It’s already less than a true pint at 14.4 ounces, but on top of that, 35-40% of the container is just whipped topping and it still manages to come in at a whopping 1270 calories 😮. The whipped topping isn’t particularly good either. Texture wise, it sits somewhere between cool whip and a light soft serve ice cream. Flavor wise it leans more cool whip with a heavier hint of vanilla maybe?

I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the flavor of the ice cream itself though. When I got the graham cracker swirl, the blonde brownie, and some caramel all in one bite it was pretty delicious icl. I wish they would make this a standalone flavor with a caramel mix in. It’s kind of like a pb blonde brownie version of Lights Caramel Action which is one of my favorite B&J’s flavors ever.

Anyway I thought I’d cut it in half and share my findings with you folks. I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.

Straus Review No. 1: My biggest problem with the category of strawberry ice creams is when they toss in large chunks of fruit. This is especially true with cheaper brands that may be including them to show their work — see, we have real fruit in here! Even as their ice cream base reeks of “strawberry” flavoring and red dye. It’s a bit of psychology and marketing that ends with me biting into icy, mealy berries that were likely never that good even in their prime. So, what if instead you throw in lots of tiny berry pieces? If your ice cream is as good as Straus Family Creamery’s, then sign me up.

What I liked: The freshness. This is maybe the freshest-tasting strawberry ice cream I’ve ever had. This is like getting a cup of ice cream at a farmers market in early spring. These high-quality strawberries are chopped fine and tossed with sugar. This is key for their textural survival as they are folded into a basic sweet cream base. And California’s Straus has one of the best plain bases out there thanks to their organic North Bay dairy, thickened only with egg yolks. Their non-homogenized milk creates that exceptional mouthfeel that gives me homemade ice cream vibes. However, this isn’t going to be the smooth experience of something like Straus’ superb Mint Chip. Because we are dealing with frozen fruit after all, you do get a bit of an icy crunch throughout — but it actually works in a refreshing way. I was worried at first, but then I really enjoyed that texture, though I can see others not appreciating it. These little berry pieces aren’t mushy or difficult to chew (see “science corner” below for why). And when this ice cream starts to melt a little, it gets even better, serving up a Strawberries and Cream experience that would be the envy of any spectator at Wimbledon.

What could be better: I do enjoy this level of strawberry, though it pales a bit compared to some of the heavy-hitters in the premium strawberry game who add fruit to their bases. I’m not sure how it would turn out, but perhaps a concentrated, roasted berry swirl (which removes a lot of that water content) would offer an intriguing flavor and textural contrast with the fresh berry pieces? Or maybe it would ruin that farmers market freshness? I think leave it as is for a unique profile.

Science corner: I’ve been enjoying learning about the science of ice cream as I review flavors. Now I know the term cryoprotectant: Straus tosses their fruit in organic sugar before freezing, which acts as a natural barrier to lower the freezing point. This prevents the berries from turning into tooth-cracking ice cubes, keeping them nice and soft.

How it compares: For my occasional spring strawberry series, I’m trying all sorts of strawberry-related flavors to celebrate spring. (When we roll into summer months, I’d love to tackle some raspberry and other berry flavors, too.) I’m revisiting a few favorites like Häagen-Dazs while mostly seeking out new flavors to try, whether it’s ice cream, sorbet or sherbet. So stay tuned to see how they shape up. I will do a ranking at some point, and this one will be among the best, though not quite at the top (we have a couple of very good ones coming). If you have suggestions, let me know in the comments!

Possible pairing: Make your own Neapolitan with Straus’ Vanilla Bean and Dutch Chocolate flavors.

Final thought: Rich, cold cream meets sweet and tart strawberries? This doesn’t feel like it came from the grocery store.

Score: 9.3/10

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SPRING STRAWBERRIES
Part I: McConnell’s Strawberries & Shortbread Cookies (4.8/10)

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PINT SNAPSHOT: Straus Family Creamery Strawberry

>The Look: Sweet cream tinted pale pink in spots by the little berry gems
The Facts: 404g | 15% Butterfat | 840 Calories (280 for 2/3 cup)
The Feel: Tiny berries bring a refreshing iciness to a base with superb mouthfeel
The Theme: A spring day out at the farmers market
The Flavor: Exceedingly fresh strawberry with lovely dairy undertones
The Verdict: A unique treatment that shows I can love icy berries, if done right
The Score: 9.3/10

Because I literally demolished this and hibernated!

The other day I went to a Whole Foods across town was able to find some flavors I never see around here. My first rendezvous with this brand was such a heartbreak with their lemon marionberry flavor. I simple hated it. I couldn’t even finish it and it sat in my freezer for weeks. I ended up giving it to a kiddo and almost writing off this brand forever. At this price point, it’s so hard to gamble, especially considering how bad I hated it the fist time.

Hopped up on nitrous, a sore mouth, and fragile ego, I decided on betting again. This time, pocket aces baby!

Rarely ever do I finish a pint in one sitting. I cracked it open and smashed it. I took one pic halfway through and it’s like I was transported into another space and time…

Growing up, I had a bougie, rich, functional alcoholic Aunty. She really peaked at the end of the disco era and carried that fabulousness with her through the rest of her life. She had an incredibly stocked liquor cabinet with all the barware and condiments you could think of. Gold rimmed glasses, etched crystal, and two mini fridges chocked full of anything and everything alcohol and snacky related. Obviously I was not a privy to the hard stuffs, but I was welcome to use her fancy glass, make mocktails and add whatever fancy non alcoholic things I wanted. One of the things I cherished were these little cartons of frozen strawberries she kept year round. She’d let me eat a whole box if I wanted to, and I often did. As a poor kid from the slums, I felt like a rock star those summers with her.

Well, this ice cream brought me back to that time. Big chunks of frozen strawberries swimming in the most delicious shavings of chocolate I’ve ever had in any ice cream. The base is so subtle but perfect. Every ingredient tastes real, and curated.

If ice cream could be besmoke, then you it Baby!!!

Everything just works and it works beautifully well. I’m in love 💕💕💕

20/10

First of all RIP to Ben & Jerry's Creme Brulee flavor- I had it as a teen and it was my favorite flavor of all time and it ended up in the flavor graveyard.

It was my first time seeing this brand on shelves and I was obviously enticed by the flavor, and I am not disappointed! It's a deep custard flavor with ribbons of melty caramelized sugar and some crunchy bits. I definitely wish it had more crunchy pieces though!!

I did read another redditor's Van Leeuwen honeycomb ice cream review (which is also a flavor I love) and I'm curious if there was more crunch in this particular ice cream the day I bought it, and if the short ride home and change in temperature caused the crunchy pieces to get more melty. Still delicious but I love a sugary crunch in my ice cream 😅

8.5/10 - I would buy this again! I'll try to have some the day it comes home from the store too.. for the sake of science obviously. It's definitely a more indulgent flavor so it's not a pint I'd be able to finish in one day (which is probably a good thing)

Sounds like something I’d really like

This is by far some of the best store bought, frozen treat I’ve had in a long time. Every bite is mouthwatering and refreshing. It’s the perfect spring treat. Very floral with just a bit of tart and the perfect texture. Only comes in pints from what I saw but I’m gonna be stocking up the next time I go to the store. It was the perfect follow up to my summer salad.

Easily a 9.5/10. Amazing.

My wife is from GA and every time we go down from PA I lament having to leave Mayfields Peaches and Cream ice cream. Thankfully, it looks like Mayfield is moving up north!