News for the 2022 freezer aisle

Well, it didn't take too long for companies to start announcing new 2022 stuff....   it just took a little while to make a post about it.

Jan 11, 2022 - (full release here) Unilever announces new products across all of their ice cream brands. Talenti gelato pairings excite me the most. I can't wait to find Caramel Pretzel Blondie and Chocolate Churro, and then at some point I'll probably try Bourbon Fudge Brownie and Strawberry Margarita.

   Reading the description, I'm pretty excited for the Magnum Duet Bars as well. Magnum bars are already tasty, and we've already had double shelled bars, but now we are getting double dipped bars. They also have new non-dairy options.

  Lastly, there are 5 new new Klondike Cones flavors. Based on passed experience, I will be skipping these. There are also 5 "new" Breyers flavors. They've had other Banana Split flavors, but this new one is a frozen dairy dessert. Very Berry Cobbler sounds like an inverse of Summer Berry Cobbler (reviewed here). There's also two carbsmart flavors as well as a new M&M's MINIS caramel Fudge light ice cream.

Branding note: Rights to label frozen products a Oreo and Chips Ahoy has gone away from Unilever and over to Nestle. Unilever products will now just be labeled as "Cookies & Creme".

Not officially announced yes, but some folks like @candyhunting have already found the new Blue Bunny Twist Cones. It looks like we'll see chocolate vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, and strawberry cheesecake.

So far Ben Jerry's has introduced new non-dairy core flavors as well as two new topped flavors. (ok, technically there are the new mint chocolate chance flavors, but those were released in December). I can't wait to find the new topped flavors. --- just got tagged on twitter for the new "Chewy Gooey Cookie" flavor, unfortunately they lost me at "coconut" [full description is milk chocolate & coconut ice creams with fudge flakes, shortbread cookies & caramel swirls]

Jan 25, 2022 (full press release here) Hudsonville Creamery is making a line of Little Debbie themed ice cream and all 7 flavors will be exclusively at Walmart! I guess the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes ice cream that they announced at the end of October went over very well! [I review two flavors here]

Jeni's has announced a new Maple Soaked Pancakes flavor. I will definitely pick it up if I see it.

I just saw that Turkey Hill is rebranding their all natural line to "simply natural". There are currently 16 flavors in all. Honestly, I don't love this new name, and I don't know if they are trying to expand marketing reach or trying to save the line up. I'm going to hope it's the former and not the latter.

There are four new "spoil yourself" pint flavors from Haagen-Dazs, and two of those flavors, Dulce de Leche Churro and Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel, will also be available as ice cream bars. It's going to be a fun year for H-D!

P.S. nothing new from Blue Bell yet, though they did release a new egg nog ice cream back in November (press release here) plus they recently brought back Cookies & Cream Cone which sounds fun.

P.S.S. @candyhunting noticed the new Noose Frozen Yogurt Gelato. I think it might be at my local Hannaford so I will try to find it sooner rather than later.

Your turn: What are you most excited for? Did I miss anything?

Do you like the new Haagen-Dazs packaging?

Sorry for the lack of posts. Real life has been very busy while there's not a ton going on in the freezer aisle. So, let's ask a question: do you like the new Haagen-Dazs packaging?

H-D was on sale this week, so I stocked up a bit (to off set all the Ben & Jerry's in the chest freezer). I'm happy with my choices, though admittedly they didn't have a ton to choose from.

This was the first new pint design that I saw and it's probably still my favorite. I like the colors and I also like how the flower inspired the overall pattern. Now go back to the first picture and you will notice the flavor also inspired those background patterns as well.

And this is the Haagen-Dazs caramel cone ice cream sundae I made with the new Dulce de Leche Toast Crunch cereal. Ahhh, fun times. I devoured that caramel cone pint which then encouraged the four pint purchase above.

Apparently I haven't figured out my new phone yet...

