Arnott's customers saddened after beloved biscuit axed during pandemic
- Replies 26
We're sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like one of Australia's most beloved biscuit brands has quietly discontinued another of its fan-favourite products.
Arnott's Biscuits — which has been a staple in Aussie homes for generations — recently did away with its Honey Jumbles, much to the dismay of loyal sweet-toothed customers, including ourselves…
For those who may be unfamiliar with them, Arnott's Honey Jumbles are soft-baked gingerbread fingers that are topped with pink or white icing. They were a customer hit due to their delicious flavour and unique texture.
However, it looks like they won't be gracing our shelves (or our stomachs) anymore, as Arnott's confirmed that the biscuits have been permanently discontinued.
When asked about the decision to axe the product, an Arnott's spokesperson said: ‘We stopped baking our Honey Jumbles in July 2021. At this stage there are no plans to bring the product back to the shelf.’
The spokesperson explained that the decision was made because of ‘low sales and consumer demand’.
Many patrons were saddened and disappointed with the development.
‘I’m just finding out. This is horrible news,’ one person said.
Another added: ‘We’re just going to cancel Honey Jumbles without any warning, huh?’
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Arnott’s customers as they discontinued their Classic Assorted biscuit pack, also citing low sales.
For former Arnott’s food scientist Russel Stuart, the latest axed biscuit line might be a sign of tougher days ahead for those who love a good bikkie every now and then.
‘I think it could be the beginning of the end of bikkies,’ Stuart said.
‘They’re declining, there’s so much other new stuff out there and only (seniors) eat it.’
‘I’m off the bikkies myself but it’s our nannas, it’s our grandparents they’re hurting, in my opinion. (They’re) taking away the things our grandparents love.’
Despite the sad news, there might also be a silver lining. (Sadly, silver bikkies aren’t a thing… yet.)
While we might not be seeing the biscuits back, Arnott’s has given customers a parting gift, perhaps as a consolation.
‘We also know there are some VERY passionate Honey Jumbles fans out there, which is why Arnott’s Head of Culinary, Chef Vanessa Horton, has adapted the Honey Jumbles recipe so that people can recreate these iconic biscuits at home,’ the spokesperson shared.
The homemade Honey Jumbles take around 10 minutes to prepare and another 12 to cook, according to the recipe good for 20 biscuits.
Biscuits:
Icing:
Once you have all ingredients, get started by preheating your oven to 170 degrees celsius. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
Combine the butter, honey, and treacle in a small saucepan and stir over moderate heat until the mixture is evenly melted and smooth. It is recommended not to boil it! Set aside when done to cool.
Next, sift the plain flour, ground ginger, and baking soda/bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl before adding the cooled butter-honey-treacle mixture and the milk. Stir well and then chill for about 30 minutes.
Source: YouTube/Zuhause kochen
Once cooled, roll the mixture into logs about 30 cm long and cut it into 7-cm segments. Place the segments on the baking tray prepared earlier and bake for 12 minutes.
After, leave the cookies for about 5 minutes more, and then transfer them on a cooling tray.
For the icing, just whisk the egg white until frothy. Sift the icing sugar into the egg white and mix until smooth. Don’t forget to add some food colouring for pink icing!
Lastly, dip the baked biscuits’ front sides into the icing mixture and repeat until done.
If ever you try it, let us know how it goes!
Meanwhile, you might also want to check out Arnott’s new ‘indulgent’ range of Tim-Tams launched just in time for the holidays.
So, what do you think? Is Arnott’s making a big mistake by discontinuing Honey Jumbles? Were you a fan of the biscuits too?
Share your thoughts and reactions below!
Arnott's Biscuits — which has been a staple in Aussie homes for generations — recently did away with its Honey Jumbles, much to the dismay of loyal sweet-toothed customers, including ourselves…
For those who may be unfamiliar with them, Arnott's Honey Jumbles are soft-baked gingerbread fingers that are topped with pink or white icing. They were a customer hit due to their delicious flavour and unique texture.
However, it looks like they won't be gracing our shelves (or our stomachs) anymore, as Arnott's confirmed that the biscuits have been permanently discontinued.
When asked about the decision to axe the product, an Arnott's spokesperson said: ‘We stopped baking our Honey Jumbles in July 2021. At this stage there are no plans to bring the product back to the shelf.’
Aussies will no longer see Honey Jumbles’ classic pink- or white-topped biscuits. Credit: Woolworths
The spokesperson explained that the decision was made because of ‘low sales and consumer demand’.
Many patrons were saddened and disappointed with the development.
‘I’m just finding out. This is horrible news,’ one person said.
Another added: ‘We’re just going to cancel Honey Jumbles without any warning, huh?’
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Arnott’s customers as they discontinued their Classic Assorted biscuit pack, also citing low sales.
For former Arnott’s food scientist Russel Stuart, the latest axed biscuit line might be a sign of tougher days ahead for those who love a good bikkie every now and then.
‘I think it could be the beginning of the end of bikkies,’ Stuart said.
‘They’re declining, there’s so much other new stuff out there and only (seniors) eat it.’
‘I’m off the bikkies myself but it’s our nannas, it’s our grandparents they’re hurting, in my opinion. (They’re) taking away the things our grandparents love.’
Things may not be so bleak for those who will miss Arnott’s Honey Jumbles. Credit: Woolworths
Despite the sad news, there might also be a silver lining. (Sadly, silver bikkies aren’t a thing… yet.)
While we might not be seeing the biscuits back, Arnott’s has given customers a parting gift, perhaps as a consolation.
‘We also know there are some VERY passionate Honey Jumbles fans out there, which is why Arnott’s Head of Culinary, Chef Vanessa Horton, has adapted the Honey Jumbles recipe so that people can recreate these iconic biscuits at home,’ the spokesperson shared.
The homemade Honey Jumbles take around 10 minutes to prepare and another 12 to cook, according to the recipe good for 20 biscuits.
Biscuits:
- Softened Unsalted Butter (75 g)
- Honey (¼ cup)
- Treacle Syrup (¼ cup)
- Plain Flour (1 ½ cup)
- Ground Ginger (2 tbsp)
- Baking Soda/Bicarbonate of Soda (½ tbsp)
- Milk (1 ½ tbsp)
Icing:
- Egg White (1)
- Icing Sugar (1 ½ cups)
- Lemon Juice (1 tsp)
- Pink Food Colour
Once you have all ingredients, get started by preheating your oven to 170 degrees celsius. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
Combine the butter, honey, and treacle in a small saucepan and stir over moderate heat until the mixture is evenly melted and smooth. It is recommended not to boil it! Set aside when done to cool.
Next, sift the plain flour, ground ginger, and baking soda/bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl before adding the cooled butter-honey-treacle mixture and the milk. Stir well and then chill for about 30 minutes.
Source: YouTube/Zuhause kochen
Once cooled, roll the mixture into logs about 30 cm long and cut it into 7-cm segments. Place the segments on the baking tray prepared earlier and bake for 12 minutes.
After, leave the cookies for about 5 minutes more, and then transfer them on a cooling tray.
For the icing, just whisk the egg white until frothy. Sift the icing sugar into the egg white and mix until smooth. Don’t forget to add some food colouring for pink icing!
Lastly, dip the baked biscuits’ front sides into the icing mixture and repeat until done.
If ever you try it, let us know how it goes!
So, what do you think? Is Arnott’s making a big mistake by discontinuing Honey Jumbles? Were you a fan of the biscuits too?
Share your thoughts and reactions below!
.png){kind=icon}
Honey jumbles were a favourite of mine as a kid.
