It probably doesn't say a lot about the new Wonka bars that they have been sitting in my review box for quite a while now, especially considering my kids are the biggest fans of the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory books and films (yes, even that Johnny Depp one!). There are two bars in this UK resurgence of the Wonka brand; Millionaire's Shortbread and Chocolate Nice Cream.
Wonka Millionaire's Shortbread
It's not the most interesting looking chocolate bar, especially considering what Cadbury has been up to with it's Marvellous Creations and Winter Wonderland bars. The Wonka Millionaire's Shortbread has a scrolly letter Ws in random corners and a slightly uneven swirly look, but that's it. Not something that stirs my imagination.
Inside however it does get downright bizarre. Even though it's described on the front as being a combination of soft caramel and crumbly biscuit, there is definitely no soft caramel in sight. The Amazing Invisible Caramel! Genius - Willy Wonka would be proud. The flavor itself is actually quite nice, with lots of small crunchy biscuit pieces. I enjoyed their sweet buttery flavor with the caramel undertones and creamy outer chocolate.
Wonka Chocolate Nice Cream
From the outset the Chocolate Nice Cream seems like the most interesting of the two bars. It's described as a smooth vanilla creme topped with chocolate sauce. It's certainly more akin to what I can imagine rolling off the Wonka factory production line - an ice cream in chocolate bar form.
It also looks like slightly more thought has gone into the design of this bar, with it's scoop of ice cream in a... is that a pie dish? Anyway, it looks odd, but in a good way!
Fortunately there is no sign of any missing sauce in this bar, there is clearly a layer of vanilla cream and chocolate sauce as described on the packaging. Unfortunately, this bar is nowhere near as tasty as the Millionaire's Shortbread. The vanilla cream is nice enough, but the chocolate sauce layer lets it down. It's very syrupy with a super sweet chocolate flavor that just overpowers the rest of the bar.
I couldn't resist including this photo of the back of the packaging - possibly the most innovative part of all. It's a cute touch that the barcode looks like the gates to the Wonka factory!
Grocery Gems Verdict: Wonka Chocolate Bars
RATING: Millionaire's Shortbread - 7 out of 10, Chocolate Nice Cream - 6 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Possibly the Millionaire's Shortbread.
Nutrition: Millionaire's Shortbread - 200 cals, Chocolate Nice Cream - 193 cals.
Purchased: Newsagent
Price: £0.70p each.
