5 Best Ice Creams for 2026

These five pints capture standout ice cream styles for 2026 in clear, scoopable forms.

Start with an intense bittersweet chocolate that delivers deep cocoa and smooth texture. Follow with brown butter almond brittle for nutty richness and crisp shards in every bite.

Round out the list with gooey butter cake swirled with tangy cream and cake crumbs, a salted peanut butter studded with chocolate flecks, and a bright lemon-blueberry parfait for refreshing contrast.

Our Top Ice Cream Picks

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream 16 oz (Frozen) Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream, 16 oz Richest IndulgenceFlavor: Darkest chocolateSize/Package: 16 oz (1 pint)Frozen Format: Frozen ice creamVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Jeni’s Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Flecks Ice Cream Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks, Nutty Crowd-PleaserFlavor: Salted peanut butter with chocolate flecksSize/Package: 16 oz (1 pound)Frozen Format: Frozen ice creamVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
JENIS SPLENDID ICE CREAMS Lemon & Blueberries Parfait Ice Cream 1 PT JENIS SPLENDID ICE CREAMS Lemon & Blueberries Parfait Ice Cream, Light & TangyFlavor: Lemon & blueberries parfait (buttermilk frozen yogurt)Size/Package: 1 pintFrozen Format: Buttermilk frozen yogurt (frozen)VIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Jenis Splendis Ice Creams Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream 16 oz (Frozen) Jenis Splendis Ice Creams, Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream, 16 Dessert-Inspired TreatFlavor: Gooey butter cake (cream cheese + vanilla cake + caramel-butterscotch)Size/Package: 16 ozFrozen Format: Frozen ice cream (layered)VIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis
Jeni’s Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream (16 oz) Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream, Gourmet CrunchFlavor: Brown butter with almond brittleSize/Package: 16 ozFrozen Format: Frozen ice creamVIEW LATEST PRICERead Our Analysis

More Details on Our Top Picks

  1. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream 16 oz (Frozen)

    Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Darkest Chocolate Ice Cream, 16 oz

    Richest Indulgence

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    Should you love intense chocolate and crave a treat that feels grown up, Jeni’s Splendid Darkest Chocolate is made for you. You’ll taste deep, rich cocoa that feels luxurious without being fussy. It’s made with natural ingredients and no added preservatives, so you can enjoy flavor that’s simple and honest. Keep it frozen until you’re ready, then scoop or let it soften a bit so the texture sings. You’ll find the portion handy at 16 ounces, easy to share or savor alone. This ice cream treats you to adult chocolate pleasure while staying clean and straightforward.

    • Flavor:Darkest chocolate
    • Size/Package:16 oz (1 pint)
    • Frozen Format:Frozen ice cream
    • Ingredient Style / Clean Label:Natural ingredients; no added preservatives
    • Texture / Mix-ins:Smooth, rich chocolate base (no mix-ins)
    • Storage/Serving State:Store frozen; serve chilled after scooping/thaw
    • Additional Feature:Very rich cocoa intensity
    • Additional Feature:Natural ingredients only
    • Additional Feature:No added preservatives
  2. Jeni’s Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Flecks Ice Cream

    Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks,

    Nutty Crowd-Pleaser

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    Whenever you love rich, nutty flavors and a little sweet crunch, Jeni’s Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks is often the go-to choice for people who want an indulgent treat that still feels wholesome. You’ll notice the creamy peanut butter base made from whole, natural ingredients and no extra preservatives. Tiny chocolate flecks add a playful snap as you scoop. It comes in a one pound, 16 ounce pint that fits neatly in your freezer. Store it frozen until you’re ready. You’ll feel comforted by its honest ingredients and delighted by the balanced salty sweet contrast.

