We don’t think we’ve ever had two ginger cookies that tasted exactly the same.  Every brand tends to use a  different level of spice. Some go light on the ginger, others use so much it’s like they want to set your chest on fire. Then there’s allspice, clove, cinnamon, brown sugar, and molasses—all of which are ingredients used interchangeably in gingerbread cookies. We found this taste test to be very comforting. Snapping into a crispy, crunchy cookie that’s packed with a delightful concoction of spices is the kind of experience we look forward to. The best gingerbread cookies are simple, but they bring bold flavor, too. Here are ten ginger cookies that really impressed the Sporked team. 

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Crowd-Pleaser

Biscoff Cookies

Amazon

You’re probably ahead of me already. You’re probably saying, “Ariana, Biscoff Cookies aren’t ginger cookies!” And listen: I agree. That’s why they’re sitting pretty in tenth place, okay? Biscoff cookies belong to the Speculoos family, which are commonly considered spiced gingerbread cookies—but that doesn’t totally check out, because ginger is a very minor ingredient at play here. Biscoff is a caramelized biscuit cookie that relies on cinnamon and nutmeg for its cozy, spiced flavor. It’s warm, a little zingy, and tastes like cookie butter reconstructed into cookie form. With a distinct, crunchy bite you can’t get anywhere else, no one can deny Biscoff makes good cookies. But do these belong on a list of the best ginger cookies? Well, I think so. They’re not fit for ginger lovers, but if you’re searching for a cozy, gingerbread-esque cookie to match the holiday vibes and serve to a large group, you shouldn’t overlook Biscoff. People love ‘em. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

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Best Spice

Sprouts Old Fashioned Ginger Flavored Snaps

Instacart

After this taste test, I took these Sprouts old fashioned ginger flavored snaps home with me. Why? Because the spice here is aggressive. The clove flavor is off the charts, and its intensely aromatic nature works very well with the peppery notes of ginger. Truly, these cookies are loaded with spices. Sprouts’ ginger snap cookies pack a big, big flavor. They might be too much for your average cookie eater, but for me that boldness made them addictive and some of the best ginger snaps we tasted. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Ginger Person

Pepperidge Farm Gingerman Cookies

Walmart

Instacart

Pepperidge Farm makes great products and that includes their gingerbread cookies. Their Gingerman cookies are light, crispy as heck, and filled with great flavor. The ginger flavor is light, but there’s a deep, well-rounded sweetness here from the brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, and cane sugar listed in the ingredients. They come shaped like little men, too, so if you love dismembering human-shaped cookies you’re pretending are your enemies, go with Pepperidge Farm. They pack a nuanced flavor, and they’re oh-so crispy. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Spicy Ginger Flavor

McVitie’s Ginger Nuts the Fiery One

Amazon

What McVitie’s ginger cookies lack in structural integrity (I’ll explain momentarily), they make up for in a striking, fiery ginger flavor like no other. Each cookie is so sharply spiced, it actually burns a little—and when a ginger cookie can clear out my sinuses for me, I’m going to fall in love with it. Texturally, these cookies have some issues: They are on the dry side, so the cookies’ edges literally crumble into bits when you try to pick them up. Still, I somehow managed to dip mine in freshly brewed coffee without making a huge mess, and the flavor transported me: I felt like I was roasting chestnuts by the fire in a cozy living room, not sitting at an office desk crowded with discarded cookie wrappers and leftover Walmart pies. (It was a busy day.) If you thrive on bold winter spices (or simply suffer from daily congestion), these might be the best ginger cookies for you. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Ginger Snaps

Tate’s Bake Shop Gingersnap Cookies

Walmart

Tate’s has two seasonal ginger snap cookies—these and a gluten free option we ranked slightly above it. (It’s really, really good for a gluten free cookie, okay?) In theory, I figured the thin, firm crispness of Tate’s cookies would go hand and hand with a ginger snap, and hey, I love it when I’m right. The ginger flavor is pretty bold, with the right balance of molasses, butter, and spice that you’d expect from the best ginger snaps. These are seasonal, so make sure to try them while you still can! —Ariana Losch 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Surprise

Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Ginger Zinger Cookies

Amazon

Instacart

I gravitate towards crispy and crunchy gluten-free snacks, so Tate’s Bake Shop is a huge winner for me. These gluten-free Ginger Zinger cookies have a big-time ginger flavor, and a rich, nutty, almost brown butter taste that feels wholly decadent. Crystals of sugar give them crunch and sweetness. I love the way these look, too—they’ve got a rustic, homemade vibe to them. They also contain eggs and are delightfully fatty. Tate’s Ginger Zingers are indulgent, peppery, and fully satisfying, and could easily be the best gingerbread cookies—they just fall slightly short of what we think the ideal gingerbread cookies should be, which is a little more thin and a bit less rich. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best for Ginger Lovers

Walkers Stem Ginger Biscuits

Amazon

World Market

They might call themselves biscuits, but these are some of the best ginger cookies money can buy. These cookies feel expensive and fancy thanks to the packaging and taste. There’s tons of chewy ginger mixed into these cookies, making them the perfect gingerbread cookies for ginger lovers. This slaps you in the face with ginger flavor. Yum! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / World Market

Rating:

10/10

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Best Thin

Dewey’s Bakery Triple Ginger Cookies

Amazon

Dewey’s Bakery makes the thinnest, crispiest ginger cookies on the market. They have a wonderful snap and they aren’t hard at all. These airy cookies are some of the best ginger cookies I’ve ever tasted. If you’re looking for a light dessert with a great sweetness and real ginger flavor, Dewey’s makes the best ginger snaps for you. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

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Best Buttery

Nyakers Ginger Snaps

Amazon

Nyakers Ginger Snaps are in a virtual first-place tie with Annas, but that doesn’t mean they’re identical. Though Nyakers ginger snaps have the same pronounced ginger flavor and thin, crunchy quality as Annas, Nyakers have a delightfully rich, almost buttery flavor that kept us all coming back here at Sporked. These cookies are so rich and luxurious, which is honestly breathtaking for ginger snaps (and why we consider them some of the best ginger snap cookies). Bite into one, then let it dissolve in your mouth so you can savor all the wonderful flavors. This was a delightful experience and a flat-out surprise. I didn’t know gingerbread cookies could be so…buttery. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

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Best of the Best

Annas Ginger Swedish Thins

Amazon

Walmart

Pavilions

Annas Ginger Swedish Thins took our breath away with their straightforward yet wonderful flavor. They’re plain, yes, but as a result you just get that pure, spiced ginger and clove flavor that’s emblematic of the Holidays. Annas cookies have less sugar than other cookies, but that’s a strength. With less sugar, you really get to taste the peppery, mellow notes of the ginger. The texture is also quite crispy, and the cookies themselves are indeed thin, so the crunch factor is even higher. Annas Thins are the best gingerbread cookies because they do all the little things so well. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Pavilions

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Nabisco Ginger Snaps, Kroger Ginger Snaps, Lofthouse Soft & Chewy Ginger Cookies, Signature Select Ginger Snaps, Belvita Gingerbread Breakfast Biscuits, ShaSha Gingersnaps, Stauffer’s Ginger Snaps, Trader Joe’s Triple Ginger Snaps, Great Value, Partake Ginger Snap Crunchy Cookies, Eleni’s Cookies All Natural Ginger Snappy Cookies, Jack’s Allergen Friendly Bakery Ginger Molasses Cookies

The post The Best Gingerbread Cookies, Ginger Cookies, and Ginger Snaps appeared first on Sporked.

After three taste tests, this ranking of Mountain Dew flavors continues to be a work in progress. See, Mountain Dew flavors are being released and discontinued all the time. We’re still on the hunt for full sugar Spark, as well as the new and returning Game Fuel flavors. So, bear with us. This is not a complete list of every Mountain Dew flavor—but it is a lot of them. 

If you’re new to the wide world of Mountain Dew flavors and looking for the best Mountain Dew flavor to try first, this list is a good place to start. And if you’re just looking to get into a fight because we ranked what you believe to be the best Mountain Dew flavor far too low on this list, then we’ll see you in the comments. 

Here are 17 Mountain Dew flavors, ranked from worst to best.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Voltage

Mountain Dew Voltage

Walmart

Put this Mountain Dew flavor in a hummingbird feeder. This is so sweet it should not be consumed by humans! (Don’t actually feed it to hummingbirds; I’m not sure what they’re allowed to eat.) It’s supposed to be blue raspberry and citrus flavor, apparently, but there’s no tang whatsoever. Something had to be the worst flavor of Mountain Dew, and Mountain Dew Voltage is it. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

4/10

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Diet Mtn Dew

Diet Mountain Dew

Target

Diet Mountain Dew is so inferior to Mountain Dew Zero. I’m not even sure why Diet Mountain Dew exists. If you’re into this, I’m sure you have your reasons and you should keep drinking it. If you’re looking for a low-calorie Mountain Dew option that doesn’t taste strongly of artificial sweeteners, this is not the best Mountain Dew flavor for you. There’s a better one out there. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5/10

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Major Melon Zero

Mountain Dew Major Melon Zero

Walmart

This extremely pink Mountain Dew flavor purports to be “charged with watermelon,” which is pure gibberish. And while I appreciate that, it’s simply far too sweet to have more than one sip. It smells and tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, but it has that telltale fake sugar flavor at the finish. If you insist on drinking this watermelon Mountain Dew flavor, stick to the full sugar version. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

5/10

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Major Melon

Mountain Dew Major Melon

Instacart

Major Melon (though better than Mountain Dew Major Melon Zero) is way too sweet. The watermelon flavor is super artificial. There’s really no reason to buy this Mountain Dew flavor. There are way better versions of melon soft drinks out there. (We’re big fans of the Watermelon Lime Olipop.) — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

