12 Discontinued Ice Creams We Wish They'd Bring Back
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Ice cream is one of those dessert foods that's perfect for every occasion. Having a celebration? Have some ice cream. Sad? Have some ice cream. A day that ends in "y?" Have some ice cream! While ice cream was once a delicacy, thanks to modern freezer technology, we are now able to enjoy it year-round wherever we are and whenever we want. That is unless the company that makes your favorite flavor takes the joy right off of your spoon and out of your mouth and retires it.
Different companies have different terms for this. Ben and Jerry's calls this going to the "flavor graveyard" (via Ben and Jerry's), while Baskin-Robbins calls it going into "deep freeze," (via Baskin-Robbins). Finally, other companies just say some flavors have been "retired." But no matter what euphemism they may use, the harsh reality is that the flavors that brought us such joy are no longer with us. While some flavors have simply faded into the depths of time, others are gone but not forgotten. We have compiled a list of ice creams we would wish they'd bring back to the shelves. Who knows, with enough pressure, maybe we can see the return of some of these favorites, much like Ben and Jerry's brought back some other "fan favorites" (via PR News Wire).
1. Häagen-Dazs Baileys Irish Cream
It is hard to imagine a more iconic duo than whiskey and cream. That is why it just made sense when Häagen-Dazs paired up with Baileys Irish Cream and released their own Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream. As expected from Häagen-Daz, the ice cream was not overburdened with extra ingredients or thickeners. Instead, it was simply cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, Baileys Irish Cream, natural flavors, brown sugar, and cocoa powder (via Innit). It was so simple, yet so effective. All this made for a "Heavenly" mixture, according to one commenter on Reddit, who still thinks of it as the best ice cream flavor in existence.
Sadly, as of 2015, the company confirmed via its official Facebook that the flavor had been discontinued. Commenters were not happy and wished to see the return of the flavor. It appears that the end of this flavor may have led to the company launching its "spirits" line of products, which began to appear in the US in 2019 (via PR News Wire), but appeared to be available in Canada prior to this based on comments from the company (via Facebook). While part of the Spirits line includes an Irish Cream Brownie, which is flavored with whiskey, coffee, chocolate, brownie pieces, and a chocolate swirl, it just does not compare to the simple elegance of the original Baileys Irish Cream Ice Cream.
2. Starbucks Java Chip Ice Cream
It does not matter what the weather is outside. Three things are always in season: iced coffee, chocolate, and ice cream. The Starbucks Java Chip ice cream was just that. It was a creation based on the Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino and contained a coffee ice cream base with dark chocolate chunks throughout (via Hy-vee). Starbucks is constantly experimenting with different products to see what sticks, but, unfortunately, they decided the Java Chip ice cream was not something they wanted to pursue.
According to Foodly, Starbucks went through a few manufacturers before settling on Unilever, a company that owns brands such as Ben and Jerry's and Magnum, among others (via Unilever). After that, the pints started to show up in grocery stores, but by 2013 they were discontinued. According to a statement from the company, they simply "decided to focus on different products" (via Facebook).
This decision left fans devastated, with many commenters wishing they would bring it back. One commenter on Reddit said that as an avid coffee ice cream connoisseur, it was easily the best. Coffee ice cream enthusiasts who wish to see this back on the shelves or in Starbucks stores are able to submit an idea on the company's website, and perhaps if enough people do it, we'll be able to taste this frozen treat once again.
3. Baskin-Robbins Apple Pie a La Mode
Baskin-Robbins' Apple Pie a La Mode was like two desserts in one. The flavor initially premiered in 1976 and was a vanilla ice cream with real apples, pieces of pie crust, and a caramel cinnamon creme ribbon through it. It was decadent, it was fruity, and, as of 2010, it is gone (via Baskin-Robbins). During a celebration of the company's 65th anniversary, they placed five flavors into "deep freeze." It seems like an odd way to celebrate success, but here we are.
Obviously, there is still a cry for apple pie ice cream. In 2021, the company released an "Inside Out Apple Pie" ice cream for the month of September. While this ice cream was similar, it was not precisely the same, and it was only available for a limited time. If you want to see the return of the Baskin-Robbins' Apple Pie a La Mode ice cream, you can contact its customer care support.
