Flavors based on pies and cakes can be found from nearly all the major ice cream manufacturers, but it's been a while since we've seen one available from Haagen Dazs. As usual, they've saved the best in their repertoire for these limited-edition, purple pints. According to their website, Peanut Butter Pie was inspired by a family favorite recipe. Their peanut butter pie ice cream is made with ribbons of smooth peanut butter and soft chocolate cookie pieces folded into creamy peanut butter ice cream - an indulgent combination sure to be a favorite in your home.
With the lid tossed aside and the seal peeled back, I find a first layer that is light in color and speckled with pieces of chocolate cookie. Peanut Butter Pie is heavy at 310 calories per serving, but as I would soon discover; would be well worth the added density. Haagen Dazs has been throwing caution to the wind as of late in regards to the amount of mix-ins they include and this is no exception. The ribbons of peanut butter and soft chocolate cookie pieces are so abundant that it's practically impossible to sample the peanut butter ice cream by itself.
When I'm able to sample a bite containing mostly the peanut butter base, the consistency is just as expected; dense and slow-melting. Most of the peanut butter ice creams I've tasted recently have only focused on sweetness, but Haagen Dazs has incorporated some of the natural saltiness as well. This results in a slightly bland interpretation of peanut butter ice cream with a slightly dry finish. Since there are high amounts of the two other ingredients littered about, the crumbs of each give the base an unique texture. The large concentrations of creamy peanut butter are layered heavily from top to bottom, meshing perfectly with the similar flavored ice cream. The rigid texture and the sweet, smooth finish give these ribbons the authentic feel of the filling you'd find inside a peanut butter cup.
It's hard not to be in awe of the abundant amount of mix-ins included inside this pint. Haagen Dazs could have picked either the peanut butter swirl or the chocolate cookie pieces to incorporate at such an alarming rate, but they've done the same with each. The soft bits of chocolate cookie play the part of the pie crust and add a burst of chocolate flavoring to any bite they become a part of; working together seamlessly with the other peanut butter components. With the slightest improvement to the peanut butter ice cream this could have easily received a perfect score, but in the meantime; Haagen Dazs still managed to produce their highest ranking flavor..
Where I Found It: Super Wal-Mart
Grade: A