5.5/10

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Baja Blast Zero

Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero

Target

The original Mountain Dew Baja Blast is shockingly subtle in flavor (not a sentence I ever thought I’d write). It’s very sweet, yes, but it’s too nuanced to be turned into a diet soda. All Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero tastes like is generic diet soda. It’s sweet and bland. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5.5/10

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Frost Bite

Mountain Dew Frost Bite

Instacart

Mountain Dew Frost Bite is a forgettable Mountain Dew flavor. I had to go back to my notes multiple times just to remember what it tastes like. I have a good memory, especially when it comes to soda, so that’s saying something. It’s mostly just sweet (it’s supposed to taste like “cool melon”). It’s certainly not one of the best Mountain Dew flavors, but I do like the shark on the label! — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

5.5/10

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Thrashed Apple

Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple

Instacart

We’ve finally reached the start of the best Mountain Dew flavors—the ones we’ll willingly drink again. Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple actually tastes like a green apple! It’s super sweet, but it has a nice tartness that balances it out. I wouldn’t make this my everyday Mountain Dew flavor, but it is nice and definitely something you should reach for if you love green apples. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

6.5/10

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Mtn Dew Zero

Mountain Dew Zero

Target

Mountain Dew Zero is actually pretty good. Typically, I don’t like diet soda but I didn’t mind this. Make sure you buy Mountain Dew Zero (a lower calorie Mountain Dew that tastes similar to the real deal) and not Diet Mountain Dew (a gross drink that tastes like fake sweetener). — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7/10

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Code Red

Mountain Dew Code Red

Instacart

Mountain Dew Code Red is not for me, but I cannot deny that it’s good. I don’t typically like cherry, but this soda does cherry right. If a cherry hater can enjoy this, it has to be good! The cherry flavor is sweet, fruity, and refreshing. I get why so many people go hard for Mountain Dew Code Red! It’s up there with the best Mountain Dew flavors. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

7/10

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Point Break Punch

Baja Point Break Punch

Walmart

Dropped in March of 2024 as part of the 20th Bajaversary (a time we all remember fondly), this limited edition Baja Blast variant tastes extremely fruit punchy. Like, it essentially tastes like Red 40. You have to like that extra-sweet, faux fruit flavor. It was a fun temporary addition to the Baja line-up, but I wasn’t too sad to see it go and I won’t be hunting it down on the Mountain Dew Discords. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

VooDEW

Mountain Dew VooDEW (2024)

Walmart

Sporked Mountain Dew correspondent Tyler Bowers thinks this could be one of the best VooDEW flavors to date. It has a strong strawberry flavor, which Tyler likened to Strawberry Laffy Taffy or Strawberry Starbursts (the brand confirmed the mystery flavor was pink fruit candy). It’s sweet—very sweet—but it’s not saccharine. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Baja Blast

Mountain Dew Baja Blast

Target

I expected Mountain Dew Baja Blast to be a punch of flavor in my face. But it’s actually quite gentle, much like its beautiful, pale teal hue. It’s a hard flavor to pin down. It doesn’t taste like anything from nature. If pressed, I’d say it tastes like fruit punch, if said fruit punch were created by an alien who had never actually tasted fruit punch, but had someone describe it to him. One thing’s for sure: It’s very, very sweet. But it’s not as one note as Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero. There’s some acidity. Even though it’s not the best Mountain Dew flavor, it’s a welcome addition to the permanent in-store line-up.  — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

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Laguna Lemonade

Mountain Dew Baja Laguna Lemonade

Walmart

This limited time Baja Blast flavor was released alongside Baja Point Break Punch in March of 2024 in celebration of the 20th Bajaversary. And I really think they should bring it back as a permanent Mountain Dew flavor. It’s advertised as a mango lemonade flavor and it really tastes like mango. It’s tropical and, though it doesn’t taste like lemon, it does have some bright, zippy, orange soda-esque acidity. Bring it back! — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Spark Zero

Mountain Dew Spark Zero

Instacart

This Mountain Dew flavor is one of the best diet sodas I’ve ever had. It’s sweet and tart and a little sour. It is supposed to taste like raspberry lemonade and it actually does. So many of the new Mountain Dew flavors are way too sweet, but this one is just right. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Pitch Black

Mountain Dew Pitch Black

Instacart

This is one of the most beloved of all Mountain Dew flavors and I get it. Pitch Black is good! It was discontinued and then brought back because fans love it so much. It was formerly described as “Black Grape” but is now “Dark Citrus.” I don’t really know what either of these names mean, but I taste both grape and citrus in Pitch Black. I would happily drink a glass of this again. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Original

Mountain Dew Original

Target

Until our most recent Mountain Dew flavor taste test, we had the original Mountain Dew as the best Mountain Dew flavor. It’s so sweet and citrusy and refreshing. If you don’t like the original Mountain Dew, why are you even reading this list?! But there is a better Mountain Dew flavor out there… — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Purple Thunder

Mountain Dew Purple Thunder

Walmart

Originally launched as a Circle K exclusive, you can now get this purple Mountain Dew flavor at Kroger-owned stores. It’s purported to be a berry-plum flavor, though it tastes pretty grape-y to me. Whatever the actual flavor, it’s so good. It’s sweet, for sure, but it has enough acidity to balance out the sugar, which is often lacking in Mountain Dew flavors. And the color? It’s gorgeous. It’s a beautiful violet—not the color of anything you should put in your body but beautiful all the same. I know people are going to come after me, but this really is the best Mountain Dew flavor out there (until our next taste test of every Mountain Dew flavor, of course). — Justine Sterling 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post 17 Mountain Dew Flavors, Ranked appeared first on Sporked.

Across several taste tests,  we encountered two different types of dinner rolls: those that require baking and those that do not. Ready-to-bake dinner rolls are warm and comforting yet crusty, yeasty, and dense. Meanwhile, no-bake rolls are usually soft, squishy, sugary, and buttery. Both have their virtues. But, what broke through and rose above the rest of the best store bought dinner rolls to be named the best dinner rolls of them all? Read this list to find out the best dinner rolls for Thanksgiving (or any ol’ night).

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best for Dinner Party

Kirkland Artisan Rolls

Instacart

If you have guests to impress, these massive, striking, ciabatta-esque dinner rolls from Costco look and taste like something on display at a fancy bakery. They have a thick, sturdy crust that’s cut neatly down the middle (perfect for sticking a slab of garlic herb butter) and robust, tangy, sourdough bread quality that elevates them above your standard pack of store bought dinner rolls. Now, that said, Kirkland bakery products typically rank higher for us, but I found these to be pretty tough at room temperature, so make sure to warm them up. And be warned they don’t stand the test of time. Ours went bad in under four days. My family has bought these in the past for holiday hosting, so I know they make some of the best dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and other big gatherings all the same. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Sweet

Sam’s Choice Sweet Hawaiian Rolls

Walmart

Yes, there are other sweet rolls on this list. These are really sweet, though. One bite and you know you’re eating a sweet roll. But don’t worry—they’re not saccharine or dessert-y; they’re well balanced. Sam’s Choice Sweet Hawaiian Rolls are still a solid dinner choice. These would be so good with honey-baked ham. But once again, what wouldn’t these be good with? If you like the idea of some sweetness to counteract all the salty foods on your dinner plate, these are some of the best bread rolls to buy. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free

Against the Grain Gourmet Original Rolls Cheese Baked Recipe

Ralphs

Yes, for a gluten-free option, Against the Grain’s cheese-baked dinner rolls taste pretty good. But that’s not really the point. These stand out for being unique. Our editor-in-chief Justine Sterling likened them to the Brazilian cheese bread pão de queijo. The dough is stretchy, chewy, and a little bit cheesy. They aren’t the best dinner rolls to buy if you’re looking for something classic—but if you want a first course that’s interesting, a real conversation starter, we highly recommend them. (Also, make sure to eat them while they’re still warm! Otherwise, it becomes a little too obvious that you’re eating gluten-free bread.) —Ariana Losch

Read our full ranking of the best gluten free dinner rolls

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

8/10

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Best Already Buttered

King’s Hawaiian Savory Butter Rolls

Instacart

Walmart

These King’s Hawaiian savory butter rolls are high in saturated fat (8% per tiny roll!), and have less sugar than your average King’s Hawaiin sweet roll. For those reasons, they’re the best dinner rolls to eat totally plain. The smooth, fluffy, squishy texture is only further enhanced by the fatty, buttery quality of these no-bake rolls. You can eat these at room temperature or heat them briefly in the oven or microwave. No matter how you eat or heat them, they are undeniably delicious, no condiments, meats, sides, or butter needed. If you like your rolls to be infused with butter when you buy them, these are the best dinner rolls for you. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Brioche Rolls

Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche Butter Rolls

Instacart

Kroger

As soon as I opened this bag of brioche butter rolls from Nature’s Own, I didn’t even bother with the toaster oven. I just tore right in. Without being warmed, these are still incredibly tender and soft—not a cloudlike softness, since the dough is dense and substantial, but a squishy, buttery softness that’s quite filling and flavorful. Each roll carries a subtle brioche sweetness to balance the tangy wheat, calling for a spread of honey butter like a siren song. I know we’re ranking the best store bought dinner rolls here, but these would make the perfect buns for fried chicken sliders, too. Just sayin’. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best with Butter

Trader Joe’s Organic French Dinner Rolls

These organic French rolls from Trader Joe’s are soft, crusty, and savory. There’s a ciabatta vibe happening here that I really adore. These buns beg for some creamy, high-butterfat organic butter. The smooth, creamy decadence of the butter complements the fluffy-yet-crispy dinner roll. They’re some of the best store bought dinner rolls to load up with butter, especially if you’re a regular Trader Joe’s shopper. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Classic Dinner Rolls

