Häagen-Dazs Makes Every Vegan's Dreams Come True With 4 New Dairy-Free Flavors
Häagen-Dazs has rolled out four non-dairy flavors at Targets nationwide. But instead of doing like other vegan ice creams do and subbing in cashew, rice or soy milk for dairy, this ice cream giant is adding more yummy stuff like coconut cream, Belgian chocolate, and peanut butter.
Updated May 24 2019, 2:42 a.m. ET
Get ready to scream for a new line of vegan ice cream as creamy and delicious as anything out on the market today.
In response to a Change.org petition pressuring the ice cream giant to release vegan versions of its frozen treats, Häagen-Dazs has—to the glee of vegans who LOVE and sorely miss the flavor of ice cream—rolled out four non-dairy flavors at Targets nationwide. But instead of doing like other vegan ice creams do and subbing in cashew, rice or soy milk for dairy, Häagen-Dazs is adding more of the tastiest stuff like coconut cream, Belgian chocolate, and peanut butter.
(Well, those good things and a bunch of sugar and other processed fillers.) Here’s the whole scoop.
Vegan offerings are on the rise in all dairy markets.
Four percent of new ice cream launches are comprised of vegan flavors and varieties. And nothing makes it more evident that veganism has gone mainstream than when non-vegan companies create an entire line catering to the diet. Only instead of calling something “vegan,” which may still be seen as a niche diet, the trend is to use verbiage like “dairy-free,” or in the case of brand Hampton Creek, sticking the word “just” in front of traditionally non-vegan condiments such as “Just Mayo,” “Just Caesar,” and “Just Ranch.”
Companies such as Tofutti, So Delicious, Rice Dream have made mainstream offerings of their vegan frozen desserts for the last several years; but it was really when Ben & Jerry’s came out with its line of lactose-free treats last year that it felt like vegan offerings were becoming stock and trade for companies offering dairy-based desserts.
Who said dessert had to be healthy?
Yes, there are plenty of ways to make healthy (and vegan!) desserts, like blending frozen bananas and cocoa powder together for a delicious soft-serve. But there are plenty of vegans (and the lactose-sensitive) who don’t mind the occasional splurge on something that isn’t exactly health food.
For those folks, these new Häagen-Dazs flavors are dreams come true. With the company’s vegan offerings of chocolate salted fudge truffle, peanut butter chocolate fudge, mocha chocolate cookie, and coconut caramel, these ice creams are truly indulgent—even if the second ingredient is corn syrup.
“At Häagen-Dazs, we believe there’s no room for compromise,” the company says on its website. “So while most non-dairy options simply start by substituting soy, almond or cashew milk, every flavor in our new collection begins with a core ingredient, like real pieces of Belgian chocolate, actual peanut butter, or real coconut cream. The result? Indulgent non-dairy flavors with a creamier texture and an authentic taste that shines through. Each flavor below is as decadent as the last.”
Hopefully by the time these and (and, fingers crossed, even more) flavors roll out to additional stores in early 2018, Häagen-Dazs has figured out a way to reduce the high number of ingredients in each pint, and replace the corn syrup with a healthier option. Seems to me that refusing to compromise on flavor should also include refusing to compromise on quality ingredients. Change.org, you listening?
