Reader Food Panel: Muffins get Ultimate praise

These muffins must be good.

Spokesman-Review food panel tasters pointed out that the new Pillsbury Ultimate Muffins we served at a recent meeting had passed their “best if used by” date. (I’d bought the mixes a few months earlier and stashed them in the cupboard for a future food panel meeting, and then forgotten about them.)

But the panel still awarded the Caramel Apple Streusel Muffins and Chocolate Fudge Chocolate Chip muffins four and four and a half stars, respectively.

Taster Andy Hoye liked his Chocolate Fudge Chocolate Chip muffin so much he launched into a public relations pitch for Pillsbury. “Buy these today!” he said.

Larry Inman threatened to storm the kitchen for more dessert after he’d polished off his muffins. “Very good. Very rich. Very filling. Even a glutton like me could probably only eat three!” he said.

The desserts come with muffin mix and filling packet, and some have a streusel topping. There is no need for a mixer, but milk, oil and eggs must be added to the batter.

There were very few complaints about the muffins. Marilyn Moore said she didn’t recognize the small treat at first. “I guess I’m used to those giant ones the bakeries make,” she said. (Actually, the mixes come with instructions for making the jumbo muffins found at many bakeries.)

Nancy Robinson included a warning in her review of the muffins, saying the hot-from-the-oven desserts should be kept out of the hands of children. But I think she was just feigning alarm so parents will have an excuse to keep the dessert for themselves. “Very, very good,” she said. “Warm and gooey… Indulge yourself and sit outside on the deck in the sun and enjoy these.”

The muffins are also sold in Blueberry Streusel flavor.

Pillsbury Ultimate Muffins, Caramel Apple Streusel

Price: $2.99 per 19.6-ounce box mix

Nutrition per muffin: 270 calories, 12 grams fat (2.8 grams saturated, 40 percent fat calories), 2.5 gram protein, 38 grams carbohydrate, 36 milligrams cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 220 milligrams sodium.

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Comments: “Both of these muffins are the perfect size for a sweet after dinner. Just one, though.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Sticky, gooey, hot goodness. The outer layer is delicious too – crispy and brown.” – Tina Johnson

“This would be a great breakfast treat. No one said muffins had to be healthy.” – Peggy Kazanis

“Tastes like a coffeecake muffin with warm apple cinnamon filling. Aside from the lack of apples these are a nice treat.” – Skip Hubbard

Pillsbury Ultimate Muffins, Chocolate Fudge Chocolate Chip

Price: $2.99 per 19.6-ounce box mix

Nutrition per serving: 270 calories, 13 grams fat (4 grams saturated, 43 percent fat calories), 3.5 grams protein, 35 grams carbohydrate, 36 milligrams cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 220 milligrams sodium.

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Comments: “Tastes like molten chocolate cake. Very good chocolate.” – Marcia Oranen

“Crunchy muffin top with warm chocolate goodness! Muffins are generally a breakfast food, but this is more like a decadent dessert.” – Skip Hubbard

“Great. Hot molten chocolate center.” – Tina Johnson