Bridgford Parkerhouse Style Rolls

Instacart

Like our #1 best dinner rolls, you do have to prep these dinner rolls by letting them rise at room temp for a few hours. But good things come to those who wait, because these are pretty heavenly. They strike a great balance between buttery, mildly sweet, decadent yeast rolls and the more classic fluffy dinner rolls, giving the best of both worlds. They’re incredibly soft on the inside, with a thin, delicate crust on the outside that’s oddly satisfying to bite into. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Soft Roll

King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls

Instacart

Walmart

King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls are iconic. They’re just so damn sweet and soft but also wonderfully dense. The flavor is exceptional. A sweet roll is the perfect complement to all of the savory dishes we eat on Thanksgiving. What better way to balance out dark meat turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing? I personally don’t think that a Thanksgiving meal is complete without these store bought dinner rolls. That being said, these are the best soft dinner rolls to buy for literally any meal, any time of the year. —Danny Palumbo 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Frozen Yeast Rolls

Sister Schubert Yeast Rolls

Walmart

Like our #1 best dinner rolls, you do have to prep these dinner rolls by letting them rise at room temp for a few hours. But good things come to those who wait, because these are pretty heavenly. They strike a great balance between buttery, mildly sweet, decadent yeast rolls and the more classic fluffy dinner rolls, giving the best of both worlds. They’re incredibly soft on the inside, with a thin, delicate crust on the outside that’s oddly satisfying to bite into. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best for Italian Food

La Brea Take & Bake French Dinner Rolls

Amazon

These are  restaurant-quality, chewy, savory, yeasty French rolls. I love their outer crust; the difference in textures is flat out wonderful. A crusty exterior encases a delightfully fluffy and warm center. You could melt a full tablespoon of butter on one of these and indulge in the decadent simplicity. La Brea Bakery’s Take & Bake French Dinner rolls are soft and squishy with a great crust—something that’s hard to come by at the grocery store. They’re savory, salty, and, most of all, comforting. These are, without a doubt, among the best store bought dinner rolls. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Rhodes Thaw, Rise & Bake Dinner Rolls

Instacart

Walmart

Do you have to let these dinner rolls rise for three to five hours before you cook them? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes! They are not the simplest or easiest dinner rolls to snack on in a pinch, but they are absolutely wonderful for a big dinner or holiday where you’ll be cooking with a few hours notice. Once they rise, they cook up quickly. They are so doughy on the inside and have an incredible crust on the outside. Buy these as soon as possible, because these are the best dinner rolls ever. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Starter Bros. Garlic Rolls, Alfaro’s, Rhodes, Walmart Potato, Member’s Mark Yeast Rolls, Nature’s Own Butter Brioche, Signature Select Artisan Style, Dots Assorted Dinner Rolls, Whole Foods Market Brioche Dinner Rolls, Artesano Bakery Rolls

The post The 11 Best Dinner Rolls We’ve Ever Tasted appeared first on Sporked.

We here at Sporked have conducted not one, not two, but three separate taste tests to conclusively determine the best pie crust for any occasion—including gluten free pie crust, frozen pie crust, shortbread pie crust, and even mini pie crust. We prepared these crusts according to package instructions, but tried them all without any fillings so that we could get the best idea of how the crust stands on its own. 

The best pie crust should be flaky, buttery, and tender, but not so brittle that it can’t maintain its shape when it’s baked. Flavors and styles may vary, but in general we’re looking for pie crust that’s slightly sweet and not too overpowering. The best store bought pie crust lets the filling be the star.

So, go forth and put your time and energy into simmering filling, figuring out the lattice top, or ripping your kitchen to shreds trying to find the pie server. Here’s the best pie crust to buy at the grocery store for literally any occasion.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best for Meat Pies

365 Pre-Rolled Pie Crusts

Amazon

This pre-rolled crust (which you simply unroll and place into a pie tin) is delightfully crunchy, and it tastes like, well, nothing. Depending on what you want, this could be the perfect crust for you, but it would probably be best suited for one of those hefty, meaty pies that they make on Bake Off instead of a light and flaky dessert. Let’s just say this: Ron Swanson would like this crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

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Best Gluten Free Crust

Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust

Instacart

I’m a huge gluten free product endorser now. Everything that’s gluten free tends to have such a lovely, crispy, crunchy, satisfying texture. Wholly Wholesome’s gluten free pie crust is no different, and it is delightfully sugary. You get that crunchy, crystalized cane sugar effect, and the texture is crumbly, almost like a graham cracker crust. I eat a crap ton of gluten and I’m in love with this gluten free pie crust. The crust might be a bit too crumbly for some, but it’s the best pie crust for gluten free folks by a mile. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Nut Crust

Diamond Pecan Pie Crust

Instacart

All of Diamond’s premade pie crusts impressed the hell out of me with their variety of flavors, but the pecan pie crust hit hardest of them all. This store bought pie crust has phenomenal flavor—it’s nutty, buttery, salty, and deliciously sweet. When you cook it in the oven, the pecans unleash an extra layer of roasted flavor that’s simply delightful. Everybody who happened to walk by while this was in the oven mentioned how pleasant the smell was. I think this is the best pie crust for experimentation. Start with the pecan crust base, then work backwards from there. May I suggest pumpkin chiffon? — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Chocolate Crust

Oreo Pie Crust

Instacart

You can’t have an Oreo cream pie without an Oreo pie crust, and although this crust, in theory, limits you to making a very specific type of pie, I think that it’s so delicious that you could do other things with it, too. The chocolatey crust would be a great contrast for a banana cream pie or even a coconut cream pie. The pie shell is basic, but tastes just like the chocolate cookies in an Oreo. The Oreo pie is also a classic no-bake dessert and a symbol of convenience. And at Sporked, we love convenience. That’s why it’s the best pie crust for desserts that don’t require an oven—and the best chocolate pie crust we tried. — Danny Palumbo

Related: Every Oreo Flavor, Ranked

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Shortbread Crust

Keebler Shortbread Crust

Keebler

This buttery, delicious shortbread crust is a touch sweeter than the classic Lorna Doone cookie. It’s crunchy and left no aftertaste (unlike a lot of the others we tried). It’s certainly too sweet for a savory pie filling, but not nearly so sugary that it will bulldoze a dessert interior. That being said, it’s so tasty on its own that we just kept eating the crust, sans filling. If you’re making a pie with this, get two crusts—one for the pie and one to snack on. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Keebler

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Graham Crust

Keebler Graham Pie Crust

Instacart

This store bought pie crust ranks for its flavor, as well as its aesthetic. When it comes to a graham cracker pie crust, Keebler is a classic. Sure, you could pick the Kroger brand or the Great Value brand, and they do taste strikingly similar, but there’s just more joy in seeing those crafty little elves on the front of this package. I also think the flavor here is slightly better—it’s buttery and sweet, and the texture of the crust isn’t so crumbly that it falls apart. Trust the elves to make some of the best store bought pie crust, dammit! — Danny Palumbo

Related: The Best Graham Crackers We Found in a Taste Test

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best for Savory Pies

Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells

Instacart

This frozen pie crust has excellent structure and, as advertised, this thing is deep. You can make a huge pie with this. I love that the edges of the pie are perfectly crimped, giving it a homestyle aesthetic. The texture is good, too. This store bought pie crust is tender and flaky and good for pretty much any pie, but its size makes it the best pie crust for chicken pot pies. Fill it to the top. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Pre-Rolled

Pillsbury Refrigerated Rolled Pie Crusts

Instacart

This store bought pre-rolled pie crust bakes up golden and buttery and flaky. It’s like a croissant in that it’s rich and buttery without being greasy or heavy, and the salt level is perfect. This crust would live as happily with pumpkin custard as it would with spinach and goat cheese. If you’re imagining grandma’s pie cooling on the windowsill, this is the crust you’re imagining. Has your grandma been lying to you and just using Pillsbury? Maybe. But are you going to be mad about it? Nah, you’re too busy chowing down on some of the best pie crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crusts

Instacart

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crust is the best pie crust out there. This frozen pie crust comes ready to fill and bake. After cooking, it’s flaky, buttery, and crunchy. You could put any filling in it and be perfectly happy. Not only is this store bought pie crust delicious (and easy to use), but it also lives in the freezer, which makes it the best holiday hack to have on hand throughout the fall and winter. If you need a last minute dish for a potluck or you just want to make something nice for your family on an average weeknight, this is the best store bought pie crust for you.  — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other store bought pie crusts: Great Value Graham, Kroger Graham Cracker, Betty Crocker Graham Cracker, Honey Maid Graham Cracker, Diamond Pumpkin Pie Spice, Keebler Chocolate, Keebler Graham Minis, Wholly Wholesome Traditional, Favorite Day Graham, Signature Select Graham, MI-del Gluten Free Chocolate Snap Crust, Happy Belly Unroll and Bake Crusts, Great Value Ready to Bake

The post Best Pie Crust to Buy for Super Easy Baking appeared first on Sporked.

