Who hasn’t wished they could be Charlie Bucket and visit Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory? Imagine being able to try chocolate in flavours you’ve only ever imagined – sampling your favourite snacks like Bombay mix, pretzels and salt and vinegar crisps, all in a chocolate bar form.

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Well, Cadbury designers get to do just that. In their quest to invent new flavours, Dave Shepherd, an innovations manager, and Noel Woollard, a design manager, mixed popular treats with Dairy Milk.

‘We ruled out Bombay mix because it was too spicy,’ said Mr Shepherd. ‘The crisps and pretzels didn’t pass the test, either – our tasters told us the vinegar was too sour and the pretzels too mushy.’

But after months of testing, Cadbury hit upon three innovative flavours: Berry Fruit & Vanilla Shortcake, Toffee Apple, and Roast Hazelnuts & Honey Roasted Cashews. I tried the finished product.

Sucking on a square of the berry bar, I found the crunchy shortcake pieces scratched the roof of my mouth – so I chomped on it instead. The generous pieces of crumbly, bubbly shortcake exploded in my mouth as the dried cranberry bits – infused with strawberry and elderflower juice – released a flavour reminiscent of strawberry cream lollipops.

I tried the toffee apple one next; the riskiest flavour of the three, according to Mr Shepherd. It smelt of mulled wine, and as the chocolate melted in my mouth it released subtle notes of nutmeg and a distinctive cinnamon flavour. For me, the balance of spices was just right: strong, but not overpowering. The apple pieces were soft, chewy and not too sweet, contrasting well with the crunchy honeycomb pieces. However, while the brittle cinder toffee didn’t stick to my teeth, it was a touch too grainy – I was left with gritty chunks of sugar on my tongue.

The roasted hazelnut bar is expected to be the winner of the three. Whole hazelnuts add texture, while fragments of the nut ensure the flavour is spread evenly around the bar – slightly dominating the creamy cashew nuts. The bar isn’t made with peanuts, but it tastes like a Snickers bar all the same.

All three flavours, which come in 140g bars only, are aimed at women in their thirties and forties – but with their colourful packaging and swirly Harry Potter font, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re a hit with kids – particularly the berry one.

The good news is, you needn’t collect a prized golden ticket like Charlie Bucket to try them. Just pop into your local newsagents (RRP £1.49), or visit http://www.cadbury.co.uk to find out more.