Monster cookie dough ice cream features an indulgent blend of creamy vanilla ice cream loaded with chunks of Monster cookie dough. The signature flavor combines the best of both worlds – the delicious taste of soft, chewy cookie dough and the cool, creamy texture of ice cream. Keep reading to learn more about what gives this ice cream its iconic cookie dough flavor.
What is Monster Cookie Dough Ice Cream?
Monster cookie dough ice cream is a fan favorite flavor from Ben & Jerry’s. It features a vanilla ice cream base swirled with generous chunks of edible cookie dough and chocolate chips throughout. The cookie dough pieces provide pockets of sweetness and texture, while the chocolate chips add little bursts of chocolate in each bite.
Some key facts about Monster cookie dough ice cream:
- Created by Ben & Jerry’s in 2015
- Part of the Core ice cream line
- Contains chocolate chip cookie dough pieces and chocolate chips
- Swirled into vanilla ice cream
- Provides a sweet, indulgent treat
Ben & Jerry’s is known for inventive ice cream flavors loaded with mix-ins. Monster cookie dough delivers an extra dose of decadence with its hefty chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough baked right into each scoop. The balance of flavors and textures is what makes it a Monster hit.
Cookie Dough Ingredients
So what exactly gives Monster cookie dough ice cream its signature flavor? Let’s break down what goes into those edible chunks of goodness:
Flour
The base of the cookie dough starts with flour. All-purpose flour provides structure and an authentic doughy texture when baked. Although the cookie dough pieces in the ice cream are unbaked, the flour still contributes body and substance.
Sugar
What’s cookie dough without a good dose of sweetness? Granulated white sugar adds a generous helping of sugariness to balance the flour. Brown sugar provides extra moisture for chewy, fudgy dough.
Butter
For rich, indulgent cookie dough flavor, you need real butter. Butter brings a creamy mouthfeel and authentic buttery taste. Along with the sugars, it helps give the dough a soft, smooth consistency.
Chocolate Chips
No chocolate chip cookie dough would be complete without, well, chocolate chips! Mini chocolate chips stud each dough piece, creating pockets of chocolate in every bite. They add little bursts of cocoa flavor.
Salt
A pinch of salt balances out all the sweetness from the sugar and chocolate. It heightens and rounds out the flavors.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract adds fragrant vanilla flavor to the cookie dough, pairing perfectly with the sweet chocolate chips.
Eggs
Eggs help bind the dough together, providing structure and richness.
So in summary, the key components are:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Butter
- Chocolate chips
- Salt
- Vanilla
- Eggs
Combined in just the right amounts, these ingredients create the distinctive Monster cookie dough flavor we all know and love.
Cookie Dough Production
Monster cookie dough ice cream starts with separate batches of cookie dough and ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s produces large quantities of each component.
Here are some details on how they make it happen:
Scaling Up Cookie Dough
To achieve the signature dough pieces in each pint, Ben & Jerry’s had to figure out how to mass produce edible cookie dough. Their solution starts with scaling up a basic cookie dough recipe using industrial mixers. Dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt are loaded in first and mixed. Next, butter and eggs get incorporated. Finally, chocolate chips are folded into large batches of dough.
Forming the Dough
The dough is portioned and rolled into balls as it travels down a conveyor belt. The balls are then packed into trays and frozen solid. This helps the dough pieces retain their shape when baked into the ice cream later on.
Baking the Dough
Before mixing into the ice cream, the frozen dough balls are baked off. This step cooks the dough just enough to ensure food safety requirements are met. The balls are baked at low heat for a short time so the centers remain soft.
Ice Cream Production
Meanwhile, large batches of vanilla ice cream are made in specialty ice cream machines. Milk, cream, sugar and vanilla get blended and pasteurized before going into the ice cream makers. The ice cream freezes and thickens as it’s churned.
