Though there’s little reason for me to be buying candy with the huge stockpile I have from the All Candy Expo, I couldn’t help but stop at the 7-11 on Friday on my way home from work. That’s when I spotted these two marshmallow limited edition items: Marshmallow Take 5 and Marshmallow Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
In the Marshmallow Take 5, the marshmallow replaces the caramel that’s normally found in there. Hershey’s has been mucking around with the Take 5 in these limited editions for a while, but none of the newer versions have been very satisfying in my opinion and this one is no different.
The bar smells wonderfully sweet and peanutty, but upon biting into it, it becomes freakishly fake tasting with a strong vanillin component. The peanut butter holds its own and the salty pretzel gives a welcome crunchy component but it still can’t drown out the sickly sweet marshmallow.
The thing I noticed about both of these bars is that the marshmallow isn’t fluffy like I’m used to with the Campfire kind. It’s rather latexy but very smooth.
(See other Take 5 reviews: Take 5, Take 5 White Chocolate, Take 5 Cookie & Take 5 Peanut Butter.)
The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with Marshmallow was similar to the Take 5 in that it smelled and looked normal until you bit into it. Then there was a bit of flowing and slick marshmallow at the bottom of the cup, similar to the new Reese’s Caramel cup.
I found eating the first cup that I didn’t really like how overwhelming the marshmallow was to the texture of the crumbly peanut butter center. So for the second one I turned it over, so that the peanut butter layer hit my tongue first. Much better, but still, the sweetness of the marshmallow gave me a sore throat and didn’t really add anything to the experience.
I’m wondering, however, what a candy cup with caramel at the bottom and then flowing marshmallow (like a See’s Scotchmallow) might go over. Joanna at SugarSavvy.net also reviewed them yesterday.
(See other Reese’s reviews: Reese’s full line, Easter Eggs, Snack Barz, Nutrageous, Reese’s Sticks, Fast Break, Reese’s Cookies, White Chocolate Reese’s & Reese’s Bars.)
In the mean time, I hope Hershey’s has gotten the impulse to add marshmallows to everything out of their system.
I’ve liked a couple of the limited editions of the Take 5 (chocolate cookie comes to mind) but I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to try this one. For some reason, marshmallow and peanut butter just isn’t working in my mind.
The marshmallow peanut butter cup sounds like it would be like a chocolate coated fluffernutter. If I see one, I’ll have to try it. I love fluff and peanut butter and would be curious to see how this marshmallow compares ot fluff Maybe Hershey’s should pair up with the Fluff people and come up with something.
I love marshmallow, but it shouldn’t really be messed around too much. Personally, if a marshmallow is going to be “dressed” (that is doing something that isn’t leaving it alone or simply toasting it), then a chocolate coating or wafer is the only way to go. I find it doesn’t really work if it’s mashed with tons of other textures/flavours, it just becomes an indistinguishable chewy bit.
Those australian bars like Perky Nana and Pollywaffle have the right idea.
Nice photography again, you obviously have very nice teeth, lol.
Hi, Cybele,
I just found your site. What a cool idea for a blog! Growing up in a small town in New Jersey, I was lucky enough to have a father who owned a candy store. Not fancy stuff, but candy bars, etc. But a huge selection! I could reminisce with you about some really great stuff. Anyway, just wanted to say ‘hi’.
Gah, it frustrates me no end that they keep making these limited editions of the Take 5. I personally agree with the internet ads- I think it just might be the most perfect candy bar ever, as far as I am concerned. Putting fake peanut butter coating on it, taking out the salty pretzel, adding marshmallow…so unnecessary.
whew, I hadn’t been to candyblog in quite awhile so I’m a bit overwhelmed just looking at all the new candy reviews! I think I saw those Reese’s Marshmallow cups somewhere and was considering it, but I ended up not getting it. Funny how you ate it upside down to get to the peanut butter flavor first.
Sounds totally ick. Both of them. Especially since I LOVE the original versions so much.
im sad you rated the marshmallow take 5 so low.
I’d rather that they left Take 5 alone for now. I think that the regular one is one of the few new candy bars of the last few years to be worth it, and they shouldn’t dilute its market when it’s not established well yet.
Marshmallows in packaged items usually become so odd that I don’t care for them. Lucky Charms, instant cocoa, circus peanuts, Moon Pies, and so on are all bad marshmallows. Real s’mores are okay, though. Russell Stover’s halloween orange marshmallow pumpkins used to be one of my favorites, but I’m boycotting them for now as they closed their plant here.
Next they’ll be putting Jam/Jelly into a Reeses! When will the maddness stop!
I don’t see why they have the mess with an already perfect candy.
Raspberry jam in a Reese’s would be fantastic. Much better than most of the crappy limited edition bars. Raspberry jam, and dark chocolate. Now that’d be great.
Alex - I thought the cookie one was interesting, but the thing I like about the Take 5 is the hit of salt, which seemed to be missing there (and with this one).
g - I think I’d be happier if it was fluffier marshmallow in there - to add that texture to it as well.
GTO - yeah, simplicity is best with marshmallows - I think it can tolerate being teamed with two other flavors/textures.
Rhea - I’m jealous! I would have loved to have a family member in the biz.
K & Nicole & Dave - I guess they don’t know a good thing until they’ve tried all the other variations - but I suppose they don’t have to show us their math.
Bryan - I can’t take credit for the upside down idea, someone suggested that a couple of months ago with the Caramel Reese’s cups.
Sera - I know you’re kidding, but now that I think about it, Dave might be onto something there. Of course it would only work if it were good jam, not some cheapo concord grape.
I miss See’s. Scotch Mallow was one of my favorites along with coconut buttercream and California Brittle. Like you, I love the original take 5( here in canada, its called Max 5, dont know why). Anyway, they just stop messing around with it.
I saw a marshmallow Reeses a couple of weeks back and passed on it now I’m crying! I want one I want one! I haven’t seen the marshamllow Take5 at all.
I actually kind of like the added marshmallow flavor. I hope they continue to make this kind.
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