Sweet Moments are more of an indulgence than a snack

Pillsbury Sweet Moments Brownies. Chocolate Fudge Bite-Size and Chocolate Caramel Bite-Size; and Chocolate Fudge Molten Lava, and Chocolate Caramel Molten Lava. $3.19 per 5.6-ounce bag of 12 bite-size brownies or 6.1-ounce box containing two Molten Lava bowls.

Bonnie: Pillsbury says Sweet Moments are its answer to women's desire for "a truly satisfying yet convenient option when their chocolate cravings hit." Both of these new refrigerated brownie items are chocolate, but do they "truly satisfy"?

The ready-to-nibble bite-size brownies are layered with either caramel or fudge and coated in chocolate. Three teeny brownies are 180 calories and 9 grams fat, of which 4.5 grams are saturated. The other Sweet Moments option is either a caramel or fudge brownie that you microwave for 15 seconds so that it's almost liquefied. One will set you back double the calories and fat of a serving of the bite-size, or about 365 calories and 18 grams fat. That's an indulgence, not a sweet moment. And although the label on both varieties says 0 trans fats, the brownies are made using partially hydrogenated oils, which are a source of trans fats.

With all their artificial flavors, gums and additives, Sweet Moments would not satisfy the women I know, with the exception of Carolyn, who doesn't care about such things.

Carolyn: Pillsbury Sweet Moments Molten Lava Brownies are General Mills' sister Betty Crocker brand's Warm Delights single-serve microwave dessert mixes taken to the next level of quality and convenience.

Warm Delights Hot Fudge Brownies and Sweet Moments Molten Lava are very similar in size and calories and serve a similar function (to give chocolate lovers their own quick, delicious treat). But unlike Warm Delights, which must be mixed with water and micro-baked, Sweet Moments Molten Lava Brownies come already cooked, and are even richer and more indulgent. The proof is in the vanilla ice cream I always put on Warm Delights brownies, but didn't need with these.

The companion Sweet Moments Bite-Size Brownies are even more indulgent, perhaps too much so, at least for something called a brownie. With their small size and heavy chocolate coating, they're really more like petit fours or candy bonbons. They come 12 brownie bites to a nonresealable pouch — which might sound dangerous, but these are so rich I didn't want to eat more than three.

Because I like brownies more than petit fours, the Molten Lava Brownies are the Sweet Moments I most look forward to experiencing again (artificial flavor, gums, additives and all!).