I'm not sure what the difference is between limited edition and exclusive when it comes to Häagen-Dazs ice cream, but when I found this golden pint peering back at me between the purple ones, I was quick to pull the trigger. Although Spiced Peach Crumble lacks any info on their website, this Wal-Mart exclusive seems like the perfect parting gift as we usher out the months of Summer.
The in-depth description from Häagen-Dazs raises the stakes. Expecting a peach flavored ice cream, I'm excited to see that, instead, they've stirred peaches into their sensational sweet cream base. Also involved in flavors like
Salted Caramel Truffle, the classic taste of sweet cream is the perfect foundation to show off these Summer flavors. Heavily opposed to large fruit fragments in ice cream, the thought of lightly spiced, cooked peaches sounds more appealing, especially when combined
with nuggets of buttery crust.
Peeling off the protective seal reveals a layer of beige-colored ice cream with hints of the buttery crust and pieces of peach hiding below. The sweet cream is every bit as eloquent as I recall. Bursting with hints of cinnamon and sugar, this base could enhance nearly any mix-in in existence. Soon after breaching the surface, I start running into the bits of peaches.
Instead of the usual full-sized fruit fragments most companies incorporate, Häagen-Dazs has included much smaller pieces. Where most fruit remains rock-hard, these tiny tid-bits explode with cinnamon and have a much softer texture than their raw counterparts. By implementing the tactic of smaller pieces, they're able to avoid the terrible texture that plagues most fruit-based ice creams. Simmered peaches and a sweet cream base are a more than capable combination, but it isn't long before the crust begin to contribute.
Adding a buttery, richness to each bite, the crust brings about an enhanced texture as well. Depending on which part of the crumble lands on your spoon, the consistency seems to lack any real consistency. Some pieces are soft and chewy, while others are firm and crunchy. Similar to the bits of shortbread in
Ben & Jerry's Peach Cobbler, these precocious pieces were a bit more effective. I'm rarely in the mood for peaches, but I'll be looking for Spiced Peach Crumble if I am.
Where I Found It: Super Wal-Mart
