Do You Remember These Foods From the ’80s?

Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Remember These Foods From the ’80s?
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About This Quiz

Bart Simpson may have been telling us to eat his shorts — gag me with a spoon — but that offer was easy to refuse, because there were just so many other great foods to chow down on in the '80s. TCBY and Orange Julius gave people a place to hang out in the days before Starbucks and Jamba Juice and McDonald's had us assembling our own sandwiches. Meanwhile, the widespread use of microwave ovens drew unprecedented demand for frozen foods that could quickly be nuked to create a tasty meal, from frost-it-yourself strudels to sandwich fixings packed into layer of flaky crust.

Of course, the real star of the '80s food market was the snacks. From Nerds to Big League Chew to Reese's Pieces, tons of sweet treats found their niche during that decade. The rising interest in low-fat meant a newfound interest in diet versions of classic nibbles, many of which were packed with sugar to make up for the lack of fat. Over in the beverage market, kid's drinks packed with sugar and "fruit" took on diet sodas that would soon dominate soft drink sales. 

Think you remember some of the greatest foods of the '80s? Prove it with this quiz!

Mr. T Cereal
YouTube by Marlo the Collector
I pity the fool who can't identify this breakfast classic.
Mr. T Cereal
Smurfs Cereal
Skeletor Cereal
Inspector Gadget Cereal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mr.T became a larger-than-life persona in the '80s after starring in "The A-Team" and "Rocky III." Marketers took advantage of this popularity with the release of Mr. T Cereal in 1984. Featuring crunchy bits shaped like the letter "T," the cereal came with a pack of stickers to woo young shoppers and their parents.

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Fruit Roll-Ups
Wiki Commons by Thomson200
Sure, you could prepare your own fruit leather...or just head to the grocery store and pick up this store-bought alternative.
Leather Layers
Strawberry Sheets
Fruit Roll-Ups
Raspberry Rollers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fruit Roll-Ups are an early '80s product featuring sheets of sugary fruit-leather rolled with a layer of cellophane to prevent sticking. In the '80s, commercials for the product often gave kids a look into the Fruit Roll-Ups Fun Factory for a silly sense of how these treats are made.

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Lunchables
YouTube by BuzzFeedVideo
A TV dinner-concept for busy moms, what is the name of this '80s cafeteria classic?
Snack Packers
Lunchables
Kid Cuisine
Salami Snackers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 1988, Lunchables were a brilliant invention by Oscar Meyer to sell more lunch meat by appealing to busy working moms. The concept was basically a lunch version of the classic TV dinner, and every '80s kid knows that finding Lunchables in your lunch box gave you instant access to the cool table in the cafeteria.

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Jolly Rancher
AtomicSparkle/E+/Getty Images
What is this sweet candy treat that had a bad habit of clinging to teeth long after the last bite had been consumed?
Happy Painter
Jolly Rancher
Smiling Baker
Beaming Builder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jolly Ranchers hard candies have been around since the late '40s, but the introduction of Jolly Rancher Stix in the late '70s brought this candy to a whole new generation. Available in green apple and cinnamon, the thin, translucent sticks could be enjoyed for much longer than the average chocolate bar.

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Microwave Popcorn
Photography by Rick Lowe/Moment Open/Getty Images
The very first patent for this '80s must-have food was issued in 1981. Think you know what it is?
Steamed Vegetable Bags
Microwave Popcorn
Nacho Cheese Doritos
Hot Pockets
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Microwaves were taking over at the dawn of the '80s, so it's no surprise that food manufacturers were eager to take advantage of this growing technology. General Mills scored the first patent for a microwave popcorn bag in 1981, according to The History Channel, and the snack just took off from there.

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Orange Julius
Maartje van Caspel/E+/Getty Images
If you visited a mall in the '80s, you probably recognize this beverage. Can you remember what it's called?
Orange Julius
Pink Petunia
Red Robin
Yellow Yoohoo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A blend of orange juice, sugar, milk, vanilla and egg whites or bananas, the Orange Julius is a frothy classic found in countless mall food courts of the '80s. Before the modern coffee shop or juice bar, the Orange Julius was the go-to drink for thirsty shoppers in need of a pick-me-up. Today, you can get this treat at Dairy Queen, which bought the brand in 1987.

