I Asked 6 Chefs for the Best Chocolate Ice Cream, and the Brand They Swear by Is 'Unmatched'

These culinary experts have a refined sense of what makes a perfect serving of ice cream or a savory dish.

This is a tried-and-true favorite that has remained just as delicious as when it first originated.

Deciding on which cheese is the perfect one for you can be tricky, as it often leaves you wanting more richness or a creamier texture.

To make your next grocery shopping trip more convenient, we consulted with six professional chefs to identify their top choices for store-bought chocolate ice cream and provide you with some expert recommendations.

Welcome to a gathering of culinary experts, specialized in all things ice cream, each bringing their one-of-a-kind expertise to the conversation.

We asked a mix of expert chefs and pastry chefs to share their opinions on what sets a top-notch store-bought chocolate ice cream apart.

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in Lexington, Kentucky
in Boston, Massachusetts
Pastry chef at
in Nashville, Tennessee
Co-author of "Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the Home Chef"

What's the Secret to Delicious Chocolate Ice Cream?

Our team of experts recommends certain key characteristics to guarantee that every scoop of chocolate ice cream tastes amazing.

"A good ice cream should be simple yet of high-quality ingredients. The fundamental components should be straightforward: eggs, sugar, milk, and cream, which are typically the base of any ice cream recipe," Ngangan notes.
When it comes to points to avoid, it's best to steer clear of pints loaded with artificial additives. "Too many store-bought ice creams contain artificial ingredients and additives," says Stamoulis. Ngangan concurs, sharing "if an ingredient is unreadable, that's a red flag."
As I lift the lid off the container," says Formicola.
Less air mixed into the ice cream, referred to as overrun, contributes to a richer texture. You can determine the lower overrun in an ice cream by taste, as "it gives a more dense and creamy sensation in the mouth," according to Rathgeb. Green has a simple shopping trick to choose the best pint: "Hold up a couple of brands in the same volume container. I often go with the one that's a bit heavier since it will have less air whipped into it."

High-Quality Store-Bought Chocolate Ice Cream, As Chosen by Culinary Professionals

"Häagen-Dazs has an incredibly deep and rich flavor,” says Stamoulis. “It’s the simple, high-quality ingredients that make it stand out – real cream, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. You can really taste the difference with every spoonful.” According to Formicola, the brand keeps things simple, using just a handful of ingredients: cream, skim milk, cane sugar, cocoa, and egg yolks. “It's not overly sweet, and it has a luxurious quality that's balanced perfectly,” she says.

Green really likes how accessible and versatile Häagen-Dazs is: “It’s a great choice because you can easily find it in just about any grocery store, and its smaller pint size makes it easy to store.”

They're clearly using high-quality milk that's gentle on the stomach," he mentions. "In addition, offering a range of flavors demonstrates their attention to perfection in what they do.

Elevate Your Ice Cream Experience with These Chef-Recommended Treats

Even premium chocolate ice cream can reach new heights with a little creativity. Here's how the experts get the job done.

"Make a bold coffee, then pour it over a cold scoop of chocolate ice cream. The combination of hot and cold is a fun eating experience that balances the sweetness of the ice cream with a rich coffee flavor.
“Sprinkle flaky salt over it and enjoy. If you're looking for something new to try, add citrus-flavored olive oil to the mix. It significantly elevates the dish.”
cookies.”
One way I like to top my chocolate ice cream is by sprinkling toffee crumbs and lightly dusting it with espresso powder," said Stamoulis. "This adds a nice texture and a hint of bitterness that really makes the flavor rich.

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