Tag: Ice Cream

REVIEW: Klondike Donuts

Marvo 11 Comments

Klondike Donuts

Klondike Donuts would’ve been more impressive looking if they had the standard round shape of the fried treat instead of appearing like the food love child of a Dunkin’ donut and Wendy’s beef patty.

The line of frozen novelties come in three donut-inspired flavors — Boston Cream, Frosted Strawberry, and Triple Chocolate.

Klondike Donuts Boston Cream Shell

According to the Klondike website, Boston Cream is filled with sweet egg custard swirls and the flavor of a Boston Cream Donut, and it has a milk chocolatey coating with white chocolatey drizzles.

Let’s state the obvious: Boston Cream Donuts don’t have holes in them. That, plus the square shape, makes it look as if Klondike took a lot of liberties with what donuts are.

Klondike Donuts Boston Cream Shell Interior

The frozen dairy dessert with egg custard swirls does remind me of the filling of a Boston Cream Donut, but not as sweet. But the milk chocolatey coating helps convince my taste buds that it, as a whole, is similar to the filled donut.

Of the three, this was my second favorite of the bunch.

Klondike Donuts Frosted Strawberry Shell

Frosted Strawberry is inspired by a strawberry jelly filled donut. It has strawberry frozen dairy dessert, a strawberry swirl, milk chocolate coating, rainbow sprinkles… Wait, there are? (Looks at one) Oh, there are, but they’re partially hidden in the coating. There’s also a white chocolatey drizzle.

Klondike Donuts Frosted Strawberry Interior

What’s great about a jelly filled donut is how the flavor is potent when a bite is taken and the fruity filling oozes or squirts out. But this treat lacked that level of fruitiness. The chocolate almost completely hides the strawberry frozen dairy dessert from my taste buds. But all the blame shouldn’t be put on the shell alone. When I tried the pink frozen dessert by itself, it was milder than the strawberry in any Neapolitan ice cream I’ve had.

This was my least favorite of the three.

Klondike Donuts Triple Chocolate Shell

Finally, there’s Triple Chocolate, which is the best of the bunch. According to Klondike, it has a chocolate cakey fried donut flavor with a dark chocolatey coating, dark crunch pieces, and a milk chocolatey drizzle.

Klondike Donuts Triple Chocolate Interior

I assumed the frozen dessert had the “chocolate cake fried donut flavor.” But after trying it, it turns out that the creamy filling is the least chocolatey tasting part of the bar. Much like the previous two, the creamy interior has a mild taste. Instead, the fried donut comes from the dark chocolatey coating, dark crunch pieces, or both. However, to get that donut-like flavor when eating the treat whole, I had to savor each bite to pick up on the nuances in the bar that separate it from a typical dipped chocolate ice cream bar.

Like all Klondike treats, the coating isn’t too thick. So biting into them will cause fissions throughout the rest of the chocolate. So my Public Service Announcement to you is to eat them over a plate, the wrapper they come in, or a bowl of ice cream that could use some toppings.

Klondike Donuts are perfectly fine frozen dairy dessert novelties, especially the Boston Cream and Triple Chocolate varieties, since their flavors do somewhat make me think of the round treat.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free samples from Klondike/Unilever. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 6-pack
Purchased at: Received from Klondike
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Boston Cream), 5 out of 10 (Frosted Strawberry), 8 out of 10 (Triple Chocolate)
Nutrition Facts: (1 bar) Boston Cream – 230 calories, 12 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 75 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 18 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Frosted Strawberry – 230 calories, 12 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 50 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 21 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein. Triple Chocolate – 210 calories, 12 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 50 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard

Denis 3 Comments

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard

What is the Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard?

For those keeping track of such things, the Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard is technically the Blizzard of the Month for June, even though it was already part of the previously announced Summer Blizzard Menu, which launched on April 1, just 12 days after the start of spring.

DQ is marketing this one as “new,” although there are a few mentions online of it being available back in 2014. But getting back to the original question, even though I trust you could figure it out on your own, the Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard has Oreo cookie chunks and cheesecake pieces.

How is it?

Regardless of whether this Blizzard is truly new or not, it is truly good. It doesn’t have a fancy name, a superhero tie-in, or any unique ingredients like some of its Summer Blizzard Menu friends, but sometimes simpler is better.