To keep your cocoa list current, the Sporked team ran a new, third taste test (oh, the horror!) to check out the latest hot cocoa mixes and find the best mix for hot chocolate out there. We used both hot water and milk to taste both versions of these hot chocolate mix brands. Here are our picks for the best hot chocolate mix on the market.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Fan Favorite

Land O Lakes Chocolate Supreme

Instacart

We were absolutely reamed by Sporked readers for not trying Land O Lakes hot chocolate mix in the first round of our hot cocoa mix taste test. So we made sure to try it in a follow-up taste test. And not just one Land O Lakes hot chocolate mix, all of them. Every single flavor. We thought they were good! It’s not the best hot chocolate mix (sorry!), but we like it. This Chocolate Supreme version is our favorite of the bunch. When made with milk, it’s rich and decently chocolatey. Land O Lakes isn’t just a butter company, people! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Value

Great Value Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Walmart

If hot cocoa isn’t a once-in-a-while treat for you but a regular, everyday beverage, then you should stock up on a few tubs of Walmart’s signature hot cocoa mix. It’s a solid, football game-style hot chocolate. (Those from the Northeast can sub “hockey game” in for “football game,” if that makes more sense.) It’s terrifically creamy, even without any milk or actual cream, and it is definitely sweet. You don’t get a ton of authentic chocolate flavor, but it’s cheap, there’s a lot of it, and it will scratch a hot cocoa itch, making it the best hot chocolate mix for daily consumption. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Minty

Great Value Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

Walmart

If you’re looking for a little extra holiday cheer in your mug, this Walmart hot chocolate mix gives you a tasty mint flavor that doesn’t overpower the chocolate, while also giving you nice, creamy consistency. And as it’s presented in a can instead of packets, you can decide just how much (or little) your portion is. Spoiler: We went with “a ton.” This is the best hot chocolate mix for the holiday season if plain chocolate just isn’t festive enough. — Jon Gutierrez

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Dark Chocolate

Swiss Miss Indulgent Collection Dark Chocolate 

Amazon

Kroger

This is the best hot chocolate mix to pick up if you want a more grown-up version of a childhood favorite, for sure. It’s dark and indulgent. It’s a little fancier—a little more upscale. It’s richer and feels like it’s really warming you up from the inside. It’s the type of hot chocolate you hold with both hands, just under your nose, breathing in the warm, sweet vapors before taking a sip. A cinematic hot chocolate. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Peanut Butter

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Shop Cocoa

Amazon

If you’ve ever tried a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and wished it was hot and liquidy, then this is the best mix for hot chocolate to make your dreams come true. It’s got a great, authentic-tasting peanut butter flavor, and the Hershey’s cocoa is strong enough to balance it out. The only downside is that the servings are kinda small, as they only make six ounces of drink per packet. Luckily, they give you eight packets per box. I went through the whole thing pretty quickly, almost as quickly as I can devour a pack of peanut butter cups. So, it’s definitely authentic! — Jon Gutierrez

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Flavored

Good & Gather Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix

Target

Good & Gather, aka Target, Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix is the best hot cocoa mix when it comes to unique flavors. Their salted caramel is so rich, salty, and decadent. It tastes like something you’d get at a local coffee shop. Good & Gather also sells hot chocolate mix flavors like double chocolate and peppermint, which are very good too. But for our money, this salted caramel hot chocolate is the way to go. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Budget

Trader Joe’s Organic Hot Cocoa Mix

Not only does Trader Joe’s cocoa have the best packaging but the beloved/cultish store also makes some of the best mix for hot chocolate. “It has a nice cocoa flavor,” said Sporked managing editor Gwynedd Stuart. “It’s sweet but not obnoxiously so.” It has a cocoa flavor that stays with you with a pleasantly bittersweet finish. It tastes like real chocolate and that makes it real good and nearly the best hot cocoa mix you can buy. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Nestle Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Instacart

There is no better hot cocoa mix out there than Nestle Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. It is truly the best hot chocolate mix you can buy nationwide at the grocery store. It is so rich and creamy and chocolatey. Even when made with water, it tastes like it was made with whole milk. That makes it a great accessible and money-saving option. But it wouldn’t matter if you were the richest person in the world! This is still the best hot cocoa mix that we would recommend to you because it really is that good. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other hot chocolate mixes we tried: Treat Life, Starbucks Classic, Swiss Miss Lucky Charms, Nestle, Select, Beaumont, Swiss Miss, 365 Organic Hot Cocoa, Beaumont, Good & Gather (all flavors), Land O Lakes (all flavors), Nestle, Numi Drinking Chocolate, Signature Select, Sprouts, Starbucks Classic, Swiss Miss (Lucky Charms, no sugar added, non-dairy, reduced calorie, regular and white chocolate), Treat Life, Kroger Dutch Hot Cocoa Mix Milk Chocolate

The post Best Hot Chocolate Mix [Updated!] appeared first on Sporked.

We’ve taste tested everything from gluten free pasta (good) to gluten free bread (hit or miss at best). After our most recent gluten free cookies taste test, we can confidently say that cookies are among the best gluten free products you can buy at the grocery store. There are tons of options, and unlike gluten free bread, most gluten free cookies have a texture and consistency that approximates cookies made with regular ol’ wheat flour. Whether you’re a celiac, gluten sensitive, or just experimenting with cutting gluten out of your diet, these are the best gluten free cookies you can buy.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Gluten Free Cookie Dough

Immaculate Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk

Amazon

This place-and-bake cookie dough made our ranking of the best chocolate chip cookie dough, and not just because we wanted to include a gluten free option. This gluten free chocolate chip cookie dough rules. The pre-portioned pieces of dough puff up a lot in the oven, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they’re every bit as moist and chewy as their non-gluten-free counterparts. We also love how absolutely packed with chocolate chips these are. If you want the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies hot and fresh out of the oven, buy this dough! —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Crunchy

Glutino Super Stuffed Chocolate Vanilla Cream Cookies

Amazon

The thing I like about these Glutino Super Stuffed Chocolate Vanilla Cream Cookies is that they don’t taste like Oreos, even though they look just like Oreos. Like all the Glutino products I’ve tried, these have a great crispy texture. To my mind, these are the best gluten free cookies for people who wish Oreo had an extra-toasty option like Cheez-It does. They’re crunchier and a little more flavorful. I wouldn’t necessarily choose these gluten free cookies over gluten free Oreos (which you’ll find in the #2 spot), but these are good gluten free cookies that do their own thing. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Soft

Enjoy Life Foods Snickerdoodle Soft Baked Cookies

Walmart

When we set out to find the best store bought gluten free cookies, we picked up Enjoy Life cookies in a few flavors. Honestly, most of them were bad. These gluten free cookies, on the other hand, are absolutely delicious. They are so soft and moist without being spongy like a lot of gluten free baked goods. They taste like real snickerdoodles. We’ve already established that the best gluten free cookies taste like they could plausibly contain gluten, but these honestly taste like they could be homemade! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Chocolate

Goodie Girl Fudge Striped Crunchy Oat Flour Cookies

Walmart

Goodie Girl makes some of the best gluten free cookies. If you grab a box of any of their gluten free treats, you’ll likely be satisfied. These fudge striped crunchy oat flour cookies are the best they have to offer, though. They taste like Keebler cookies but a little more oat-y. That didn’t upset us though! The oat complements the chocolate. I would never know these are gluten free, and that’s why they’re some of the best gluten free cookies we tried. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Simple Mills Nut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies

Amazon

When we taste tested peanut butter cookies, something crazy happened: These gluten free cookies tasted the best of them all. So yeah, these are the best gluten free peanut butter cookies, but they’re also the best peanut butter cookies, period. Wild, right? If you try them, you’ll get it. They’re salty and sweet, tender and crumbly—they genuinely taste better than Nutter Butters. Once in a while, the best gluten free cookies are even better than the best gluten full cookies, and this is an example. —Gwynedd Stuart 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Texture

Tate’s Ginger Zinger Gluten Free Cookies

Vons

I really freaked out about Tate’s gluten free cookies. If you think about it, Tate’s are the perfect cookies to go GF—the best thing about them is that they’re crumbly and buttery, and taking out the gluten doesn’t change that.  Like other Tate’s cookies, these Ginger Zingers are crispy-crunchy, but they have a surprise in store: chewy bits of real candied ginger. The ginger isn’t super spicy, but it has an excellent earthy flavor—and the added texture is just a total dang treat. GF cookies can often have a slightly strange aftertaste, but these pretty much only have ginger on the finish and that’s a good thing. I am not GF and I would buy these again; that’s how I know they’re some of the best gluten free cookies. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Vons

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Non-GF Dupe

Double Stuf Gluten Free Oreos

Target

Double Stuf Gluten Free Oreos are an almost identical counterpart to regular Double Stuf Oreos. It’s shocking! I can’t believe they make such a good gluten-less product. I don’t know if I could pick out a regular Oreo in a side-by-side taste test with this gluten free version. I think the original is a little less forgiving, but the extra filling of the Double Stuf disguises any hint that gluten free flavor the cookie component might have. If I couldn’t have gluten, I would always have these in my pantry. They’re the best gluten free cookies to dunk in a big ol’ glass of milk (or almond milk if you don’t do well with dairy either). —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Tate’s Bake Shop Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Target

If you like Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, you’ll like these because they taste almost exactly the same as the original. I don’t think I’ve ever had a gluten free product that tastes so much like the real deal. These are crunchy, sweet, and chocolatey. I typically prefer a soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie, but these gluten free Tate’s cookies have me hooked. They are easily the best gluten free cookies and the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies, too. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Great Value Vanilla Flavored Gluten-free Creme Sandwich Cookies, Goodie Girl Mint Cookies, Goodie Girl S’mores Sandwich Cookies, Enjoy Life Foods Double Chocolate Brownie Soft Baked Cookies, Glutino, Made Good Chocolate Chips Cookies, Made Good Snickerdoodle Cookies, Favorite Day Chocolate Chip Cookies, Partake Chocolate Chip Cookies

The post The Best Gluten Free Cookies at the Grocery Store (Cookie Dough, Too) appeared first on Sporked.

