Clayton and Lucien standing in front of table with pile of Ben & Jerry's ice cream

We tried 10 iconic Ben & Jerry’s pints. Lucien Formichella

  • We reviewed and ranked 10 of Ben & Jerry’s hottest ice-cream flavors.

  • Flavors like The Tonight Dough and chocolate-fudge brownie did not impress us.

  • Classics like Cherry Garcia and Phish Meals have been absolute hits.

  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

In 1978, two finest pals with a dream (and plenty of milk) began an ice-cream enterprise. And now over 40 years later, Ben & Jerry’s remains to be revolutionizing the dessert industry.

I, seasoned taste-tester Lucien Formichella, determined to evaluate the model’s 10 most popular flavors of 2020, however knew it was too massive of a job to deal with by myself. I wanted a Jerry to my Ben – or my buddy, Clayton James Smith.

Learn on to seek out out what we thought of each flavor, our ultimate rankings on the finish, and the way we fared consuming this a lot ice cream in a single go.

Chunky Monkey

A carton of Ben & Jerry's chunky monkey

Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: I can not eat Chunky Monkey as a result of I am allergic to nuts, so I am having Clayton do this one out solo.

Clayton trying a spoonful of Chunky Monkey ice cream

Clayton confidently begins off this style check, however does not know what lies forward. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: Easy and scrumptious, this may be a great snack for a warm summer night or a post-workout deal with – nuts have wholesome fat, proper?

I am not an enormous fan of walnuts in desserts, however that is the exception. The banana ice cream is the true MVP, although.

Lucien: I seen that you just took one other few bites after ending your evaluate. Simply bear in mind to tempo your self.

Clayton: Don’t be concerned about me. I might eat ice cream all day.

Brownie-batter core

A carton of Ben & Jerry's brownie batter core ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s brownie-batter-core ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: This can be a scrumptious taste, however in the end its sum isn’t as nice as its elements. The brownie batter is gooey and wealthy, however the vanilla will get misplaced in a sea of chocolate.

I am not an enormous fan of chocolate ice cream. And though Ben & Jerry’s take is wealthy and scrumptious, I in the end discovered it too heavy.

Clayton looking at the carton and serving of brownie batter core ice cream

Clayton begins to fade right into a daydream. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: Wealthy and decadent in all the best methods, this ice cream is a chocolate lover’s dream.

Each factor is ideal. Plus the brownie-batter core is available in on the finish and takes all of it to the subsequent stage.

It is the last word ice cream for the perfect of occasions – within the arms of a brand new love, after a wonderful day on the seashore, when you playfully struggle during the last bites.

Lucien: Clayton, are you OK?

Clayton: Sorry, I simply zoned on the market.

Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream

Carton of Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream

Ben & Jerry’s Americone Dream ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: That is certainly one of my high flavors, and you would be hard-pressed to discover a higher one. It presents the proper mixture of vanilla ice cream and caramel.

I love when ice cream incorporates bits of cones because it seems like an additional topping – plus I can delude myself into believing I have never been cheated of the entire expertise. My one misgiving is I would choose sugar over waffle cones.

Clayton in the background of the pint of ice cream and the serving

Clayton virtually dives into the freezer for the subsequent one prefer it’s the Narnia cupboard. However I do know what lies forward. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: This ice cream is clean, creamy, and scrumptious. The chocolate waffle cone makes all of it excellent.

It is the best ice cream for curling up on the sofa and watching late-night tv. It offers you every thing you need: a hilarious monologue, a humorous sketch, banter with the home band, and anecdotes from wildly relatable celebrities.

Facet word, I as soon as submitted a writing packet to “The Late Present With Stephen Colbert” and made it to the semifinals.

Lucien: Are you executed with this plug?

Clayton: Sure. However you may relaxation assured that I did not let that affect my evaluate of this hilarious comedian’s phenomenal ice cream. (Please rent me!)

Strawberry cheesecake

A carton of Ben & Jerry's stawberry cheesecake ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s strawberry-cheesecake ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: Though it pales compared to some others on this listing, that is a delicious flavor, even when the style is not as contemporary as different strawberry ice lotions I’ve tried.

