It's far from dull.
As a child, I used to think, Once I become an adult, I plan to have ice cream for dinner every day, with nobody to tell me otherwise. I imagined scoops of bubblegum-flavored ice cream topped with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate syrup, miniature M&M's, and whipped cream. One can always dream.
My dreams have finally come true! Nowadays, as an adult, having a carton of ice cream stashed in my freezer is just part of my routine. I indulge directly from the container anytime I desire. Furthermore, I struggle to imagine a dessert that wouldn’t be enhanced with a scoop of ice cream. grilled peaches , strawberry spoon cake , mention all the shoemakers, you know what I mean.
You could say my preferences have evolved, but I still find myself gravitating towards vanilla ice cream. Feel free to label me as "vanilla" because I see it as high praise! To me, vanilla ice cream exudes luxury, subtlety, and flavor. No other cold dessert consistently delivers such delightful taste.
Because I purchase ice cream frequently, I usually opt for whatever flavor is discounted. However, is this approach advisable? Curious about the right choice, I consulted several professional pastry chefs and food editors to learn which vanilla ice cream they prefer. Interestingly, each one provided the identical recommendation.
The Pro Bakers I Asked Asked
- Megan Ginsberg : Senior Editor for EatingWell and former pastry cook at Flour Bakery + Cafe
- Genevieve Yam Culinary Editor for Serious Eats, previously a chef at Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Per Se, and contributed to the latest version of The Core New York Times Cookbook
- Courtney Kassel Editor for Allrecipes and previously a professional cake decorator at Little Daisy Bake Shop
- Laurel Randolph : Senior Recipe Editor For SimplyRecipes and the acclaimed pastry chef
The Best Vanilla Ice Cream, According to Pro Bakers and Food Editors
Laurel describes great vanilla ice cream as "creamy with real vanilla flavor." It sounds simple, but surprisingly, not all vanilla ice creams are created equal. The unanimous vote for the best vanilla ice cream is Ben & Jerry's . (According to Alexa Harrison, Public Relations Manager for Ben & Jerry's, it's so popular that it's the only smooth flavor—without mix-ins—sold in a pint container.)
Laurel says, "Ben & Jerry’s vanilla is rich, creamy, and has the vanilla flavor I’m looking for—delicious alongside a dessert, in a sundae, or all on its own." (Try a scoop on Laurel's Peach and Raspberry Pandowdy !)
Genevieve, who taste-tested over 10 brands of vanilla ice cream for Serious Eats says, “Many vanilla ice creams come with an artificial aftertaste, whereas Ben & Jerry’s has a flavor profile that truly captures the essence of genuine vanilla mixed into rich dairy. Amongst all the varieties I sampled, this one was undoubtedly the silkiest and most velvety. Additionally, unlike certain ice creams which can feel unnaturally elastic due to additives such as stabilizers and gums used for consistency adjustment, Ben & Jerry’s manages to avoid that off-putting texture.”
"Typically, I’m not a fan of vanilla ice cream; I usually lean towards strawberry or something with chunks, such as cookie dough. However, Ben & Jerry’s is an exception, and I could easily enjoy a bowl every single night,” she remarks.
Megan states, "When it comes to ice cream, I always choose Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla. The texture is incredibly smooth, and the vanilla taste is authentic without being overly artificial."
Courtney, who is lactose intolerant, supports Ben & Jerry’s newly formulated vegan vanilla base aimed at providing a dairy-free option. She says, “It truly stood out… The base is made from oats yet remains subtle in taste, which isn’t common among plant-based ice creams, and offers an unexpectedly smooth texture without overpowering richness.” Although Ben & Jerry’s doesn't offer plain vanilla as a standalone vegan choice, they utilize this base across multiple flavors. flavors with mix-ins .
I recently discovered that Ben & Jerry's staff members are allowed to take home three pints of ice cream each day. It makes me wonder how they manage their productivity. If this were my workplace, my daily tasks might involve lounging under the sun, feeling blades of grass beneath my feet, and enjoying a pint of ice cream. One can always aspire!
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