Celebrate the holidays with these sweet treats that are perfect for any occasion

Sweet Chaos Cold Stone Drizzled Popcorn Variety Pack. Image courtesy Sam's Club
Sweet Chaos Cold Stone Drizzled Popcorn Variety Pack. Image courtesy Sam's Club

As the weather cools down, the holiday season is in full swing — representing the perfect time to sweeten things up! Wiley Wallaby, Sweet Chaos Drizzles, and Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery have treats everyone will love. Apple and cherry pie are classics, but why not try something new?  Whether enhancing your holiday menu or enjoying something special, these goodies are a delicious way to mix things up. From stuffing stockings to adding flair to your holiday table, these goodies are must-haves this season!

Wiley Wallaby Licorice

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Image courtesy Wallaby Licorice

Kicking off the list is Wiley Wallaby Licorice.  Seeing the word licorice grossed me out, and then I remembered I like Twizzlers and only hate black licorice, so thankfully, I didn’t receive that in my sample.  The three flavors I got to try are Classic Red, Green Apple, and Hot Cinnamon.  Upon opening the kangaroo-covered package, the pieces of licorice were short, thick, and super soft. The Hot Cinnamon was reminiscent of big red gum. It’s so good, but after a few seconds, the cinnamon creeps up and burns your mouth. If you enjoy spicy candy, this one is for you.  I knew the Classic Red would be delicious when I smelled its strawberry aroma.  I love that the taste was light, fruity, and not overly sweet.  My favorite?  Hands down, Green Apple.  The sour and sweet go together.  

Wiley Wallaby Licorice is not only delicious but also a guilt-free treat! It’s fat-free, vegan, and made without artificial colors or flavors. For those looking to cut back on sugar, they even offer low-sugar varieties, making it a perfect option for everyone to enjoy.

Sweet Chaos Seasonal Drizzled Popcorn

Sweet Chaos popcorn made us feel festive with its seasonal drizzled popcorn.  Popcorn has always been one of my go-to snacks, so when I tried Sweet Chaos's seasonal drizzled popcorn, I was beyond excited with Peppermint Crunch, Iced Gingerbread, Hot Cocoa, and Black and White Sugar Cookie.   These festive treats met my expectations. Plus, they’re guilt-free indulgences, being gluten-free and free of artificial colors and flavors.  Nothing says Christmas like candy canes, and Peppermint Crunch captures that festive spirit. With a minty freshness that’s perfectly balanced and not too overpowering, it reminded me of biting into a thin mint cookie. It’s like the holiday season in every bite! 

Why have gingerbread cookies when you can have gingerbread popcorn?  The bold ginger flavor was unmistakable yet beautifully balanced by the sweet, creamy drizzle of white frosting. It was cozy, satisfying, and perfect for a winter evening. Oddly enough, after tasting gingerbread, I craved hot cocoa, leading me to the next flavor. Sweet Chaos captured that experience perfectly in their Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow Drizzle popcorn. Every bite had the rich, chocolatey warmth you’d expect from a steaming mug, complete with a fluffy marshmallow sweetness that tied it all together.

Finally, the Black & White Sugar Cookie was the star of the show for me. Its light, sweet flavor paired with the crunchy popcorn base felt like the best part of a holiday dessert in every bite. Imagine the comforting taste of a sugar cookie with a texture that keeps you reaching for more.

Antonina's Gluten-Free Bakery

Yellow Cake
Image courtesy Antonina’s Gluten-Free Bakery

I ended my tasting journey with dessert from Antonina's Gluten Free Bakery, which offers everything from brownies and muffins to cupcakes. My local Kroger doesn’t stock the full range, so I only got to try the yellow cupcakes and yellow cake. At first, I was skeptical since they were in the fridge — cakes from there are often dry. However, I was pleasantly surprised!

The cupcakes were soft and moist, though a bit on the sweeter side, as everyone agreed. Still, they were a hit. The yellow cake was next. My brother-in-law, who isn’t a fan of sweets, tried it first and couldn’t stop talking about how good it was. That got my attention! My two super-picky nieces tried it next, and even they were impressed. When I finally had my turn, I couldn’t believe how incredible it tasted—soft, moist, and just the right amount of sweetness. Who says gluten-free can’t be delicious?