Top 19 Grocery Store Ice Cream Brands Ranked

The Quest for the Best Grocery Store Ice Cream

Ice cream holds a special place in our hearts, often tied to memories of summer nights, laughter, and indulgence. While local ice cream shops are a delightful treat, they can also be pricey, especially when long lines and hot weather come into play. For those days when staying home is preferable, grocery store ice cream emerges as a convenient and budget-friendly alternative. With so many brands available, we set out to discover which grocery store ice creams truly stand out and which ones you might want to skip.

The Taste Test Begins

Our journey involved sampling a variety of ice cream brands across multiple grocery stores, evaluating not just individual flavors but the overall quality and consistency of each brand’s offerings. The goal was clear: to identify top contenders and the flavors that truly deliver on taste and texture.

The Rankings

19. Ube from Trader Joe’s

Despite being a fan favorite, Ube Ice Cream from Trader Joe’s fell flat in our taste test. Promised notes of vanilla and unique flavor turned out to be a letdown, as the predominant taste was an off-putting synthetic coconut, accompanied by a gritty texture. Unfortunately, this one did not meet expectations.

18. Specially Selected Chocolate from Aldi

Aldi is known for its budget-friendly snacks, but the Specially Selected Chocolate Super Premium Ice Cream didn’t impress. The texture was misleading, appearing shiny and lacking the creamy richness you would expect from chocolate ice cream. The taste was subpar, leading to disappointment.

17. Great Value Cookies & Cream from Walmart

This ice cream looked promising with its cookie chunks, but the taste was overwhelmingly artificial. The soggy cookie pieces and a lackluster cream base made this a regrettable choice, leaving us wishing for something far more satisfying.

16. Sundae Shoppe Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from Aldi

Sundae Shoppe’s offering also missed the mark, tasting oddly reminiscent of raisins rather than cookie dough. While the chocolate chips were a highlight, the overall experience fell short of expectations.

15. Favorite Day Cookies ‘N Cream from Target

Target’s Favorite Day Cookies ‘N Cream was a slight improvement but still didn’t wow. While it had some cookie chunks, the flavor profile lacked depth, and the overall texture was just average.

14. Overloaded Peanut Butter Fudge Explosion from Hannaford

Hannaford’s peanut butter ice cream was a mixed bag. While the chocolate and creamy base had potential, the overall flavor was unremarkable, leaving us wanting more.

13. Favorite Day Caramel Brownie Moose Tracks from Target

This flavor had too much going on, leading to a muddled experience. Although the ingredients were decent, the overwhelming combination of flavors made it hard to appreciate any one element.

12. 364 Brownie Batter from Whole Foods

Whole Foods’ Brownie Batter had its moments, but the chocolate base lacked richness, and the brownie swirl was barely detectable. It didn’t quite satisfy the craving for a rich chocolate experience.

11. Sundae Shoppe Cookies & Cream from Aldi

This iteration of cookies and cream from Aldi finally brought some good news. It offered a pleasant cookie flavor, reminiscent of Oreos, though it still needed more creaminess to elevate it further.

10. 365 Raspberry Chocolate Chip from Whole Foods

This flavor appealed with its nostalgic vibes but lacked the depth of flavor expected. The chocolate chips were enjoyable, but an odd aftertaste detracted from the overall experience.

9. Great Value Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from Walmart

Great Value’s cookie dough variant proved to be unexpectedly enjoyable. While it had a somewhat artificial taste, the cookie dough pieces and chocolate chunks provided a pleasant combination.

8. Signature Select Moose Tracks from Shaw’s

Signature Select’s Moose Tracks offered a decent vanilla base with good toppings, but it fell short in terms of variety and richness. The peanut butter cups were a saving grace, adding some enjoyment to each bite.

7. Great Value Fudge Tracks from Walmart

This chocolatey option surprised with its light texture and rich flavor. The generous fudge ribbons and peanut butter cups made for a satisfying treat, pushing it higher on the list.

6. Speculoos Cookie Butter from Trader Joe’s

This flavor brought graham cracker and gingerbread notes, though it lacked the creaminess one might hope for. It’s worth trying, but it didn’t quite meet the high expectations.

5. Signature Select Salted Caramel from Shaw’s

Despite not being a huge caramel fan, this flavor impressed with its balance of sweet and salty notes. The creamy texture and well-distributed caramel pieces made it a worthy contender.

4. Fudgy Cookie Dough from Trader Joe’s

This ice cream excelled with its rich flavors and delightful cookie dough pieces. The balance of chocolate and the hint of salt created a satisfying treat that stood out among the competition.

3. Horchata from Trader Joe’s

Surprisingly, this flavor took third place. Its creamy texture and subtle cinnamon flavor worked well together, with cookie pieces adding a delightful crunch without overpowering the experience.

2. Kirkland Signature Vanilla from Costco

Kirkland’s Vanilla Ice Cream lived up to its hype, boasting a rich, creamy texture that made it a standout. Its French vanilla style offered a delightful indulgence that left a lasting impression.

1. Favorite Day’s Strawberry Angel Food Cake from Target

Claiming the top spot, this flavor combines vanilla ice cream, cake pieces, and a strawberry swirl to create a refreshing, light treat. Its real cake flavor and delightful balance made it a must-try, especially during the warmer months.

Conclusion

This taste test revealed the wide range of quality in grocery store ice creams, with some brands truly shining while others left much to be desired. Trader Joe’s emerged as a strong player in the ice cream game, while others struggled to deliver. If you’re on the hunt for your next sweet treat, keep these rankings in mind. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or looking to try something new, there’s a grocery store ice cream waiting for you.