I nonetheless wish to preserve consuming it for extra of the addicting pie-crust add-in.

Clayton taking on the phone behind pint and serving of strawberry cheesecake ice cream

Clayton takes a name proper earlier than attempting this taste, and I shake my head. He does not have the main focus wanted to evaluate ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: This ice cream retains all of its guarantees, and the perfect half is its graham-cracker-crust lining.

I am not an enormous fan of strawberry cheesecake – or cheesecake in general – however that is excellent for any individual who’s.

Phish Meals

A carton of Ben & Jerry's phish food

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Meals ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: This feature could be very scrumptious, however once more, there’s an excessive amount of chocolate flavor.

I like the caramel – although it is higher in Americone Dream – however the ice cream and chunks are too heavy.

However I do respect the addition of marshmallows, an underrated ingredient in ice cream that is not used fairly often.

Clayton trying Ben & Jerry's phish food ice cream

I watch Clayton fall for the entice of overeating whereas reviewing. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: That is the proper blend of chocolate ice cream, caramel, marshmallow, and fudge items formed like fish.

The marshmallow is the true winner right here. Tender and fluffy, it evens out the feel and makes every thing pop.

I might simply eat an entire pint in a fashion of minutes, but it surely’s so candy that the subsequent day will most likely really feel just like the hangover after a Phish present.

The Tonight Dough (starring Jimmy Fallon)

A carton of Ben & Jerry's tonight dough

Ben & Jerry’s The Tonight Dough ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: The cookie dough is clearly the best part of this taste, however I am overwhelmed by the remaining.

There are too many flavors to pick anybody – it is like I do not know the place to show.

And though every taste is nice, I do not want the extra stuff. It is like a sketch that is already humorous, after which somebody begins laughing in the midst of it.

Clayton making a face at the ice cream carton

Clayton seems to be overwhelmed by the flavors. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: There are such a lot of issues happening directly – caramel and chocolate ice cream, chocolate-cookie swirls, and chocolate-chip and peanut-butter cookie dough (the true winner).

This taste tries to cram every thing likable into one bundle however finally ends up tasting superficial. It is a second-rate ice cream by a second-rate late-night speak present. (Please rent me, “Late Present!)

Chocolate-chip cookie dough

A carton of Ben & Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s chocolate-chip-cookie-dough ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: I loved this taste way more than The Tonight Dough – much less actually is extra generally – although it is nonetheless not tremendous memorable.

I would most likely purchase it for a big gathering of individuals. It’s kind of bland, however I like that it does not attempt to do an excessive amount of. Plus the chocolate chips are a decadent contact.

You really can’t go wrong with this flavor.

Clayton crying behind the carton and serving of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

I watch as Clayton takes small bites and pours the remaining again into the pint after the shoot. He complains that he is drained and that his abdomen hurts, but he retains consuming extra. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: The primary chunk was strong, however this ice cream turns into much more inviting with every subsequent spoonful.

Chocolate-chip cookie dough wraps its arms round you and says that every thing shall be OK. It is the proper post-breakup ice cream. Go forward and cry into the pint – it will not decide you.

Chocolate-fudge brownie

A carton of ben & jerry's chocolate fudge ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s chocolate-fudge-brownie ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: That is not my kind of ice cream, but it surely’s good for what it’s.

The brownie could be very wealthy, but it surely’s simply too heavy. Although I actually like the way it tastes nearer to darkish chocolate due to the fudge, regardless of being a milk-based dessert.

(I am operating out of steam right here from all the sugar, however I am unable to let Clayton see my weak spot.)

Clayon sleeping on the table behind the carton and serving of ice cream

Clayon sleeping on the desk behind the carton and serving of ice cream

Clayton: This taste additionally does every thing it says it is going to.

It is similar to the strawberry-cheesecake taste in its blunt nature, but it is much less advanced. Although, I nonetheless choose chocolate to cheesecake.

It is the proper choice to induce a sugar excessive that’ll go away you crashing half-hour later.