4. The Choco Toco
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of companies scaled back their products due to sales changes and supply chain issues. One of the most devastating casualties of this was the Choco Taco. It was a glorious dessert that was hand-held from treat giant Klondike. The Choco Taco started with a base of vanilla dairy dessert with a chocolatey swirl in it, which then filled a cone taco. The top was then coated in chocolate and peanuts to seal it all in, creating the perfect hand-held dessert. As the package proclaimed, "It is Ice Cream and a Taco, It's Genius."
It truly was genius, and it makes us wonder why they decided this was the product to discontinue. According to a tweet from the company, it was to ensure they could keep up supplies for their other products (via Twitter).
However, this was not a good enough reason for the Internet. Since its discontinuation, fans from all over have been crying out. Hoards of Redditors were devastated by the news, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian tweeted at the company, offering to buy the rights to keep the famed dessert alive (via Twitter). Even horror author Stephen King had trouble thinking of something scarier (via Twitter).
Through this vast internet outcry, Klondike has stated they are now considering bringing the treat back (via Twitter). So if we continue this support for our favorite fusion ice cream, we may soon be able to have it back in our hands.
5. Blue Bunny Red Carpet Red Velvet
Once upon a time, in 2011, Blue Bunny jumped on the red velvet bandwagon and produced a Red Carpet Red Velvet ice cream (via On Second Scoop). It is no secret that Blue Bunny is not our favorite ice cream brand, but this particular item did justice to the red velvet name. The ice cream was a red velvet cake ice cream mixed with cream cheese frosting and had pieces of actual red velvet cake in it. The flavor was mild and not overwhelming. Much like red velvet cake itself, it does not rely on heavy amounts of chocolate to make the flavor come through.
When the ice cream premiered in 2011, it was a chef Duff Goldman-branded product. However, the company lost the branding in 2015, and the flavor disappeared soon after. Commenters have mentioned they enjoyed this version more than other brands of red velvet ice cream, stating that others tasted like strawberries. Another commented it was "easily the best Blue Bunny Flavor ever" (via On Second Scoop). Reviewers on Influenster gave the ice cream a 4.7 out of 5 rating, with 0 one-star reviews. Maybe someday Blue Bunny will bring back this treasured flavor.
6. Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Gelato
Trader Joe's is one of those grocery stores that keeps people coming back for more. They are known for low prices and high-quality items, and the store accomplishes this by selling predominantly its own in-house brand instead of other name-brand items. That means when something disappears, though, it is gone for good. Such is the case with the Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Gelato.
It's exactly what it sounded like — a slightly salty-sweet and decadent gelato. It was not over-stuffed with mix-ins and toppings, but rather focused on rich texture and flavor. Reviewers on Influenster gave it 4.7 out of 5 stars and commented on the intense creaminess of the product and how spot-on the caramel flavor was. The product was initially released in 2014 (via Pop Sugar); however, in 2019, fans noticed an empty spot on the shelves, much to their devastation (via Reddit).
According to Real Simple, products typically get discontinued due to low demand, low shelf space, or quality issues. Trader Joe's welcomes feedback on discontinued items and allows customers to send messages through its website. Feel free to send them a comment if you want to see it back as much as we do.
7. Turkey Hill Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Strawberry and rhubarb are a flavor combination that is just meant to be, and it's a glorious few weeks in the summer when the two are in season together. Unfortunately, to get our strawberry rhubarb to fix the rest of the time, we must rely on preservation forms such as ice cream. That is why it was such a sad day when Turkey Hill discontinued its Strawberry Rhubarb Pie ice cream.
The Turkey Hill Strawberry Rhubarb Pie ice cream was made from strawberry ice cream, with strawberry and rhubarb swirls, and pieces of shortbread pieces mixed in for that pie crust texture. The flavor was available from 1996 through 2001, according to a Facebook post made by the company (via Facebook).
It may be over 20 years now, but people still remember the flavor and want it back. In fact, in 2017, we were incredibly close to having it return. Turkey Hill held a contest to bring back one of its best-beloved flavors, and while the flavor made it to the finals, it was ultimately beaten. We still have yet to see its return to shelves. Hopefully, the company will run another contest, and we will see its triumphant return.
