Better Than Tests

Taking taste tests way too seriously.

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Professional over thinker of everyday foods.

  • Better Than Average Toffee: A Recipe That Won’t Wreck Your Teeth (or Your Day)

    There are a lot of toffee recipes on the internet. Like, an overwhelming, sugar-coma-inducing amount. And honestly?

    I hate most of them.

    I wanted to do a full taste test comparison, but after pulling sticky shards out of my molars for hours, I gave up.

    Why? Because most of them are too hard, too bland, or straight-up dental disasters. I’m not here for a jaw workout. I have very specific criteria for what makes great toffee:

    • Strong caramel and vanilla flavor – not just sugar pretending to be flavor.
    • Light and crisp texture – I’m not trying to chip a tooth.
    • Zero cling factor – if I eat it at lunch, I shouldn’t still be finding it in my teeth at dinner.

    So, after way too many test batches and spending way too much money on butter (shout out to Kerry Gold), I’ve cobbled together a recipe that’s, frankly, Better Than the rest. Grab your candy thermometer—it’s time to make toffee magic.

    Toffee That’s Better Than the Rest

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup butter (226g)
    • 1 cup sugar (200g)
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp baking soda plus a little extra (hold this until the end)

    Instructions:

    1. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
    2. Add everything to a pot except the baking soda.
    3. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches 300°F. Stirring frequently. Pull it off the stove at exactly 300°F if you go higher it will burn.
    4. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the baking soda.
      WARNING- It will foam like crazy—don’t panic, it’s science!
    5. Pour immediately into the lined pan and let cool completely before breaking.
      Patience is key. Break it too soon and there will be problems.

    What Makes This Toffee Different?

    This recipe is inspired by my family’s peanut brittle recipe from the 1800s—yes, the 1800s. It uses water and baking soda to puff things up and avoid that rock-solid density most toffees fall into. That little bit of old-school candy wisdom made a huge difference.

    The result? A toffee that’s flavorful, light, crisp, and won’t leave your dental work weeping.

    Optional Add-ons (If You Must)

    • Chocolate: Wait until the toffee has cooled slightly, melt your chocolate, and gently spread it on top. No need to overdo it.
    • Nuts: I mean… you could. But let’s be honest—this toffee shines all on its own. Keep it pure, folks.

  • Mac & Cheese Showdown: 10 Brands, 1 Golden Noodle

    Listen… Cracker Barrel Mac & Cheese is dope. Better than the rest. Sharp white cheddar for the win. All you yellow cheese purists—look, I don’t know what to tell you. This is just objectively better. Also, who decided to call it a “Macaroni and Cheese Dinner“? If this is your full dinner, we need to have a little talk about your life choices (and maybe introduce you to a vegetable).

    Let’s talk about the 10 contenders in the ultimate Mac & Cheese face-off. Some are classics, some are bougie, some are definitely just hot cheese sadness in a bowl. Here’s the lowdown:

    🧀 1. Cracker Barrel Sharp White Cheddar

    • Cheese Level: Bold, tangy, and grown-up.
    • Noodle Texture: Al dente enough to make Nonna nod.
    • Vibes: Feels like it should come with a glass of Pinot and a charcuterie board.
    • Verdict: The current champ. Big flavor, creamy sauce, no regrets.

    🧀 2. Annie’s Organic Shells & Real Aged Cheddar

    • Cheese Level: Earthy and sharp-ish.
    • Noodle Texture: Shells hold sauce like they mean it.
    • Vibes: “I care about ingredients, but still love carbs.”
    • Verdict: Solid pick for the granola mom in all of us.

    🧀 3. Velveeta Shells & Cheese

    • Cheese Level: Liquid gold… or suspiciously delicious goo.
    • Noodle Texture: Rich and coated like they’re wearing silk robes.
    • Vibes: Late-night cravings with zero shame.
    • Verdict: Melted plastic energy but in a good way, almost magical way.  Feel free to squeeze this directly in your mouth.

    🧀 4. Kraft Original

    • Cheese Level: Radioactive yellow nostalgia.
    • Noodle Texture: Soft and comforting.
    • Vibes: Babysitter dinner, dorm food, Tuesday at 2am.
    • Verdict: Iconic. Is it good? Debatable. Will we always eat it? Yes.

