Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's Are The Perfect Balance Of Flavor

For many of us, it can be a little too early to start thinking about Halloween candy several months before the holiday. However, if you're one of those people who loves when pumpkin-flavored products flourish in the Fall, you'll be pleased to hear that M&M's already has something in the works: Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's. Not to be confused with the previously popular (and sold out) White Pumpkin Pie M&M's, this new flavor features a milk chocolate center that is sure to be a crowd-pleasing treat. Even if you're not super into pumpkin-flavored foods, I believe M&M's may have achieved the ideal balance of flavors that anyone can love.

Mars (the company that makes M&M's) sent me a bag of the new Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's so I could get a sneak peek at what they're planning for the upcoming Halloween season. Psst! Spoiler alert: You won't have to wait that long — because these little M&M's guys will be available late summer! I eagerly accepted, gave them a try, and am excited to tell you all about these chocolatey, pumpkin-y goodies. From flavor and nutritional value, to where to buy them, I'll divulge what I discovered on all fronts. That way, you can decide whether or not you'll be running to the stores to purchase bags of them when they finally hit the shelves. My guess: You'll be lacing up those sneakers! 

Just like classic M&M's, the Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie version features a hard candy shell and a sweet chocolate center. They are colored white, brown, and orange to match the seasonal theme and infused with pumpkin pie flavors — but the primary concept remains the same.

When I first bit into a Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M, I was expecting to get a potent pumpkin flavor. However, that was not the case. Instead, I tasted lots of sweet milk chocolate and a pleasing blend of classic pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and cloves). It wasn't until the end that I picked up on subtle yet defined pumpkin tasting notes. The pumpkin aftertaste lingered for a bit but wasn't quite as pronounced as I anticipated. Even so, the flavors throughout are wonderfully balanced to present the taste of a complete pie, not just pumpkin. I found this to be quite refreshing compared to the abundance of overly saturated pumpkin-flavored foods available in the Fall.

If you love a strong pumpkin flavor, you might be a bit disappointed, but I found the blend of flavors complement each other perfectly, so I happily devoured several more. In fact, even if you don't like pumpkin a whole lot, I think you'll find enjoyment in them. In addition to enjoying solo, I bet these chocolates pair with whiskey to make a delicious flavor combination, too.

A single serving (about 17 pieces or 1 ounce) of Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's contains 140 calories. The same quantity also has 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 20 milligrams of sodium, and 18 grams of total sugars. Surprisingly, you also get 1 gram of protein per serving.

Obviously, Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's are a type of candy. As a result, I didn't expect them to be nutritionally dense — and that's not the point of a sweet treat. So, even with all the fat, sugars, and other stuff — there's even 1 gram of protein — you pretty much get what you expect nutritionally.

When Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's hits the shelves of grocery stores and big box retailers several weeks before Halloween, you'll have plenty of time to indulge before the ghoulish holiday! For now, no pricing information is available for Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's, but they probably won't cost much more than a standard bag of M&M's. In general, the best week to buy Halloween candy is thought to be right before the actual date due to lower pricing. Even so, something tells me you won't want to wait to pick up a bag of this unique flavor rendition because it will likely be super popular. As a result, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if it sells out.

I believe Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's are going to be a huge hit. The pumpkin flavor may be somewhat less pronounced than some people expect. Still, overall they are deliciously balanced and the pie taste shines through instead of being overpowered by pumpkin alone. Admittedly, I am one of those people who doesn't prefer an overwhelming pumpkin flavor infusion. I like the taste, but I prefer it in small doses. I know this might be mind-boggling for pumpkin fanatics, but sometimes less is more in the flavor department. Even with my personal preferences, I still highly recommend trying the new Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's when they become available.

If you like to sort your Halloween candy, either to ration it out for your kids, or prolong personal enjoyment, I propose setting your Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's aside. If you leave them out, chances are good (actually, they're great) they will get gobbled up immediately. Plus, if you can manage to save a few, they are perfect for baking into pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and cream cheese brownies. Either way, the new Milk Chocolate Pumpkin Pie M&M's get a giant thumbs up emoji from me — and I think (once you pop some into your mouth) you will quickly agree.