8. Häagen-Dazs Peanut Butter Salted Fudge
Häagen-Dazs' Peanut Butter Salted Fudge ice cream is sadly now just one of the companies' "Sweet Memories" after being retired. This ice cream had everything you could ever want. It was sweet and salty, it had bites of crunchy texture, and it brought together the beautiful flavor combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
It had apeanut butter ice cream base, a salted fudge swirl ribboning throughout it, and was finished with pieces of chocolate-covered peanuts. Häagen-Dazs has not explicitly stated why they retired the flavor, though one commenter on Food4less speculated that it was due to the appearance of the company's Spirit line (via Food4Less). This is too bad because the same commenter stated it was the best flavor they have ever had. This sentiment was seconded by other commenters and by reviewers on Influenster. In response to commenters, a representative for Häagen-Daz encouraged people to try their other chocolate peanut butter flavors. Still, it's just not the same.
9. Talenti Gelato Banana Caramel Crunch
Talenti Gelato Banana Caramel Crunch was a part of its Gelato Layers line. It was basically everything you could want in a sundae, all in one easy-to-eat container. It consisted of five layers with pie crust pieces on the bottom, topped with banana pudding gelato, dulce de leche, more pie crust, and even more gelato. Instead of being mixed together, as is more common in ice cream, they were layered. People particularly loved the banana pudding gelato part that made up the bulk of a pint. According to one Amazon reviewer, it was not widely available, which may be because the sales were not good enough to keep it. The same reviewer raved about the gelato's banana heavy taste, too.
The banana pudding gelato would work well on its own, and we would honestly be happy if they just brought back the creamy goodness on its own. But we would love to see the return of the whole thing more than anything.
10. Baskin Robbins Butterscotch Ribbon
What makes Baskin-Robbins Butterscotch Ribbon so interesting is that it was never officially put into "deep freeze." Instead, the company simply stopped offering it, and it is no longer listed on its "flavors" page. Butterscotch Ribbon was a classic flavor, which helped comprise the original "31" flavors the company offered (via The LA Times). It was made of butterscotch ice cream, with brown sugar and butter, a butterscotch swirl through it, and pieces of praline (via Kimera Home). Butterscotch is similar to caramel, but instead of using white sugar as its base, it uses brown sugar (via Webstaurant Store).
Since the company quietly disappeared this flavor, other similar flavors have come, such as Butterscotch Blondie, which is made with cake batter ice cream, a butterscotch swirl, and blondie bites. Butterscotch Ribbon, or a close approximation of it, was resurrected during a promotion for the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things." Under the branding of "Scoops Ahoy," the ice cream shop featured in the show, the company released "USS Butterscotch," which featured butterscotch ice cream, butterscotch pieces, and a toffee ribbon (via Yahoo!). The promotion is now over, and the flavor has once again disappeared. We hope to see this classic in freezers again someday.
11. Ben and Jerry's Wavy Gravy
Wavy Gravy is possibly one of the most unappealing names for ice cream we have ever heard of and it may have contributed to its downfall. However, despite the unappealing imagery it elicited, the flavor was delicious and did not contain any savory sauce. Instead, the ice cream was a caramel, cashew, Brazil nut ice cream, with a chocolate hazelnut fudge swirl (similar to Nutella) and pieces of roasted almonds (via Ben and Jerry's). It was sweet, flavorful, and crunchy, and everything you could want in ice cream. Sadly, however, it was only offered between 1993 and 2001.
Despite being gone for over 20 years, the flavor still has a strong following. A Facebook page dedicated to the flavor demands its return. During a "fan favorite" promotion, in which the company brought a flavor out of retirement, Wavy Gravy was listed as one of the most missed flavors but ultimately lost the competition to Dublin Mudslide (via Tasting Table). If you still hope to see its return, fill out the company's form to potentially "resurrect" the flavor.
12. Häagen-Dazs Macadamia Nut Brittle
Häagen-Dazs' Macadamia Nut Brittle was billed as a "spoonful of paradise," but even this could not save it from being retired before its time (via Häagen-Dazs). The flavor consisted simply of a vanilla ice cream base and pieces of macadamia nut brittle broken and scattered throughout. According to a tweet put out by the company's US-based account, the flavor was discontinued in 2015 (via Twitter). They recommended Pralines and Cream as a substitute, but we all know it is not the same.
Fans have not forgotten this flavor. A Facebook page started the same year the flavor was discontinued and is pushing to have it brought back. Through the page, it was discovered that the flavor still exists in other countries, such as Mexico, but is not available in the United States (via Facebook). For those hoping to see the return of this delightful flavor, the company has a contact form on its website where customers can give feedback.