So, yeah, Haagen-Dazs is still tasty and now comes in updated packaging. This is now the fourth pint design that we've seen since I started the blog (there was the design when I started in 2008, redesign in 2010, redesign in 2017, redesign here in 2021)

Which would you rather? (13th anniversary post)

Not dead, just really quiet in the freezer aisle. I kind of feel like I tried everything already but how can that possibly be? I have two more Talenti layers to try when I finally find them, I should try more of the Topped line up (though a lot of it carries an allergen warning), I'm debating the new Magnum truffle line up, and then there's a bunch of junky frozen dairy desserts to pick from. Is that really all there is this year? Maybe I could try to hit a whole foods and find something new from Jeni's? I am open to suggestions.

In the meantime, let's pose a question: Which of these two products would you buy?

Carvel's New Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

or these ICEE mystery flavors (Mermaid & baby narwhal)?

While both cute and eye catching on the freezer aisle shelf, I'm not really a fan of mystery flavors. Apparently the mermaid flavor came out in a separate tube pack last year (see TIB post here), but the baby narwhal was an actual ICEE last year (see TIB post here).

Me? I want that cookie dough cake. Sure it's basically just a regular ice cream cake with cookie dough mixed in and then more cookie dough pieces on top, but that sounds kind of awesome in my book. Well, maybe not awesome, but like a step right below awesome.

One more foot note. A reader pointed out that basically all of Blue Bunnies offerings have switched over to frozen dairy dessert. While I hadn't noticed because their tubs aren't really in my area anymore, it was still pretty disappointing to..... holy freholy! I just realized that I missed the blog's 13th birthday! Things have been pretty crazy in the household these last few months, so I guess I shouldn't be totally surprised I missed it. 

Do I have anything meaningful to say at 11pm at night? Ummm, yeah, no. I have been thinking alot about the death of mainstream ice cream and have basically just been improvising my own flavors for the last few months (aka mixing turkey hill all natural vanilla with either mix-ins or some other premium product). I know my peers all dig those super fancy pints with tons of mix-ins, but I spent a lifetime eating a big bowl of good ice cream rather than a small bowl of great ice cream (I hope that makes sense). I'm not saying that one way is right and one is wrong, I'm just saying that I'm kind of old fashion when it comes to my daily serving of ice cream (I'm still more than happy to try those flavors as a treat!).

The blog will continue on, but I won't be back to official ice cream hunting until the fall (at least that's the tentative plan). I will keep searching at my local stores for new stuff and I will try to do at least one post a week, but I make no promises for what I might bring home.

Be well everyone!

New Products for 2021

Besides my disappointing weekly grocery run, I did sneak a quick peek at my local Wegman's and Stop & Shop freezer aisles this week. Yeah, nothing new. I suspect it will be at least a few more weeks before I find anything exciting. So, let's check on news from the web!

Probably the biggest news so far is that Ben & Jerry's Topped has come to the U.S.! I've seen these on some European instagram accounts for a few years now so it's about time that we got them too. (my quick internet research shows that the U.K. got these in 2017). I'm sure some will see this as just a gimmick, but you know I love me a good #funfactor. I think I'd probably start with PB Over the Top (review here) or Salted Caramel Brownie and end with Whisky Biz.

Ben & Jerry's also has new non-dairy flavors: Americone Dream, Phish Food and Karamel Sutra Core (wow, a non-dairy core flavor!). All are almond milk based. I should probably include the recent Colin Kaepernick's Change the Whirled which is sunbutter based.

I'm a pretty big fan of the Gelato Layers lineup so I definitely approve of these four new flavors. Plus, they all sound good to me: confetti cookie (review here), strawberry shortcake, cookies & cream, and chocolate pretzel. For good measure, we'll also get two new gelato flavors: honey graham and vanilla peanut butter swirl. Doesn't it feel like we've seen vanilla peanut butter swirl before? But we haven't. You can check my list to verify.

The new Magnum Double Red Velvet tub should be fund. We'll also be greeted by three new truffle bars. Two mini truffle bars (dark chocolate and berry) and full size double chocolate vanilla. The truffle description isn't super specific... I thought they might have a soft shell but the website says it's still a cracking shell. 

