Who doesn’t enjoy a good biscuit? Lots of people, judging by the success of the Oreo cookie in America, and more recently in the UK. The standard version isn’t terrible, but I can’t understand what would make you choose it over a custard cream or bourbon – unless you’re combining it with ice cream. But will my opinion change with our Oreo Happy Birthday biscuits review?
The Oreo is the bestselling cookie in the U.S, having been introduced in 1921. The creme-filled creation was originally known as the Oreo Biscuit, and only became the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookie in the 1970s.
Over the years, Nabisco has created a range of special and limited edition Oreos, including the Birthday Cake Oreo in 2012. They came with birthday cake flavoured creme and sprinkles inside. And on one cookie there was a brithday candle with the words ‘Oreo 100’. And now they’re back, without the special lettering.
But with the Oreo cookie range on sale for half price at Tesco at the moment, would a birthday biscuit convert me, and make the existing Oreo fans in the house happy?
Oreo Happy Birthday Biscuits Review
The standard Oreo Happy Birthday biscuits come in a pack of 14, with a ‘double stuf’ amount of filling. It’s a caramel flavoured creme (29%) with sprinkles (0.14%).
The chocolate outer biscuits of the standard Oreo are as you’d expect. And having more creme inside is always a good thing. So we’re off to a good start.
But I have two problems with the Oreo Happy Birthday Biscuits.
The first is the choice of caramel filling. If you’re a fan of caramel, then it’s a decent flavour and comes through reasonably well. But what’s the link with birthdays? I’ve lived in the UK and America, and had birthdays in both – and I’ve never had a birthday memory associated with caramel.
Could it be because there are other biscuits in the Oreo range with caramel in? And it’s a way to re-use the same filling?
The second problem is probably the cause of my cynical outlook. If I’m celebrating a birthday, I expect a multitude of sprinkles. Not 0.14% of the total amount.
The picture above tells the story. There are hardly any sprinkles, and certainly not enough to taste or notice when you’re eating one of the Oreo Happy Birthday Biscuits. You wouldn’t even know they were meant to be there without reading the packaging.
It’s the sprinkle equivalent of having a birthday party for 20 children, and then having them share one birthday hat.
If you’re just looking for some caramel-filled Oreos, then the taste and flavour is actually pretty reasonable. Our resident Oreo fan thought they were alright, and they were a hit with our caramel-loving reviewer.
But if you’re looking for something to celebrate, then the verdict of our Oreo Happy Birthday Biscuits review is that you’re probably better off looking elsewhere. And they’ve confirmed my view that the only good Oreo is one that’s either surrounding or buried in ice cream.