Haagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

[2021 Update] I just want to say that ten years later, this one is still delicious and basically one of my favorite two flavors rom Haagen-Dazs. It's the kind of flavor that I have to resist buying because I don't have a ton of self control once I pop the lid off. Original review after the break.

Haagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

white chocolate ice cream with peppermint bark and peppermint candy pieces

[2011 Review] 

Oh Haagen-Dazs, my immense apologies. How is it that it's been a year since we've seen each other? The White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Review was just shy of a year ago, and ironically enough, the review below is based on a similar white chocolate ice cream base.

So I was trying to get my office cleaned up yesterday, and as a reward, I knew that lunch time meant ice cream time. Since DQ is closed, I headed over to Roche Bros to take a stroll down the ice cream aisle. I didn't expect to find anything different, but then I saw it.

Haagen-Dazs Limited Edition Peppermint Bark ice cream : Decadent white chocolate ice cream blended with crumbled peppermint bark and peppermint twist candy pieces. Sure, I had every intention of getting something lighter today, but it's less than two weeks until Christmas and I haven't had a single seasonal flavor up yet.

And here it is, interesting isn't it? With so many variations of mint & chocolate and chocolate & mint, it's nice to see that the base here is white chocolate. I can't help myself and decide to take a nice big whiff. Cool! I expected an overpowering mint smell, but instead I'm greeted by a pleasant and mild white chocolate smell. (note: on second whiff was much more minty)

I dig in and instantly begin kicking myself for waiting a year between servings of H-D. They make such a wonderful ice cream that is clean, rich, and creamy. Top notch. I take a few more bites and my mouth starts to get a bit tingly. There are a ton of chunks up top and my senses are overflowing with mint. Wow! Now that's some powerful stuff!

I change my aim and find a small patch of just white chocolate ice cream. Mmmmm, man this base is good. It's wonderfully creamy and the white chocolate flavor is spot on. I can't help but wonder why H-D doesn't sell the white chocolate all by itself. It's really good and would hit the spot when I'm in the mood for something peaceful.

Now that the base ice cream has built up a nice coating on my taste buds, I can settle back into my treat now.

I start back into the abundant chunks.  Basically they are just crushed candy canes covered in chocolate. What surprises me is that they are crunchy, but not crazy crunchy..  actually, thud is more appropriate than crunch. There's no fear of breaking a tooth here. They are neat little chunks with the peppermint insides totally overpowering their chocolaty coating.

Another nice touch is the peppermint pieces scattered throughout the ice cream. They add these neat little red specs everywhere. Often they aren't more than the size of a crumb, but other times you start hitting a few of the larger pieces (like a 1mm thick candy cane cross section). However you find them, they do seem to add flavor so that's what matters.

All in all, an excellent seasonal ice cream. The base is excellent and the mixins are unique, but you better be real sure you like mint before digging in. For example, if you like shoving multiple York peppermint patties in your mouth at one time, you should definitely enjoy this one. As for me, I'll be enjoying this one slow and steady. It's just so flavorful and rich, there's no real reason to have more than one serving at a time.

On Second Scoop: Well, I was going to bring this one home to my wife since I'm almost positive she'd like it.... but, well, I just blew through my second serving and there's not a whole lot left now (I'll just pick her up her own container). All my second scoop early bites were just ice cream and candy cane bits and this led me to a thought. Peppermint Bark needs a limited edition brother named Candy Cane. It'll be the same thing, just without those neat chocolate covered bits. We all know how candy canes crunch, especially when it's thin, now just picture that in an ice cream. If that floats your boat, I suggest you go pick up a pint (or three). My only real complaint is that at some point during the treat it always overpowers me. I'm going to be tasting mint all afternoon (...and evening) ---- note: my wife did eventually have some, and she agrees, it's really well done.


Verdict?  Potent but very well done
Buy Again?  'tis the season

Some Other Peppermint Options:
Edy's Limited Edition Slow Churned Peppermint
Starbucks Limited Edition Peppermint Mocha (currently retired)
Blue Bunny Seasonal Perfectly Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwiches (retired?)

2012 Update: You can now also get Peppermint Bark Ice Cream Bars

Creamy White Chocolate Ice Cream dipped in thick dark chocolate with peppermint candy pieces

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1/2 cup (100g) Servings Per Container  3.5
Amount Per Serving
Calories 280	from Fat 140
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16g	25%
- Sat Fat 10g	50%
- Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 75mg	25%
Sodium 40mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 30g	10%
- Dietary Fiber  0g	0%
- Sugars 26g
Protein 4g
Vitamin A 10%	Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 8%	Iron 0%