Dove Mint Swirl with Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Bars Plus EPIC Shipping Fail

[Discontinued] Mars Mars Mars... look, I had no intention of reviewing Dove bars tonight, let alone did I plan on eating one before dinner, but we had a bit of a problem with our free products that made it necessary to check the Dove bars for damage. Check out the bottom of the post for more.

New for 2012, it's mint swirl with dark chocolate dove ice cream bars.

A box has 3 bars at 8.67 fluid ounces total, or 2.89 fl oz a piece.

Maple's Maine Maple Organic Gelato Review

[wholesale distribution discontinued : only available at their scoop shops]

hehehehe, did you read that title 2 or 3 times?  A little confusing, isn't it? Maple's is a small Maine "artisan dessert" shop that sells their goods to my local Whole Foods. What you see in the next picture is the 2012 redesign of their packaging.

As you can see, Maple's now comes in pint and quart size containers. The pint containers have gone with a more traditional pint shape while the new quart containers look like the old pint containers. They've even gone and upgraded to a fancy schmancy, color coded ribbon system with gold medallions for good measure. The thing is, I didn't buy one of these pints.

Yeah, a few months ago I actually bought this pint and another as they were on sale for like 2 for $7 or something (remember, they are usually $5.99 a piece). I've been trying to expand my little ice cream world and a maple flavor seemed like a simple way to do that.

New Orleans Ice Cream Company Creole Cream Cheese Ice Cream Review

No time to waste, we need to jump right into this one.

This is New Orleans Ice Cream Company's Creole Cream Cheese ice cream though I have no idea what Creole means... ok, do I ever know these things mean? Wiki says it's a mild and slightly sweet cream cheese. The container says it's "a local delicacy, fresh farmers style cream cheese gently blended into our delicious ice cream". Hmmm, no mixins? Interesting.

Ben & Jerry's Banana Peanut Butter Greek Frozen Yogurt Review

[2012 through 2015] Ok, I really really really wanted to get to the first of two planned Friday night fights, but unfortunately I'm having a battle of my own trying to get this stubborn heartburn in check. So, rather than pumping multiple chocolate covered goodies into my gullet, I decided to go where I usually dare not go... the world of banana flavored frozen treats.

Look, I'm not foolish enough to think I'm going to like this. Sure, we've got the peanut butter factor, but after the disastrous encounter with Ben & Jerry's long lost Strawberry Banana Froyo, I have little hope for this one..

Friendly's Birthday Cake Friend-z Review

[By Nick] Don’t ask me why but ever since Dubba posted his semi positive review of DQ’s Confetti Cake Blizzard I’ve had a craving for one of them. I know what you’re saying “Nick, why don’t you go get yourself one?” Well there are two problems with your question. First, the closest DQ is about 2 hours away from me, that’s way more than I want to drive for one ice cream treat. Second, that was the blizzard of the month in May and we’re currently at the end of July. So even if I did make the trek there, the staff would look at me like I’m crazy asking for one.

So what’s a guy going to do to satisfy this craving? Well looking over Friendly’s menu, it looks as if they have something possibly similar, the Birthday Cake Friend-z. I say possibly because there is literally no description of this thing at all. Hell, I can’t even find a photo of the thing online*. So I ventured over to my local Friendly’s to find out what this thing is all about. Asking the more than friendly hostess what was exactly in this concoction she was a little embarrassed not to have known herself. After consulting with what I assume to be the manager she informed me that it was vanilla soft serve mixed with little cake pieces, sprinkles and frosting. Eh that’s close enough for me, so I handed over my $3.99 plus tax and waited for my treat to arrive.

As you can tell I took my friend-z to go because the “ambiance” of Friendly’s just isn’t my thing. Being surrounded by old people complaining about their food and little kids running around EVERYWHERE isn’t even close to appealing to me. 

New Orleans Ice Cream Co. White Chocolate Bread Pudding Ice Cream Review

Oh man, where do I even begin this review? I know, let's start by thanking the fine folks of the New Orleans Ice Cream Company for sending not 1, not 2, but 8 pints of their "all natural, hand crafted, ultra premium ice cream". Oh I love ice cream and our friends to the south don't mess around. Here, go over to their site for a second, and then come back here, I'll wait....

Back? Good. Their site is a little behind so it only lists 12 of their 22 robust flavors, but you get the idea --- UPDATE: You can see (and order) most of their flavors on icecreamsource.com

I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating, but I'm looking at the pints in my freezer and I don't even know where to start. For example, there's a peach melba flavor. Ok, sounds straight forward right? It's probably vanilla ice cream with peaches, but no no no my friend. There's also almonds and a raspberry swirl! Who thinks of these things? I know I don't. How am I ever going to run an ice cream company when there are so many creative and talented people out there on this fine planet of ours?

