Ivins' Spiced Mini Cremes

Ivins' Spiced Mini Cremes are a hidden gem in the grocery aisle. That is, if you can find them. They are the love children of a ginger snap and an Oreo (or Hydrox, if you prefer). Their special spiced wafers bear a certain resemblance to ginger snaps, but transcend them in almost every way (darker, spicier, molassesier and, well, better). They come in a mouth-pleasing bite size, and the cookie is better than any other hard cookie on the market, be it chocolate, vanilla, or ginger flavored. The creme is more than passable, and I would choose Ivins' Spiced Mini Cremes over any package of Oreos or non-cream ginger snaps. They're just perfect. They're especially good with an iced coffee!

This is a classic example, however, of demand exceeding supply. The most frustrating aspect is the fact that they are so good yet,

1) They're not available year-round. Why are spice flavored products only available in autumn? Are you telling me that people wouldn't eat these at any time of the year? Oreos are enjoyed year-round, so why not these?
2) They're not available outside the Philadelphia area, apparently. I've read lengthy lamentations bemoaning the fact that they cannot be found in most areas of the US. Much like the beloved Tastykake, they seem to have a very loyal local following and could probably do alright branching out to a wider audience.
3) Even regionally, they're difficult to find. I was able to find this brand, which is the best of all the regional ginger snap producers, at only one store in the area (Acme). Acme, unfortunately, happens to be one of my least favorite stores to shop in. And, of course, Acme doesn't even keep them in the cookie aisle. My local store had a display that they kept moving all around the place so I had to go on a scavenger hunt every single time I looked for them. Sometimes, I was unsuccessful and couldn't find them. To make matters worse, the workers sometimes didn't even know where the display moved to! (Typical Acme..)
4) They don't have an acceptable website for consumers. I think that people would be more than willing to buy them directly from the company online, but that doesn't seem to be an option.

When I managed to find them at Acme, I paid $2.00 for a box. That's a great value for the best of the 'Spice and Molasses' cookie options, and these mini cremes are indeed even better than regular spice cookies. Still, I wish that Ivins' Spiced Mini Cremes were sold in more stores and for a longer period of time!

What I Should Have Bought: A couple more boxes to get me through the long, hard summer months.

From The Vaults: Figamajigs

[Note: I originally penned this review two years ago and never returned to post it. I have a few never published reviews that I'm going to post here before I start posting anything new. Clearing out the vaults, so to speak. Many of these older posts might have special 2010 notes at the end indicating any additional comments I would like to make on the product.]

I love figs and I love Raisinets, so how could this be bad?

After reading all about Figamajigs, I have been dreaming of finding them in a store. The reviews on candy websites have all been enthusiastic and exceedingly positive. When I finally discovered that Target sells them, I immediately went to get a package (or two). I found the individual-sized packets in the health and pharmacy area (near the energy bars), and I loaded down my basket with the little packets and hurried home to sample them.

The Figamajig is a bite-size capsule of real fig covered in a dark chocolate. The dark chocolate is similar to the waxy Raisinet chocolate in that it doesn't really melt in your mouth. The fig texture I know and love exists, but there really isn't a strong enough fig flavor.

After my high anticipation, I was a bit disappointed. At about $1.00 per serving, Raisinets are a better deal and are just as satisfying. Fig lovers like me would do better with a package of dried figs. At least you would be able to guarantee a fig flavor and texture as well as all of the health benefits.

What I Should Have Bought: One package of dried figs would have been tastier and would also have made more sense financially. I won't be purchasing Figamajigs again.