A Delectable Ice Cream Experience from Milk Bar
Update 12/8/21: We’ve got some exciting news to share! We’ve recently reviewed the seasonal Gingerbread House and Candy Cane Chocolate Chip Cornflake flavors.
If you’re looking for a culinary experience that will transport you back to the 2000s and leave you craving more, look no further than Milk Bar and its visionary founder Christina Tosi. With creations like Compost Cookies, Cereal Milk Soft Serve with Cornflake Crunch, and Crack Pie, Milk Bar has revolutionized the dessert game like no other.
Since its opening in NYC in 2008, Milk Bar has captured the hearts of dessert enthusiasts everywhere. I remember eagerly waiting for the day I could witness the mesmerizing neon pink cursive sign for myself, relying on kind friends to bring back packages of cookies from the bakery.
But what makes Milk Bar so special? Christina Tosi’s award-winning talent as a culinary genius lies in her ability to tap into our nostalgic cravings while striking the perfect balance between sweet and salty. This holds true for all her delectable desserts, from the flagship bakeries to the newest additions to grocery store shelves.
And now, prepare to be amazed as we introduce you to the latest addition to the Milk Bar family: Milk Bar Ice Cream Pints. These four flavors are guaranteed to make both long-time fans and newcomers alike jump with joy. Let’s take a closer look:
Birthday Cake: A Celebration in Every Bite
A true homage to Milk Bar’s signature sprinkle-flecked layer cake with unfrosted sides, this flavor brings the same delightful layering effect to your taste buds. With birthday cake-flavored ice cream, birthday crumbs, and ribbons of birthday frosting, every scoop is a reason to celebrate, any day of the week.
Cereal Milk: The Flavor that Started It All
A cousin to Milk Bar’s beloved soft serve, this pint combines a Cereal Milk ice cream base with a salty-sweet cornflake crunch. It’s a trip down memory lane to the bottom of your cereal bowl, capturing the essence of childhood in each spoonful.
Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow: A Cookie Lover’s Dream
Indulge in the mouthwatering combination of cornflake crunch, chocolate chunks, and gooey marshmallow swirls, perfectly blended into a cookie dough ice cream. It’s like experiencing the bestselling cookie in frozen form, elevating your taste buds to new heights of bliss.
Milk Bar Pie: Pie Cravings, Satisfied
Picture deep vanilla ice cream swirled with a luscious gooey butter filling and topped with a toasted oat crumble. This flavor beautifully reimagines Milk Bar’s signature pie in ice cream form, delivering a symphony of flavors that will leave you wanting more.
So why did I have a strong feeling these flavors would live up to the Milk Bar brand? Well, the receipt referred to them as “Frozen Custard,” which assured me that they would be full of flavor, unlike some airy frozen dairy dessert with less than 10% milkfat.
Let’s take a closer look at each flavor:
Pie
I decided to start with the Milk Bar Pie variety, also known as Crack Pie among fellow Milk Bar enthusiasts. Newcomers may ask, “What kind of pie is it?” and that’s totally okay.
I expected the deep vanilla to taste like sweet cream ice cream, but it surprised me with its caramel-like flavor and the smoothness of honey-like sweetness infused with buttery richness. The oat crumble, although more similar to crushed oats, complemented the crust of the actual dessert quite well. Though not as prominent in flavor as other crusts, such as a graham cracker crust or flaky pie dough, it added a touch of texture. However, I couldn’t help but get some stuck in my teeth, as is usually the case with oats.
For a brief moment, I considered having the actual Crack Pie shipped to me so I could enjoy it à la mode with Crack Pie ice cream. Might sound excessive, but who can resist such a decadent treat?
Purchased Price: $5.99 | Size: 14 oz | Purchased at: Whole Foods | Rating: 8 out of 10 | Nutrition Facts: 220 calories, 13 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 220mg of sodium, 0 grams of fiber, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 16 grams of sugar, and less than 1 gram of protein.
Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow
But wait, there’s more! I also had the pleasure of trying the Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow (C3M) flavor!
First, let me tell you that trying it on its own was an absolute delight. The marshmallow flavor was simply irresistible, reminiscent of gooey goodness around a campfire without the mess of flames, char, and ashes! The cookie dough ice cream base beautifully complemented the marshmallow, and the other ingredients added the perfect finishing touch. The rectangular chocolate chunks provided a delightful texture, reminiscent of the inclusions found in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
The cornflake crunch was not soggy, nor was it frozen solid. It struck the perfect balance on the texture spectrum. And guess what? It tasted just like cornflakes! The comforting corn flavor transported me back to my childhood cereal-eating days.
Since Milk Bar also offers a grocery-exclusive version of their cookies in the same flavor, I decided to take it a step further and create an ice cream cookie sandwich. But let’s not get too sidetracked with a cookie review. I will simply say that the ice cream took the sandwich to another level, with the marshmallow goodness stealing the show. Although the combination was delightful, I personally prefer enjoying the ice cream on its own.
Purchased Price: $5.99 | Size: 14 oz | Purchased at: Whole Foods | Rating: 8 out of 10 | Nutrition Facts: 300 calories, 19 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 110mg of sodium, 0 grams of fiber, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.
Cereal Milk
After experiencing the deliciousness of the cornflakes in the C3M flavor, I was eager to dive into the Cereal Milk pint.
The pint itself was a visual representation of the bottom of a cereal bowl, with yellow cereal flakes scattered throughout the ice cream. The ice cream had more complexity than a simple sweet cream flavor, as I detected a hint of saltiness. However, it was not overpowering. It reminded me of adding a sprinkle of sea salt to a chocolate chip cookie, amplifying the flavors in a delightful way.
When I had a spoonful with a generous amount of cereal bits, the cornflake flavor became more pronounced, and the texture resembled that of soggy cereal. Personally, I prefer the cornflake crunch toppings available at the Milk Bar bakeries. Hopefully, they’ll be offering it as a pint topping soon!
Purchased Price: $5.99 | Size: 14 oz | Purchased at: Whole Foods | Rating: 8 out of 10 | Nutrition Facts: 270 calories, 17 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 170mg of sodium, 0 grams of fiber, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 17 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.
Birthday Cake
Saving the best for last, I present to you the Birthday Cake flavor. It truly exceeded all expectations. At first, I found it slightly sweeter than the other flavors, which is to be expected from cake batter ice creams. As I was scooping, I noticed unappetizing white bits that reminded me of ice chunks.
But let me tell you, these “ice chunks” elevated the flavor once I tasted the frosting. It instantly brought me back to the joyous memories of childhood birthday cakes from the grocery store. It’s the Tosi magic in action, pure and simple.
The crumbs, on the other hand, felt like an afterthought. I couldn’t detect any significant added flavor or texture. As for the sprinkles, they added a festive touch and that delightful grittiness we associate with a sprinkle-laden treat. I know it may sound strange, but it actually reminded me of being a kid, devouring desserts covered in colorful sprinkles. Birthday cake-flavored ice cream may not be my top choice usually, but this one has definitely earned a permanent spot in my freezer!
Purchased Price: $5.99 | Size: 14 oz | Purchased at: Whole Foods | Rating: 9 out of 10 | Nutrition Facts: 300 calories, 19 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 85mg of sodium, 0 grams of fiber, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 23 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.
In conclusion, Milk Bar has made a stunning entrance into the grocery store space with its Ice Cream Pints. This remarkable effort deserves recognition, and we encourage fellow shoppers to grab these pints and experience a frozen treat like no other. Witness the magic of Milk Bar and indulge in flavors that will transport you to a world of decadence and delight.
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