As we continue to update our best mayonnaise ranking, we check for new products (you know, like Kraft’s Dill Pickle Mayo), flavors we haven’t had the chance to try, brands we’ve missed, and of course, any suggestions we receive from you, the reader. As it turns out, people have a lot of passion for this fairly basic but (truly essential) condiment. We totally get it—we won’t name names, but some of us on the Sporked team put the best mayonnaise brands above all other condiments.   
So, what do we look for in the best tasting mayo? We’re glad you asked. For the most part, we think it should have a nice, custardy texture. It shouldn’t seem too oily (yes, we’re fully aware that mayonnaise is an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, and acid, but it should taste like oil). The texture of a mayonnaise is paramount. It should be viscous but not gelatinous. Moreover, mayonnaise should have great flavor. We looked for salt, acidity, and a little umami. Lastly, mayonnaise shouldn’t be too sweet. And before you ask, yeah, we tasted Miracle Whip.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Truff Black Truffle Infused Mayonnaise

Amazon

Best Splurge

This is one to savor. The intense, earthy truffle flavor vaults this mayonnaise into fancy territory, but it’s subtle enough that you can use it for just about anything. Put it in potato salad or chicken salad, slather it on a sandwich, or, hell, use it as a dip for chips. People love to hate on truffle oil, but you know what? The flavor just works in mayo; this stuff is pungent and rich with truffle flavor. Plus, this splurge isn’t too splurge-y. It’s nice without totally breaking the bank. Needless to say this is the best truffle mayo we tried, but it deserves to be named among the best mayonnaise regardless. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for Tex Mex

McCormick Mayo with Lime Juice

Walmart

This lime-infused mayo from McCormick combines a thicker, Kewpie-esque texture with a bright lime juice flavor. The lime is zingy without being too acidic or sour—it’s very balanced and, thanks to the hint of red pepper, pretty nuanced, too. If you want to experiment with different condiments for New American or Tex Mex dishes, this is one of the best mayos you can buy. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for Everything

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

I recently got turned on to Blue Plate, and it absolutely rules. It has a sharp, tart bite like Duke’s (which you’ll find in the #3 spot) and it’s a bit more eggy. To us, this is a happy marriage of Hellmann’s and Duke’s. It’s not the best mayonnaise, but it’s definitely up there! Blue Plate is a stellar mayo that’s great to keep around. I like to combine it with Hunt’s ketchup to make a tangy and savory special sauce for burgers or fries. Man, the South just does mayo right. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for Pickle Lovers

Kraft Pickle Mayonnaise Dressing

Walmart

Love it or hate it, the pickle-flavored-foods trend doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. And if that means we get more products like Kraft Pickle Mayo, well, we’re all for it. Sporked writer Jessica Block calls this tangy, garlicky mayo the “the perfect blend of burger sauce and tzatziki,” and as the current owner of this condiment (I took this bad boy home from work), I wholeheartedly agree. It has a fresh cucumber finish, bits of dill pickle, and a great balance of flavors that doesn’t overdo anything. In my opinion, it’s the best mayonnaise for a tuna melt—but I’m very open to other suggestions, too. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Light Mayonnaise

Kraft Light Mayo

Walmart

If you’d asked me a few days ago what I thought about Kraft mayo, I would’ve had literally nothing to say. I forgot Kraft even made mayonnaise. And while their regular mayo is good, their light mayo is one of the best mayos on the market. It has the exact same texture as regular, full-fat mayo, and I don’t know how they do it. The flavor is rich and super tangy. We were all huge fans of this mayo in the Sporked office, and I will be purchasing this again in the future. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Vegan

Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Original Vegenaise

Walmart

Follow Your Heart rarely misses. Most of the products we’ve tried from this vegan brand, from cheeses to salad dressings, have been sensational. When it comes to the very best Follow Your Heart products, their Original Vegenaise is at the top of that list. It’s creamy, rich, and has a slight twang. This plant-based mayo is nearly indistinguishable from egg-based mayo. If you follow a plant-based diet or have an egg allergy, this is the best vegan mayo you can buy. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Chipotle Mayo

McCormick Chipotle Mayo

Instacart

This McCormick Chipotle Mayonnaise tastes homemade. There’s not a weird chemical or citric acid taste. The flavor is pure mayonnaise, garlic, and smoky chipotle peppers in adobo. If you made tuna, chicken, or egg salad with this, your head would explode, but this would also be delicious on a turkey avocado sandwich. I brought this home from work because I plan to put it on everything. I absolutely adore this chipotle mayo. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Umami

Kewpie Mayonnaise

Amazon

Target

The taste of Kewpie is certainly striking. This classic Japanese mayonnaise tastes like cold hollandaise sauce  because of the strong egg flavor. There’s also a hint of sweetness and a slight tang. Kewpie is like a smooth, spreadable egg salad. We would eat it all by itself on some white bread—how many condiments can you do that with? As far as I know, it’s the only mayonnaise to add MSG. I applaud that. Kewpie is great with sandwiches, french fries, sushi, salads, and so much more. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Spicy Mayo

Acid League Spicy Serrano Mayo

Acid League

Acid League’s Spicy Serrano Mayo even surpassed Sporked’s beloved Mayoracha in our spicy mayo ranking—and let me tell you, that’s no easy feat. But this carefully crafted spicy mayo carries the distinct flavor of serrano pepper. It’s tangy, citrusy, and extra creamy. The acidity, zest, and medium heat leaves a special impression that’s also versatile to use, without alienating those more sensitive to spice. We really recommend this for sushi, tacos, and fried fish sandwiches. (Perhaps… a fried sushi sandwich?) It’s pricey, but the best mayo is worth it. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Acid League

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Flavor

Duke’s Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

Amazon

I freaking love Duke’s. Duke’s is what homemade mayo should taste like. It’s just got such a lovely, sharp, citrusy bite. Duke’s actually tastes like citrus was used to make it, much like a homemade mayonnaise. Plus, it’s got a touch of paprika. It tastes like a fresh aioli. The only downside is that the texture is a bit too slick. It feels kind of oily, whereas Hellmann’s (our number one pick, spoiler) has that nice eggy consistency. The way I see it: Hellmann’s has better texture, whereas Duke’s has better flavor. Still, it’s among the best mayo on the market. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Sriracha Mayo

Heinz Mayoracha

Walmart

I wouldn’t normally buy something like this and I certainly didn’t expect for it to rank so high on our list of the best mayonnaise. The name is corny, and why do I need a company to premix mayo and sriracha for me? Realistically, I don’t. However, this tastes awesome. It’s great quality mayo mixed with the most delicious sriracha to give you a product that is creamy, spicy, garlicky, and just plain wonderful. I’d never bought this before, but I will buy this in the future to put on sandwiches, sushi, rice bowls, and more. I love it! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of The Best

Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise

Walmart

Amazon

This was tough, but I stick by the choice. Hellmann’s (not Best Foods) is the best mayonnaise. It is triumphantly decadent—eggy, rich, and flavorful. Mythical Chef and town madman Josh Scherer described it as “eggy pudding.” That’s because it’s the mayonnaise that most resembles a custard, and it’s jam-packed with flavorful fat. This savory mayo has less acidic bite than say, Duke’s, but the texture is indisputably excellent. Hellmann’s is less citrusy than some other mayos, but it’s still perfectly tart, with an accessible flavor to please the masses. That means you can use it for just about everything (see: cupcakes). Most of all, it feels like a human being made this mayonnaise in a kitchen with a whisk, not a robot in a factory. To us, that’s incredible. Hellmann’s reigns supreme as the best mayonnaise you can buy. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Best Foods Real Mayonnaise, Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, Great Value Mayo, Kraft Real Mayo, Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, First Street Real Mayonnaise, Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise, Sprouts Organic Mayonnaise, Boar’s Head Real Mayonnaise, Trader Joe’s Organic Mayonnaise, Stokes Real Mayonnaise, Nando’s Perinaise, Light Great Value, Best Foods Light, Sir Kensington Chipotle, Hellman’s Spicy, Sir Kensington Sriracha Mayo, Kikoman Sriracha Mayo, Lee Kum Kee Sriracha Mayo, Hellman’s Light, Best Foods Tajin Chili Lime Mayonnaise Dressing

The post We Ranked the Best Mayonnaise Brands appeared first on Sporked.

Blue cheese dressing is big with the Sporked team. Can you blame us? We love flavor. Obviously, we love it for wings and salads and wraps. But have you considered…blue cheese as a sauce for steak? Or a burger? Or roasted Brussels sprouts? A dip for your charcuterie board? To be honest, there isn’t much we wouldn’t at least consider putting the best blue cheese dressing on. We’re obsessed with the stuff. 

For this taste test, we were looking for blue cheese dressing with the perfect blend of creamy richness and sharp blue cheese tang, without any artificial aftertaste. A top-tier blue cheese dressing should have bits of real blue cheese for added texture, a balanced level of salt, and that unmistakable, crave-worthy funkiness that doesn’t overwhelm. Sadly, some store-bought options come with a strange chemical tang that gives blue cheese a bad name. If you think you’re not a fan, grab one of the best store bought blue cheese dressings below and give it a fair shot—you might just find your new obsession!

