There are a few food blogs I read regularly, and a few I check in with once or twice a week. One of the blogs I check on the less frequently side is "Wrapped in Dough." It's not that I like it any less than my "regular" blogs... I just never think to bookmark it, so I usually run across it on Food Porn Watch and remember to check in. Boy, was I glad I did yesterday.
On Sunday, Astrid (I have so totally loved that name since reading "White Oleander!") posted about "beanie popsicles." An attention-grabbing title, no? It certainly got mine! She's spending a few months in China, teaching English, and discovered these treats "in the wilting Jiujiang humidity the other day." Check out the entry. She almost made me wish we had bean popsicles in this country... almost. But what really jumped out at me from this entry was the passing mention of Jell-O Pudding Pops. Now, I'm not afraid to admit that I have lamented about their disappearance from grocery store shelves for years. In fact, Kevin and I often daydream about their return. I'm pretty sure we had one such conversation just last week!
Imagine my surprise when I clicked on this link in Astrid's post...
They're baa-ack! When did that happen?!? And how did I not know?!? Someone's not properly utilizing his advertising budget!
Now we do the Dance of Joy (bonus points to anyone who can tell me where that came from!).
I clicked on the "where to buy it" button to see if they are available in my area, since I hadn't noticed them at my favorite grocery store (probably because I don't exactly spend a lot of time in the "frozen novelties" aisle...). They are not, in fact, stocked at my store. They are, however, carried by the competitor. The evil competitor. The store I go to about three times a year, because they carry one or two things I can't get at my store, but I always have such a hideous experience at that store that I live without those items for long periods of time until I forget how much I hate the place, go back, and have another hideous experience. Today was no exception. For whatever reason, the skeeziest people in greater Bangor shop there, and the employees, I think, all have negative IQs. Pardon my superiority complex, but I'm sure you'd be equally horrified if you went to said store. It just transcends description. I think that The Food Whore (I highly recommend her blog, by the way -- clever writing fueled by a crazy catering schedule and a dry, sarcastic sense of humor) would have a lifetime supply of diary entries if she shopped at this store! But I braved said store today for the love of Kevin and Jell-O Pudding Pops. He doesn't know they're back, and will be home tomorrow & Friday, so I wanted to surprise him. What an exciting life we lead...! =)
I got them home and just had to open them almost immediately (I did make myself eat lunch first, at least). Now, not to complain any more than necessary, but when you look at the pictures on the box, don't they look exactly as they did in the 80s and 90s? Especially the vanilla one! That sort of flat, rounded-top, old-fashioned Creamsicle and Fudgsicle shape...? And should there be an "e" between the "g" and the "s" in Fudgsicle? Fudgesicle? They both look right. They both look wrong. I've never cared much for them, so I've never really thought about the proper spelling of their name. Anyway... I have to admit I was slightly disappointed when I pulled out a considerably smaller, eerily phallic Pudding Pop.
Popsicle took over the brand, but changed the shape to match their other products! Knowing what I know now, and looking at the picture, I can recognize that the shape is different... but can't you see how I could have been fooled? So much for nostalgia. I wondered if they would have the same texture... smooth, cold, slightly soft, and creamy, with a very thin icy shell. You can make all the pudding pops you want at home, but you'll never attain the texture of the original Jell-O Pudding Pop. I've tried. They just freeze too hard and too icy.
The pops have the same texture as the original. All is forgiven.