    • Flavor:Salted peanut butter with chocolate flecks
    • Size/Package:16 oz (1 pound)
    • Frozen Format:Frozen ice cream
    • Ingredient Style / Clean Label:Whole/natural ingredients; no added preservatives
    • Texture / Mix-ins:Peanut butter base with chocolate flecks (bitty inclusions)
    • Storage/Serving State:Store frozen until ready to serve
    • Additional Feature:Salted peanut-butter base
    • Additional Feature:Chocolate fleck inclusions
    • Additional Feature:US-made product
  3. JENIS SPLENDID ICE CREAMS Lemon & Blueberries Parfait Ice Cream 1 PT

    JENIS SPLENDID ICE CREAMS Lemon & Blueberries Parfait Ice Cream,

    Light & Tangy

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    Suppose you’re someone who loves a bright, tangy scoop that still feels light, JENIS SPLENDID ICE CREAMS Lemon & Blueberries Parfait is a great pick because it pairs lively citrus with juicy berries in a buttermilk frozen yogurt base that keeps things creamy without burdening you down. You’ll enjoy a pint that feels fresh and playful, with active cultures that add a gentle tang and 230 calories per serving that won’t derail your day. It’s gluten-free, so you can share without worry. The container holds one pint, and it fits easily into your freezer for a quick, satisfying treat.

    • Flavor:Lemon & blueberries parfait (buttermilk frozen yogurt)
    • Size/Package:1 pint
    • Frozen Format:Buttermilk frozen yogurt (frozen)
    • Ingredient Style / Clean Label:Contains living cultures; gluten-free (implies simple ingredient profile)
    • Texture / Mix-ins:Parfait texture with fruit (lemon & blueberry) and yogurt culture
    • Storage/Serving State:Frozen grocery product; serve chilled
    • Additional Feature:Contains living cultures
    • Additional Feature:230 calories per serving
    • Additional Feature:Gluten-free
  4. Jenis Splendis Ice Creams Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream 16 oz (Frozen)

    Jenis Splendis Ice Creams, Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream, 16

    Dessert-Inspired Treat

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    Whenever you love rich, dessert-style pints that feel like a bakery treat, Jenis Splendis Gooey Butter Cake will be a top pick for you because it layers a tangy cream cheese ice cream with soft vanilla cake crumbles and a sticky caramel-butterscotch ribbon. You’ll find a clear structure inside the 16 oz tub: creamy base, scattered cake bits, and ribbons of sauce. You can scoop to get all three elements at once or focus on one for a flavor burst. It’s sold frozen and meant to be enjoyed chilled. You’ll appreciate the texture contrasts and the honest, dessert-inspired profile.

    • Flavor:Gooey butter cake (cream cheese + vanilla cake + caramel-butterscotch)
    • Size/Package:16 oz
    • Frozen Format:Frozen ice cream (layered)
    • Ingredient Style / Clean Label:Layered composition with cake and sauce using conventional ingredients (no synthetic claims listed)
    • Texture / Mix-ins:Cream cheese base with vanilla cake crumbles and caramel‑butterscotch ribbon (layered texture)
    • Storage/Serving State:Sold frozen; intended for serving chilled
    • Additional Feature:Cream-cheese base
    • Additional Feature:Vanilla cake crumbles
    • Additional Feature:Caramel-butterscotch ribbon
  5. Jeni’s Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream (16 oz)

    Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream,

    Gourmet Crunch

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    Should you love rich, nutty ice cream that feels like a cozy treat, Jeni’s Brown Butter Almond Brittle (16 oz) is made for you and your quiet nights in or casual get-togethers with friends. You’ll notice a smooth texture and a buttercream body that comforts each spoonful. The brown butter base brings warmth, while crunchy almond brittle pieces add contrast and joy. Ingredients come from whole sources and dairy from grass-pastured cows, so flavor feels honest and pronounced. There are no synthetic flavorings or extra preservatives, which helps you enjoy a cleaner, more natural taste every time.

