Chilla Gunilla

i feel a bit guilty writing multiple reviews for the same product, but, as these sweet treats are small-batch handmade, they tend to differ widely, from batch to batch, so it's almost like reviewing an entitely different candy, at times. Chilla Gunilla is my personal favorite flavor of Haupts (after Fcking Fabulous began to sport an overly coarse, harshly salted coating), and I planned to buy half a dozen Chilla Gunillas for Yule & Christmas gifting this year, but this last batch I found to be extra bitter and longer lasting on the outside, while that familiar, complex, sweetly warming, aromatic, spiced cookie perfection that feels like a warm, sweet hygge blanket of love and cuddles was noticeably subdued. I'd gifted one to my dearest friend before opening my own, as I'd been savoring other flavors--including Haupt's new offerings. If I'd tasted this batch first, though, I'd have gifted this friend the Salted Caramel instead, which was absolute, dreamy perfection this batch. Haupts, we love your experimental spirit and are here for it. please, though, write down your recipe and process each time, so you can repeat perfection. this time around, Salted Caramel takes the prize, and drops the mike. I'm

smooth and chewy and just the right thrilla. I would like to order one vat please- thank you.

I love this stuff. I will buy it again and again. Period.

wow. I think this batch has even turned the dial up, a notch. again, it does not taste quite as chocolatey as it used to, but a quick glance at the label reassures us you are still making them with cacao butter, which gets our gratitude. please never switch away from using the cacao butter. make these a little more chocolatey, so we can taste it like we used to, and we will buy half a dozen just for gifting. the holidays need Chila Gunilla.

is that really all that's in these things? hmm.. I don't know about that.. something tells me Haupt Lakrits has a top secret ingredient it's keeping to itself! ;) all I know is, these little balls remind me of those familiar spiced cookies that hail from various European regions, from the Netherlands to Germany, Belgium Poland and France, which find their way here to the states around Christmas and Yule (and to TJ's, in the form of cookie butter, artisan ale and everything else in between).. there is the faintest whisper of bitter salmiak lightly dusted on the surface, and that initial, surprising flavor immediately opens up the taste buds to welcome a creamy, warm, sweet and spicy milk chocolate that lingers in a comforting, rounded way, with greater depth than chili alone, however precious, can bring by itself (think: ginger snaps, speculoos cookies, or ginger bread). this creamy bliss lasts a good while before being punctuated by a bit of saltiness, followed by a chewy black licorice core. the experience is exceptional. I was intrigued by the Basque pepper ingredient because of my mom's Basque roots, but what Haupt has done with it is definitely tickling my Polish roots too. : ) this one makes me long for the winter holidays of my ancestors. pure magic.