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Dairy Free

Follow Your Heart Vegan Bleu Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Pavilions

This doesn’t really taste like blue cheese dressing, but I don’t care because it tastes delicious! Follow Your Heart Bleu Cheese Dressing is definitely the best vegan blue cheese dressing we tried. It’s honestly the only acceptable store bought vegan blue cheese dressing out there. It’s super garlicky, herby, and creamy. If I didn’t eat dairy, I would be more than pleased to douse a salad in this dressing. To be honest, I didn’t even realize vegan blue cheese was a thing. Follow Your Heart made it a thing—and a very good thing at that. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Budget

Happy Belly Blue Cheese Dressing

Amazon

Sometimes, Amazon’s Happy Belly products just check all the right boxes, for the right price. (In this case, $1.43 a bottle.) Too many pricier products underperformed on flavor, but this blue cheese dressing delivers a strong, tangy blue cheese bite that doesn’t dissipate into the ether as you chew, with noticeable blue cheese bits to keep things interesting. Don’t bother with the fancy stuff. If you want the best blue cheese dressing to keep pizza-and-wing nights cheap, Happy Belly’s got your back. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Smooth

Kraft Roka Blue Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Instacart

No, I don’t know what the “Roka” means in Kraft’s “Roka” Blue Cheese Dressing. I suspect it’s a shorthand for Roquefort, a type of blue cheese made from sheep’s milk. (But I can’t find confirmation of that on the label, so who knows!) At the very least, I can tell you what it tastes like: a smooth, brightly tangy dressing that may be sparse in the way of blue cheese bits, but definitely packs a strong flavor. If you’re looking for a thinner, creamier dressing with a noticeable vinegar kick for your salads, this is one of the best blue cheese dressings you can buy. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Shelf Stable

Ken’s Steak House Chef’s Reserve Blue Cheese with Gorgonzola Dressing

Walmart

If you’re looking for a tangier, funkier blue cheese, this is your blue cheese! It’s made with gorgonzola, so you get that real gorgonzola funk. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I also love that it’s super affordable and it’s shelf stable until you open it. This is also the only Ken’s blue cheese dressing I’d recommend. Blue cheese dressing is not their thing, but this version is the exception. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best for Crudités

Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Walmart

Instacart

Marie’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip is the best blue cheese dressing we tried if you’re looking for something to put on a crudité platter. It’s definitely the best blue cheese dressing for dipping veggies because it’s thick and mild. Yes, I know it’s traditional to have ranch dressing on a crudité platter, but I don’t care! By adding blue cheese dressing, it’s like a crudité platter and a cheese board had a baby. Doesn’t that sound nice? —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Pavilions

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Kraft

Kraft Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

Walmart

Instacart

Kraft really surprised me in this ranking. They may not make the absolute best blue cheese dressings we’ve ever tried, but both versions (Roka and Chunky) still had me eating them straight off the spoon like a psych ward escapee. Few brands won’t actually deliver a lingering, bold, funky blue cheese flavor—like they’re too afraid it will offend my taste buds. Offend my taste buds, damn it! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Unique

Briannas Home Style Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing

Instacart

Sprouts

If you want a blue cheese dressing that isn’t blue cheese dressing, try Briannas. It’s more of a blue cheese vinaigrette than a blue cheese dressing. It’s light and tangy and even has a little sweetness. I don’t know if it’s just the packaging, but this comes off as fancy. I feel like this bottle of dressing is absolutely begging to be drizzled over a fall harvest salad with candied nuts, kale, and pomegranate seeds. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for a Lunch Salad

Whole Foods 365 Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Whole Foods

Amazon

Whole Foods 365 Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip is the perfect version of a mild blue cheese dressing. It’s not too thick. It’s not too thin. It’s flavorful without being intense. I would call this “the people’s blue cheese.” This is the best blue cheese dressing for anyone who wants a salad that isn’t a big, decadent, bacon-covered wedge. Use this dressing to top a light, delicious lunch salad and then go on with your day. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Whole Foods

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best for Wings

Marzetti Signature Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Instacart

Target

Marzetti is a cult favorite when it comes to salad dressing. People really ride hard for this brand. We get it. It’s one of the best blue cheese dressing brands we tried (and their ranch dressing kind of slaps, too). This dressing is very mild and would be a huge crowd-pleaser with people who are on the fence about blue cheese dressing. My favorite aspect of this dressing is that it’s extremely thick. Because of that, I’m calling this the best blue cheese dressing for wings. This would cling to a wing like nobody’s business. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best for a Wedge

Toby’s Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip

Instacart

Amazon

Toby’s is a family-owned company cranking out some of the best blue cheese dressing on the market. To me, it’s almost like ranch dressing meets blue cheese (and I mean that as a compliment). It’s chunky and funky like blue cheese, but super herby like ranch. And if you’re looking for chunks, this blue cheese dressing has ‘em. I was shocked by how many bottles of blue cheese dressing were completely chunkless. Not Toby’s! While it would be good on anything, I want to put this blue cheese dressing on a wedge. I don’t know who Toby is, but I know that I love them. If you like texture, this is the best chunky blue cheese dressing you can buy. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Bob’s Famous Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing & Dip

Walmart

Amazon

Kroger

I go to Bob’s Big Boy with my dad regularly for a very early morning breakfast. Because I’m normally there at 6 a.m., I had never had their blue cheese dressing. Luckily, they package it and sell it at the grocery store. And, (big) boy, am I glad they do! This is the best blue cheese dressing out there. It is so rich and creamy and thick. It has both big and small chunks of blue cheese and huge pieces of freshly cracked peppercorns. As flavorful as it is, it’s still mild enough to not overwhelm wings or a salad. Plus, the packaging is so dang cute! I took this home and have been on a huge blue cheese dressing kick ever since this taste test. This is for sure the best blue cheese dressing you can buy at the grocery store. —Jordan Myrick 

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Trader Joe’s Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip, Wishbone Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Ken’s Steak House Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Bolthouse Farms Chunky Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing & Dip, Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese, Litehouse Original Blue Cheese, Cindy’s Blue Cheese, Walden Farms Blue Cheese Salad Dressing, Daiya Blue Cheeze Dressing, Tuscan Garden Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Great Value Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip, Hellmann’s Salad Dressing Salad Bar Bottle Blue Cheese

The post The Best Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranked Funky to Fresh appeared first on Sporked.

Making mashed potatoes can be a real production. You have to boil and peel some industrial-sized bag of spuds, give yourself tennis elbow mashing them all, and then add enough butter, cream, and salt to murder your entire family—and, honestly, 90% of the time they’re still kind of bland and lumpy. But, wow, can you even imagine the reaction if a bowl of them didn’t land on the table for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas dinner? Mashed potato mutiny.

A lot of home cooks don’t want to hear this, but instant mashed potatoes are good. They’re smooth. They’re creamy—especially if you add plenty of milk and butter. And they’re extremely easy to make. Many of the best instant potatoes on this list—like Idahoan mashed potatoes—only call for boiling water. 

Over the course of many taste tests, we’ve dug our sporks into dozens of  bowls of instant mashed potatoes and came up with this list of the absolute best. Don’t let a judgey in-law keep you from spending your potato-making time in better ways. Just make the best instant mashed potatoes. (P.S. If you don’t like instant mashed potatoes but still don’t wanna bust out the masher, we’ve also ranked the best microwave mashed potatoes and the best frozen mashed potatoes.)

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best with Cream Sauce

Idahoan Butter & Herb

Walmart

One thing you never want mashed potatoes to taste like is dried herbs…which really isn’t a problem here, because you can’t really taste them, anyway. But that’s okay! These Idahoan mashed potatoes are still buttery, salty, a little garlicky, and lightly seasoned with parsley. Really, there isn’t much to complain about. I paired them with a seared salmon filet coated in an herb and garlic cream sauce, and they were perfect. No doctoring needed. Side note: If you glance at the rest of this ranking, you’ll notice that Idahoan is pretty hard to beat. When it comes to instant mashed potato brands, they really are top tier—and you don’t even need milk or butter. Incredible, if you ask me. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Blank Slate

Idaho Spuds Classic Mashed Potatoes

Walmart

Instacart

Plain, boxed mashed potatoes and bags of unseasoned potato flakes abound at the grocery store, but not all of them manage to taste all that much like potato. The spuds inside this mind-blowing bargain of a box (seriously, 18 servings for around two bucks?!) need salt and probably a little more butter than the cooking instructions call for, but they’re a great blank canvas for gravy, roasted garlic, sour cream, or other mix-ins. One taste tester called them “as potato-y as mashed potatoes can get.” If you’re on the hunt for the best boxed mashed potatoes that come in a big ol’ box you can keep in the pantry, buy these. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Rustic

Idahoan Baby Reds

Walmart

Target

Lots of instant mashed potato flakes require water, butter, and milk to become food anyone would want to eat. Not Idahoan mashed potatoes. These magical packets of dehydrated potato flakes are good to go (and genuinely tasty) with just boiling water. We love that Idahoan Baby Reds have real potato skins in the mix. I think a lot of people could be fooled into thinking these were really mashed baby red potatoes, and that’s what makes them some of the best instant mashed potatoes money can buy. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Garlic

Betty Crocker Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Walmart

Ralphs

These instant mashed potatoes by Betty Crocker are decadent, buttery, and nicely salted. There’s a deeply satisfying, fresh-out-the-oven roasted garlic flavor that permeates every bite. Unlike Idahoan instant potatoes, Betty Crocker does require adding milk and butter to your potato prep. That can be good or bad, depending on how rich you like it! I personally threw some Kerrygold butter and nonfat milk in there, and they turned out beautifully. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Sour Cream & Chives

Idahoan Sour Cream & Chives Mashed Potatoes

Walmart

Sour cream and chives are my weakness, so I really had to put my bias aside to judge these Idahoan mashed potatoes impartially. The thick, creamy consistency blends perfectly with the tangy richness of the sour cream, while the chives add a subtle bite of fresh onion flavor. Because Idahoan potatoes come out quite rich and concentrated, this is not the stuff to buy if you’re only so-so about the sour cream and onion flavor from the get go. You’ve been warned! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for Cooking