    • Flavor:Brown butter with almond brittle
    • Size/Package:16 oz
    • Frozen Format:Frozen ice cream
    • Ingredient Style / Clean Label:Whole ingredients; dairy from grass‑pastured cows; no synthetic flavorings or added preservatives
    • Texture / Mix-ins:Smooth brown butter base with almond brittle inclusions (crunch)
    • Storage/Serving State:Frozen; serve after proper thaw/scoop
    • Additional Feature:Brown-butter flavor base
    • Additional Feature:Almond brittle pieces
    • Additional Feature:Dairy from pastured cows

Factors to Consider When Choosing Ice Creams

Whenever you pick an ice cream, consider flavor and variety initially because that sets the mood for the whole experience. Check ingredient labels and dietary reminders so you know what you’re eating and can avoid surprises, then pay attention to texture and mouthfeel since smoothness or crunch changes every bite. Also consider packaging and storage to keep your pint fresh at home and make serving easier for guests.

Flavor And Variety

A good place to start is through reflecting about how flavor and variety will shape your enjoyment, since the right balance makes every spoonful feel deliberate and fun. You’ll want a clear base flavor like chocolate, vanilla, or fruit so you taste the core note, while mix-ins add interest without smothering it. Seek a range of profiles—classic, fruity, nutty, spiced, dessert-inspired—so you can mix and match for sundaes and pairings. Look for contrasting textures such as swirls, chunks, and crumbs to brighten mouthfeel and deepen flavor. In case you like a clean taste, pick flavors made from whole ingredients rather than artificial additions. Finally, buy smaller pints or variety packs whenever you want to sample more without wasting food.

Ingredient Transparency

Because the ingredient list is where the truth resides, you’ll want to read it like a small map that guides your scoop choices. Whenever you scan that map, look for full names for milk, cream, cultured buttermilk, and sweeteners like sucrose, glucose, or honey so you understand what you’re really eating. Also notice stabilizers and emulsifiers named individually, such as guar gum or lecithin, because appreciating their purpose helps you predict texture and mouthfeel. Watch front label claims about no preservatives, no artificial colors, or no synthetic flavorings and confirm those are backed up with clear ingredient details. Finally, favor products that state processing steps like pasteurized dairy or live cultures and origin notes, since that tells you about safety, texture, and probiotic value.

Dietary Considerations

You’ve just learned how ingredient lists reveal what’s really in a pint, and now let’s look at how those ingredients and nutrition facts affect your health and choices. Check the nutrition facts for calories and serving size, because many pints contain three to four servings and total calories add up fast. Then look at total and added sugars, since some premium flavors pack fifteen to twenty five plus grams per serving, which matters should you monitor blood sugar. Also inspect fat amounts and type; regular ice cream often has high saturated fat, while lower fat options might add sugar or stabilizers. For lactose intolerance or dairy free needs, try lactose free or plant based bases and take note protein and calcium differences. Finally scan labels for allergens and clean label claims, and verify ingredients yourself.

Texture And Mouthfeel

Once you scoop into a pint, texture and mouthfeel decide whether the moment feels luxurious or disappointing, and insight into what to look for helps you pick flavors that match your mood. You’ll notice creaminess comes from fat content and fat type. Higher milkfat gives a rich, velvety bite, while lower fat feels lighter and icier. Air matters too. Low overrun keeps ice cream dense and smooth, high overrun makes it fluffy. Tiny ice crystals make the texture silky; large crystals from melt and refreeze make it grainy. Stabilizers and emulsifiers help keep creaminess and slow crystal growth, though too much can feel gummy. Inclusions add crunch or chew, so choose sizes and distribution that don’t break the base’s silkiness.

Packaging And Storage

As you shop for ice cream, the container and how you store it matter just as much as the flavor inside. Pick tubs with tight-fitting lids and thick walls so air can’t sneak in and form ice crystals. Keep your freezer steady at 0°F (-18°C) or colder, and don’t let the temperature swing from opening the door a lot. Whenever you open a pint, move leftovers into a shallow, wide, airtight container to cut headspace and make scooping easier. Label each package with the date opened and try to eat it within one to three months for the best texture and flavor. Finally, store ice cream away from strong smells and use only freezer-safe packaging to avoid odor transfer and contamination.

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Food Staff
Food Staff

Food Staff is a team of food enthusiasts focused on discovering and recommending great food. From must-try dishes to standout food spots and trending flavors, the team shares honest, curated recommendations to help readers decide what to eat next.