Cedar Crest ice cream is a Wisconsin favorite. Here are the top 10 bestselling flavors ranked from worst to best.
Since I can remember, summers in Wisconsin have been synonymous with Cedar Crest ice cream. Growing up only 25 minutes from the factory in Manitowoc, trips to the parlor were common and frequent. I’ll never forget the iconic 14-foot fiberglass Guernsey cow outside the store, acting as a beacon to ice cream-filled delight.
Cedar Crest started in 1976, which means it’s been around for almost 50 years. The brand carries over 80 different flavors and is constantly releasing new ones, such as the annual 4-H flavor.
“Every year we have a contest for [4-H’ers] to give us [their] best take on a new flavor of ice cream,” says Shannon Simon, the marketing manager at Cedar Crest. “They usually come up with a lot of great flavors for us that actually end up being in retail,” she continues, “two of those flavors are Big Muddy and Wisconsin Camp Fire S’mores.”
Every year, Simon receives hundreds of entries for the contest. This year’s winner is called Demo Derby. According to the website, it features “chocolate ice cream dented with chocolate cookie crumbles, smashed M&M’s and swirled with chocolate fudge.” Simon says the flavor will become available as a feature flavor in parlors this July.
While I would love to try all 80+ flavors someday, my body and bank account would not thank me for attempting it in one go. So, to give you an idea of the best flavors to try this summer, I sampled the top ten bestselling retail flavors and ranked them from least favorite to most favorite.
How I evaluated the flavors
I won’t pretend and say I am the ice cream equivalent of a sommelier, but I am a born and raised Wisconsinite who knows good ice cream when she tastes it. That being said, there are a few things I considered when evaluating each flavor.
First, the texture of the ice cream itself. Was it smooth and thick or watery and icy? Similarly, for applicable flavors, I analyzed the add-in to ice cream ratio. Was I getting all the pieces and components with most bites?
From there, I assessed the flavor’s taste as a whole. Did it taste like the name and description suggest?
Then, the originality of the concept. One reason to opt for Cedar Crest over other supermarket brands is its original and creative flavors.
Lastly, I considered the ice cream’s “bingeability.” Would I go back for several bites, or is one or two enough?
10. Vanilla
Vanilla is Cedar Crest’s most popular flavor for a reason (the company sells an average of 15,000 scrounds and 5,000 pints per month in stores). It’s a great staple and can be used as a base for all sorts of ice cream drinks or sundaes. But on its own, it’s rather lackluster compared to other options. There wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with the flavor—it just wasn’t overly interesting or exciting. It was, well, vanilla.
9. French Vanilla
French vanilla has the same issue as regular vanilla. There isn’t really anything wrong with it, but it isn’t super interesting either. It did slightly better due to its richer taste. I’d more likely eat this flavor of vanilla by itself than the regular version.
8. Chocolate Malt
To be honest, I am not usually a fan of chocolate ice cream. That’s why I was surprised when I found myself finishing up my cup of chocolate malt. It had a slightly different flavor than typical chocolate ice cream—not as rich, more like a fudgesicle. I thought this made the ice cream more refreshing. It would be a great addition to an ice cream drink. Perhaps a chocolaty twist on an affogato.
I will say the texture was the ice cream’s weakest point. It was more icy and less cohesive than the other flavors I tried, which tended to be very thick and creamy. This texture issue might have been partly due to the packaging; I bought an eight-pack (the only option available at the store) rather than a regular pint or scround.
7. Mint Chocolate Chip
Like chocolate ice cream, I’m not a huge fan of mint either. It’s great for an annual Shamrock Shake or occasional grasshopper ice cream cocktails, but otherwise, I tend to stay away from it.
I thought the ice cream had a good texture, and the chocolate chunks were a nice size. Big enough that you notice them, but easy to eat. There was enough chocolate in the carton that you’d get at least a little with every bite. Though if you are a big chocolate lover, you might be a little disappointed.
The mint ice cream had an oddly bitter aftertaste. It wasn’t strong, but it was something I noticed. Overall, the ice cream was fine but a bit on the simple side for my taste.
6. Coconut Explosion
Coconut Explosion tasted a lot like an Almond Joy bar. It had a nice flavor that wasn’t over the top or too sweet. It’s a good option if you are looking for something a little simpler. I liked that the ice cream itself wasn’t overpoweringly coconut flavored. The almonds were nice and added an extra depth of flavor. The thing that threw me off most with this flavor was the texture. It tasted great upon first bite, but quickly the ice cream melts, and you are left with just coconut flakes in your mouth, which I then felt compelled to chew—not ideal when it comes to ice cream.
5. Black Cherry
Overall, I liked the Black Cherry flavor. The ice cream itself was nice and smooth. The cherry pieces were large, juicy, and quite literally burst with flavor. That being said, they were sweeter rather than tart, leaning closer to Maraschino in flavor. I didn’t mind this, but I know Maraschino cherries aren’t everyone’s favorite. I didn’t get a cherry piece in each bite, but I think that works for this flavor. The cherries are sweet and large, so having one every few bites works well.
4. Vanilla Custard
This vanilla flavor ranked higher than the others on the list due to the twist of it being custard rather than ice cream. You don’t often see custard at the store, so being able to buy it and take it home is a real treat. I liked that this variety of vanilla was slightly thicker and richer than its counterparts. I’d say of all three vanillas, it is the one I’d most likely eat on its own.
3. Mackinac Island Fudge
Mackinac Island Fudge is a good example of one of Cedar Crest’s more unique flavors. It doesn’t get more midwestern than a Mackinac Island-themed ice cream.
My favorite part about this flavor is the fudge pieces. They are large but not too hard or soft. They are slightly chewy, like fudge tends to be. Chewy fudge can be both bad or good, depending on your preference, but unlike the coconut, these fudge pieces will quickly melt in your mouth.
The butter fudge sauce was a nice touch. However, I found it difficult to distinguish unless I got a bite with a concentrated amount. In all, I’d say this flavor is a simpler, less add-in-heavy alternative to Pirate’s Bounty™, which we’ll discuss next.
2. Pirate’s Bounty™
The runner up for best flavor out of Cedar Crest’s top ten selling lineup is Pirate’s Bounty™. The real highlight for me was the sandwich cookie pieces. They tasted just like an ice cream sandwich, which, with each bite, brought back a wave of summer nostalgia. The add-ins gave the ice cream a fun texture; however, I didn’t love the crunchiness of the candy pieces. I felt that the M&Ms stuck to my teeth at times. That being said, the ice cream itself had a nice flavor. I liked that the company opted for caramel over vanilla ice cream. I think it’s what ties all the components together so well.
1. Caramel Collision®
For me, the winner is Caramel Collision®. If you’re a caramel fan, you’ll likely agree with my ruling. The flavor features caramel in three different ways. The ice cream has a hint of caramel flavor, but not too much, which works well because the chocolate-coated caramel cups and the caramel swirl are bursting with caramel flavor. The swirl was a thick caramel sauce, and there was plenty of it in the carton. It kind of tasted like the caramel you dip apples into during fall. The cups were a nice touch. I liked that the chocolate added contrast to all the caramel.
Where to find Cedar Crest
For those interested in enjoying some Cedar Crest ice cream this summer, you can find several of the flavors in retail stores like Festival Foods and Piggly Wiggly. There are also lots of parlors and other locations (like cheese stores!) across the state that sell the dessert. To find out where to get Cedar Crest near you, use the locator on the company’s website.
After trying all of these flavors, I can say with confidence that no matter what flavor you decide to try, it surely won’t disappoint.
Related: It’s a Fact: Wisconsin ice cream tastes better. Here’s Why.
