in a mug at this time of year.

Absolutely delicious. Happy Easter.