Mr Kipling 4 Cookies and Cream Whirls (Ocado) By @Cinabar

We are big fans of Mr Kipling products and always keep an eye out for any new flavours or twists on their classic treats. These new Cookies and Cream Whirls immediately caught our attention. They are clearly inspired by the brand's popular Viennese Whirls, but with a chocolatey cookies and cream makeover.

Inside the box are four dark cocoa-coloured whirls sandwiched together with a pale cream filling, creating an attractive contrast. They sit somewhere between a biscuit and a cake, sharing characteristics of both. Whatever category they belong in, they certainly look appealing. Getting one out of the tray required a little care as they are extremely crumbly. Mine shed plenty of crumbs before reaching the tasting stage, although it managed to stay mostly intact.

The dark cocoa appearance led me to expect a rich chocolate flavour, but that wasn't really the case. Instead, the overall taste is quite mild. There is a gentle chocolate note, a hint of cookie flavour and a simple vanilla style cream filling in the centre. Even the buttery richness often associated with Viennese Whirls is fairly subdued, with the cocoa flavour taking centre stage, albeit in a restrained way. These are perfectly pleasant to eat and the texture is nicely crumbly, but I couldn't help feeling they missed an opportunity. Given their striking appearance, I was expecting something bolder and more indulgent. A stronger chocolate flavour or a more distinctive cookies and cream filling would have made them much more memorable.

Overall, these are enjoyable enough if you're looking for a light sweet treat, but they don't quite deliver the rich cookies and cream experience their appearance promises.

Ülker Metro Mini (Home Bargains) – Review by @Cinabar

I do love a wander around discount shops for imported treats you just would not normally come across. These Ülker Metro Mini bars definitely caught my eye, even though we had originally gone in for something as exciting as toiletries. That is the magic of bargain stores though, you go in for one thing and somehow leave with a basket full of things you did not know you needed.

These little bars are imported from Turkey and are essentially mini versions of a familiar style of chocolate bar. Each one contains soft nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate, all neatly packaged into small individually wrapped pieces. They really are mini as well. When I opened the packet I was surprised by just how tiny they are, but in a cute, snackable way rather than disappointing.

Taste wise, they are very pleasant. The caramel and nougat flavour comes through nicely, and the chocolate is sweet and smooth. The texture is quite soft and a little sticky, which works well for this kind of treat, although I think I would personally prefer them to have a slightly firmer bite. That is just my preference though, and it does not take away from the overall enjoyment.

One thing I do really like is that they are individually wrapped. It makes them perfect for sharing, especially if you put a bowl out when friends are over or during a film night. They are the kind of sweet you can just graze on without thinking too much about it.

I would happily pick these up again. They are simple, easy-going little treats that work well for snacking, and they feel like a fun find from the bargain aisle rather than something you would normally go looking for.