We usually buy half sheet cakes at Sam’s, but the birthday boy wanted cupcakes, so we appeased him for his day. Sadly, that was a HUGE mistake we will never make again. The cake and icing was soft, moist, and delicious, just as their cakes are. BUT… there were what can best be described as ‘jaw-breaker’ hard little 1/8th to 1/4 inch white ball sprinkles hidden in the white icing that could break a tooth! After not just one of us, but ALL, complained about them, I went searching the remaining cupcakes for the culprits and removed them. I took a regular claw hammer and tapped them moderately without as much as a crack to them. Finally, I took an 8 pound sledgehammer to them and was able to tap on them 5 times lightly without cracking; it took a good ‘swing’ of the sledge to crack them. Something so hard should NOT be hidden inside something that is meant to be soft and fluffy!! I seriously thought I cracked a molar. I am not one to make outlandish reviews at all - this is a serious safety issue!
I went to the Club where I purchased them, knowing that they put the icing on at the store. It appeared the bakery crew were having a meeting, of-sorts…they were huddled together at the entrance to the baking department. One man with 5 or 6 women, the man had a medium build, facial hair and was wearing blue; it appeared he was leading their discussion. I apologized for interrupting their meeting, citing a potential health risk in one of their products. I described the issue to the group in FULL detail, including the hammer tests. One of the women didn’t understand what topping I was describing and responded ‘oh the gumballs’, to which the man replied ‘no, he means the small white balls in the large container’. He thanked me for bringing it to his attention, yet did not stop immediately and walk the 12 or so feet from where he was standing to check the container to make sure there wasn’t an issue with the whole container or at least to show some level of concern to protect others from serious injury…let alone our feelings. I was calm yet spoke emphasizing worried concern for the safety of other members who might be harmed by this esthetic topping. To be completely honest, they are barely noticeable by eye…they blend completely in white icing, and have no flavor at all…not sweet, just nothing.
I will honestly say this is not the first time I have had anything but praise for our Sam’s Club, it was the second in MANY wonderful years of shopping there; the first was about overcooked rotisserie chickens…not a safety concern at-all. However, I found this was poorly handled by the staff and possibly team leader, especially for the potential health and safety risk the issue poses to other unsuspecting club members. When you bite into a cupcake, there shouldn’t be anything hard like a rock in it - PERIOD! I was embarrassed for our Sam’s Club that day.
Customer reviews for White and Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing, 30 ct. for
