Few things in life spark instant joy like cracking open a pint of Ben & Jerry’s after a long day. With flavors that sound like rock band names and taste like pure magic, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when facing that crowded freezer case. We get it—you want the good stuff, the flavors that actually live up to the hype, not just the ones with quirky names. That’s why we’ve sorted through the cookie dough, caramel swirls, and fudge chunks to find the 15 Ben & Jerry’s flavors that ice cream lovers everywhere agree are worth every single calorie.
1. Half Baked
Indulgence reaches new heights with this masterful creation that combines the best of both worlds. Chocolate and vanilla ice creams create the perfect canvas for two beloved mix-ins: fudge brownies and chocolate chip cookie dough.
The brownies maintain their chewy texture even when frozen, while the cookie dough chunks offer that raw, sweet satisfaction we secretly crave. No wonder this flavor consistently tops Ben & Jerry’s sales charts year after year!
The genius lies in its balance – every spoonful delivers different ratios of the components, making each bite a new adventure in texture and taste.
2. Cherry Garcia
Named after the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, this flavor has been spreading joy since 1987. Cherry ice cream forms the sweet, fruity base that’s generously studded with real cherry pieces and delicate chocolate flakes.
The contrast between the tart cherries and rich chocolate creates a harmony that keeps fans coming back for more. Unlike artificial cherry flavors, Ben & Jerry’s uses real fruit that pops with authentic taste.
A pioneer in the Ben & Jerry’s lineup, Cherry Garcia continues to prove that fruit and chocolate make a timeless pair – much like great music and devoted fans.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Revolutionary when it debuted in 1991, this flavor forever changed how we enjoy ice cream. Before Ben & Jerry’s, cookie dough was just something you sneakily ate before baking cookies – now it’s a legitimate dessert component!
The vanilla ice cream base provides the perfect neutral backdrop that allows the soft, buttery chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough to shine. Each scoop contains generous portions of dough that maintain their raw texture and comforting flavor.
Fun fact: Ben & Jerry’s actually invented the cookie dough ice cream category, creating a phenomenon that countless brands have since attempted to replicate.
4. Phish Food
Created in collaboration with the band Phish, this aquatic-themed delight sends chocolate lovers swimming in ecstasy. The base of rich chocolate ice cream alone would satisfy most cravings, but Ben & Jerry’s takes it several steps further.
Gooey marshmallow swirls wind their way through the chocolate like rivers, while caramel ribbons add buttery sweetness. The star attractions, however, are the adorable chocolate fudge fish that add both whimsy and an extra chocolate punch.
The contrasting textures – from smooth ice cream to sticky marshmallow to chewy caramel – create a multi-sensory experience that keeps fans hooked on this underwater fantasy.
5. The Tonight Dough
Jimmy Fallon’s signature flavor packs more mix-ins than almost any other Ben & Jerry’s creation. Caramel and chocolate ice creams form the foundation for this late-night indulgence, perfectly mirroring the sweet entertainment of The Tonight Show.
Chocolate cookie swirls add a crunchy texture contrast, while the double dose of cookie dough – both chocolate chip and peanut butter varieties – makes this a dough lover’s dream. Every spoonful offers a different combination of these components.
A portion of the proceeds benefits the SeriousFun Children’s Network, making this not just delicious but charitable too – a sweet way to enjoy dessert with purpose!
6. Americone Dream
Stephen Colbert lent his patriotic spirit to this playful flavor that celebrates the American love of ice cream. Vanilla ice cream serves as the democratic foundation where all the mix-ins can coexist in delicious harmony.
The caramel swirls add ribbons of buttery sweetness throughout, but the true innovation comes from the fudge-covered waffle cone pieces. These maintain their crunch despite being surrounded by ice cream, creating that satisfying texture contrast we crave.
Since its 2007 debut, a portion of proceeds has supported various charities through the Stephen Colbert AmeriCone Dream Fund – making each spoonful taste even sweeter with its charitable impact.
7. Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Chocolate maximalists rejoice! This flavor answers the eternal question: “Can you ever have too much chocolate?” with a resounding “No!” The base begins with Ben & Jerry’s densest, richest chocolate ice cream that’s intensely satisfying on its own.
What makes this flavor legendary are the substantial chunks of fudge brownies scattered throughout. These aren’t tiny brownie bits – they’re generous, chewy squares that maintain their texture even when frozen. The brownies come from New York’s Greyston Bakery, which provides employment opportunities to those facing barriers to work.
The combination creates the ultimate chocolate-on-chocolate experience that satisfies the deepest chocolate cravings imaginable.
8. Strawberry Cheesecake
Transforming a beloved dessert into ice cream form, this flavor captures the essence of fresh-baked cheesecake in every spoonful. The strawberry cheesecake ice cream base delivers that distinctive tangy cream cheese flavor that’s instantly recognizable.
