Blue Bunny Hippity Hop Berry Ice Cream

[New for Early 2016] As you may remember, Blue Bunny was suspiciously quiet last year. I didn't know if they were laying low because people kept confusing them with Blue Bell (yes, this really happens) or if there was something else afoot. I'd love to say I knew what was going on, but the old PR rep left and the new one isn't exactly forthcoming with info (or samples).

Anyway, we finally know what's up, Blue Bunny has gone through a pretty significant rebranding. Gone are the old 1.75 quart containers and replaced with these new smaller, see through containers with gold lids (much like Breyers gelato lineup). They are either filled with 46 or 48 fluid ounces of product. Some flavors are gone, some just have new names, but there are a few new flavors mixed in as well. We'll be covering two of them. First up we have...

Blue Bunny Hippity Hop Berry Ice Cream

Strawberry flavored ice cream, strawberry swirls
and strawberry-filled chocolate flavored bunnies

Two squirts to fill a container I guess!

I've just finished my first bowl, and simply put, I really like this ice cream. There is a depth to the strawberry flavor that is lacking in so too many other "strawberry" ice creams. I don't know if it's the swirl or some added sugar or some kind of reduced tartness, but it's just really enjoyable.

Hey, the swirl didn't continue as expected!

The base is a nice, straight forward ice cream. It doesn't seem to rely heavily on gums or other tricks. That base becomes this great delivery system for the strawberry flavor. There's just a richness to it that I feel like I haven't had in awhile... I was just rereading some old strawberry based Blue Bunny reviews and maybe it's that classic buttery note of theirs that amplifies the strawberry vibe. Whatever it is, I like it!

Now, if I could just scoop out a bunny for the penny test...

WHOA! The Bunnies are gone!! It's now a tiny B with ears! That's unexpected! Blue Bunny is really taking this rebranding thing seriously. So they are about half the size of the old bunnies, but from this first scooping, they seem to be about twice as plentiful.We'll have to see if that continues but there is definitely a #funfactor to how these crunch. They are thin walled and well filled, so you definitely get that sense of crushing something hollow and filled.

Ok, that's it for now, but I look forward to my next bowl.... possibly later tonight.

On Second Scoop: I cheated and mixed bowl #2 with some mini Trix, so let's see how bowl #3 goes.... Oh, it went wonderfully. I really do like this ice cream. Granted I do love a good strawberry ice cream, but they dialed this one in nicely. The base is nice, the swirl is similar in flavor to the sweet strawberry topping you find at an ice cream buffet, and the plentiful bunnies add in the #funfactor. Ha, I just realized the bunnies are plentiful. Ahhh. Well played Blue Bunny, well played. 

Oh, one more note. While the swirl does stay to the sides for the most part, it has become more plentiful as I work my way down the container. I hope all the flavors aren't packaged like this because I think we can all agree that a swirl should be swirled, not just hanging out on the sides.

Verdict?  very enjoyable
Buy Again?  yup!