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Smurf-Berry Crunch
YouTube by Everything in the World: The 80's
Think you can name this cartoon-inspired kid favorite, which was approved by Papa himself?
Smurf-Berry Crunch
Oaty O's
Inspector Gadget Gizmos
He-Man Crunchies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An animated series about singing blue critters called Smurfs kept kids entertained from 1981 through 1989. To take advantage of Smurf-mania, food makers introduced Smurf-Berry Crunch in 1983, followed by Smurf Magic Berries — with marshmallows — a few years later.

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Diet Coke
YouTube by Kizzume's Klips
The fitness craze of the '90s really began in the '80s, with products like this calorie-free beverage leading the charge.
Orbit Soda
Mr. Pibb
Surge
Diet Coke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At the start of the '80s, Tab ruled the diet soda market. And then came Diet Coke in 1982, which pretty quickly sent Tab packing. It was certainly a whole lot more successful than New Coke, which came out in 1985 and left fans of the classic cola fuming.

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Frozen Yogurt
TheCrimsonMonkey/E+/Getty Images
What is this product made by TCBY that was all the rage in the '80s?
Ice Cream
Frozen Yogurt
Gelato
Edible Cookie Dough
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

TCBY began as This Can't Be Yogurt in 1981, before switching its name to The Country's Best Yogurt in 1984 due to a lawsuit. Throughout the decade, fans of the low-fat treat flocked to TCBY shops for this "healthy" treat, ignoring the sugar content altogether.

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Cheez Balls
James Worrell/Photodisc/Getty Images
This cheesy '80s fav was discontinued in the '00s, but later made a comeback. Come you name it?
Cheez Balls
3D Doritos
Tato Skins
Pizzarias
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 1981 to 2006, nut-maker Planters produced cardboard cans of puffed snacks called Cheez Balls. When they were discontinued, fans old and new launched a grassroots campaign to get the classic snack back in production. Planters finally caved to demand in 2018, restoring this beloved food to store shelves.

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Capri-Sun
Wiki Commons by AlexCarr
Served in a flexible pouch, which of these drinks was introduced to the U.S. in 1981?
Capri-Sun
Ecto Cooler
Red Bull
Tab
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Capri-Sun came out in 1969, but didn't make it to the U.S. until 1981. Once this fruity juice blend hit the States, however, kids everywhere were ready to pack it in their lunchboxes. Served in a flexible pouch that somehow stood up, the drink required you to stab it with a straw to access the liquid within.

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Wild Cherry
Wiki Commons by Continental738
What flavor did Pepsi introduce to spice up the soda market in 1988?
Wild Cherry
Galloping Grape
Spicy Strawberry
Amazing Apple
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wild Cherry Pepsi came out in 1988, adding a fruity twist to this beloved cola. While this product sold well, the company's 1991 venture of strawberry, tropical and raspberry sodas known as The Wild Bunch was a major flop.

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Hot Pockets
Wiki Commons by Lenin and McCarthy
Can you remember the name of this microwavable meal packed into a crispy dough packet?
Bagel Bites
Lunchables
Hot Pockets
Kid Cuisine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Microwave cooking was all the rage in the '80s as the newfangled appliances started showing up in kitchens across the U.S. Chef America took advantage of the craze by creating meat and cheese filled dough wraps called Hot Pockets, which came out in 1983 and included a special sleeve to keep the dough from getting soggy during cooking.

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McChicken
LauriPatterson/E+/Getty Images
Identify the burger alternative that McDonald's introduced in 1980.
Turkey Master
McChicken
Arch Deluxe
Bacon McWrap
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The McChicken was a 1980 McDonald's creation consisting of a breaded chicken patty, mayo and shredded lettuce. It wasn't a top-seller, so Mickey D's pulled it off the menu in favor of something much more popular ... McNuggets.