Oreo cookies have been a staple of Blizzards since the frozen treat debuted in 1985 (although DQ apparently had a thick milkshake in the 1960s, also called a Blizzard) and cheesecake pieces have been a common component in recent years. So I can’t give DQ much credit for creativity here, but I’ll take great-tasting over great creativity any day.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard 3

I’m going to take a leap of faith and assume you all know what an Oreo taste like. If you like them and you like Blizzards, then the only issue here is what the cheesecake pieces bring to the party. Well, they are bringing a keg (and not Natural Light), a bunch of pizzas, and a high-end sound system because they are awesome and know how to party.

Dairy Queen Oreo Cheesecake Blizzard 2

The chunks are sizable and plentiful, and their texture is a perfect contrast with the crunch of the Oreo. I almost named my dog Cheesecake, so you can be confident that I am fully qualified to judge the quality of cheesecake. And I really want to know where DQ gets its cheesecake pieces because they are perfectly sweet and creamy. The vanilla soft serve takes on a chocolate flavor from the pulverized pieces of Oreo, and it blends beautifully with the cheesecake. This is how the Queen of Dairy would want a Blizzard to be.

Anything else you need to know?

Kudos go out to my Door Dasher, who challenged the already outrageous pre-summer Texas heat and prevailed to deliver my Blizzard still fully frozen. He even gave it that trademark DQ upside down-flip as he left it at my doorstep. Fun fact: Kudos granola bars were introduced in 1986, one year after the Blizzard. Not so fun fact: Kudos are no longer being made, and I really want one, especially the kind with chocolate and M&M’s that was more candy bar than granola bar.

Conclusion:

This Blizzard is not royal or outrageous and doesn’t involve any kind of “quake” like some prior cheesecake versions, but it tastes great and has earned a spot as one of my favorites.

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: Medium
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Medium) 1,220 calories, 58 grams of fat, 24 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 740 milligrams of sodium, 159 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of dietary fiber, 115 grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto

Marvo 3 Comments

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto

I’ve eaten a hibiscus flower before, but I can’t tell you what it tastes like. My hibiscus rosa-sinensis taste test happened in the 80s, when I was really young, naive, and could be dared to put almost anything in my mouth for the high price of one dollar.

While I can’t tell you what the flower is supposed to taste like, the internet can, and it says it has a tart cranberry-like flavor. So if Ocean Spray ever comes out with a cran-hibiscus drink, be skeptical of it.

Talenti’s Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto features, according to its jar, “Sweet strawberries and real hibiscus flowers are blended for a perfectly sweet and tart dairy-free sorbetto with a hibiscus swirl.”

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto Topless

Strawberry is the second ingredient listed, behind water, but the sorbetto also contains hibiscus powder AND hibiscus flower. However, it smells and tastes like strawberry is the second ingredient listed.

When I put my nose over the top of the pint, the aroma that wafts out is similar to what comes out whenever I open the bag of Kirkland Signature Frozen Strawberries in my freezer to make smoothies. All I taste with every spoonful of the sorbetto is something similar to a tart strawberry jam, but much lighter. I don’t get that cranberry-like flavor the internet tell me I’m supposed to taste. Even when I taste just the dark colored hibiscus swirl, all I get is strawberry with a bit more tartness than the rest of the pint.

Talenti Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy Free Sorbetto Top 2

Since there’s no dairy, the texture isn’t creamy or dense, like gelato or ice cream. But it scoops easily, and the lack of dairy helps make it a light dessert that your belly won’t regret eating after a big meal. The pint also contains something that initially has a texture of seeds, but then melt away.

Although Talenti’s Strawberry Hibiscus Dairy-Free Sorbetto tastes a bit one-note to me, its fruity flavor was enjoyable enough that I don’t need a dollar to encourage me to put it in my mouth.

DISCLOSURE: I received a free sample of the product. Doing so did not influence my review in any way.

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 1 pint
Purchased at: Received from Talenti
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup) 150 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of sodium, 38 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 34 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Carvel Tie-Dye Specialty Shake

Vin

Carvel Tie Dye Specialty Shake

What is the Carvel Tie-Dye Specialty Shake?

Carvel has channeled Ben & Jerry’s hippy-inspired flavor formula with its Limited Time Only Tie-Dye Specialty Shake.

How is it?

Right out of the gate I was impressed by just how many squares of pound cake they managed to fit in the cup. Not only that, they weren’t frozen solid like I assumed they’d be. I probably ended up eating almost a full slice of cake if you factor in the tiny bits that were mixed in with the ice cream.