    🧀 5. Trader Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese (Frozen)

    • Cheese Level: Extra sharp and super creamy.
    • Noodle Texture: Bakes up beautifully.
    • Vibes: Retro diner with reusable tote bags.
    • Verdict: Surprisingly gourmet for something you nuked in a microwave.

    🧀 6. Whole Foods 365 Macaroni & Cheese

    • Cheese Level: Mellow and mild.
    • Noodle Texture: Respectable chew.
    • Vibes: Healthy-ish comfort food.
    • Verdict: It’s fine. Like Whole Foods itself—good but not quite worth the price tag.

    🧀 7. Bob Evans Macaroni & Cheese (Refrigerated)

    • Cheese Level: Heavy on the dairy.
    • Noodle Texture: Creamy, soft.
    • Vibes: Grandma’s Sunday dinner meets convenience.
    • Verdict: Surprisingly indulgent. Would eat again at 3pm and fall asleep by 4.

    🧀 8. Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese (Frozen)

    • Cheese Level: Rich, real, and reliable.
    • Noodle Texture: Creamy casserole vibes.
    • Vibes: Church potluck legend.
    • Verdict: The lasagna of macs—hearty, nostalgic, and sticks to your ribs.

    🧀 9. Panera Mac & Cheese (Refrigerated or In-store)

    • Cheese Level: White cheddar overload.
    • Noodle Texture: Big pasta tubes, bougie energy.
    • Vibes: Office lunch flex.
    • Verdict: Fancy-feeling, but something not as good about microwaving mac & cheese.

    🧀 10. Back to Nature Crazy Bugs Mac & Cheese

    • Cheese Level: Mild, but real.
    • Noodle Texture: Insect-shaped fun.
    • Vibes: Your kid’s lunchbox just leveled up.
    • Verdict: Fun for kids. Adults will tolerate it for the novelty.

    Final Thoughts:

    Cracker Barrel takes the crown with its unapologetically bold cheese and elevated flavor profile. If you’re still clinging to your Kraft blue box out of loyalty, I get it—but it might be time to grow up (just a little).

    Or don’t.

    It’s Mac & Cheese.

    The only real rule is that it should make you irrationally happy.

    Stay cheesy. 🧀

  • Banana Bread Bake-Off: Five Recipes Enter, One Loaf to Rule Them All

    Banana bread: the reason we let bananas get spotty without guilt. But not all loaves are created equal. I baked and tested five of the internet’s most beloved banana bread recipes to crown one ultimate winner. There were highs, there were disappointments, and there was a lot of crumb. Let’s get into it.

    At the end of the day, I couldn’t resist adding a few personal touches that (in my humble opinion) make Sally’s already-great banana bread even better. Scroll down for my favorite tweaks!

    🏆 The Winner: Sally’s Baking Addiction – Best Banana Bread

    This loaf is the real deal. Moist (yes, I said it), just the right amount of sweet, and it comes together in one bowl—no mixer, no drama. The texture is soft but holds together beautifully, and it keeps well for days. This is banana bread at its peak form.
    👉 Recipe: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/best-banana-bread-recipe/

    1. Food.com – “Best Banana Bread”

    This one felt like the internet’s grandma made it, and I mean that in a cozy way. It’s solid, classic, and not too sweet. But it was a little plain compared to Sally’s version—more lunchbox filler than showstopper.
    👉 Recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/best-banana-bread-2886

    2. The Salty Marshmallow – Best Banana Bread Recipe

    This one brings brown sugar to the table, which gives it a deeper, caramel-like sweetness. It’s dense, rich, and felt a little more cake than bread. Good flavor, but heavy. Great if you’re trying to impress a brunch crowd, maybe not for everyday snacking.
    👉 Recipe: https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/best-banana-bread-recipe/

    3. Simply Recipes – Banana Bread

    Reliable, easy, and quick to throw together. The flavor is nice, especially if you like a straightforward banana hit with minimal extras. It’s a good backup loaf, like the understudy who knows all the lines but doesn’t steal the show.
    👉 Recipe: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