I perused all 8 pints and I decided to go with the blue one. Seriously, how am I suppose to pick? Every flavor is funky and deserves to go first, but this one says white chocolate and I think I like bread pudding... well, I know I love bread, and I love pudding, so that's the same thing right?

Cold Stone Creamery Classic Turtle Sundae A "Retro Classic" Treat Review

[New for 2012] I wanted to pick up "something new" from Cold Stone, and since I can't find a flavor of the month (unless it's cherry vanilla where the cherries are purple), then I guess I'll give in to all the retro signage hanging around.

Hmmmm, choices choices choices - Well I'm not a huge float or banana fan, so let's scoop a turtle

(note: there are three other retro classics, but I didnt see them until after I ordered)

Well it's not exactly what I expected, and it would have been nice to have a spoon that's got more stiffness than a sheet of paper, but you know it's still going to be excellent. Sweet Caramel, Hot Fudge & lots of pecans on top of some excellent whip cream and very tasty french vanilla ice cream (I didn't pick french vanilla, they did). I don't have a whole lot to say except that it was sweet, fresh, and very tasty.

I know this review is short, so I'll leave you with some ice cream "photo bowls" they had at Target, I think they were $4.99 a pop. We also saw that the DQ Blizzard Oreos are back!

Wonka Kernelpuff Caramelstuff Ice Cream

[New for 2012, retired April 2013] Ok, so you remember how Wonka released 7 new flavors and was nice enough to send them all of for testing. Well, there are still two left and it's about time we dug in.

No No No No No

Better, much better

Wonka Kernelpuff Caramelstuff Ice Cream

Caramel Ice Cream with Popped Kernels, Pecan Pralines & salted Caramel Swirls

Edy's MAXX Cherry Chocolate Bomb Ice Cream

[By Nick, discontinued after 2013] This is probably the unpopular opinion here but I absolutely hate summer. It is by far my least favorite season. I’m not a fan of sweating, swimming, or (insert other summer activity that starts with s here). One of the only good things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruit, and more specifically, cherries. Sure you can get cherries year round but nothing compares to the ones you get from your local farmers’ market. Juicy, tart, and sweet, these divine gifts alone help to dilute my hatred towards these sweltering months.

You would think that with my love affair with cherries that cherry ice cream would be one of my favorites. On the contrary though, this is not the case. I know Dubba’s wife will hunt me down for saying this but I actually find Cherry Garcia to be very overrated. Sure it’s a fine ice cream and all but it’s not something I find myself craving.

A recent stop to get gas led me to spotting this faux pint of Edy’s MAXX Chocolate Cherry Bomb Ice Cream. It looks as if Edy’s is taking a stab at the flavor profile that Ben & Jerry’s holds in such high praise. Described as “Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries and Chocolaty Chunks”, it sounds exactly like what those Vermont hippies have been churning out for years.

Taste of Inspirations Strawberry Greek Frozen Yogurt

I know everyone is probably pretty sick of these Taste of Inspirations Greek Frozen Yogurts popping up on the blog recently, so I'll make this one very quick.

This is the Strawberry variety

Ben & Jerry's Pina Colada Ice Cream And Ben & Jerry's Rainbow Sherbrrrt

I do not like Pina Coladas, at least I assume I wouldn't since I don't drink

Nor do I like getting caught in the rain, at least not without my trusty blue umbrella

I'm definitely not into yoga and I'm pretty sure I've got half a brain

Hey, wait, that next line is none of your business....

Ok, let's start at the beginning.

So, how was the 2012 version of your National Ice Cream Day? Mine was way too tiring and wasn't exactly what I had planned. We had toyed with going to Six Flags, or visiting the ice cream trucks at the Food Truck Festivals of New England, or maybe just doing another Sundae Sunday post, but everything fell through... well, almost everything --- Fear not, for the weekend is not a total loss. Our buds at Ben & Jerry's have hooked us up! You see, earlier in the week their PR firm was asking if I wanted to give away a Greek Froyo prize pack. I said sure, why not, it's for the people. Well, we got home yesterday to find a package waiting by the doorway.

That looks like ICE CREAM!!!!

I love ice cream deliveries, but they never really come on Saturdays (there's just too much extra shipping cost). We had good day, so this just seemed like a neat way to end it. We quickly tore open the box and discovered....

BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM!!!!

Oh the excitement! The only thing better than ice cream at your door is unexpected ice cream at your door. I was psyched and couldn't wait to dig in --- but I was good and I waited until today.

The Ice Cream King Book Review

For father's day, my wife and kids finished off my drawing supply collection in a hopefully non-futile attempt to get me drawing again. I also got something else though.

No, they aren't calling me the ice cream king, but this is a very cute book. It's written by Steve Metzger and illustrated by Julie Downing. It starts off as a black and white story about Teddy going to a scoop shoppe with his mom. He is transported to a colorful and wonderfully drawn world as he debates what he's going to order. I hate spoilers so I won't say anymore, but let's just say the book can be found here if you are interested (which you should be).

I'm always surprised there aren't more ice cream books out there. I should hopefully have another iPad book review coming up very shortly, and who knows what else from there. Heck, maybe someday I'll even finish my own ice cream book, it's only been sitting on my shelf for what? 3 years? 4 years? oh I hope it hasn't been four years. It's cute too, maybe not as cute as this book, but I do wish I had the skills to finish it.

DQ January 2013 Blizzard of the Month The Chocolate Candy Shop Blizzard Review

[New for July 2012, back in January 2013]
Guess what? Third time's a charm when it comes to the Chocolate Candy Shop blizzard which is assorted mini chocolates blended with dark, decadent cocoa fudge and creamy vanilla soft serve. The first time I tried to pick one up, the delivery truck was "messed up" because of the holiday. On the second try, they ran out of candy bits over the weekend because apparently everyone wanted to "'Leap into the unknown". And then, finally on this fine Friday the 13th, I got my hands on this new blizzard for lunch. 

Mmmmm, I do love my blizzard lunches.

Oh boy, new cup design! That's good because I was kind of getting sick of the old cups, it seems like they haven't changed them in forever. I know it doesn't effect the taste... or does it?

Klondike Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich Review

Ok, hold tight, we're going to try something different. Nick had talked about reviewing these but I spaced at lunchtime and bought them myself. I was still reeling from being denied the blizzard of the month yet again and so I was trying to pep myself back up -- I wasn't sure the best way to review these, so we're going to take his excellent review and then throw in a second scooping of my thoughts on the side. Hang on, and let us know what you think.

Nick: I know what you're thinking "Nick, why are you writing a review about something as plain as an ice cream sandwich?” The answer is pretty simple, the box says new! No matter how pedestrian the product, I feel like it deserves some sort of attention. If you're going to go through the process of releasing something that's already been around for years, you better be able to diversify yourself from the competition.

Dubba: Apparently New York City takes credit for inventing the modern ice cream sandwich way way way back in the 1890s. Who knew?!

Klondike Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches

Chocolate Light Ice Cream Between Two Chocolate Wafer

Happy 7-Eleven Day with the Fanta Lemon Creme Slurpee

Greetings fellow frozen drink lovers! It's 7/11 today, which means it's 7-Eleven Day. Basically just head down to any participating 7-11 from 11-7 and grab yourself a free mini slurpee. Now every year I complain that a 7.11 oz drink isnt nearly enough to fill me...

And then every year I try to remember why I pick the flavor of the month as my free drink because I can barely finish it. This month's slurpee flavor is Fanta Lemon Crème and like most slurpee flavors, it's disgusting despite being billed as the perfect combination of sweet and tart. It amazes me that they come out with all these flavors yet they always seem to taste so similar. I thought by some fluke I might get a funky lemonade vibe, but no, it's much more of a twisted orange cream flavor with just less orange and more... iunno, I don't taste lemon at all so I don't know what they mixed with it. It doesn't even smell like lemons. To be honest, I don't know if I should drink it or wash my hands with it because it smells like soap.

Despite this terrible slurpee (which I did manage to finish), I still wish 7/11 a happy 85th birthday.

Verdict?  Terrible
Buy Again?  I'm thankful I didn't buy it in the first place

Smucker's Orange Creme Magic Shell or is that Gojo hand cleaner?

If only I could remember which is which....

Ok, that's either Smucker's Orange Creme Magic Shell or the very handy Gojo Natural Orange Pumice Hand cleaner poured on top of a blue marshmallow peep, a chips ahoy cookie, a pringle, and some fritos.

Oh, alright, it's the Smuckers.... more specifically, it's the liquidy part of the semi-condensed magic shell. The bottle has long since expired and become something entirely.... messy. The goopy part was stuck to the bottom of the container. I did enventually get some of solid stuff out - you can see the peep wearing it.

