The team at Gigantic sent me their new seasonal Smashing Pumpkin candy bars to try out, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. But what immediately caught my eye was the bright orange retro packaging encasing the bars. I’m a sucker for vintage, old-fashioned candy. It reminds me of the candy I used get when I was younger at our local convenience store. My go-to’s were Milky Way and Twix.

But these are different – think Snickers, but healthier. Basically, you don’t feel like you need to take a trip to the dentist after just a few bites. The bars are made with all real ingredients, and it really makes a difference. There’s no fake pumpkin flavoring or artificial sweeteners - which are some of my least favorite things. The end result? All of the other ingredients in the bar are able to shine through. The spice from the cinnamon and nutmeg hits you right away, and you can really taste the quality of Fairtrade dark chocolate enveloping the bar. And the crunch of the pecans combined with the gooey plant-based caramel makes for the most satisfying bite.

They’re also completely vegan, which I love, because it means more people can enjoy them. And I think this bar could even convert all you non-vegans out there. 

 Gigantic’s Smashing Pumpkin bars embody all the flavors that remind me of fall. Believe me, I’m the first one running out there to try all the new pumpkin-spice flavored snacks and treats every year when fall rolls around. But sometimes, I find I walk away disappointed by the lack of actual pumpkin spice flavor, and the overload of fake flavors and overpowering sweetness. Gigantic’s bars are just sweet enough, and I love that you can really taste the spice, which is complemented so well by the dark chocolate. They’re cozy, warm, and the best part: they don’t make me feel as guilty going back for a second bar.