In their grouped PR release, Klondike adds Wake Me Up Coffee Donuts (with 3 flavors from 2020, there are now 4 in all). 

That said, they have also released Klondike Cones! (not to be confused with Klondike Kones) and Klondike Shakes (vanilla and chocolate). The cones come in two packs: (Unicorn Dreamin' and Vanilla Chillin'), (Nuts for Vanilla and Classic Chocolate), and (Double Down Chocolate and Classic Chocolate). Note: while not officially listed on their website, there appears to be a small image for a combo pack that includes a strawberry flavor and a vanilla flavor.

Will we see anything from Edy's or Dreyer's? Probably not. Yes! The Rocky Road collection is coming! Also, on the made by them but not listed as them, we will get Fruity Pebbles & Cocoa Pebbles ice creams as well as a Funfetti ice cream. Apparently there is also a watermelon version of the sour patch kids light ice cream coming as well.

Breyers Double Chocolate Browne Batter, Chocolate Pretzel Swirl (Feb), Reeses snack cup, Coconut Fudge (seasonal: march-august), 

almond milk (non-dairy): mint chocolate chip and chocolate chocolate chip

carb smart expansion to pints (3 new flavors + vanilla)

Good Humor Vanilla Viennetta (formerly Breyers)

Popsicle Mango, Strawberry & Vanilla Fruit Twister

Jeni's White House Chocolate Chip ice cream, Everything Bagel ice cream,

and Buttercream Birthday Cake ice cream

Snickers Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream Bar (nationwide in March)

Chipwich has released a new Cookies & Cream Chipwich!

Blue Bunny Load'd Bars: this is not surprising after they gave us Load'd Sundaes and Load'd Cones. Flavors are bunny tracks, super fudge brownie, strawberry shortcake, and cookie dough (so similar to the cone options).

@candyhunting posted two new Lotus Biscoff pints (one with cherries and one with banana ice cream and chocolate chips). She has also mentioned an upcoming white chocolate version of their ice cream bars. Will I try any of them? meh.

Disclaimer: all images belong to their appropriate company

2020 Product Guide

I know it's 2021, but it's bugging me that I didn't do a 2020 Product guide. I'm sure that I will forget at least a few things, so please leave a comment with anything that needs to be added.

Ben & Jerry's & Netflix

It's kind of weird to think that I've only had three new pints from Ben & Jerry's this year (to be fair, I've also picked up pints like fan favorite Cannoli and also Gimme S'more!). The pandemic has been the issue ofcourse. Between being cut off from the majority of stores I regularly visit to the fact that I won't bring any nut-based products home, I just didn't have that many options.

Ben & Jerry's Punch Line Ice Cream

A comedic duo of brown butter bourbon & almond ice creams

with roasted almonds & chuckles of cherries

This is the latest limited edition collaboration with Netflix and is hitting store shelves now (early December). The reviews seem fairly positive and I'm sure I would have tried this one on a lunchbreak during the old days. Anyone plan on trying it?

Ben & Jerry's boots on the moooo'n Ice Cream

A universe of milk chocolate ice cream with fudge cows

& toffee meteor clusters orbiting a sugar cookie dough core.

I realized that I never posted this terrible picture that I took of boots on the mooo'n either. This picture is from July but I'm pretty sure I saw a few pints of this sitting on the Stop & Shelf shelf as I was taking the picture of Punch Line. (why didn't I take a new picture of it? whoops). I was very tempted to try this one before I confirmed there were almonds in the toffee. I can't imagine I wouldn't have enjoyed this, especially with the sugar cookie dough core (also seen here).

P.S. I keep looking for the two new snackable cookie doughs but the few stores I visit aren't carrying them. Sniff Sniff. Anyone had any luck finding them?

Minter, I mean Winter, is upon us!

Who's ready for Minter? Sorry, I mean Winter! I don't crave minty flavors, but it's always fun to see them on store shelves. I mean, even Mochi is festive these days!