The orange creme flavor was new for 2011 and I felt obligated to pick some up and try it since it was only two bucks a bottle. Problem is (or was), that I never had an urge to try it. It just sat and sat and sat in the cabinet. I know some people love those chocolate oranges, but for me, I drink my OJ for breakfast and save my chocolate for... well, for after breakfast really.

So two bucks down the drain, but at least I had a little fun with it.

Oh, and if you must know, Gojo is actually white in color  :)

Three Twins Fair Trade Vanilla Bean Speck An Organic Ice Cream Review

Oh man did I want some Vanilla ice cream Friday night... yeah, you heard me right, plain old Vanilla. Those crazy buggers at Graeters have thrown my world into a tizzy by making such a fine vanilla ice cream. It was an awesome reminder of how I need to enjoy the simple stuff sometimes. Oh, if only I had some more of it...

This is Three Twins Organic Fair Trade Vanilla Bean Speck Ice Cream made with organic Indian vanilla beans. I would love to say I'm eating a bowl right now, but unfortunately I've already ate all of it about a week ago. It was good and I made short work of it. 

Sundae Sunday

Wow, it's been a long time since we had official Sunday Sundaes, or as my daughter has officially renamed it, Sundae Sunday. She busily got to work on the decorating and preparing while her brother slept and her mom finished off a errand. It took a little while to get everything in place and basically we either had a really late snack or a really early ice cream dinner. I'm not sure which, but does it really matter?

The day was fairly busy considering it's a Sunday. We headed out in an attempt to enjoy the New England Summer Nationals. My daughter kept asking "where are all the cars?" The show runs Thursday to Sunday, but apparently a lot of people already headed home. My son was more excited than my daughter, but his version of checking out a car involves quickly turning his head towards the car as we walk by it. Oh well, it's ok, we'll come back when you are older.

We left after about an hour and headed to the grocery store. I wonder what they have in store for us....

Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Bar Review

[By Nick] On my quest to add variety without adding on pounds, I’m led to try out the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Bar from Weight Watchers. I think I just burned some extra calories typing out the name of this product alone. Now I’m a big fan of raspberries and you already know my feelings about cheesecake, so when I saw these bars I knew I had to give them a try.

Weight Watchers describes them as “low fat cheesecake ice cream with a raspberry swirl dipped in a dark chocolate flavored coating”. Low fat cheesecake has to be one of the best oxymorons I’ve seen in a while. It seems as though they’re using the same dark chocolate shell that covers the Dulce de Leche bars as well.

Win a pair of tickets to Six Flags for National Ice Cream Day

As most of you probably know by now, July is National Ice Cream Month. More specifically, the third Sunday of the month, July 15th, is national ice cream day. If only there was something to do on that day (well, besides eat ice cream).

Well, Mars (the fine folks behind the excellent new Milky Way Ice Cream bar) have teamed up with Six Flags to celebrate "the coolest day of the year". Here are the main things going on at the parks.

                               

Rise and Scream Event: Ice cream and theme park rides are a natural pair – they both make consumers scream in delight! The first 200 guests to arrive at select Six Flags parks on National Ice Cream Day will have the chance to receive a MARS Ice Cream Rise and Scream Wristband, which provides special VIP access to select rides before the park opens to the public.

MARS Ice Cream Social Hour: Need a break from the heat? Cool down with a frozen treat during the MARS Ice Cream Social Hour. Purchase a Mars Ice Cream product from any official Six Flags Ice Cream Day location within the park from 4-5 p.m. and you can receive a free Midway Game Voucher to use at Six Flags on Sunday, July 15.

“Adults Only” DOVE® Ice Cream Truck: For those in the Boston area on National Ice Cream Day, the special edition “Adults Only” DOVE® Ice Cream Truck will be stopping by the Six Flags New England in Springfield, beginning at 5:30 p.m. EST. Those 18 years or older can enjoy free DOVE® Ice Cream Bars and other adult activities – including massages by licensed massage therapist, manicures and music.

Sound exciting? Well, what if I told you that one of you is going to win a Mars / Six Flags prize pack that includes a pair of Six Flags tickets to be used only on July 15th plus you get 5 coupons for Mars products. That's 30 milky way ice cream bars! Woohoo!

Three ways to enter this one:

One, tweet this "@onsecondscoop I want to go to @sixflags on national ice cream day!"

Two, leave a comment on the six flags wall post on our facebook page.
Three, leave a comment below with either your email address or a link to your own site.

-Yes, you can do all three.
--Heck, I'll give you a bonus chance at the prize if you share the facebook post.

