McDonald’s has pulled the plug on a brand-new menu item just over a week after it first hit restaurants, leaving fans gutted.
The menu overhaul, which kicked off on 10 September, coincides with the annual McDonald’s Monopoly promotion - the fast-food giant’s beloved game that lets customers collect pieces for a chance to win everything from free food to luxury holidays.
Along with returning favourites like the Philly Cheese Stack, Chicken Big Mac and Mozzarella Dippers all making a comeback, we were also given a new batch of treats, including the Honeycomb Latte - a smooth, comforting drink infused with honeycomb syrup.
But there's also one that's gone as soon as it's come, and that's the Caramel Loaded McFlurry.
Packed with ice cream, caramel cubes, milk chocolate chips and white chocolate-coated shortbread pieces, all topped with caramel sauce, it was tipped to be the next big hit for dessert lovers.
But before many people even had the chance to grab one, it’s already been axed.
Speaking to FOODbible, a spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “We are aware of a quality control issue relating to the Caramel Loaded McFlurry and can confirm that the item has been removed from our menu.
"At McDonald’s, we place a strong emphasis on quality control and are disappointed by any instance where we fall short of our standards. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The sudden decision hasn’t gone unnoticed, with customers flocking to TikTok and Reddit to share their experiences of the short-lived McFlurry.
For some, it was love at first bite. TikTok user ellieinnesx hailed it as 'stunning', while another customer, jess_annex, called it 'the best McFlurry' she’d ever had, branding it a '10/10' and 'unreal'.
While McDonald’s hasn’t revealed what the dessert’s quality control issue is, some customers have expressed their frustration over the caramel chunks being too hard to eat.
Over on Reddit, specifically on the McDonaldsUK sub-Reddit, user u/Important_Duty9036 said: “I can see why it’s off the menu for now. Those caramel cubes were waaaay too hard. I had to avoid them while I ate it. I can easily see there being a few broken teeth from them.”
In another short review, u/juiceforsyth noted eating the McFlurry 'was like gnawing on a roof tile'.
The backlash hasn’t stopped plenty of fans from being upset about the McFlurry’s removal, though, with many asking the fast food chain to bring it back with a few tweaks. TikTok user @i.sabellalee begged: “McDonald’s UK please give the people what they want (bar the caramel bits that break your teeth) please.”
While McDonald’s hasn’t confirmed if the Caramel Loaded McFlurry could make a comeback in the future, it has already slotted in a replacement. The Toffee Crisp McFlurry is now back on the menu, costing £2.39 for a regular size and made with ice cream swirled with Toffee Crisp pieces, topped with toffee sauce.
Other limited-time items currently available include the Philly Cheese Stack, the Chicken Big Mac, Honeycomb Latte, and Mozzarella Dippers.
Whether the Caramel Loaded McFlurry will return remains to be seen, but for now, dessert fans will just have to settle for toffee instead of caramel.
Featured Image Credit: Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images
Ben Williams