My/Mo Cool Peppermint Mochi Ice Cream

I was fairly tempted to pick these up just for a change of pace, but then I reflected on the fact that I've never been big on Mochi texture. As a disclaimer, it has been 4.5 years since my last Mochi review and I've never tried the My/Mo Mochi brand.

Haagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

I'm always happy to see this one as well! White chocolate ice cream with peppermint bark pieces and peppermint pieces. Who knew chocolate covered peppermint could be this fun? Unfortunately this particular pint I bought was left out to melt at some point. I was trying to see how bad the damage was and when I went to scoop it out, this huge section of heavily melted and refrozen ice cream just flopped in to the sink. What a disappointment as this pint is a ton of fun. If you've never had it, give it a try. (original review here if you are interested)

Alright, I'm off to bring up some more decorations from the basement. I hope everyone is well. In the comments, let us know if you are excited for any particular seasonal treats (and if you don't like mint, that's cool too). Have a good week!

Cereal inspired ice creams

Is everyone enjoying the (hopefully) long weekend? I'm just trying to not think about work (it's somewhat effective). I'm still only going out once a week, but I have been getting a bit more creative by sometimes hitting two stores instead of one when I am out. Unfortunately, things are pretty quiet when I can't hit 4-5 stores a week. It's just hard to find those hard to find items. And when I do find something unique, well, I'm not sure I want it...

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Light Ice Cream
Lucky Charms Frozen Dairy Dessert

4 new Talenti layered flavors

Ok, I stumbled on four new layered flavors hanging out at a Shaw's together

So I already know that Lemon Berry Pie is good (review here), but what to try next? Since I have no interested in Coffee (Cookie Crumble) or Coconut (Chocolate Cookie), I think I may have to go Banana Caramel Crunch next. I am a little afraid though because the banana in their banana chocolate swirl (review here) was way too ripe for my liking.

With non-dairy being the hot newness, Talenti has been trying to point out that they have a few dairy flavors over the last few years. That said, I'm still a little surprised that the trend hit one of their layered flavors, that's usually something Haagen-Dazs will do (pushing an idea across multiple product lines that is).

So, which order you grabbing them in?

Finally found new stuff!

Yay me! I finally found new 2020 stuff! Unfortunately I was no where near my regular freezers so I had to settle for just pictures... but just for now. This was at a far away Shaw's but if there is time tomorrow, I'll hit the one that's closer to home after my day is done. (update: nothing local!)

Magnum Double Pistachio Honey Ice Cream Tub

This was the most surprising find as I haven't seen it on social media anywhere yet. I can't believe we have two new Pistachio flavors hitting us this year. (remember that there is a new pistachio Trio flavor from Haagen-Dazs - see my News from the gram post)

Good Humor Dale Jr Cookie Sandwiches

Technically I haven't see these either, but it makes sense to have a chocolate counterpart to the new vanilla WWE bars. Plus, who doesn't love this guy? (though how funny would it be to have a competing Kyle Busch flavor that had M&M's in it?)

Kit Kat minis (next to the Toll House Minis)

I almost gave in and bought these as my lunch today. Don't worry, I bought the tasty looking $5 hot chicken pot pie as my lunch, but I almost wavered and got these instead.

Good Humor Pop-tarts brown sugar cinnamon dessert bar

I feel like everyone wants to get in on the cross-branding game....

Friendly's Nutty Buddy SuperScoops

To be honest, I think this might just be a re-branding of their current cone line up (other than looking like they have extra peanuts on top). They are literally the same 4.6 fl oz size as their regular cones. The nut covered flavors come in vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, and vanilla caramel while the mint fudge and chocolate overload flavors have chocolate crunchies instead.

Ben & Jerry's Snackable Dough

Half Baked & Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Here's another one that was really hard to pass up, but I knew I would regret eating the entire bag in one sitting. Can't wait to find these again.

Breyers Layered (Frozen Dairy) Desserts

Hey Breyer's, any chance this is your version of  Turkey Hill's Trio'politan? In the example above (S'mores and Brownie Cheesecake), the ice creams on the outside match, only the middle is different. Technically the Cinnabon flavor is a bit tempting but real cinnamon ice cream is just so good compared to this stuff.

