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There Was No Problem Drinking Quik Cookies ‘N Cream Slowly

Rick Bonino Food Editor

As you may recall, the Nestle Quik bunny of TV ad fame (not to be confused with that drum-beating battery rabbit) has a hangup. He can’t drink his Quik slowly; he has to slurp it down.

But there wasn’t a whole lot of slurping going on when we served members of The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel the latest Quik flavor, Cookies ‘n Cream.

While panelists allowed that kids would probably like the stuff (particularly if it’s made with more milk fat than the 1 percent we used), some were turned off by the purplish color (“like dirty concrete,” said one). And although Nestle claims “consumers will think they are actually drinking cookies,” you don’t get many chocolate bits until you hit the bottom of the glass - unless you guzzle it in a single gulp, perhaps.

Nestle Quik Cookies ‘n Cream Price: $2.29 for 13 ounces.

Nutrition: 220 calories (23 percent fat calories); 190 milligrams sodium in 3 tablespoons mixed with 8 ounces low-fat milk.

Taste: ***

Value: ***

Comments: “In a 1 percent milk base it was quite watery … I think the ‘cookies’ idea is a flop - thick, rich chocolate milk is my preference.” - Madilyn Hutchison Foco.

“Chocolate flavor is heavier on the bottom - the ‘particles’ sink fairly quickly. Good flavor, not bitter. Regular Quik has more chocolate flavor.” - Sandy Davidson.

With those big bakery cinnamon rolls all the rage these days, Pillsbury decided to get in the gooey going with its Grands! Sweet Rolls - a larger (3-inch diameter) version of its regular refrigerated, ready-to-bake rolls, in cinnamon and caramel flavors.

Panel members sampled the cinnamon version and found it doughy but basically decent, although they suggested adding some nuts and raisins on top (not to mention more icing).

Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls

Price: $2.79 for 16.9 ounces (5 rolls).

Nutrition: 310 calories (29 percent fat calories); 700 milligrams sodium per roll.

Taste: ****

Value: ***

Comments: “Pretty good for a canned roll! A bit doughy.” - Sandi Kessler.

“Kind of tasteless dough, but good texture. Great icing. Could be a little more cinnamony, but not bad.” - Helen Span.

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared in a test kitchen according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared in a test kitchen according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.