Idahoan Chicken Broth

Walmart

Instacart

These sound boring, but they’re actually really interesting! Of all the instant mashed potatoes we tasted, these are the savoriest. These would be good with pretty much any meal, as long as you’re not serving vegetarians. Add some extra water to these, and they’d make a quick, easy, and tasty potato soup. They’re versatile, and that’s what makes them some of the best instant mashed potatoes out there. Who knew chicken broth was what instant mashed potatoes needed? —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Cheesy

Idahoan Monterey Pepper Jack

Walmart

Instacart

These are the best instant mashed potatoes if you love cheese. Not only are these the creamy, cheesy, rich mashed potatoes of your dreams, they also have a wonderful kick from the pepper in the pepperjack. I don’t know what I was expecting from these instant potatoes, but I certainly didn’t think they’d be this delicious. Obviously they’d be great on their own or as a bed for some fried chicken, but I also want to make a taco-inspired cottage pie and top it with these lightly spiced mashed potatoes. Idahoan mashed potatoes are reliably delicious, but these are the best. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Betty Crocker Creamy Butter

Walmart

When it comes to convenience foods, Betty Crocker truly does it all—cake mixes, brownie mixes, Suddenly Salad, which I wholeheartedly love and recommend—but she doesn’t get nearly enough credit for her potato products. These instant mashed potatoes are smooth, flavorful, and incredibly creamy. . They’re also packed with flavor and don’t need additional seasoning to land on the dinner table (although we’d never discourage you from dousing your instant potatoes in gravy). These are the best instant mashed potatoes —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried:
Idahoan Cheddar & Sour Cream, Idahoan Vermont White Cheddar, Idahoan Wisconsin Cheddar, Idahoan Smoky Cheese & Bacon, Idahoan Four Cheese, Idahoan Applewood Smoked Bacon, Idahoan Loaded, Chef’s Cupboard Roasted Garlic, Chef’s Cupboard Four Cheese, Idahoan Hidden Valley Ranch, Signature Select Mashed Potatoes, Sprouts Organic Mashed Potatoes Garlic, Great Value Mashed Instant Potatoes, Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes, Kroger Instant Mashed Potatoes, First Street Instant Mashed Potatoes, 365 Instant Mashed Potatoes, Betty Crocker Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Amazon Fresh Boxed Mashed Potatoes, Bob’s Red Mill Instant Mashed Potato Flakes, Haddar Instant Mashed

The post The Best Instant Mashed Potatoes So You Can Ditch Your Masher! appeared first on Sporked.

We’ve tried a lot of coffee creamer over the course of several taste tests. We’ve taste tested vanilla coffee creamer (perf for at-home vanilla lattes), hazelnut coffee creamer (for people who want their morning coffee to taste like Ferrero-Rocher), and sweet cream coffee creamer (the best neutral coffee creamer, for people who don’t like flavored coffee), along with loads of others. What we have here is a roundup of all the best of the best tasting coffee creamer at the grocery store. Kick your cowboy ways and join the sweet side.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Sugar Free Coffee Creamer

Nutpods Almond + Coconut Toasted Marshmallow

Target

Walmart

Okay, some people want creamy coffee that isn’t necessarily sweet coffee. Sure, you could just add some regular cream or oat milk, but if you’re looking for the best neutral coffee creamer with just a hint of flavor, you should try Nutpods Toasted Marshmallow. The creamer is made with a very luscious blend of almond and coconut milks, and it has a subtle marshmallow flavor that hints at sweetness without actually being sweet. This creamer is totally unsweetened—no sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Just creamy plant-based milks and a kiss of flavor. We didn’t expect that the best sugar free coffee creamer would be totally unsweetened, but we really fell for this stuff. —Gwynedd Stuart

Read the full ranking of the best sugar free coffee creamer

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Non Dairy Coffee Creamer

Simple Truth Oatmilk Non-Dairy Creamer Sweet Creme

Affiliate

We love a sweet cream coffee creamer (we’ll get to more of those in a bit), but a lot of them are made with real milk and cream, or, at the very least, some milk solids that keep them from being totally dairy free. If you love sweet cream but don’t do dairy, this is the best coffee creamer to seek out (Simple Truth is a proprietary brand at Kroger-owned grocery stores, FYI). It’s sweet but not too sweet and, miraculously, tastes a lot like real dairy. Plus, “creme” just sounds so fancy, doesn’t it?  —Gwynedd Stuart

Read the full ranking of the best non dairy creamer

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Kroger

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Instacart

Walmart

This recommendation isn’t good all year long, but when fall rolls around, keep an eye out for Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer, aka the best coffee creamer for people who love a good PSL but don’t want to go broke getting one at the coffee shop every day. It’s thick, creamy, and the pumpkin spice is nicely balanced. This one earned the endorsement of the most fervent pumpkin spice skeptic on the Sporked team, and that’s saying something! —Gwynedd Stuart

Read the full ranking of the best pumpkin spice coffee creamer

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Mocha Coffee Creamer

Coffee-mate Cafe Mocha Creamer

Walmart

Coffee-mate’s Cafe Mocha is the best rendition of a chocolate-flavored creamer we’ve tried. It has a rich milk chocolate taste that perfectly complements coffee. Some of the other mocha creamers we tried tasted like a Hershey’s bar, but this creamer tastes like a Cadbury bar. Both are good, but this one feels a little fancier and a little higher quality. This is the best coffee creamer for mochas at home. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Hazelnut Coffee Creamer

Califia Farms Hazelnut Almond Milk Coffee Creamer

Instacart

The best hazelnut coffee creamer we tried in our hazelnut coffee creamer taste test just happens to be non dairy, and that’s a big win for vegans and the lactose intolerant alike. I know what you’re thinking: Almond milk creamer just isn’t thick enough. Trust us, this is, plus the subtle almond flavor blends nicely with the hazelnut flavor profile. —Gwynedd Stuart

Read the full ranking of the best hazelnut coffee creamer

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Caramel Coffee Creamer

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Creamer

Instacart

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato Creamer makes coffee taste a lot like a Caramel Macchiato you’d get at Starbucks. Iykyk. And if you’ve never had a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, let me tell you, that they are delicious. They’re super sweet, but the richness of the caramel complements the coffee without overpowering it. I’m not even a coffee fan and I can acknowledge that caramel macchiatos are tasty. If you need your Starbucks fix on a budget, this is the best creamer to buy. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Real Milk & Cream Vanilla

Affiliate

Coffee-mate’s Natural Bliss creamers are really good. They’re made with real milk and cream and you can tell from the consistency and flavor. And unlike so many vanilla creamers, this one tastes like sweet, creamy ice cream rather than bitter, astringent vanilla extract. It’s very genuine tasting. Vanilla has to be one of the best neutral coffee creamer flavors, and this is the best vanilla you can buy. —Gwynedd Stuart

Read the full ranking of the best vanilla coffee creamer

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best (Runner-Up)

Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Sweet Cream

Target

This creamer took the number two spot in our ranking of the best sweet cream coffee creamer, but it deserves a spot on this list because it was a real fight to the finish between this and Chobani Sweet Cream, the best coffee creamer we’ve tried in multiple taste tests. If you like your coffee creamy and sweet, but not flavored, pick up either of these. You’re in good hands. —Gwynedd Stuart 

Read the full ranking of the best sweet cream coffee creamer

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Chobani Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer

Instacart

Ralphs

Chobani Sweet Cream Creamer is the crème de la crème of coffee creamers. It’s creamy but it isn’t heavy. It’s perfectly sweet (as long as you like your coffee pretty sweet). The rich dairy flavor is unbeatable. It really lets coffee shine. So many of the creamers we tried are oil-based, but this is dairy-based and you can absolutely tell. This would even be good in tea (Gwynedd says she loves this in a good cup of English Breakfast). Chobani Sweet Cream Creamer is truly a 10/10. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: 365 Hazelnut Creamer, Friendly Farms Hazelnut Creamer, Coffee mate Original Creamer, Coffee mate French Vanilla Creamer, Coffee mate Natural Bliss Coffee Creamer, International Delight Hazelnut Creamer, International Delight French Vanilla Creamer, International Delight Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer, International Delight Coffee Zero Sugar Caramel Macchiato Creamer, Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Creamer, Trader Joe’s Classic Creamer, Trader Joe’s Mocha Creamer, Trader Joe’s Hazelnut Creamer, Trader Joe’s Caramel Creamer, Trader Joe’s Vanilla Creamer, International Delight Hazelnut Coffee Creamer, Starbucks Hazelnut Latte Non-Dairy Creamer, Great Value Hazelnut Non-dairy Coffee Creamer, Walden Farms Coffee Creamer Hazelnut, Happy Belly Non-Dairy Hazelnut Coffee Creamer, Sprouts Organic Hazelnut Creamer, Silk Toasted Hazelnut Almond Creamer, International Delight Sweet & Creamy, Silk Sweet & Creamy, Coffee-mate Zero Sugar Italian Sweet Cream, Great Value Italian Sweet Cream, Barrissimo Italian Sweet Cream

The post All the Best Coffee Creamer: French Vanilla, Sweet Cream, Hazelnut, and More appeared first on Sporked.

