** ~ Ice Cream Eating Now Thread -- Round 3 ~ **

[SOH11]

i also have tried about 20 more flavors than you have haha
If you do decide and want a great flavor with a swirl the chocolate raspberry is no joke. My brothers wife use to work there (how i found out about handels) and still claims its the best swirl.

Haha very true, but at the rate I'm making trips to Handel's, I might be catching up with you soon

When I travel I'll be with my family, and I've shared some of my score with them...they're as obsessed as I am. My mom loves Raspberry Chocolate Chip from Graeter's, so she's probably gonna get that. I'm gunning for Cinnamon Bun, Birthday Cake, and Graham Central Station and then a fourth undecided flavor...leaning towards Fudge Ripple but I found out last time to go in without a made-up mind.

[The Solution]

Haha very true, but at the rate I'm making trips to Handel's, I might be catching up with you soon

When I travel I'll be with my family, and I've shared some of my score with them...they're as obsessed as I am. My mom loves Raspberry Chocolate Chip from Graeter's, so she's probably gonna get that. I'm gunning for Cinnamon Bun, Birthday Cake, and Graham Central Station and then a fourth undecided flavor...leaning towards Fudge Ripple but I found out last time to go in without a made-up mind.

Fudge ripple is good
choc PB Brownie is worth a scoop
PB parfait as well if you want to go the PB route

still surprised your Pumpkin Ripple swirl was not a lot more like it usually is. Can't win them all on every pint.

[lazymuchacho]

they're as obsessed as I am.

Welcome to the brotherhood hoss.

[ErickStevens]

Time to start hunting for this one: http://www.haagendazs.us/Products/Product/2865

[ilove2run]

Time to start hunting for this one: http://www.haagendazs.us/Products/Product/2865

Have you had it? Quite good actually. But I like almost all mint flavored ice-creams...so extreme biased.

[nakkiz]

Have you had it? Quite good actually. But I like almost all mint flavored ice-creams...so extreme biased.

I agree, pretty decent pint. And I imagine it wont be too minty for you, Eric. The white chocolate base is a little weak on its own.

[lazymuchacho]

So apparently almond milk has been the choice for B&J's dairy free line:

http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/al...frozen-dessert

And because we all know that plain bases make for boring ice cream recall that:

"...we've been working on this for quite a while, and want to make sure these flavors live up to what Ben & Jerry's is known for: enormous chunks, delicious swirls and a commitment to values-led ingredient sourcing."

[nakkiz]

So apparently almond milk has been the choice for B&J's dairy free line:

http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/al...frozen-dessert

And because we all know that plain bases make for boring ice cream recall that:

"...we've been working on this for quite a while, and want to make sure these flavors live up to what Ben & Jerry's is known for: enormous chunks, delicious swirls and a commitment to values-led ingredient sourcing."

Thanks for sharing that.

Glad they went with a somewhat neutral milk flavor wise. Almond butter almond milk ice cream?

They have to be better than their GY.

[lazymuchacho]

They have to be better than their GY.

Their GY is piss but I've been blowing through pints of their Half Baked FroYo on this cut; the Brownie FroYo is also piss and Cherry Garcia is respectable, but Half Baked is on point.

[ErickStevens]

Have you had it? Quite good actually. But I like almost all mint flavored ice-creams...so extreme biased.

Yep, I'm a big fan of it.

So apparently almond milk has been the choice for B&J's dairy free line:

http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/al...frozen-dessert

And because we all know that plain bases make for boring ice cream recall that:

"...we've been working on this for quite a while, and want to make sure these flavors live up to what Ben & Jerry's is known for: enormous chunks, delicious swirls and a commitment to values-led ingredient sourcing."

Better than Soy Milk.

I agree, pretty decent pint. And I imagine it wont be too minty for you, Eric. The white chocolate base is a little weak on its own.

Too minty? Nothing is more minty than Jeni's and I love that flavor.

[nakkiz]

Too minty? Nothing is more minty than Jeni's and I love that flavor.

I thought you said you werent the biggest fan of mint unless it had chocolate, too. Like in the TJ review.

[ErickStevens]

I thought you said you werent the biggest fan of mint unless it had chocolate, too. Like in the TJ review.

Does Peppermint Bark not have chocolate?

[nakkiz]

Does Peppermint Bark not have chocolate?

It does, but there's also plain peppermint pieces in there iirc. It's been a while since I had it last.

How does your pumpkin ranking look now that you've had S&S and cold stone? I imagine you've been through most of the brands that are in more than one state. TH and Talenti still top choices?

