We tasted dozens of assorted, delicious flavors to find the best ice creams from the grocery store: best chocolate, best vanilla, best strawberry and a few flavors we just couldn't live without.
BEST VANILLA: Häagen-Dazs
The simple things are always the toughest to perfect, but Häagen-Dazs got vanilla right. We loved the creamy texture and vanilla-bean taste; experienced tasters picked up subtle caramel and maple notes. (haagen-dazs.com, at supermarkets) Read more »
Try it in: Fried Ice Cream »
BEST CHOCOLATE: Berkshire Ice Cream
We were searching for an ice cream with a smooth texture and a flavor worthy of being called ""chocolate." Berkshire was exactly what we were looking for. One panelist admired its fudginess and density, while another tasted a hint of coffee that rounded out the rich chocolate flavor. (berkshireicecream.com, also at Northeast supermarkets) Read more »
Try it in: Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream Cake »
BEST STRAWBERRY: Ciao Bella
Ciao Bella, a company founded in New York's Little Italy, makes wacky flavors like lychee and blood orange, but we couldn't get enough of its simple strawberry gelato. One judge said that the pale pink concoction "tastes like a big bowl of summer berries and whipped cream." (ciaobellagelato.com, at supermarkets) Read more »
Try it in: Strawberry Bonbons »
OTHER FLAVORS WE LOVE:
KARAMEL SUTRA: Ben & Jerry's
One of our can't-live-without flavors, We couldn't resist the sweet caramel core dividing caramel and fudge chip-studded chocolate ice creams. (benandjerrys.com, also at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops and supermarkets) Read more »
Try it in: Tennessee Whiskey Cake »
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TRUFFLE: Godiva
If you're seeking decadence, repeat after me: Godiva. The best of its 10 flavors is this smooth chocolate ice cream with a swirl of luscious bright raspberries and morsels of deep chocolate truffles. (godiva.com, at supermarkets) Read more »
Try it in: Chocolate-Raspberry Sundaes »
BETTER BATTER: MaggieMoo's
After the widespread cookie-dough ice cream fad of the '90s, cake batter couldn't have been far behind. This version stands out as the most authentic replication of that delicious forbidden treat: the batter left behind in the bowl. (maggiemoos.com, at MaggieMoo's Treateries nationwide) Read more »
Try it in: Caramelized Bananas with Toasted Nuts and Pecans »
By Jane Black | Main Photography by Charles Schiller
MORE LIKE THIS:
Taste Test: The best chocolate chip cookies
Taste Test: The best microwaved popcorn
Taste Test: The best potato chips
See all our Taste Tests
27 comments