Milky Way Salted Caramel Bar Review: A Sweet & Salty Treat

The Milky Way candy bar is a classic that’s been around since the 1920s. But Milky Way recently launched a new salted caramel twist on their traditional nougat and chocolate bar. In this in-depth review, we’ll see if the new Milky Way Salted Caramel bars are a tasty treat or a total miss.

An Overview of Milky Way Salted Caramel

The original Milky Way bar features a mix of chocolate-malt nougat and fluffy caramel, all coated in silky milk chocolate. It’s a chocolate, nougat, and caramel lover’s dream.

In 2020, Milky Way introduced a new salted caramel variety featuring the same ingredients but with a sprinkle of sea salt inside the caramel. This adds a hit of salty contrast to balance the sweetness.

Milky Way Salted Caramel bars come in the standard 1.84 ounce single-size or larger sharing size bags. The minimal packaging features Milky Way’s iconic red and blue colors with a clear callout for the new salted caramel flavor.

Now let’s dive into the full tasting review and see how these new candy bars stack up!

Flavor Review: Sweet, Salty, & Utterly Addictive

The first bite of a Milky Way Salted Caramel bar reveals an enticing flavor profile:

• The milk chocolate coating maintains the classic Milky Way taste – creamy and smooth, never waxy or chalky.
• The nougat layers in subtly, adding a light fluffy texture and malt-forward sweetness.
• But the real star is the salted caramel, with ribbons of buttery caramel swirled with flecks of sea salt crystals. The salt and caramel play off each other perfectly in a sweet and salty tango.

The combination of chocolate, nougat, and salted caramel create an utterly addictive flavor experience. The salt amplifies the sweetness of the caramel and counters the richness of the chocolate.

Reviewers agree that the salt-to-sweet ratio is ideal. The salt (provided by natural sea salt flakes) is prominent enough to accentuate the flavor instead of getting lost. But it’s not so overpowering as to taste like a pretzel.

Some reviewers did note that the salt is unevenly distributed in some bars. When you do get an intense salty hit, it can overpower the rest of the bar. But when the salt is well distributed, the flavors blend together into sweet and salty bliss.

Texture & Mouthfeel: Classic Milky Way Chewiness

In addition to great flavor, the textures and mouthfeel of a candy bar also impact the overall experience:

• The chocolate coating has a luxuriously smooth texture that starts to melt immediately on contact with your mouth.
• With the first bite, you get an initial crunch from the crystalline sea salt on top of the caramel before hitting the soft nougat.
• As you chew, the caramel becomes immediately stringy and sticky, clinging to your teeth but in a satisfying way.
• The nougat has a light and fluffy chew that almost dissolves on the tongue after a few seconds.

Together the elements create a delightful textural experience, from crunchy to chewy to smooth. The salt adds a pleasant crunch while the caramel offers that classic Milky Way stickiness.

The only texture complaint from reviews is that the caramel can become rock solid if the bars get too cold. Leaving them at room temperature prevents this.

Value for the Price Point

Milky Way Salted Caramel bars offer great value for the price, especially when purchased in bulk:

• Single bars (1.84 oz each): $1.09 per bar ($0.59/oz)
• Sharing size (9.2 oz bag): $3.99 ($0.43/oz)

Compared to similar chocolate, nougat, and caramel candy bars on the market, Milky Way Salted Caramel is very fairly priced, especially for the brand recognition. Many reviewers noted it’s on par with or cheaper than other salted caramel candy bars.

The price per ounce drops noticeably when purchasing the larger 9.2 oz sharing size bags. Like most candy, buying Milky Way Salted Caramel in bulk will give you the best value overall.

You can often find additional savings in the form of weekly sales, coupons, or buy-one-get-one deals at major grocery retailers. Taking advantage of promotions like these makes the price even more budget-friendly.

For the quality ingredients and delicious flavor pairing, Milky Way Salted Caramel offers excellent value at both the single bar and bulk bag pricing.

The Verdict: A Must-Try Salted Caramel Treat

In summary, here’s the final verdict on Milky Way Salted Caramel candy bars:

Milky Way Salted Caramel is a new twist on a classic that completely hits the mark. The addition of sea salt into the caramel creates an utterly addictive sweet and salty flavor combo. The taste experience is enhanced by varied textures from crunchy to smooth. And the price is very fair, especially when buying bulk bags.

This candy bar earns top marks across the board. The salted caramel variation is a welcome upgrade over the original Milky Way. It will appeal to caramel lovers, chocolate fans, and anyone craving a little salty-sweet snack.

Based on overwhelmingly positive reviews, Milky Way Salted Caramel is a must-try for candy bar aficionados. The flavor pairing really pops to create an indulgent dessert-like experience in each bite. This is a new staple that deserves a permanent spot on candy shelves.

Pick up a bag to share at parties, stash in your desk drawer, or add to care packages. Wherever it’s enjoyed, Milky Way Salted Caramel bars will impress tastebuds with an expertly balanced sweet and salty twist.

Pros vs Cons of Milky Way Salted Caramel

Pros:

• Perfectly balanced sweet and salty flavors
• Crunchy and chewy contrasting textures
• Silky smooth chocolate coating
• Addictively tasty salted caramel
• Great value, especially when buying bulk
• Fun new twist on a classic candy bar

Cons:

• Salt distribution can be uneven in some bars
• Caramel can be too hard if cold
• More expensive than original Milky Way
• Easy to overeat in one sitting!

Creative Ways to Enjoy Milky Way Salted Caramel

Milky Way Salted Caramel bars aren’t just for casual snacking. Here are some delicious ideas for enjoying this candy:

• Candy Bar Brownies – Chop up bars and swirl them into brownie batter. The salted caramel bits create pockets of flavor.
• Candy Bar Milkshakes – Blend melted bars with ice cream and milk for an extra decadent shake.
• Salted Caramel Sauces & Drizzles – Melt down bars into a sweet and salty topping for cakes, fruit, or ice cream.
• Chocolate Bark with Caramel Drizzle – Break bars into bark pieces and re-melt the caramel for a gourmet candy project.
• Candy Bar Ice Cream Cake – Crush bars into pieces to layer into ice cream cake for texture and flavor.
• Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate – Add crushed bars and a pinch of salt into hot cocoa for an indulgent winter drink.

However you choose to eat them, Milky Way Salted Caramel bars make for a delicious sweet and salty treat. Satisfy your candy cravings with this new favorite!