Despite joining forces with the satirical smart-aleck to create this flavor way back in 2007, as well as being stocked on shelves in nearly every supermarket across the country, I had yet to try Ben & Jerry’s Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream. Using a combination of classic ice cream ingredients like vanilla, caramel, chocolate and waffle cones this is about as conservative a creation as you’ll find. After removing the pint from my freezer and letting it thaw out in the hot July sun for a few minutes, I was ready to start this Independence Day review.
With the lid tossed aside, this super-premium, 270 calorie ice cream shows plenty of vanilla, caramel and fudge covered waffle cone pieces sitting right on the surface. The off-white base is heavy, melts down slowly despite the heat and embodies all the characteristics of a well-made vanilla ice cream. It’s thick, sweet and isn’t simply a vehicle for the mix-ins. Ben & Jerry’s vanilla base is complex enough to keep my attention even without the assistance of caramel and chocolate waffle cones. But luckily for us, those follow close behind. A few pulls of the spoon across the lavish layers of vanilla uncovers a view that rivals those of spacious skies, amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties.
The thick caramel isn't conducive to making it's way out of the pint with ease. It's sticky and strings from the pint to your mouth, bringing ice cream and fudge covered waffle cone pieces along for the ride. The fudge covered waffle cone pieces are no easy excavation either. They remain curiously crispy despite being covered in chocolate fudge and enveloped in vanilla ice cream. I shoveled in bite after bite in the name of our forefathers until whole carton was empty. Americone Dream had the unique characteristic of being mild enough to finish a large portion with ease and just sugary enough to satisfy even the strongest sweet tooth. This classic combination of ingredients were just as effective as I had expected, but I was hoping to see a little more creativity considering Ben & Jerry’s and Stephen Colbert were responsible.
Where I Found It: Ingles Markets
Grade: B
