While yesterday's review disproved my Candy Tenet Number 1, today's review affirms that it's very, very tough to improve on a classic. In the photo below, you can see the difference between the Snickers and the Limited Edition Snickers Xtreme. The difference is the Xtreme amounts of nuts and the absence of fluffy nougat. If you really dislike the nougat found in a regular Snickers bar, then you will absolutely love the Snickers Xtreme. Personally, I miss the nougat. The one benefit to no nougat though is that this bar isn't nearly as sweet as a normal Snickers.
I'm not sure of the reason for this bar unless you are a major caramel-peanut-chocolate lover who does not like the nougat found in a regular Snickers. The thing is, there is an entire science behind Snickers Bars. Mars has probably spent more money than most of us will make in a lifetime on research and development of the chocolate to peanut to caramel to nougat ratios and how the fluffy nougat is a perfect balance to the caramel and nuts and how the bar is perfectly engineered to be easy to eat and not messy at all. So, why do they change what is a tried and true formula? The answer.....Marketing. They bring this bar out every few years with a different wrapper. I think many people, including me, will buy a limited edition version only because it says "limited edition". But it is "limited" because it cannot match the science and engineering of the Original. (It's likely that only candy freaks that start their own candy blogs sit around and think about the engineering behind candy bars, but it is true that Snickers are amazingly perfect in their creation.)
I am not sure why more peanuts makes this "xtreme", maybe they were trying to draw in teens that are interested in all things "xtreme". I think "Peanut Lovers" might have been a better and more descriptive name for this bar. The size isn't xtreme either. It weighs about 10% less than the Original (1.82oz compared 2.07oz). Try one the next time you are staring at a convenience store shelf not sure what you are hungry for....but if you are hungry for a Snickers, stick with the Original. This is a good candy bar.....but not "xtremely good".
Taste: 3/5 Liked It
Calorie Counter: 1.82oz bar = 1 serving= 250 calories, 13g fat
Sample Provided by Mars
Snickers Web Site
So I think, based on your reviews of the peanut butter version and this "X-treme," that we can arrive at a theory of Snickers modification: if you add stuff in, it gets even better (within reason, I doubt Snickers Bacon would work for me). If you take stuff out, not good. I think this works for Milky Way Caramel also.
By the way, you are so cruel to review the best candy bar ever made and then say, oh, but you mortals can't have it until December! How will I survive!
Posted by: Candy Professor | 06/04/2010 at 07:09 PM
Now that you say that, I think you are absolutely correct! Snickers are absolutely perfect, you should not mess with a winning formula.
Sorry about the tease, I couldn't wait until December to review the PB Snickers though. I'm thinking I'll have to review it again in December, just in case the formula changed. :P
Posted by: Sugarpressure | 06/06/2010 at 07:18 PM
Great reviews!! Totally agree on both - missed the nougat in the Extreme, love the peanut butter!! And please, dear God, I hope they don't make Snickers bacon!!
Posted by: Denise | 06/10/2010 at 02:09 PM
Thank you Denise, love your site by the way. Yes, the peanut butter was great, I'm sad I have to wait until December for more.
I've never thought of a Snickers Bacon, but I but that have it in some lab somewhere ready to go! Maybe a special edition for the Midwest, I'd love that.
Thank you for your comment!
Posted by: Sugarpressure | 06/10/2010 at 02:24 PM
Have always loved Snickers, but I'm a big fan of the Snickers Xtreme. I can do without the nougat. I was buying my bars out of the machine at work, then decided to buy a box from Sam's Club to save money.
At the time, I thought my bars from Sam's tasted better because I paid less for them. Then one day I forgot to bring the bar from home, went to machine and wondered why my Snickers bar tasted 'weak'.
I'm ecstatic over the extra nuts and lack of nougat. What the heck is nougat anyway besides extra sweetness?
Posted by: Cheryl | 09/26/2010 at 03:13 PM
Snickers Xtreme .... Not a good idea . My mouth will never be satisfied with that .
Posted by: Mz.Baller | 09/27/2010 at 05:48 PM
Just bought ( by mistake ) I almost broke a tooth on that thing...thought it might have been outdated, but it wasn't....putting it in the fridge probably was a big mistake
Posted by: peter | 10/14/2010 at 03:45 PM
lol..that's too funny Peter, thanks for the comment. Note to Self: DO NOT put Snickers Xtreme in the refrigerator!
Posted by: Sugarpressure | 10/16/2010 at 10:40 AM