In the world of ice cream sandwiches, where the familiar chocolate wafers and vanilla ice cream reign supreme, Nightingale has emerged as a game-changer. This Virginia-based company, launched in 2016, has taken the classic dessert and given it a Southern-European twist, resulting in a range of ice cream sandwiches that are both innovative and delicious. From the moment I laid eyes on the Nightingale brand, I knew I had to try every flavor they offered. And let me tell you, it was a delightful journey through a world of unexpected flavors and textures. So, without further ado, let's dive into the 11 Nightingale ice cream sandwiches, ranked from the merely good to the absolutely best.
Strawberry Shortcake: While the Strawberry Shortcake flavor fell short in terms of flavor and texture, it was still a solid choice. The pink, strawberry jam-infused ice cream was light and lacked the depth of flavor I was hoping for. However, the two brown sugar cookies were plenty good, with a rich and buttery taste that made up for the weak link in the middle.
Brookie Dough: This sandwich was a mashup of brownie and cookie dough, with two different kinds of cookies. While it had a lot going on, it was too much for my taste buds to handle all at once. The chocolate chip cookie was chewy and bready, while the brownie cookie was soft and cake-like. The chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream was fluffy, but it was lost in the mix. Despite having more flavor than the Strawberry Shortcake, it still wound up near the bottom of the rankings.
Cookie Monster: This flavor was sold out at the first Whole Foods I visited, leading me to believe it was a popular pick. It was a mashup of chocolate chip cookies and cookies and cream ice cream, but unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. The chocolate chip cookies were undercooked and dry, and the cookie-crumb-infused vanilla ice cream was alright, but not great. It was less chaotic than the Brookie Dough, but still not my favorite.
Mint Fudge Brownie: By sticking to two main flavor notes of mint and chocolate, this sandwich felt more cohesive than the last few. The strong mint taste was grounded by the bittersweet chocolate, but the natural mint flavor could get a little too intense. The chocolate cookies didn't exactly nail that fudgy brownie essence, and the ice cream could use a better balance of creme to menthe. Despite this, it was still a refreshing and enjoyable treat.
Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake: This limited-time flavor was a light and fruity delight. The brown sugar cookies were back, and they were the best cookie type Nightingale had to offer. The blueberry lemon ice cream was sweet and tangy, with a purplish color that lent to its authenticity. The pound cake crumbles added a nice touch, making it a good choice for the warmer months.
Birthday Cake: This sandwich was a treat for the eyes and the taste buds, with two soft, rich brown sugar cookies, a premium vanilla ice cream laced with rainbow sprinkles and pieces of yellow cake. However, it was too sugary sweet, and the ratio of cookies to ice cream was off, with the cookies doing most of the talking. Despite this, it was still a treat that many people would be drawn to.
The Classic: This wasn't your average old ice cream sandwich. It relied on two thick-set chocolate brownie cookies and vanilla bean ice cream, resulting in a more premium taste. The ice cream was dense and smooth with deeper vanilla notes, and the cookies were soft, chewy, and sweet but not too sweet. While it wasn't the most decadent flavor Nightingale offered, it was still one of the better ice cream sandwiches I've ever had.
Key Lime Pie: Nightingale had reconfigured the easy breezy summer pie into a bite-sized handheld. The key lime ice cream was thicker and creamier, almost like a blend between custard and a sorbet. It struck a good balance between sweet and tangy, without ever becoming tart or bitter. The cookies were rich and crumbly, making it a standout. If you're a fan of key lime pie, you'll love this sandwich.
Banana Pudding: As a devout lover of banana pudding and anything banana-flavored, I was excited to try this flavor. Nightingale used real fruit in its sandwiches, resulting in a banana pudding ice cream that tasted like truly ripe bananas. The ice cream was studded with bits of vanilla wafers, adding to its authenticity. While it wasn't a dead ringer for the traditional Southern dessert, it was still a delicious and nostalgic flavor.
Caramel Churro: I'm not even a big fan of churros, but this sandwich was a delight. The brown sugar cookies were softer and doughier than before, and they tasted like spiced snickerdoodles. The dulce de leche ice cream churned with real bits of churro was light yet creamy, and I came across a few sweet churro crumbles. The only complaint I had was that the caramel flavor wasn't super obvious, but overall, it was a perfect fall treat.
Raspberry Croissant: This mini sandwich was my all-time favorite. The golden-crusted brown sugar cookies were tender and buttery, and the ice cream inside was a masterpiece. Laced with raspberry jam and teeny bits of croissant, it was ultra creamy with a berry sweetness and tang that was offset by buttery, lightly salty flakes of croissant. It was a perfect showcase of Nightingale's approach to dessert, landing somewhere between a homemade Southern-style cobbler and a fancy European confection.
In conclusion, Nightingale has successfully reconfigured the classic ice cream sandwich, resulting in a range of flavors that are both innovative and delicious. From the Strawberry Shortcake to the Raspberry Croissant, each sandwich offers a unique and enjoyable experience. While some flavors were better than others, each one delivered a similar level of quality, making it difficult to pick favorites. So, the next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to give Nightingale a try and experience the magic of their ice cream sandwiches for yourself.