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Tab
YouTube by Bionic Disco
Name this top-selling diet cola, which was quickly overshadowed by the introduction of Diet Coke in the early '80s.
Slurm
Splurge
Bolt
Tab
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 1963, Tab was the top-selling diet soda in the U.S. through the '70s. Sales slumped a bit when studies showed a link between saccharin and bladder cancer. By the time Diet Coke came out in 1982, Tab was on the downswing, and even the introduction of Caffeine-Free and Clear Tab over the next few years couldn't save this soda.

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Toaster Strudels
Wiki Commons by Arnold Gatilao
Name the Pop-Tarts alternative that got kids out of bed starting in '85.
Flavor Poppers
Breakfast Bangers
Toaster Strudels
Oven Danishes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pillsbury marketed the '80s breakfast treat Toaster Strudels with the tagline, "Something better just popped up." Kids and adults alike clamored for this frozen toaster pastries, which came with packets of sweet creamy icy to swirl on top.

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Crystal Light
fcafotodigital/E+/Getty Images
Fitness was hot in the '80s, so it's no surprise that hot women working out were used to market this diet drink.
Buzz Cola
Splurge Diet
Crystal Light
Splender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crystal Light is a fruity low or no-cal beverage that came out in 1982. Commercials featuring Linda Evans or Priscilla Presley sipping on the drink during their workouts helped keep sales brisk.

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Waffle
clubfoto/E+/Getty Images
Chick-Fil-A has been selling these fries since 1985. Do you know what this style of fry is called?
Waffle
Criss-Cross
Shoestring
Hashtag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first commercial waffle fry maker came out in '79, which meant the '80s were just the perfect time for this food to find a market. Chick-Fil-A chose this style of fry to sell in their restaurants starting in 1985, and today waffle fries are the most popular item on the menu, according to Entrepreneur.

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Tato Skins
YouTube by Mark Krugman
They're made by TGI Fridays today, but were once sold under the Keebler name. What is this '80s food?
Cheezits
Toasties
Squeezits
Tato Skins
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the '80s, the Keebler Elves backed up Tato Skins chips in flavors like bacon and cheddar or sour cream and chives. Designed with one dark side to mimic the skin of the potato, these chips are now sold under the TGI Fridays brand.

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Squeezit
YouTube by Consumer Time Capsule
Name these colorful beverages, which were a must-have in school lunchboxes during the '80s?
Super Sippers
Twistees
Cherry Bombs
Squeezit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Almost any kid alive in the '80s experienced the magic of Squeezits at least once. These sugary, fruit-flavored drinks came in soft plastic bottles that could be squished and squeezed to avoid missing a drop.

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Bagel Bites
Wiki Commons by Sean Busbey
It's not just for dinner anymore! Which beloved '80s food transformed a classic supper into a food you could have anytime of day?
Bagel Bites
Cereal Burgers
Egg Loaf
Bacon Tacos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bagel Bites came out in 1985 and revolutionized breakfast for the younger set. By plopping cheese and sauce on a bagel, the humble pizza became a food that would work as well for breakfast as it would for dinner. Eighties kids might remember Bagel Bites commercials, which promised, "When pizza's on a bagel, you can eat pizza anytime!"

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Nerds
Pixabay/WikimediaImages
This '80s candy featured tiny pebbles of colored sugar packaged two flavors to a box, but do you remember its name?
Doodles
Quitters
Munchkins
Nerds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nerds came out in 1983, and were picked as Candy of the Year by the National Candy Wholesalers Association just two years later. Each box came with two openings, each featuring a different color of sweet sugar crystals that you could chew or let dissolve on your tongue.

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Teddy Grahams
YouTube by Tenamesan
Combine animal crackers with old-school graham crackers and you'll get this '80s fav.
Sugar Smackers
Cow Cookies
Teddy Grahams
Monkey Minis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Have you ever looked closely at Teddy Grahams, tiny cookie bears that came out in '88? Each is positioned in a reverse jumping jack, with legs together and arms wide, or legs spread and arms at their sides. When they were first introduced, this snack came in honey, cinnamon and chocolate varieties.

