Hershey’s Butterbeer Kisses Review
Author’s note: I have no affiliation with Hershey’s, Costco, Harry Potter, or Chuck Norris. These are my own weird little unpaid opinions. Enjoy.
If Chuck Norris was a butterscotch.
Welp. These Butterbeer Kisses taste like butterscotch. Which is fine. I like butterscotch.
The flavor is very “warm.” Like a hug of sunshine, but in an alternate universe where the sun might give you diabetes. Caramel on steroids. It’s a strong flavor that shuts off brain activity to all other thoughts, while eating. The Chuck Norris version of butterscotch. In fact, it has a rich aroma that I can smell from several feet away. It persists on my fingers after eating. I like this smell, so I don’t mind.
Texture
If you’ve had the butterscotch-flavored baking morsels (basically the red-headed version of “chocolate chips”), then you have a pretty good idea what the outer shell tastes like. It’s a similar “confectionary coating.” Not quite “white chocolate” texture, but an inbred cousin. Holds a firm shape, but melts lusciously while eating.
Where’s the Butter? Where’s the Beer?
I am not sure if there was supposed to be a “beer” flavor to transcend the butterscotch. But I only taste butterscotch. And maybe “vanilla.” I do appreciate the little salty tickle. (Beware: only salt is allowed to tickle me.)
Sugary creme filling
Speaking of that, I think these Butterbeer Kisses would be pretty sad without the little eruption of vanilla-cream filling. Maybe this is where the “butter” in the “butterbeer” is supposed to lurk.
If you were hoping for a truffle-like filling — perhaps akin to a Lindt truffle — then you’ll be disappointed. It’s more of a soft sugar paste. Tastes like thick icing to me. Soft fondant? Very sweet. But still a nice flavor break from the butterscotch coating. More nuanced that a solid block of butterscotch.
Super sweet
Because these are such sugary candies, the tiny size feels “just right.” I pretty much only want one at a time. Maybe two. OKayyyy, three. (*hides the wrappers before anyone can count.*)
Wrapper aesthetics
I think you’d have to be a die-hard Harry Potter fan (and have excellent near-vision) to appreciate the wrappers. I read the books in college (5 billion years ago), and at this point, these designs are “ho-hum.” There are cauldrons and beer steins, flying owls (?), and stars. And maybe a Golden Snitch. The tiny icons are tricky to make out.
Ingredients in Hershey’s Butterbeer Kisses
I have a bone to pick with the ingredients. There is not a single good reason on God’s green earth why I need artificial colors here. I don’t need Yellow 5 Lake, or Blue 2 Lake, or even Yellow 6 Lake. Shhhhtaaaahhhhp! (The only “lake” I want is in my backyard. And I can’t afford the real estate taxes on that. Hmmph.)
Anyway. Here are the full ingredients. Read them and weep (or just sniffle a little):
- Sugar
- Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Shea Oil, Sunflower Oil and/or Safflower Oil)
- Skim Milk
- Corn Syrup Solids
- Lactose (Milk)
- Whey (Milk)
- Contains 2% or less of: Lecithin (Soy), Natural & Artificial Flavor, Artificial Color (Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake), PGPR, Salt.
What’s PGPR, precious? Welp, it’s an emulsifier that potentially allows chocolate-makers use less cocoa butter to create a similar texture. Here’s an interesting article from Chowhound on Hershey’s use of PGPR in their confections.
Nutrition Facts
A serving is 7 pieces and contains 170 calories. You get 10 grams of fat (6 grams saturated fat) and 2 grams protein. There are 20 grams total carbohydrates, of which 19 grams are sugars (15 grams are “added sugars”) and 0 grams are fiber. You get a teeny bit of sodium, with 2% your daily value, and 0mg cholesterol. There’s 4% your daily value of calcium, and 2% your daily value of potassium. Um, thanks?
Price and Servings
This giant 46 ounce sack of kisses was originally $18.99 at my local Costco. But, I got mine on clearance for $9.97. Average things come to those who wait?
Anyway. Since there are 228 kisses in this sack (41 servings), each serving would cost 46 cents at the regular price. Per kiss, that is 8 cents. Cheapest kissing booth on the block!
Shelf Life
The “best by” date on my package allowed approximately 6 months to consume. Still, I stored mine in the refrigerator for maximum lifespan. I live in Florida, and it’s 81 degrees in my house at the moment. (It would be cooler if there was a lake in my backyard. Tsk.)
Dramatic Conclusion
The “Butterbeer” flavor is a fun departure from typical Hershey’s chocolate kisses varieties. But the ingredients are unfortunate. While the flavor is tasty (and wields Chuck-Norris-level strength!), I’d prefer them with less sugar.
For butterscotch lovers: they taste like butterscotch. So. Love them. I guess.
The Awesome-o-Meter rates these Butterbeer Kisses a “Maybe.”
The End.
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