Ok, I need to sleep but I'll add the rest of my finds here tomorrow!

News from the gram

Ok, apparently new ice cream is popping up all over the gram....

Our old bud @junkbanter trying out the new S'mores Bomb Pop Middles. JB also mentions that there is a Chocolate Caramel Sundae version. Update: also chocolate cream and strawberry raspberry  versions.

@tmc_reviews found Twix Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bar at 7-Eleven.

@snackstalker has already found all the new Blue Bunny Load'd Cones. I'm actually pretty amused by the thought of Blue Bunny cones with 2X the mix-ins. He spied strawberry shortcake, brownie bomb, and bunny tracks.

@snackstalker also found four flavors of new dipped Yasso bars.

Haagen-Dazs Ruby Cacao Crackle Trio spotted by @markie_devo and then later posted by Marvo. I'm happy to see a new Trio flavor, but I'm a little concerned about the appeal of a pistachio flavor.

@andventureisout_there has found the new Mickey Mouse Cookies 'N Cream light ice cream sandwiches. Less cool but probably more tasty than those Star Wars ones I found.

Turkey Hill is one of the first companies to show new 2020 products, and I'm excited because it's a new all natural flavor. That's right, it's chocolate chip cookie dough time. --- they've posted a second pic, this time it's the new mint chocolate cookie swirl flavor.

Technically Graeters announced a new limited edition flavor as well. It's called Boldly Bearcat. It's vanilla ice cream with red velvet sandwich cookies and their signature chocolate chips.

Good Humor announcing new WWE Super Stars cookie sandwiches. People like bringing these up now and then and now they are official back (without the stick anyway).

(I thought this post would take 10-15 minutes.... it's been well over an hour)

MORE NEWS

Ok, one more for Jan 16! @tamisclock found new Klondike Donuts! That's right, Klondike has punched a whole in their bars and called it a donut. Triple Chocolate, Frosted Strawberry and Boston Cream. (@candyhunting found a promotional pic of the strawberry flavor)

And a few more for Jan 18 : @thecoldhardscoop - King Cake from New Orleans Ice Cream Co. Scoop shot looks great and it's nice to finally see something new from NOICC.

@snackgator - Nestle Drumstick Crushed it! I think it's weird to see a drumstick that's not a drumstick. Seems like a beefier version of something like a strawberry shortcake bar.

@snackstalker back again with the new Nestle Toll House Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches (I wonder if it's the same tech as mad minis?). I don't love their quality but I am curious to see how big they are and how well they work.


Note: I was going to mention the Magnum Double Chocolate Strawberry Tub from @helenjtea but I think she is in the U.K.

Ruby Cacao?

I was going to post about how busy I am and how boring the freezer aisle is right now, but then I remembered that @candyhunting had pointed out a new gimmick coming from Haagen-Dazs soon: Ruby Cacao beans. Will the limited edition bars (and pints) get your attention?

image rights to Haagen-Daz

According to the box "the ruby hue is released during the bean's unique fermentation process, enhancing the indulgence of cacao with a flush of berry brightness". Nestle (who controls HD in the US) also created the kitkat ruby.

Will this be the only thing we get? I hope not, we need more!! If we run with the fact that Canada is sometimes a precursor to what hits the states, then maybe someday we'll get "Extraaz".

Does extraaz imply extra mix-ins? I hope so, but honestly, I can't tell, so I asked Junk Food Jeff and he said yes! (you remember him, he's done four Canadian reviews for us). There are also six pints to go with this (two of the pints are listed as "new"). If you ask me, the time is perfect for companies to be offering high mix-in flavors. I know I would try them all.

Update note: @candyhunting also posted a new Rose & Cream flavor for the spirits line up, so that means we have spirits for at least another year.

Update #2: It's 1/6/2020 and Magnum has beat Haagen-Dazs to the news cycle. Their tweet today announces the release of new Magnum Ruby bars that we be available in both regular and mini sizes. I'm debating if I should be annoyed or amused by this development.