We were literally just thinking: ‘When will M&S bring out a winter version of our favourite whip?’ Lo and behold – boom. It drops.
And frankly, we weren’t prepared for just how great it is. We’ve already re-purchased it three times since it launched – and yes, the staff at our local store have started giving us funny looks.
If you’re not familiar with Marks & Spencer’s reinvention of the Walnut Whip, read on – it’s kind of our specialist subject. The brand’s alternative whip range has been quietly growing over the last couple of years and has a very dedicated fan base. Frankly, we’re shocked that the brand hasn’t made it into a Christmas decoration yet.
The range has grown steadily since those first Salted Caramel Whips, with M&S adding Mini Chocolate Whips and the Whip Off The Old Block bar along the way. The latter is an especially hefty creation, with a thick chocolate centre and rounded mallow peaks – but the range’s real showstopper arrived at Easter.
The M&S Sunny Side Up Whip was similar to a Cadbury Creme Egg (but better!) and proved to be the highlight of all the Easter treats for our hungry office.
But M&S isn’t one to rest on its laurels. The brand regularly brings out limited-edition varieties to tempt us super-fans back into stores. The latest? The Gingerbread Latte Whip.
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This time, the signature pillowy mallow middle is coffee-flavoured and surrounded by a layer of spicy ginger and cinnamon-flavoured caramel. Keeping all that goodness contained is a deliciously thick milk chocolate shell, topped with the cutest white chocolate gingerbread character. He kind of reminds us of Gingy from Shrek.
The only downside is that these come in individual packets. We’d prefer a four-pack, so we could pretend it would go in the cupboard for the week – when in reality, we’d finish the lot before dinner.
They’re only around for a limited time, though, so we suggest snapping them up while you can. They’re £1.25 each, and we can only pray that a four-pack is introduced later down the line.
If gingerbread isn’t your flavour, M&S has also launched a Maple Caramel Whip for Christmas. Think soft, fluffy marshmallow with maple-flavoured salted caramel running throughout, finished with a Christmas tree-esque green icing top and sugar sprinkles. The kids will love them – if we don’t eat them first.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