The last time we tasted and ranked sugar cookies, the best sugar cookies we tried were from the bakery at a small California chain of grocery stores, which we recognize isn’t helpful for people who live elsewhere. For our second sugar cookie taste test, we focused on national brands, as well bakery cookies from grocery chains with a national footprint. Even if you’re a chocolate chip cookie diehard like some folks on the Sporked team, we’re here to report that some store bought sugar cookies are really dang good! Here are all the best store bought sugar cookies—the best frosted sugar cookies, too.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best Flavored Sugar Cookies

Pepperidge Farm Ojai Lemon Sugar Cookies

Walmart

Pepperidge Farm does make plain sugar cookies (they’re called Zurich), but they’re basically impossible to find. Please, if you see Pepperidge Farm sugar cookies at your local grocery store, send them to us! Thanks! Anyway, these store bought sugar cookies are flavored, yes, but that makes them the best sugar cookies if you can’t get past the notion that sugar cookies are too plain. Pepperidge Farm Ojai cookies are very chewy and soft, but they don’t taste like preservatives. I swear, some soft baked/soft batch cookies taste like dang Play-Doh. These do not. They are nice, soft sugar cookies with a citrusy zing. Don’t get me wrong: These do not taste homemade, but I can guarantee that they do not taste like Doh. I would definitely buy these again, along with a box of the best Earl Grey tea to dunk them in. —Gwynedd Stuart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Frosted

Favorite Day Frosted Sugar Cookies

Target

Even the best frosted sugar cookies are controversial. Some people think they taste like weird sandy paste in your mouth. Some people (like me) agree, but also think that’s a good thing. These frosted sugar cookies from Target have such an interesting flavor and texture, almost like a forbidden food. They’re dense and coat the inside of your mouth in the most unusual way. And when it comes to weirdly delicious frosted sugar cookies, Target makes the best ones. They don’t taste chemically, like some of the other grocery store sugar cookies we tried. If you enjoy this genre of sugar cookie, you will love these! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Crunchy Sugar Cookies

Eleni’s Pink Sugar

Instacart

If you like Tate’s (maker of our favorite chocolate chip cookies) and are as aghast as I am that they don’t have a regular ol’ sugar cookie, then give these store bought sugar cookies a shot. They’re crispy but light, and, like Tate’s, they taste very buttery. I love the pink sprinkles, because they contribute some additional crunchy texture and they look cute. I do think the butter tastes a little funky on the finish, but it’s not a deal breaker. What I like the most about these is that they actually have a touch of salt, which so many grocery store sugar cookies lack. These are the best sugar cookies for dunking. Eat one with your morning coffee as a little treat. —Gwynedd Stuart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Sugary

Amazon Fresh Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Amazon

In both of our sugar cookie taste tests, we tried a lot of very similar looking grocery store sugar cookies in clear plastic clamshell containers, but these Amazon Fresh cookies stood out for a few reasons. For one thing, they’re covered in a layer of sugar crystals—they’re literally sugar cookies, but somehow they aren’t obnoxiously sweet. Also, they were a touch underbaked, which gave them a slightly squishy center and nice chew throughout. My colleague Justine Sterling said she’d be happy to eat a whole cookie—which is saying a lot when you’re trying a dozen sugar cookies during a sugar cookie taste test. —Gwynedd Stuart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Classic

Ralphs Bakery Fresh Goodness Sugar Cookies

Ralphs

If you’re looking for a plain and simple sugar cookie, Kroger-owned grocery stores (here in Los Angeles, we have Ralphs) absolutely ace the classic sugar cookie. These are perfectly chewy and sweet. The sandy-chewy texture really sets these apart, even though they don’t have sprinkles. The next time you’re looking for the best sugar cookies, especially when it comes to texture, head to the bakery section at the Kroger-owned grocery store in your area. They’re pretty darn good. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Albertsons Sugar Sprinkle Cookies

Albertsons

As we previously mentioned, the best sugar cookies we found in our last taste test were from the bakery in a small California grocery chain, so we wanted to find something more accessible. When it comes to grocery store sugar cookies, bakery cookies are best, and if you happen to have an Albertsons-owned grocery store in your area (they’re in 34 states, currently), these sugar cookies are worth trying. These aren’t exactly bursting with flavor, but they’re just a littttttle bit citrusy, and it really livens up the overall flavor profile. They’re chewy but a little bit crumbly, too. I’d still consider them soft-baked cookies. They taste like an authentic baked good, which other store bought cookies tend to struggle with, especially the ones from the cookie aisle rather than the bakery. Plus, the sprinkles are lovely. They add texture, a little extra sweetness, and they look festive as all get out. At our store, they went with a pink, yellow, red, and purple color palette that’s very pleasing, but keep an eye out for seasonal colorways, too. —Gwynedd Stuart

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Sprouts Sugar Cookies, Kroger Frosted Sugar Cookies, Signature Select Frosted Sugar Cookies, Walmart Freshness Guaranteed Frosted Sugar Cookies, Walmart Freshness Guaranteed Sandwich Cookies, Walmart Freshness Guaranteed Sprinkled Sugar Cookies, Amazon Frosted Soft Cookies, Bakery Fresh Mini Sugar Cookies, Freshness Guaranteed Plain Sugar Cookies, Lazy Acres Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

The post The 6 Best Sugar Cookies from the Grocery Store appeared first on Sporked.

Best Party Decor

Green Apple Petri Dish Gummy Candy

Target

Some Target Halloween candy is for your pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat bowl, while other Target Halloween candy is better suited to become freaky party decor. These petri dish gummy candies fall in the purely decorative category. These eerily life-like gummy eyes sit in a petri dish of green apple slime. I stuck a fork in the eye and pulled it right out. It was gruesome. I loved it. The eyeball itself isn’t super flavorful, but it’s still pretty sour (a sentence I never thought I’d write). The edible slime of the petri dish “agar”(you know, the gel that fills the glass) has a boldly tart and sour green apple flavor that’s actually quite yummy. And gross. The perfect combo for spooky season, if you ask me. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Gumballs

Strawberry Eyeball Gumballs

Target

If gummy eyes in a slime petri dish just aren’t doing it for you, but your costume party still demands disembodied eyeballs in some format, this jar of Strawberry Eyeball Gumballs should do the trick. For only $4, these gumballs have a pleasant strawberry flavor you can taste on the first bite—and they don’t look cheap, either. One thing I’m beginning to appreciate about the Favorite Day brand is their attention to detail. These are creepy, stylized, and would complete any mad scientist costume. Even if you’re just browsing the Halloween candy at Target, you’ll notice them right away! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Candy Corn

Favorite Day Harvest Candy Mix

Target

Okay, moving on from gouged-out eyeballs. It’s not Brach’s, but you really can’t go wrong with this Harvest Candy Corn from the Favorite Day brand. This Target Halloween candy corn mix comes in a plentiful tub, with festive fall colors and crumbly creme pumpkins. Favorite Day candy corn isn’t as chewy as Brach’s candy corn—every bite crumbles easily in your mouth, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your candy corn preferences. But they have a beautiful, light sugary sweetness that candy corn fans will definitely appreciate. Put these out in a pretty, fall-themed bowl, and you’ll have a nice autumn aesthetic going for your home. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Pumpkin Spice

Favorite Day Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Creme Sandwich Cookies

Target

Target Halloween candy can (and should) include cookies, too. And let me tell you, these cute jack-o’-lantern sandwich cookies are a huge win for our gluten-free ghouls and gals. When I tried them, I had absolutely no idea they were gluten-free cookies until I read the box—you really can’t tell, flavor- or texture-wise. They have a crisp gingersnap quality and bright, nuanced, cinnamony pumpkin spice flavor with every bite. I wish the orange creme went all the way to the edge of the cookies for aesthetic reasons, but that’s really my only critique. I will personally be snacking on these all through the fall! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Candy Dupe

Dracula’s Dessert Soft & Chewy Trick or Treat Filled Straws

Target

Targhouls will be happy to see this fan-favorite Target Halloween candy returning to shelves once again this year.  Since these are an exact dupe for SweeTARTS Ropes, it’s hard not to love them. They come individually wrapped in pairs. And each rope is a combo flavor: watermelon-blueberry, strawberry-lime, or orange-pineapple. They’re sweet-tart Twizzler-like tubes filled with sweet cream. They sound weird, but they’re delicious! They’re the perfect treat to give out on Halloween or stash in an October lunchbox. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Halloween Cookie

Scare Squad Frosted Cookies

Target

We were incredibly impressed by these adorable ghost-shaped cookies from the Favorite Day brand. They’re sugar cookies with a firm, snappy crunch and a lovely hint of citrus from the thin frosted coating. Talk about demure, mindful, and spooky. Are they candy? No. But they are covered in sprinkles, and sprinkles are candy, so we’re going with it. Surprisingly, they’re some of the best rainbow sprinkles I’ve ever tasted on a cookie; they have an extra firm and crisp texture, adding a supremely satisfying crunch to every bite. Seriously, I’m obsessed. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Strawberry Flavored Gummy Brains

Target

Last year, we not only named these Strawberry Flavored Gummy Brains the best gummy Halloween candy at Target, but the best Halloween gummy candy out there, period. Not only are these pretty creepy and cool to look at, but they taste so yummy, you’ll find yourself saying “braaaains” in a deep, monotone voice as you stick your hand in the bag.  The strawberry flavor is just enough. The top of the gummy is jelly-like, while the bottom is more firm. Two different textures in one gummy is so fun! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Other Products We Tried: Happy Haunting Mini Candy Bar Variety Pack, Skeleton Sweets White Chocolaty Cotton Candy Flavored Bars, Monster Mash Filled Gumballs, Mummy Melts Cotton Candy, Fruity Flavored Gummy Fingers, Strawberry Filled Gummy Eyes, Favorite Day Sour Gummy Worms, Green Apple Cotton Candy with Popping Candy, Favorite Day Cherry Cotton Candy, Frightful Fingers Gummy Dippers, Favorite Day Jack-o’-Lantern Sandwich Cookies, Favorite Day Sour Candy Slime, Favorite Day Apple Caramels, Favorite Day Mixed Berry Sour Gummy Insects

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