Real strawberry pieces add bursts of fruity sweetness throughout, balancing the richness of the cheesecake base. The graham cracker swirl is the masterstroke – delivering the buttery, cinnamon-tinged crunch of an authentic cheesecake crust.
Many fans report this flavor satisfies their cheesecake cravings better than the real thing, offering the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and crunchy elements without the heaviness of traditional cheesecake.
9. Milk & Cookies
Childhood comfort meets grown-up indulgence in this nostalgic flavor that captures the simple joy of dunking cookies in milk. Vanilla ice cream serves as the “milk” component, creamy and pure.
The magic happens with the cookie variety – chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate sandwich cookies create a trinity of cookie perfection. Each type maintains its distinct texture and flavor, offering different cookie experiences in each bite.
Unlike some mix-ins that become lost in the ice cream, these cookies retain their identity while still softening just enough to mimic that perfect moment when a dunked cookie reaches optimal milk saturation.
10. Chunky Monkey
Banana ice cream rarely gets the spotlight in the freezer aisle, making this flavor a standout for fruit lovers seeking something beyond the usual berry options. The banana base tastes authentically fruity without crossing into artificial territory.
Walnuts add substantial crunch and a welcome earthy contrast to the sweet banana. The fudge chunks complete the flavor trinity with rich chocolate bursts that pair surprisingly well with the fruit base.
Around since 1988, Chunky Monkey has earned its place in the Ben & Jerry’s hall of fame by proving that banana deserves the same ice cream respect as more common flavors. Many fans report it tastes like the best frozen banana bread imaginable!
11. Peanut Butter Cup
Peanut butter fanatics have met their match in this intensely nutty creation that doubles down on their favorite flavor. The peanut butter ice cream base is already richly flavored, with that perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes peanut butter irresistible.
Scattered throughout are generous peanut butter cups that maintain their distinct chocolate-coated edges and creamy centers. The contrast between the smooth ice cream and the slightly firmer candy pieces creates textural interest in every bite.
While many brands offer peanut butter cup flavors, Ben & Jerry’s version stands out for its authenticity – using real peanut butter in both the base and the mix-ins for maximum peanut impact.
12. Mint Chocolate Cookie
Refreshing mint ice cream delivers a cool blast that wakes up your taste buds instantly. The peppermint flavor strikes the perfect balance – strong enough to be unmistakably minty without veering into toothpaste territory.
Rather than typical chocolate chips, Ben & Jerry’s elevates this classic combination by mixing in crushed chocolate sandwich cookies. These cookies absorb just enough moisture from the ice cream to soften slightly while maintaining their distinct cocoa flavor and adding textural contrast.
The result tastes like the most sophisticated, creamy mint chocolate chip cookie imaginable. Many fans consider this the ultimate after-dinner dessert, as the mint provides a refreshing palate cleanser while still satisfying sweet cravings.
13. Vanilla Caramel Fudge
Sometimes the classics done right outshine even the most innovative flavors. This triple-threat combination proves that simple ingredients executed perfectly can create ice cream magic.
The vanilla base isn’t just plain – it’s a rich, egg-custard style vanilla that could stand proudly on its own. Generous caramel swirls wind their way throughout, creating rivers of buttery sweetness that contrast beautifully with the vanilla.
The fudge component completes the trio with deep chocolate ribbons that add both color contrast and flavor complexity. While it might seem basic compared to more loaded flavors, many connoisseurs consider this the perfect expression of ice cream fundamentals done right.
14. Pistachio Pistachio
Green ice cream lovers, rejoice! This sophisticated flavor celebrates the distinctive, subtly sweet nuttiness of pistachios without overwhelming sweetness. The pistachio ice cream base captures the essence of the nut with a delicate touch.
Throughout the pint, you’ll discover whole and chopped lightly roasted pistachios that add satisfying crunch and intensify the nutty flavor. The double name isn’t just cute – it emphasizes the double dose of pistachio in both the base and the mix-ins.
This flavor attracts a dedicated following of ice cream enthusiasts who appreciate its more refined, less cloying sweetness. Many fans report it pairs beautifully with coffee or even a glass of dessert wine for a more adult ice cream experience.
15. Impretzively Fudged
Sweet meets salty in this perfect balance of opposing flavors. The chocolate ice cream base provides a rich foundation, but the real stars are the fudge-covered pretzel pieces scattered generously throughout.
Each pretzel piece maintains its distinctive crunch while being enhanced by a coating of smooth chocolate. The salt from the pretzels cuts through the sweetness of the ice cream and fudge, creating that addictive contrast that keeps you digging for more.
While newer to the Ben & Jerry’s lineup than some classics, this flavor has quickly gained a devoted following among those who appreciate the sophisticated interplay between sweet and salty. The textural contrast between smooth ice cream and crunchy pretzels makes each bite interesting.
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