When it comes to better-for-you desserts, Halo Top has long been a trailblazer, delivering guilt-free scoops to sweet tooths everywhere. Now, the brand is kicking things up a notch with its first-ever mix-in ice cream line, launching in January 2025. With eight indulgent flavors loaded with cookie dough chunks, brownie pieces and caramel swirls, Halo Top is making dessert even more exciting—while still sticking to their light ice cream roots. And as someone who never says no to ice cream (especially the mix-in kind!), I had to try it. But is Halo Top’s mix-in ice cream line a real ‘cream’ come true? And more importantly, does it taste as good as its decadent counterparts? Let’s dig in.
The scoop on Halo Top’s mix-in ice cream line
Halo Top has never shied away from innovation. Known for their low-calorie, high-protein pints, they’ve been a favorite among dessert lovers since their debut in 2012. But this new mix-in line marks their most indulgent offering yet, with each pint featuring the highest calorie count in the brand’s history: 490 calories. Don’t worry, that’s still half the calories of leading brands. But it’s clear Halo Top is prioritizing flavor and texture here—and I’m not mad about it.
“As ice cream lovers we wanted to create something that hits all the indulgent notes people love, but with a twist only Halo Top could offer,” said Ryan Roznowski, Director of Brand Marketing, in a press release. “As a team that’s always on the lookout to make high quality desserts people can feel good about, we’re incredibly proud of this new formula. Light ice cream has never been this indulgent, and we can’t wait for our fans to enjoy it!”
Get ready: these flavors are rolling out at select retailers this month, with a nationwide release in March 2025. Check their website for nearby locations or online retailers.
A mix-in flavor for every craving
Here’s a quick rundown of the flavors and I’ll be the first to say it’s pretty impressive. With so many to choose from, you might be in the freezer aisle for a while.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Creamy cookie dough ice cream with chewy cookie dough pieces and snappy chocolatey chunks.
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie: A chocolate lover’s dream, with chocolate ice cream filled with chewy fudge brownies and brownie batter swirls.
- Cherry Chocolate Chunk: A fruity, chocolatey combo with black cherry ice cream, chocolatey chunks and chewy Bordeaux cherry pieces.
- Cookies & Brownies: A swirl of cookie dough and chocolate ice creams with double the mix-ins, including chocolate chip cookie dough pieces and fudge brownies.
- Caramel Cookie Crunch: Smooth caramel ice cream with chocolate-covered cookie pieces and salted caramel ribbons.
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Cheesecake ice cream with real strawberry pieces and crumbly graham cracker pie crust swirls.
- Sweet Cream Cold Brew: Coffee-forward cold brew ice cream with whipped cream swirls and coffee-flavored chocolatey chunks.
- P.B. Cookie Dough & Fudge: A swirl of peanut butter and chocolate ice creams with fudge swirls and peanut butter cookie dough pieces.
What sets it apart?
This isn’t just a calorie-conscious option; it’s a dessert made for mix-in enthusiasts. Unlike Halo Top’s traditional pints, which prioritize simplicity, the new line focuses on layers of flavor and texture. Plus, each flavor is carefully crafted with high-quality ingredients, making this an option you can feel good about—literally. At under 500 calories, you can balance indulgence with moderation in the new year.
Taste testing Halo Top’s mix-in ice cream line
Now, let’s get straight to the pint: how does it taste? I’ll preface by saying I may be slightly biased. Growing up, there was always at least one gold-lidded container in my house’s freezer at any given time. That being said, here’s my honest review.
Chocolate Fudge Brownie immediately stood out as a favorite. Admittedly, I finished half the pint in one sitting (no guilt here!). The chocolate ice cream was rich and creamy, while the brownie chunks and batter swirls added a decadent texture that felt far from “light.” Cookies & Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough rounded out my top three. As you can tell, I love chocolate. The chewy cookie dough and brownie pieces left me reaching for another scoop.
Caramel Cookie Crunch and Strawberry Cheesecake were also impressive. The caramel ribbons provided just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering, and the graham cracker swirls complemented the creamy cheesecake base. And I have to say that P.B. Cookie Dough & Fudge had a surprisingly authentic peanut butter flavor.
However, a couple of flavors didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, I will say I normally don’t go for these flavors. Sweet Cream Cold Brew was a little too icy in texture—though that may have been my freezer’s fault. And while Cherry Chocolate Chunk was enjoyable, the cherry flavor leaned slightly artificial compared to the boldness of the chocolate chunks.
My final thoughts
Overall, Halo Top’s mix-in lineup delivered on its promise of indulgence. Every pint felt luxurious, with textures and mix-ins that made it hard to believe I wasn’t eating traditional ice cream. While not every flavor was a hit for me, the overall experience was impressive—and I can’t wait to see these pints hit shelves nationwide in March. So, for all you Halo Top fans, these new pints are worth a try. Who says you can’t have it all?
