Fast food chains tend to find inspiration in their competition. Remember when Burger King released its own take on the Snack Wrap just because McDonald's refused to bring its own back? (Although we're expecting McD's Snack Wrap return any day now...) Well, this time another brand is coming for Micky D's.
ICYMI, KFC introduced a line of pie poppers just last year, including OG apple and cherry. Now, a new (familiar-sounding) flavor is joining the roster: Strawberry & Crème.
If you, too, are experiencing déjà vu, that's likely because the flaky, golden brown bite-sized pastries are a lot like McDonald's iconic Strawberry & Crème hand pies, which include the same fruit and dairy combo. Even the name is similar. Not that we're complaining, though—there can never be too many desserts on the market.
Admittedly, I wasn't sure what to expect of this new iteration, but it proved rather tasty. The outer crust is reminiscent of the fried dough you'd find at a country fair, and the inside, although scarce, is filled with a strawberry jelly of sorts. I wish there were quite a bit more of the filling to really get a taste for the flavor, but overall, it's not a treat I would turn down. It tastes like a strawberry, but the cream is harder to find. It is a lovely addition to the menu during the warmer spring months.
Other fans were not disappointed. "Great flavor of strawberry, perfect amount of sweetness, then it’s got some sugar crystals on the top…you’re getting a little bit of creaminess," a YouTuber said in his review. "Not a lot, just enough to mix in with the strawberries."
It should come as no surprise that customers are obsessed. This isn't the first time they raved about the poppers. It's "a not-too-sweet mini treat that's easy to share," one user wrote on Reddit of the apple version. "The star here is the crust. Tender and flaky...definitely would get these again," another said.
"The dough was flaky and wonderful and I actually loved that there wasn't too much filling. It felt like a nice balance of apple and dough," a third person chimed in.
The Strawberry & Crème Pie Poppers aren't the only new arrival on menus, either. The fan-fave chicken and waffles have made their triumphant return, too.
"We believe Chicken & Waffles is an American icon. Flavorful, juicy, and freshly fried secret recipe chicken, paired with sweet, golden waffles, and goey syrup—it’s bold, it’s delicious, and it’s back on our menu just in time for Mother’s Day," KFC President Catherine Tan-Gillespie said in a statement with Delish.
I'm not saying McDonald's should release their own chicken & waffles, I'm just saying it would be a savage next move.