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Powerade
GreenPimp/E+/Getty Images
A spin as an Olympic sponsor in 1988 helped this beverage compete with Gatorade, but can you recall its name?
Powerade
Muscleade
Speed Juice
Gold Medal Muscle Milk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Named for the University of Florida's football team, Gatorade dominated the sports drink market when it came out in the '60s. By 1988, Coca-Cola was ready to throw its own hat into the sports drink market with the introduction of Powerade. By the 2010s, Powerade owned about a third of the U.S. sports beverage market, according to NBC News.

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Reese's Pieces
Wiki Commons by Evan-Amos
Do you know which of these snacks became a mainstream hit thanks to an appearance in a little movie called "E.T."?
M&M's
Sixlets
Tato Skins
Reese's Pieces
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mars turned down an offer to have M&M's appear in the 1982 mega-hit "E.T." Producers instead turned to the lesser-known Reese's Pieces, which became a huge seller when the film was released, as everyone wanted to try the adorable alien's favorite treat.

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Big League Chew
YouTube by Snubie.com
It probably wouldn't make it to store shelves today, but can you name this snack inspired by chewing tobacco?
Gatorade Gum
Red Bull Gummies
Big League Chew
Splashers Gum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Noticing all the players around him chewing tobacco, Portland Mavericks player Rob Nelson was inspired to create Big League Chew in the '80s. These envelopes of shredded gum come with cartoon images of baseball players on the package, with more than 800 million sold since its introduction, according to the product's website.

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Jell-O Pudding Pops
YouTube by Tom Kostro
Know the name of the dessert that featured commercials with Bill Cosby throughout the '80s?
Strawberry Shortcake
Bomb Pops
Sour Slammers
Jell-O Pudding Pops
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bill Cosby was a huge star in the '80s thanks to his role as Cliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show." With him pushing the chocolate, vanilla and swirled Jell-O pudding pops, kids were eager to try the treat.

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BarNone
YouTube by wiifermadness
Which '80s candy bar promised to "Tame the Chocolate Beasty?"
PB Max
BarNone
Picnic
Caramello
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 1987, and known as the Temptations bar in Canada, BarNone was a delicious combination of chocolate cream-filled wafers topped with finely chopped peanuts and coated in chocolate. It sold well for a few years, but even the addition of a layer of caramel in 1993 couldn't save this candy from extinction.

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Carnation Breakfast Bar
Krug Studios/Corbis/Getty Images
If you needed a quick morning meal in the '80s, this was one of the easiest options you could go with. Know its name?
Quaker Cocoa Bar
Mr. T Cereal Bar
Carnation Breakfast Bar
BarNone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carnation Instant Breakfast has been around since the '60s, but by the '80s, an on-the-go breakfast meant grabbing a Carnation Instant Breakfast Bar. In the days before all the protein bars you see today, this quick meal provided an energy boost in the form of granola, peanut butter and chocolate.

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Slice
Monkey Business Images/Getty Images Plus
Produced by Pepsi, name this fruit-flavored soda that came out in '84.
Slice
Volt
Red Bull
Mania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slice was hugely popular when it came out in 1984. Made from 10 percent fruit juice mixed with sugary carbonation, this drink came in flavors like cherry, apple and grape. Sadly for Slice fans, demand fell off and the product was discontinued in the '00s.

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Lean Cuisine
Wiki Commons by Thomson200
Regular frozen dinners were too calorie-laden for '80s diners, so Stouffer's released this diet line in 1981. Can you ID it?
Healthy Choice
Slim Suppers
Lean Cuisine
Trim TV Dinners
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lean Cuisine came out in 1981 to appeal to diet-conscious customers looking for a quick and healthy lunch option that could be cooked in the microwave in four minutes flat. The first line included 10 meals of 300 calories or less. Today, that number has grown to more than a 100, including pizza, pasta and other once-forbidden favorites.

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Tricolore
Heather Winters/Stockbyte/Getty Images
No '80s cookout was complete without this side. Do you know what it's called?
Manicotti
Tricolore
Macaroni
Lasagna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tri-color pasta salad, or tricolore, was all the rage in the '80s. This ubiquitous side featured green, white and orange rotini pasta soaked in Italian dressing and tossed with fresh veggies.