Assembly
Finally, the finished cookie dough pieces and ice cream get swirled together. The baked dough chunks and chocolate chips are folded into the frozen ice cream base. Everything gets packaged up into pint containers for distribution.
Thanks to this streamlined process, cookie dough lovers everywhere can enjoy Ben & Jerry’s signature Monster cookie dough flavor.
The Flavor Experience
So what’s the final flavor experience of eating Monster cookie dough ice cream? Here’s a breakdown of the taste and texture:
Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
Each spoonful starts with the smooth, creamy base of vanilla ice cream. It provides a rich, icy creaminess as the foundation.
Sweet Cookie Dough
Scattered throughout are chunks of sweet chocolate chip cookie dough. Their soft, doughy texture contrasts with the ice cream. You get swirls of sweetness in every bite.
Gooey Chocolate Chips
Melted chocolate chips deliver bursts of rich cocoa flavor. They add little pockets of chocolatey goodness.
Cool and Indulgent
Together, the cool ice cream and gooey cookie dough offer an indulgent treat for the tastebuds. The sweet vanilla pairs perfectly with the chocolate cookie dough. Fans just can’t get enough of this dynamic flavor duo.
Every monster-sized bite is packed with creamy ice cream and chunky cookie dough – the best of both worlds! The flavor balance and variety of textures make this one monstrously delicious ice cream.
Nutrition Facts
While Monster cookie dough ice cream offers big flavor, it does come with a more monster-sized nutrition profile. Here are the nutrition facts for a 1/2 cup serving:
| Nutrition Facts | 1/2 cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 55mg |
| Sodium | 120mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 31g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 23g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, just half a cup packs in 260 calories and 31g of carbs. The high sugar content comes from the cookie dough as well as the naturally sweet ice cream base.
While not the most diet-friendly choice, Monster cookie dough can be enjoyed occasionally as a sweet indulgence. Moderation is key with a flavor this decadent!
Where to Buy
Want to try this monster mashup of cookie dough and ice cream? Here are some places you can find Ben & Jerry’s Monster Cookie Dough:
Grocery Stores
Check the freezer aisle at your local supermarket. Many chains like Safeway, Kroger, Publix, and more carry Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Prices may range from $3.99-$5.99 per pint.
Convenience Stores
Stop by any 7-Eleven, Wawa, or convenience store with a freezer section. Individual pints are usually available. Expect to pay a little more at around $4.99-$6.99 per pint.
Ice Cream Shops
Some ice cream parlors and creameries sell Ben & Jerry’s flavors. You can often get it by the scoop or in sundaes and milkshakes. Check your local ice cream shops.
Online Ordering
Don’t want to leave your home? Order Monster Cookie Dough online from sites like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart Grocery for delivery straight to your door. Just make sure to select expedited frozen shipping.
Alternative Flavors
While Monster Cookie Dough has earned iconic status, Ben & Jerry’s offers other cookie dough-filled flavors too. Here are a couple to check out:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
This classic flavor features chocolate chip cookie dough chunks mixed into vanilla ice cream – minus the extra chocolate chips. It delivers authentic cookie dough flavor in its simplest form.
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
For nutty decadence, try Rich Peanut Butter ice cream with peanut butter cookie dough pieces swirled in. If you love PB&J, this flavor’s for you!
The Tonight Dough
Jimmy Fallon collaborated on this flavor featuring caramel & chocolate ice creams with chocolate cookie swirls & gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough & peanut butter cookie dough. It’s truly over-the-top!
While Monster is hard to beat, expanding your cookie dough horizons can be fun too.
Conclusion
Monster Cookie Dough perfectly blends the rich flavor of chocolate chip cookie dough with creamy vanilla ice cream. Its indulgent taste comes from ingredients like flour, sugar, chocolate chips, and real butter. While not the healthiest choice, its balance of flavors and textures make this one monstrously delicious frozen treat! Satisfy your cookie craving by picking up a pint of this iconic Ben & Jerry’s flavor. Just beware – you might not want to share this monster mashup!