That stated, Lucien, are you OK? You appear very pale, and your eyes are purple.

Lucien: Do not trouble me. I am deep in thought.

Cherry Garcia

A carton of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: This can be a perfect symphony of flavors. I really feel like a child listening to Mozart by means of the partitions of my mom’s womb each time I take a chunk.

The cherry ice cream is simple, but not a clean canvas, and the candied cherries are perfection. Plus each delicately steadiness the chocolate.

Some folks might name me fundamental for deeming this taste my favourite, however I do not care. It is at all times my first selection. This actually is an “American Magnificence” Fiftieth-anniversary deluxe version, if you already know what I imply.

A hand holding up a spoon behind the table with the carton and serving of ice cream

Clayton does not suppose he’ll make it to the tip. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: I shockingly have by no means tried Cherry Garcia earlier than, however this taste has given me a second wind after an extended day of eating ice cream.

The ice cream is clean and the feel is ideal, with chocolate chips and cherries tying every thing collectively.

Lucien, I am getting actually drained right here. It is so laborious to eat this a lot ice cream.

Lucien: We’ve got yet one more left. Simply get by means of it. You probably did this to your self.

Half Baked

A carton of Ben & Jerry's half baked ice cream

Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: I prefer it, but it surely’s too harking back to the opposite flavors. I would most likely swap the quantity of chocolate and cookie dough, though the latter is scrumptious.

This taste tastes so traditional that I can think about Ben & Jerry’s saying, “We should always do extra” – which can be how The Tonight Dough got here to be.

Clayton lying on the ground behind the table with the ice cream carton and serving

Clayton has fallen asleep on the ground, falling sufferer to the first-time taste-test entice. Lucien Formichella

Clayton: That is the traditional stoner ice cream that seems like an ideal snack for if you’re excessive. The brownie bites are a pleasant contact, and the cookie dough is simply unimaginable.

It is one other quintessential Ben & Jerry’s taste. Though it is loads much less decadent than among the others and fewer structured than Cherry Garcia, Half Baked is nothing however a superb time.

On that word, I believe I’ll lie down for a second.

Ultimate rankings, from finest to worst

A photo of the rankings, from best to worst. Clayton's ranking: Americone Dream, Phish Food, Cherry Garcia, Brownie-batter core, Half Baked, Chocolate-chip cookie dough, Chocolate-fudge brownie, Chunky Monkey, Strawberry cheesecake, The Tonight Dough. Lucien's ranking: Cherry Garcia, Americone Dream, Strawberry cheesecake, Phish Food, Chocolate-chip cookie dough, Half Baked, Brownie-batter core, Chocolate-fudge brownie, The Tonight Dough (Not ranked: Chunky Monkey)

We each disliked The Tonight Dough probably the most. Lucien Formichella

Lucien: I’ve realized my lesson. Ben and Jerry might have been all about collaboration, however I’m a lone food-reviewing wolf.

So, Clayton, what have you ever realized from this expertise?

Clayton: It is loads more durable to eat 10 flavors of ice cream than I assumed. I assume my palate is extra geared in the direction of overly sugary, wealthy, decadent flavors than frivolously candy, structured ones.

Lucien: So, you realized that your palate is incorrect.

Clayton: Additionally, the most well-liked flavors aren’t at all times the perfect ones.

Lucien: Effectively that I wholeheartedly agree with.

Although my favourite is the quintessential Ben & Jerry’s taste, so who am I to evaluate? Cherry and chocolate is a perfect mixture.

And I am glad we concur that The Tonight Dough is the worst of the bunch.

Clayton: Americone Dream is the perfect. The caramel swirl and the chocolate-covered waffle cones make it one way or the other harking back to getting ice cream from a store. It is the entire expertise.

Phish Meals is my second selection because it’s decadent and s’mores-y. I really feel like the perfect out-there Ben & Jerry’s flavors seize the essence of healthful Americana yard desserts – they really feel nostalgic, even should you did not develop up consuming them.

Total, I really feel like folks know Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for being enjoyable and ingenious. Identical to us, pal.

Lucien: Sure, similar to us.

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