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Warm Delights Morning treats not a breakfast hit

By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com(509) 459-5446

Save your breakfast money for doughnuts or bananas.

The Spokesman-Review reader food panel members agreed it would be a shame to waste it on Betty Crocker Warm Delights Morning treats. Their reactions to the little cakes were lukewarm at best.

Tasters gave the Blueberry Vanilla Chip Muffin three stars for flavor, while the Glazed Caramel Coffee Cake eked out a two-star rating. (That’s ‘fair’ and ‘poor,’ respectively on our five-star scale.)

“This smelled great, but was lacking in taste, eye appeal and (in) the flavor department,” said Nancy Robinson.

Andy Hoye wasn’t impressed either, calling the cakes “marginal goop. Too sweet and too much work.”

To bake the mini cakes, cooks need to mix a bit of water into the batter in the enclosed dishes, squeeze a packet of flavoring over the top and zap the bowls in the microwave for a few seconds. The cakes come out warm and smelling delicious.

Larry Inman thought the Blueberry Vanilla Chip Muffin was the best of the two Delights offered. “Better flavor but texture is still not good. It’s like a pancake bred with a muffin,” he said.

Lindi Messenger liked the cake in the muffin mix better than the coffee cake. “I couldn’t really tell what the white chips were,” she said. “It seems overpriced for the amount of servings and servings per box.”

Each package contains two single-serve treats for $2.50. Each cake contains 130 to 140 calories and 3 or 4 grams of fat.

Warm Delights Morning, Glazed Caramel Coffee Cake

Price: $2.50 per 2.8-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 130 calories, 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 19 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 24 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 250 milligrams sodium.

Taste: ••

Value: ••

Comments: “Breakfast? Tastes like a dessert. Like an overgrown pancake with thick maple syrup.” – Lindi Messenger

“A sticky bun in a bowl.” – Marilyn Moore

“Smells wonderful, but lacks taste and has a bad texture.” – Larry Inman

Warm Delights Morning, Blueberry Vanilla Chip

Price: $2.50 per 2.8-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 140 calories, 4 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated, 26 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 24 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, less than 1 gram dietary fiber, 90 milligrams sodium.

Taste: •••

Value: •• ½ stars

Comments: “Where’s the texture? Smells better than it tastes.” – Vicki Deschaine

“The syrup is better in this one. This was almost inedible, but was redeemed by the syrup. Kids might like these.” – Nancy Robinson

“Spongy papier-mâché mush-goo … no flavor.” – Andy Hoye

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared 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 from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.