[ErickStevens]

[QUOTE=nakkiz;1403800773]It does, but there's also plain peppermint pieces in there iirc. It's been a while since I had it last.[quote]

I only need a little chocolate. I couldn't eat just a mint/peppermint ice cream.

How does your pumpkin ranking look now that you've had S&S and cold stone? I imagine you've been through most of the brands that are in more than one state. TH and Talenti still top choices?

Still have a few to go but...

Turkey Hill’s Pumpkin Pie 1
Talenti Pumpkin Pie 2
B&J’s Pumpkin Cheesecake 3
Perry’s Pumpkin Pie 4
Gelato Fiasco’s Pumpkin Pie 5
Salt & Straw’s Pumpkin Pie & Spiced Goat Cheese 6
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin 7
Publix Pumpkin Pie 8
Coldstone’s Pumpkin 9
Private Selection’s NY Style Pumpkin Cheesceake 10
Homeade Brand’s Pumpkin Pie 11
TFM Pumpkin Pie 12
Prestige Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie 13

[ugasar]

Still have a few to go but...

Turkey Hill’s Pumpkin Pie 1
Talenti Pumpkin Pie 2
B&J’s Pumpkin Cheesecake 3
Perry’s Pumpkin Pie 4
Gelato Fiasco’s Pumpkin Pie 5
Salt & Straw’s Pumpkin Pie & Spiced Goat Cheese 6
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin 7
Publix Pumpkin Pie 8
Coldstone’s Pumpkin 9
Private Selection’s NY Style Pumpkin Cheesceake 10
Homeade Brand’s Pumpkin Pie 11
TFM Pumpkin Pie 12
Prestige Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie 13

Jeni's will break your top 5 for sure.. Maybe even top 3!







Ample Hills Ooey Gooey Butter Cake


I had high expectations going into this pint, despite never having a true butter cake (besides a poundcake). The base was a plain vanilla that was very smooth. It was straightforward and definitely one of the better vanilla bases I have ever scooped. More importantly, the texture was extremely dense and creamy.



Ample Hills did not short on the butter cake mix-ins either. They were very large, and cube-shaped. The consistency was very soft, chewy, thick, and as described, ooey & gooey. The flavor was unbelievable and especially buttery. Resembling a pound cake, the inside of each cake piece was extremely moist and sticky, while being surrounded by a buttery crust like texture. These mix-ins were some of the softest and chewiest I have ever encountered in any pint (reminded me of the gooey brownies in Brownie Chew Gooder by B&J’s).



Ample Hills kept it simple with a plain vanilla base and high quality mix-ins that was more than effective. The buttery cake pieces were the perfect match for the smooth vanilla flavor. This pint definitely holds my top spot for Ample Hills at the moment, but I still having a few left to scoop. Easy A!

[nakkiz]

You got a ton more buttercake than I. Great pint

@Eric - Wish I could get perrys. Interested to see how Jeni's ranks on the rescoop.

[psychodiver9]

Time to start hunting for this one: http://www.haagendazs.us/Products/Product/2865

Along these lines i finally bought Publix Peppermint Stick. Now i know why i never wanted to buy it before. Boring as hell. Worst peppermint offering out there which i never say about lix

[lazymuchacho]

Tech investors are betting $4 million that a funky ice-cream shop in Brooklyn can spread across the US

http://www.businessinsider.com/ample...expand-2015-11

"Since that summer in 2011, Ample Hills' success has only grown. Smith and his wife, Jackie Cuscuna, a high-school teacher who joined the business full time in December, now operate five shops (including kiosks) and have raised $4 million from prominent tech investors to open a factory in Brooklyn.

The factory, which will span 15,000 square feet and employ 25 to 50 people, is the centerpiece of a new expansion plan for Ample Hills.

...Smith will use the money on a three-pronged strategy. The first piece is opening more brick-and-mortar shops, but the second is getting Ample Hills ice cream into grocery stores (now at about 20) and the third is expanding direct shipments to customers...."

And apparently you ninjas helped them get the money:

"...Smith says he thinks the e-commerce aspect of selling directly to customers intrigued investors. "That's an untapped model," he says, "and not a lot of people are doing it."

[ugasar]

Gelato Fiasco Banana Straciatella Sorbetto


I will keep this one quick and short, mainly because this was an unfortunate refreeze that occurred while being shipped. I obiovusly can’t offer a true review on this one, but will give a mini review of what I can. The texture I cannot speak on because it was icey/gritty due to the refreeze. The banana base was subtle, not overpowering, and had no artificial taste at all.



The chocolate flakes were chopped up for the most part; however, I did run across two massive chunks that were quite crunchy. They taste like your average milk chocolate chips, not very bittersweet at all. Overall, the pint was flavorful, but the texture was obviously off. This flavor combination is one of my favorites and it works great together. I just wish I had a chance to scoop it with their typical, much smoother gelato texture.



