The Store-Bought Dessert: Critic Edition
Playing Gordon Ramsey for the evening!
For some reason, this week I have had the biggest sweet tooth. Then I thought, why not order all of the desserts and review each one? These are the top “trendy” desserts right now, and I will give my honest review of each one. I tend to go for non-dairy desserts so you will see that bias in selections, but will keep adding to this list if I try any vegan or non-vegan new ones.
I have no critiques here, as Craig’s is my go-to dessert item, and I will see if the other contenders here will take the #1 spot! My favorite is the Melrose Mint Chip, but the Perfectly Chocolate and Sunset & Strawberry are other favorites of mine. It is hard to believe the ice cream is vegan, as it is so creamy and decadent, and not icy at all like some other vegan ice creams.
Looking at the website now, I see there is a Cold Brew Coffee?! I will have to hunt that flavor down and add it to this list. I normally get my cartons from Bristol Farms, but you can also purchase at Whole Foods and Gelson’s. I also added a picture of the Tinx Sundae you can order at the West Hollywood Craig’s restaurant location, which uses scoops of various flavors of this ice cream. I actually have giant martini glasses from a party I have thrown, so will do a separate post eventually of recreating the Tinx Sundae at home!
Next up, we have Gelato Boy’s Chocolate Chunk Gelato. This one is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. After taking a bite, all I can say is WOW! Making vegan gelato is especially hard, and somehow Gelato Boy has done it. You will have to let it sit out for ~15 minutes or so like most other vegan ice creams, but soon you will see its great texture as it begins to defrost. It tastes more like a dark chocolate sorbetto you would get at a gelato shop, but still very creamy and great consistency. This will be my new chocolate ice cream go to!
On their website, pints are $12 but on Instacart I ordered from Sprouts for $5.49 on sale (originally $8.49). What a steal, hurry and order now! It is also available at Whole Foods. I see that there are several other flavors, so I will keep adding them to this review list.
Okay you would absolutely laugh at the way I have been trying to hunt down this specific Triple Chocolate Swirl from Van Leeuwan. I want to say it has been over a year of sad attempts? I guess the universe was telling me not to bother as I was pretty disappointed. Is it a solid vegan ice cream bar option? Absolutely. Was it top notch like some of Van Leeuwan’s ice creams? Unfortunately, no. The chocolate ice cream in the bar was not rich or creamy as I was hoping for, so I will have to pass on this one next time. Even in the pictures, you can see that the color and consistency of the ice cream is not what we would hope for.
If you are familiar with Deux’s delicious Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, here is another variation for you! This is the Space Brownie flavor (limited drop), still vegan and gluten-free but with Four Sigmatic Reishi added in instead of the Zinc & Elderberry Extract in the Chocolate Chip version! I especially loved taste testing this one because it can be eaten raw, baked into a cookie, or baked into a brownie!
First up, I tested it raw and it was chocolate gooey goodness. I felt a subtle floral aftertaste and could not pinpoint it until I saw Jasmine tea extract in the ingredients list. I personally love Jasmine and guzzle a ton of Ito En Jasmine tea on a weekly basis, so it was a fun surprise and made me feel especially zen even after one bite. Next up, I baked a cookie in my air fryer which only took a couple minutes. This was my favorite version, as it was hot, gooey, and tasted as if I had gotten the jackpot middle portion of a pizookie. Next up, I baked it a little more for a “brownie” which was really good but I prefer the cookie version. I will definitely be adding it to top my ice cream for a delicious sundae! You can purchase Deux at Erewhon, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Target.
Finally, I tested the latest trendy snack on TikTok: Tru Fru. This was the white and dark chocolate rasberries version. They are definitely addicting, and somehow the rasberries’ flavor is especially apparent with bursts of sweetness and tartness. Surprisingly, this is the one selection that contains milk and soy, but is gluten-free. Looking at the ingredients list, it did not feel as “my body is a temple” as I had hoped for from a frozen fruit snack. I finished the carton really quick, but can’t help but wonder if I would rather make my own version using organic rasberries and some high quality dark chocolate (I know, I’m a huge stickler for organic produce). For another time, but these will do if you are wanting a sweet snack that can be easily eaten! You can purchase them at most grocery stores.
P.S. @erewhon, perhaps something you can whip up and add to the organic cafe?
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