    4. Natasha’s Kitchen – Banana Bread

    Light, airy, and a little more elegant than your average loaf. The texture was fluffier, and it baked up beautifully. But the flavor didn’t go deep—it was a little too polite, like banana bread trying to be on its best behavior.
    👉 Recipe: https://natashaskitchen.com/banana-bread-recipe-video/

    📊 Final Rankings

    1. Sally’s Baking Addiction – Best Banana Bread 🥇
    2. The Salty Marshmallow – Bold, sweet, and dessert-like 🍰
    3. Natasha’s Kitchen – Light and pleasant, but not memorable 💁‍♀️
    4. Simply Recipes – Classic and easy, but a little plain 📋
    5. Food.com – Nostalgic, basic, and best for a safe bet 🧺

    💭 Final Thoughts

    Sally’s banana bread is the gold standard. It’s everything banana bread should be without trying too hard. If you want to impress guests, devour half a loaf on your own, or finally use up those bananas staring at you from the counter—this is your recipe.

    The others each have their strengths, but when it comes to taste, texture, and ease, Sally’s loaf wins by a (golden brown) mile.

    My Favorite Tweaks (Because Good Can Always Be Great)

    Even though Sally’s recipe is top-tier as written, here are a few personal touches I always add to make it just a little bit better:

    • 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract – because more vanilla is always a good idea.
    • Salted butter instead of unsalted – adds depth and balances the sweetness.
    • A generous handful of chocolate chips – because banana bread without chocolate is just missed potential.

    Try it this way and thank me later.

  • Stacked, Stuffed, and Judged: The Ultimate Oreo Showdown

    TLDR: Oreo is better than the rest, ALDI close second, My rage knows no bounds with walmart and shoprite.

    BrandBiscuitCreamOverall
    Oreo967.5
    Joe’s – Joe’s486
    ALDI766.5
    Great Value (Walmart)433.5
    Bowl & Basket (Shoprite)433.5

    Full Breakdown:

    Let me start by saying: Oreos aren’t my favorite. There are plenty of treats I’d reach for before grabbing that familiar blue package. But they are my family’s go-to, so—for the sake of science—we pressed on.

    Oreo (Nabisco)

    Right off the bat, these had a much deeper cocoa aroma than any of the others—like Count Chocula just coughed directly into your face. The crème? It’s fine. Not life-changing, but solid. A steady player. Dependable. Like a snack version of your dad’s ’92 Toyota Camry.

    Joe-Joe’s (Trader Joe’s)

    These were… rough. The cookie (or biscuit, if you’re feeling classy) was dry and lacked the structure to hold its own. One family member said it mildly reminded them of battery acid. I get where they were going, but I still think they’re insane.
    However—the crème? Easily the best. Soft vanilla flavor with little “vanilla bean specks” that made it feel gourmet. If I could surgically remove this crème and graft it into an Oreo, I would.

    ALDI (Benton’s Chocolate Sandwich Cookies)

    A dark horse! The biscuit had a slightly more chocolatey taste than Oreo, and the crème was… decent. Nothing amazing, but a respectable second place. Honestly, if I weren’t taste-testing them side by side, I might have thought they were Oreos.

    Great Value (Walmart) & Bowl & Basket (ShopRite)

    Here’s where I am untethered and my rage knows no bounds. These are the same cookie. Not “oh they’re similar”—I mean, identical. Same biscuit design, same ingredient list, same underwhelming experience. The only difference? Packaging and the fact that Walmart charges 30 cents more.
    The cookie itself tastes borderline burnt, like it was overbaked and underloved. No bueno.
    Check out the photo below—proof that cookie conspiracy theories are real.

    The Final Verdict

    👑Winner for taste + balance: Oreo
    👑Winner for best crème: Joe-Joe’s
    👑Best budget dupe: ALDI
    👎Most likely to spark a consumer trust crisis: Great Value & Bowl & Basket

    Final Thoughts

    While I may not love Oreos personally, they did earn their spot at the top in this lineup. But shoutout to Joe-Joe’s crème for doing the Lord’s work, and ALDI for being the cookie MVP on a budget. As for the duplicates… I’m watching you, Walmart.

    What’s your go-to sandwich cookie? Drop it in the comments—I need to know if there’s another hidden gem out there.