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Cool Ranch
milanfoto/E+/Getty Images
The very first Doritos were unflavored when they came out in the '60s. Know which variety was released in 1986 to tons of fanfare?
Taco
Fruit Punch
Salsa Verde
Cool Ranch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When Doritos came out in 1964, they were simple corn chips with no added flavoring. Taco and Nacho versions in 1967 and 1972 stepped things up a bit, but nothing matches the excitement that came with the release of Cool Ranch Doritos in 1986. If you live outside of the U.S., you might know these as Cool America flavor, because ranch dressing isn't as common outside the states.

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Soda
LPETTET/E+/Getty Images
Take a drink ... or a chew. Know which beverage inspired this line of fluid-filled gum?
Apple Juice
Soda
Red Bull
Chocolate Milk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gum got exciting in the '80s thanks to a line of soda-inspired products. These mega-sized gum pieces were filled with liquid, with flavors inspired by Dr. Pepper, 7-Up and Cherry 7-Up.

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Push Pop
Wiki Commons by Editor182
Like your snacks to look like cosmetics? Name this lipstick-like lollipop introduced in '86.
Color Coater
Lip Smacker
Push Pop
Hubba Bubble
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lollipops are yummy, but they take time to enjoy all the way down to the stick. Push Pops solved this problem by putting the candy into a tube, where it could be easily tucked away and saved for later.

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PB Max
Wiki Commons by Cute 90's Girl
Think back to the late '80s and try to recall the name of this delicious peanut butter treat made by the Mars Company.
PB Crisps
PB Max
BarNone
Sky Bar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The PB Max was a truly unique sweet, made by layering peanut butter and oats over a crunchy cookie, then coating the whole thing in chocolate. Sadly, the PB Max was short-lived, just like Planters PB Crisps, which came out a few years later and were quickly discontinued. Turns out the '80s weren't such a great time for peanut butter lovers.

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Ecto Cooler
Roger Barr's Amazing Youtube Channel of Wonder
Name the drink with the "Ghostbusters" tie-in that every '80s kid was crazy for.
Marshmallow Man Mocha
Ecto Cooler
Slimer Soda
Spooky Slurper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ghostbusters" was a huge hit when it came out in 1984, spawning tons of merchandise, along with a 1986 cartoon called "The Real Ghostbusters." To celebrate the new animated series, Hi-C rebranded its classic citrus juice box as Ecto-Cooler, complete with a picture of Slimer on the package. The drink was so popular that it stayed on store shelves long after "Ghostbusters" fever had faded.

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Fruit Wrinkles
YouTube by FastbackV8
Made by Fruit Roll-Ups maker Fruit Corners, can you name these poppable snacks?
Cherraisins
Fruity Balls
Fruit Wrinkles
Nerds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not satisfied with the success of Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit Corners released pouches of tiny fruit-flavored candy bits called Fruit Wrinkles in 1986. With flavors like orange, lemon, cherry and strawberry, they were similar to raisins flavored with fruits other than grapes — except they were mostly made of sugar.

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McDLT
YouTube by geobeats
McDonald's wanted to separate hot and cold ingredients on this sandwich, which came out in '84. Remember what is was called?
Big Mac
McDLT
Whopper
Arch Deluxe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The McDonald's Lettuce and Tomato, or McDLT, was a burger sold in a special foam tray with a separate compartment to keep the toppings cool and fresh. Turns out, customers weren't fond of assembling their own sandwiches, so the McDLT was discontinued in 1990.

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Magic Middle
YouTube by Consumer Time Capsule
Elf-made snacks were big in the '80s. Can you name these much-missed cookies?
Candy Delights
Magic Middle
Sparkling Sandies
Fudge Dreams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every '80s kid remembers commercials showing the Keebler elves hard at work baking cookies in their treehouse kitchen. One of their creations, Magic Middles, featured shortbread stuffed with gooey fudge. While these cookies are no longer made, Pepperidge Farm Milano Melts offer a similar experience if you're feeling nostalgic.

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