Random Ice Cream Comparison
Introduction
Who does not like ice cream? We definitely do like ice cream. For the most part, we stick mostly to the basic flavors, but we enjoy trying different brands where even the same "flavors" can have subtle differences.
Another aspect of making ice cream that seems rarely discussed is how much ice cream is in ice cream, as opposed to air (aka overrun). Ice cream needs some air mixed in to give it that creamy (not icy) texture. Adding more air to ice cream can improve its texture, but some makers increase overrun to reduce costs (along with emulsifiers and preservatives to maintain texture).
So, while this comparison page gives our (very personal, non-expert, qualitative) opinions on ice cream flavors from several makers, we spent time cataloging a few metrics that tell us how much "stuff" (cream, milk, sugar, and mix-ins) is in each flavor.
What follows is a random list of grocery-store-bought and (a few) local ice cream store-bought flavors. For each flavor, two ratings are given: one is the ice cream's density, which is either measured directly or taken from the nutritional information. The second rating is our personal flavor rating as discussed previously. Two additional indicators of the ice cream's quality are the per-serving calories and fat content, which are also listed. Finally, included is a short commentary on each ice cream's flavor.
Ratings Definition
Regarding the ratings, each of the two ratings are scored from 0-5 using ice cream cup icons. The density rating is purely based on the weight of a single serving size. Any ice cream weighing 145 grams or more is rated 5-cups. Ice creams that weigh between 135 and 144 grams is rated 4.5 cups, and 125-134 grams is rated 4 cups. The ratings decrease a half-cup every 10 grams lower weight. It can be especially interesting to compare this rating between different ice creams of the same flavor, e.g. comparing vanillas between different makers.
The flavor rating is really just an opinion, not a specific metric. For common flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), the flavor rating attempts to include a comparison between different brands of the same flavor. Since the taste-testing between brands is not usually done at the same time so even this may not be a very accurate comparison. (But as I said in the page title, this is random flavor comparison.
Random Flavor Selection
The flavor selection was not completely random. We started picking flavors based purely on one we thought we'd like, and our tastes lean towards the standard flavors. Then it seemed better for comparison purposes to compare a few standard flavors across brands. Thus, we decided to compare Vanilla, Strawberry, and Cookie Dough across brands. The reason these flavors are interesting is as follows:
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Vanilla - Some consider this flavor plain and uninteresting, but it has subtle nuances. There is variation in the amount of Vanilla flavoring and the use some amount of eggs, both of which give different characteristics to the flavor. Vanilla is also used by its maker as a base for many other flavors (from that brand).
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Strawberry - A popular flavor, and also one where there can be a lot of variation in the strawberry flavor depending on whether fresh strawberries or frozen are used, balanced with the sweetness and creaminess of the ice cream base.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -
Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
138
380
20
Density: Ben and Jerry's ice creams are generally very dense, and this flavor is no different, falling into the Ultra Premium category.
Flavor: To this reviewer, the flavor of this ice cream is very close to, if not the top-rated, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. The vanilla base is very creamy and has a rich, distinctive cream-and-vanilla flavor. The cookie dough and chocolate chips are plentiful, and the dough balls add a brown-sugar flavor and a doughy texture to each mouthful.
Bethlehem Dairy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
135
0
0
Breyer's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
86
190
7
This flavor does not qualify as an ice cream. It is a frozen dessert and therefore should not really be on this list, but we had to try this chocolate chip cookie dough to see how it compares to real ice cream.
Density: Part of why this is a frozen dessert is its high overrun. This "ice cream" is one of the least dense desserts on this list, and it comes across as light and airy, not as rich and creamy as the more premium ice creams.
Flavor: Overall, the ice cream's flavor is "middle-of-the-road." The base is sweet, light, and slightly creamy but has little character. The texture is nice and smooth, but (not surprisingly) lacks the creamy vanilla flavor of the more premium ice creams. There is a good amount of cookie dough pellets and chocolate-flavored bits, both of which taste very good and are a plus.
Graeter's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
144
420
27
Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
133
380
22
Jeni's Double Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
127
330
20
Density: While perhaps not the very densest ice cream, it remains quite dense and yet creamy, still falling into the super-premium category. My measured weight per serving is about 5 grams more than the package indicates (as shown above).
Flavor: This ice cream features a smooth, creamy texture free of icy crystals, as expected. Although technically a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor, it offers a distinctive taste, primarily due to its molasses-like brown sugar base. It contains numerous small cookie-dough pellet mix-ins. The brown sugar flavor is prominent, which I see as a positive, while the mix-ins mainly provide texture rather than flavor. The flavor of this version differs significantly from other cookie-dough ice creams due to the brown-sugar base and the lack of chocolate chips. However, I believe that this unique recipe tastes great and is what makes it stand out.
Tillamook Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
95
240
13
Tillamook, as a brand, appears to target a slightly upscale ice cream in terms of flavor, mouthfeel, and density.
Density:
Flavor:
Turkey Hill Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Flavor Rating
Density Rating
Serving Weight (gm.)
Calories/Serving
Fat/Serving (gm.)
83
160
6
Pending Review.