13 Ice Cream Sandwiches Ranked

The Ultimate Ice Cream Sandwich Taste Test: What's Worth Your Freezer Aisle Dollars?

Summertime means one thing for me: ice cream. Whether it’s a classic soft serve, a decadent sundae, or a cookie sandwich, I’m always on the lookout for the perfect frozen treat. But this year, I decided to take my obsession to the next level by conducting a comprehensive taste test of 13 different store-brand ice cream sandwiches. From old-school favorites like Hood and Klondike to newer contenders like Trader Joe’s dairy-free option, I wanted to find out which brands truly deliver on flavor, texture, and overall satisfaction.

The results were eye-opening. Some brands surprised me with their quality, while others left me questioning why they’re even on the shelf. Here’s a breakdown of my findings, including the ones I’d definitely recommend and the ones I’d skip entirely.

Alden’s Organic: A Disappointment

I had high hopes for Alden’s Organic ice cream sandwiches, especially since I love the mac & cheese from Oregon. However, my first bite was a letdown. The vanilla ice cream started off rich and creamy, but the aftertaste was sour, almost like spoiled milk. The cookie lacked flavor, and the combination made it hard to keep eating. I wouldn’t recommend this one.

Favorite Day: A Chemical Taste

Target’s Favorite Day brand offered 16 mini ice cream sandwiches that looked great on the package. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t match the presentation. The vanilla ice cream tasted flat and chemical-like, with no real depth. The cookie was over-processed and lacked chocolate flavor. This one ranked near the bottom, and I’d suggest skipping it in favor of something else.

Sundae Shoppe: A Missed Opportunity

Aldi’s Sundae Shoppe ice cream sandwiches landed in 11th place. While the brand has a reputation for good snacks, these didn’t live up to expectations. The cookie had subtle chocolate notes at first, but those quickly faded into a processed taste. The ice cream itself was flavorless, making the whole experience underwhelming.

Fat Boy: Too Much Ice Cream, Not Enough Flavor

Fat Boy’s ice cream sandwiches promised a premium experience with a larger-than-life bite. The vanilla ice cream was decent, but the aftertaste was sour, and there was no chocolate flavor in the cookie to balance it out. Despite the generous amount of ice cream, the lack of flavor made this one a disappointment.

Signature Select: A Middling Experience

Signature Select is a store brand that has had mixed results in previous taste tests. Their ice cream sandwiches were nothing special—fairly classic with a slightly bitter cookie and a lingering aftertaste. While not bad, they weren’t impressive either.

Friendly’s: Nostalgia vs. Reality

Friendly’s was a childhood favorite, so I expected more from its ice cream sandwiches. The vanilla ice cream was okay, and the cookie had good chocolate flavor, but nothing stood out. It was a solid, if unremarkable, option.

Blue Bunny: A Balanced Option

Blue Bunny’s ice cream sandwiches placed in the middle of the pack. The vanilla ice cream was rich and creamy, but the cookie was too bitter for my taste. Still, it was a decent option that offered a balanced bite.

Great Value: A Solid, No-Frills Choice

Walmart’s Great Value brand isn’t typically my go-to, but their ice cream sandwiches ranked higher than expected. They were simple, with a traditional vanilla ice cream and a good cookie base. If you’re looking for something straightforward and affordable, this is a safe bet.

Trader Joe’s: A Dairy-Free Winner

Trader Joe’s dairy-free ice cream sandwich surprised me. I expected to dislike it, but I was pleasantly shocked. The coconut-based ice cream was sweet without being overwhelming, and the homemade-style cookie had deep chocolate notes. Even though it wasn’t a traditional ice cream sandwich, it was worth trying.

Whole Foods 365: A Surprising Contender

Whole Foods 365’s ice cream sandwiches came in fourth place. The vanilla ice cream was solid, with a nice balance of milk and sugar. The cookie had a deeper, more bitter chocolate flavor that complemented the ice cream well. Overall, it was a satisfying and elevated option.

Pop Tarts: A Novelty That Delivers

Pop-Tarts’ version of an ice cream sandwich was a surprise. The strawberry ice cream filling paired perfectly with the actual Pop-Tart shells, creating a unique and delicious bite. While not traditional, these were undeniably tasty and worth a try.

Hood: A Strong Second Place

Hood’s ice cream sandwiches were a solid second. The cookie had rich chocolate notes, and the vanilla ice cream was creamy and flavorful. While not quite the best, they were a reliable and enjoyable option.

Klondike: The Clear Winner

Klondike took the top spot with ease. The cookie was just right, the chocolate notes were consistent, and the vanilla ice cream was creamy and delicious. It was the most traditional and satisfying ice cream sandwich I tried, and I can’t imagine going back to anything else.

How I Ranked This List

To conduct this taste test, I visited multiple grocery stores and collected 13 different brands of ice cream sandwiches. I tasted them randomly, rating them based on flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment. Brands that had weird aftertastes or bland flavors ended up at the bottom, while those with balanced, satisfying bites ranked higher.

If you're looking for a great ice cream sandwich, consider trying Trader Joe’s dairy-free option, Whole Foods 365, or Klondike for a classic experience. Avoid the ones that fell short, like Alden’s and Favorite Day. Ultimately, the best ice cream sandwich is the one that makes your summer sweeter.