Carvel Tie Dye Specialty Shake Melt

Despite the shake flavor being cake driven, it wasn’t very cakey. I found the Cake Mix-flavored ice cream to be pretty similar to regular vanilla, so it just kinda tasted like a vanilla shake with bits of mushy cake and sprinkles.

With that said, Carvel’s soft serve vanilla is, in my opinion, the best vanilla ice cream on Earth.

It will always hold a special place in my heart, because I love the New York Mets (sad life, huh?) and every spoonful reminds me of my childhood sitting at Shea Stadium with a little plastic helmet full of Carvel Vanilla Ice Cream.

Anything else you need to know?

Carvel Tie Dye Specialty Shake Top

I’d be remiss not to compliment the jerk (isn’t that what they used to call ice cream parlor employees?) who made this shake because it almost looked like the press photo. Rarely does the visual reality of a product like this meet the expectation, and he claimed it was his first time ever making it.

I’d also like to criticize the jerk (actual jerk) for asking, “Do you want the food coloring? You sound like an adult?”

You believe that? I just want a Tie Dye shake, why you trying to harsh my mellow by asking that?

I immediately fired back, “Damn right I want the food coloring! That’s the whole point of the shake, bro! Why you judging me? Who’re you?!”

Ok, in reality, I semi-panicked and said, “Uhhhh, yeah ya know what? Go for it.” It’s because I’m a massive coward who is afraid of an ice cream man. It’s the Mets fan in me.

Oh, and yes, it’s just food coloring. Don’t get excited expecting a Roy G. Biv of flavors, because the tie-dye inspired swirls are just for show. They look cool though, no?

Conclusion:

If you’re lucky enough to live by one of Carvel’s 400 locations and want a fun five-minute distraction, this is definitely worth a shot. I’d actually love to see what your shake ends up looking like, because I feel like there’s very little margin for error.

Purchased Price: $5.99
Size: Small
Purchased at: Carvel
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Unavailable, but here is a standard Vanilla shake) 650 calories, 240 calories from fat, 27 grams of fat, 18 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 290 milligrams of sodium, 89 grams of total carbohydrates, 79 grams of total sugars, 11 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry’s Exclusive Flavor Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream

Sean

Ben Jerry s Exclusive Flavor Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream

What is Ben & Jerry’s Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream?

While it’s commonplace for Target, Walmart, Safeway, and even 7-Eleven to have their own exclusive Ben & Jerry’s flavors, the now Amazon-owned Whole Foods enter spring 2020 with its first special pint. Berry Sweet Mascarpone combines blackberry and mascarpone ice creams with shortbread cookies and fudge-covered almonds.

How is it?

Ben Jerry s Exclusive Flavor Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream Top

I love blackberry ice cream, and sadly, this one really misses the mark. I get virtually no berry flavor at all from the pleasantly light purple base, and its blandness completely confuses my mind while I eat. It looks so pretty but tastes like nothing. On the plus side, the mascarpone ice cream is the same one used in the recently revived Cannoli, and it has a solid creamy and cheesy flavor with a sweet frosting finish.

Ben Jerry s Exclusive Flavor Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream Spoon 2

The mix-ins here are good but not good enough to offset the bland berry base. The shortbread is soft and sweet with a vanilla flavor and a texture that reminds me more of cake than cookies, akin to a madeleine soaked in milk. Tasty.

Ben Jerry s Exclusive Flavor Berry Sweet Mascarpone Ice Cream Spoon 1

I love chocolate covered nuts in ice cream, and these are the same almonds that absolutely sing in Target’s exclusive Glampfire Trail Mix. But here, without any salty component to balance out their crunch, they aren’t nearly as good and generally feel out of place.

Anything else you need to know?

As is the case with most Ben & Jerry’s pints, if there isn’t a gooey swirl of some sort to tie things together, I always wish there was. And this is no exception. Something sweeter or saltier than the other elements could elevate this mishmash of flavors. But as it stands, it just feels flat.

Conclusion:

While it’s far from inedible and far from the floppiest of Ben & Jerry’s flops, this springy pint is lacking the tart berry punch I had hoped for and is simply a franken-flavor that just doesn’t deliver.

Purchased Price: $4.99
Size: 1 pint
Purchased at: Whole Foods (Exclusive Flavor)
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup) 350 calories, 22 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 32 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 27 grams of sugar, and 7 grams of protein.