Despite all of this, I contacted the company and they were extremely sorry for this accident. They refunded my pint & shipping, and also offered a discount on my next order, in which he stated their winter seasonal flavor should drop in the next few weeks.

[nakkiz]

Gelato Fiasco Banana Straciatella Sorbetto
Despite all of this, I contacted the company and they were extremely sorry for this accident. They refunded my pint & shipping, and also offered a discount on my next order, in which he stated their winter seasonal flavor should drop in the next few weeks.

Doesnt sound like the worst deal in the world! I assume this means you're gonna order a shipment when the time comes. If so, I'll stay tuned and decide if I should do the same.

[eriikr]

Gelato Fiasco Banana Straciatella Sorbetto
The texture I cannot speak on because it was icey/gritty due to the refreeze.
.

Sorbetto's are icy/gritty because they are made out of water instead of cream & milk. They are basically Italian ice with a different name.

[pkahnman]

I had to grab this

Scooping tonight


Sugar cookie flavored ice cream with swirls of green buttercream frosting and cinnamon graham revel with red sprinkles and snickerdoodle cookie dough



This stuff is good

[jubjubrsx]

I had to grab this

Scooping tonight


Sugar cookie flavored ice cream with swirls of green buttercream frosting and cinnamon graham revel with red sprinkles and snickerdoodle cookie dough
[img]http://i.imgur.com/VUxIaqa.jpg?1[/i]

seeing this makes me sad...I want! but my stores still havent even gotten the pumpkin pie or apple pie bluebunnies yet.../sadface

[SOH11]

It seems that in my anger from the S'mores and Caramel Apple mix-up from Handel's that I was too harsh on Caramel Apple...second time around, multiple spoons...it's pretty good. Deep Dish Apple Pie is superior, but it's not as "meh" as I thought. B- I'd say.

Birthday Cake and Graham Central Station though are just in leagues of their own.

[ErickStevens]

I had to grab this

Scooping tonight


Sugar cookie flavored ice cream with swirls of green buttercream frosting and cinnamon graham revel with red sprinkles and snickerdoodle cookie dough

Jealous. I have no idea why but we always get Blue Bunny flavors late. Still haven't seen the Pumpkin Pie or Apple Pie flavor here.

[nakkiz]

This stuff is good

description sounds great, but man, that swirl looks like plastic. would love to try it.

[The Solution]

It seems that in my anger from the S'mores and Caramel Apple mix-up from Handel's that I was too harsh on Caramel Apple...second time around, multiple spoons...it's pretty good. Deep Dish Apple Pie is superior, but it's not as "meh" as I thought. B- I'd say.

Birthday Cake and Graham Central Station though are just in leagues of their own.

So is Half-Time/Buckeye
Choc PB Brownie loaded if you did not grab it



Gonna see if the Store in Pitt has S'mores this weekend, they usually do not.

Caramel Pretzel Crunch is also loaded with swirls + mix-ins

[SOH11]

So is Half-Time/Buckeye
Choc PB Brownie loaded if you did not grab it



Gonna see if the Store in Pitt has S'mores this weekend, they usually do not.

Caramel Pretzel Crunch is also loaded with swirls + mix-ins

Halftime is a definite "A" from me. Love it, I actually got a football the size of a small Reese's cup in one scoop

My "A+" flavors so far though are Graham and Bday Cake.

I did get Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and was able to get a spoonful out of it, but my dad had a rough day last week so I gave him that pint to cheer him up. He said it was incredible.

If you get Smores please post pics so I can live through you!

[ugasar]

Doesnt sound like the worst deal in the world! I assume this means you're gonna order a shipment when the time comes. If so, I'll stay tuned and decide if I should do the same.

You are right, I could still taste a good flavor the texture was just way off.. I most likely will order another shipment, when they offer it in a few weeks.. Darkest Chocolate Peppermint, Molasses Peppermint, Red Flannel Whoopie Pie, Santa's Little Helper & Spiked Egg Nog

Sorbetto's are icy/gritty because they are made out of water instead of cream & milk. They are basically Italian ice with a different name.

I agree and that definitely didn't help the fact.. I knew it was going to be icier based off the 4g of fat per serving! It was still refrozen and full of ice chunks.. It was obvious!

[The Solution]

I did get Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and was able to get a spoonful out of it, but my dad had a rough day last week so I gave him that pint to cheer him up. He said it was incredible.
!

you should be executed for giving away CCCD Handels
Get yourself another pint, its worth the full pint scoop. The amount of mix-ins = HNGGG