KitKat’s Brand-New Flavor Is So Good, Even Chocolate Lovers Are Refusing to Share

I don’t have candy too often, but when I do I reach for the ones I gravitated towards when I was a kid, like the shiny-wrapped bars I couldn’t wait to rip open after trick-or-treating on Halloween. One of my go-to candy bars is the classic KitKat. The solid crisp, crunch, and satisfying snap when you break a bar apart is unmatched. Plus, KitKats are fun and easy to share (if sharing is your thing). 

When I got word that the brand was launching a new flavor — vanilla — I had mixed feelings. I’m a big fan of vanilla cake (especially ones that can be made using a single bowl) and always have a tub of my favorite vanilla ice cream in the freezer, but I rarely reach for vanilla candy, let alone vanilla-flavored chocolate. I’m Team Dark Chocolate all day.

In the spirit of Halloween and channeling my inner-Wonka, I got my hands on some samples ahead of the launch (work perks!), and enlisted a few of The Kitchn staff members to try them with me. Here’s our honest review.

Unlike some other recent confectionery launches (looking at you, Reese’s Jumbo Peanut Butter Cup), the new Vanilla KitKat is NOT a limited-edition drop. The classic wafers — enrobed in a layer of vanilla-flavored creme — are here to stay (at least for the foreseeable future!).

The KitKat Vanilla Flavored Candy Bar officially launched in September and is available in-store at retailers nationwide, including Instacart and Walmart, in both standard and king sizes. (You can also order them directly from Hershey’s, the brand’s parent company.) 

I tore open the iconic red wrapper, and was immediately hit with a sweet vanilla aroma (a promising sign!). Inside were the four bars, each covered in a white, creamy layer, and stamped with “KitKat.” With slight apprehension, I broke off a bar and took a bite.

To my (pleasant) surprise, the vanilla was prominent and the creamy coating was sweet, but not overpoweringly so. It reminded me of the cream inside a vanilla wafer or golden sandwich cookie — but smoother, like liquid candy melts. 

The balance between the light and airy wafers inside provided just the right amount of crunch. I enjoyed them more than I thought I would — a sentiment our director of product design and UX, Chanel, shared — and would happily have another bar or two. 

Our director of people operations, Brian, was also impressed with the “delicate and floral” flavor, which Mara, our senior groceries editor, likened it to a “boxed birthday cake mix.” It even won over Mark, our executive director of commerce, who called it “tastier” than the white chocolate KitKat he loves.

Buy: Kit Kat Vanilla Candy Bar, $1.89 for 1.5 ounces at Instacart

Have you tried the new KitKat Vanilla? Tell us about it in the comments below. 

This post originally on The Kitchn. See it there: KitKat’s Brand-New Flavor Is So Good, Even Chocolate Lovers Are Refusing to Share