The contest will run all weekend and I will pick the winner either Sunday night or early Monday morning. Good luck, enjoy, and make sure your calendar is clear on the 15th before entering. 


Update: Ok, my magic excel spread sheet has compiled a (short) list of facebook, blogger, and twitter entries... and Adam wins! Congrats! Send me an email and I'll forward your info to Mars.

Disclaimer: This message is brought to you by Mars - I get 5 coupons out of the deal as well

Market Pantry Cookies n' Cream Ice Cream Sandwich A Target Treat Review

Ok, so we've had Archer Farms(Target) Ice Cream. We've had Archer Farms (Target) gelato. That just leaves Market Pantry (Target) treats to try. You know I love ice cream sandwiches, so let's get those.

For a whopping $1.69, I got me *6* ice cream sandwiches. That's 28 cents a piece, or 56 cents for a Dubba sized serving. That's just crazy cheap. They had the mint chip variety and the cookies 'n cream variety which bills itself as vanilla-flavored ice cream with chocolate cookie crunches between chocolate-flavored wafers. I went CnC ofcourse.

Breyers Oreo Birthday Blast! FDD Review

Happy Birthday America!

What better way to celebrate our birth (independence) than by rocking some birthday cake inspired ice cream. Sounds fair right? Ok, actually I bought this because I've been feeling a little guilty about my ice cream buying habits. I keep buying what I want to try, not what my daughter wants to try. So this one is all for her.

Breyers BLASTS! Oreo Birthday Blast! frozen dairy dessert is Oreo Cookie Pieces and Rainbow Spinkles in cake flavored frozen dairy dessert (artificially flavored). You all know I despise most cake flavored ice creams, and I didn't even really like the Birthday Oreos when they came out, but it's time to take one for the team (i.e. take 3 or 4 bites and give the rest to my daughter).

600 lb gorillas ice cream cookie sandwich review

[March 2018 Update: apparently the owners are tangled up in litigation with the people who were making the ice cream inside the delicious cookies. They have currently stopped production. Check the Boston Globe for more info.]

Do cookie ice cream sandwiches taunt you like they taunt me? One local Massachusetts company has been taunting me for years and their name is 600 lb gorillas. Whenever I would walk through BJ's freezer section, I would see their big box of 12 sandwiches calling to me. "We're just $9.99 - Buy us". I picked up that box several times, flip it over, and then remember I shouldn't eat something that's half of my daily saturated fat. What can I say? When something hits the 50% mark, I get scared, especially when it means I'll be eating 12 of them. It's like Magnum bars. Sure they are tasty, but oh so unhealthy.

I ran out to lunch for a little change of pace. I swung over to Roche Brothers and what do I see but individually wrapped 600 gorillas ice cream sandwiches at 2 for $3. Oh yeah, time to indulge.

 

600 gorillas premium chocolate chip ice cream cookie sandwich

With Vanilla Bean Ice Cream no less!

(note: says 4.0 fl oz on the front, 3.4 weight oz on the back)

Dairy Queen Royal Oreo Shake Review

Oh Dairy Queen! Once again your whacky delivery schedule has created a DQ that doesn't have the necessary components for the latest blizzard of the month. It's only the second day of the month, so I can't say I'm totally shocked especially since this particular DQ and another have always had trouble keeping up with the times.

Oh well. The good news is I have something else for you. About a month ago, grubgrade mentioned that new limited edition Royal Shakes were coming to DQ. It's time to check them out.

Before you stands a (blurry) Oreo shake. 

If you squint you can see the tiny oreo bits everywhere.

Blue Bunny Naturally Caramel Praline Crunch A Frozen Yogurt Review

[By Nick] Growing up, I was never a big fan of the "Big 3" in the ice cream world. Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry just never did it for me. When I had my choice of flavors, I’d always go for Butter Pecan, and not those Vanilla Ice Creams with pecans parading to be Butter Pecan either. I’m talking about the real deal Butter Pecan ice cream.

Seeing as I have 2 siblings and I am the youngest, butter pecan was not a flavor I got to have all that often, so when the occasion occurred I truly savored it. Now that I’m older, BP has remained one of my favorites and I can satisfy the craving whenever it strikes. Once I walked by this pint of Blue Bunny’s Caramel Praline Crunch Frozen Yogurt I knew I had to buy it.

Blue Bunny Caramel Praline Crunch Naturally Frozen Yogurt

All natural butter pecan frozen yogurt with

praline pecan pieces swirled with a salty caramel ribbon