Julie's Ice Cream Awards

If you're looking for low-cal treats or clever weight loss techniques to get into that bikini... you've landed on the wrong blog. 

I love ice cream. 

With summer coming, [ok it's pretty much here], a scoop or two of cold creamy goodness to chill your tongue and refresh your soul... you can't go wrong. Or can you? 

There's a lot of gross stuff out there posing as ice cream that's just quite frankly not worth space in your freezer.  This ice cream snob shops for only the best tasting varieties.   Here's my take:

From the Freezer Aisle

Best Vanilla Bean:  

Breyers "Natural Vanilla"
a go-to for all seasons

Best French Vanilla: 

Dreyer's Grand

also pairs with A&W for Best Root Beer Float

Best Chocolate: 

Haagen Dazs 

yeah sorry bout the ridiculous price, catch it on sale

Best Mint Chocolate Chip: 

Breyers

my childhood favorite

Best Rocky Road: 

Dreyer's Grand

 this flavor has great variation between brands 
and Dreyer's is simply the best.

Best Strawberry: 

Blue Bell

distinctly "Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla"

Best Coconut Pineapple:  

Thrifty

my hubby's favorite... available only at Water N Ice 

and Restaurant Depot, or in California.

Best Dulce de Leche: 

Talenti

"Argentine Caramel" ... This stuff is GOOD... 

and I don't even like caramel very much.   

True to her heritage, this is also my mama's favorite flavor.

Best Cookies'n Cream: 

Blue Bell

the original.

Best Cookie Dough: 

Dreyer's Slow Churned

and make sure there's dough in every bite!

Best Butter Pecan: 

ask someone who likes pecans. yiughhhk. talk about ruining dessert.

Best Coffee:

it's been so long since I've had coffee ice cream because 

I don't consume caffeine beyond the small amounts in my chocolate...

 man I miss coffee ice cream.

if I remember correctly, Haagen Dazs' coffee ice cream is pretty amazing.

Best Sorbet: 

Talenti

I like their "Roman Raspberry"

Best Bite-Size Ice Cream Snacks:

Trader Joe's

pretty much can't go wrong at Trader Joe's, 

but I love their Mini Mint Ice Cream Mouthfuls.

fun to say, and delicious.

Out and About

Best Milkshake: 

Joe's Farm Grill

and for those of you who don't live in luxurious Gilbert, AZ

Red Robin and Fuddruckers make 'em real good too.

Best Hot Fudge Sundae [in Arizona, maybe in the whole world]: 

Don and Charlie's

forget ribs and baked potatoes... 

they make their own fresh hot fudge. every day. 

yes, please.

Best Cone: 

Baskin Robbins

two scoops on a cake cone: World Class Chocolate on the top 

and Mint Chip on the bottom  

The perfect treat while you're out and about running errands one hot summer day.

Best Fro-Yo:

Mojo Yogurt

My husband, being from California, has a thing for Pinkberry... 

but I don't like it. I like my Mojo.

Best Drive Through Option:

Dairy Queen M&M's Blizzard or Chick-fil-A Cookies and Cream Milkshake

always know what's near you for those unpredictable ice cream emergencies.  

And don't even say the word McDonalds.

Best Restaurant Dessert Incorporating Ice Cream:

Oregano's Pizza Cookie

and for those of you outside the Grand Canyon State, 

BJ's Chocolate Chunk Pizookie will check the box.

OK iScreamers... go forth and scoopify.  But choose wisely!  Ice cream should be savored, worth every bite.  Be selective about your indulgences.  Don't settle for ice cream you don't love!