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

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These chefs know the secrets to creating a truly exceptional scoop.

This dessert is a classic treat that has stood the test of time.

So how do you pick the right one to crave, leaving you wanting more flavor or a richer texture?

To make your next grocery shopping trip smoother, we consulted with six professional chefs to share the store-bought chocolate ice cream brands they prefer and help you select the ideal ice cream pint.

Meet the Panel of Ice Cream Experts

We asked a combination of professional chefs and pastry chefs to weigh in on what makes a top-notch store-bought chocolate ice cream brand:

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• in Lexington, Kentucky
• in Boston, Massachusetts
• Olivier Cheng, Catering and Events
• in Nashville, Tennessee
• Author of "Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef"

What's the Secret to the Perfect Chocolate Ice Cream?

According to our team of experts, a superior chocolate ice cream meets certain crucial requirements. Here’s what to look out for to guarantee every scoop tastes as good as it should:

• A good ice cream should be made with familiar, top-notch ingredients. "There shouldn't be anything other than eggs, sugar, milk, and cream, the foundation of every ice cream recipe," says Ngangan.
• Along the same lines, avoid pints with lengthy lists of artificial ingredients. "Too many store-bought ice creams contain artificial ingredients and additives," says Stamoulis. Ngangan concurs: “If there's an ingredient you can't pronounce, that's a no-go.”
• When I open the container, says Formicola.
• A smaller amount of air whipped into the ice cream, known as overrun, creates a richer texture. As soon as you taste it, you can tell that an ice cream has lower overrun, says Rathgeb. Green suggests a simple shopping tip: "Pick up a couple of brands of the same-sized container. I usually choose the one that's a little heavier because it'll have less air whipped into it."

The Top Chocolate Ice Cream Brands Chosen by Top Chefs

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“Haagen-Dazs has a deep cocoa flavor and rich, creamy texture that stands out,” says Stamoulis. “It's the ingredients that make all the difference. Real cream, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder—you can taste the quality with every spoonful.” Formicola agrees, pointing out that the brand uses a straightforward ingredient list. Each pint consists of just cream, low-fat milk, cane sugar, cocoa, and egg yolks. “It's not too sweet and has a richness that feels indulgent but well-balanced,” she says.

Green also appreciates its availability and versatility: 'Häagen-Dazs is great because you can find it in almost any grocery store, and it's a smaller pint, so it's easy to store.'

It's clear they use high-quality milk that doesn't upset the stomach like other brands might," he says. "Also, they offer a range of flavors, which demonstrates just how skilled they are at their craft.

Ways to Take Your Ice Cream to the Next Level Recommended by Chefs

Even the richest chocolate ice cream can benefit from a few creative additions. Here’s how experts give their desserts an extra boost.

• Brew a strong cup of coffee and pour it over a serving of chilled chocolate ice cream. The pleasant taste contrast between the hot and cold is enjoyable to eat and balances the sweetness with a robust coffee flavor.
• Use this as a topping, just put it on top, and sprinkle some flaky salt on it. For something truly special, try mixing it with citrus made olive oil—it makes a huge difference.”
• cookies.”
• “He chips in some toffee bits and a pinch of espresso powder on top of his chocolate ice cream,” Stamoulis says. “It gives it a fun texture and a delicate bitter flavor that makes it even richer.”

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