Baskin Robbin's vs Haagen Dazs vs B&J ice cream cake?!

[junglekitte]

I want to surprise someone on their birthday with an ice cream cake but I can't decide between Baskin Robbin's, Ben and Jerry's, or Haagen Dazs.... I assume B&J's or Haagen Dazs is better because I think their ice cream is better, but what about their cake and frosting?

And what flavor combination did you like?

Unfortunately the nearest B&J is kind of far (15-20 min drive) so I worry about it melting (I'm in CA where its hot here now) by the time it got home........ but hmmmmm?

[goodhealthgourmet]

of the chains, HD is definitely the only one worth getting. but depending on where you are in LA/OC (i checked your page for your location), you could also order one from Fosselman's or Scoops.

[junglekitte]

UGH I wish! I'm much too far from Scoops. South OC. :*(

I guess HD it is!

[goodhealthgourmet]

well H-D does have amazing ice cream cakes, so it's not as though you'll be settling.

you can also check this link to see if there are any independent places near you...

http://www.letseatoc.com/icecream.htm

[junglekitte]

I didn't mean to sound like I would be settling. I really love HD ice cream so I can't imagine it being a bad cake.

That website was great but some of the better ice cream parlors in my area that are listed on there are closed! I should contact them so people don't show up and don't get their ice cream! :(

[Produce Addict]

Like Dolores I can say that Haagen Dazs is yummy, BR/Carvel is definitely lower quality, and I havent tried Ben and Jerrys. BUT my experience with cakes is that they are frozen super hard, they tell you to take it out of the fridge for a while before serving, so I think a 20 minute drive with AC should be fine. (Can't believe it is hot in CA, it is freezing on the entire east coast).

[dolores]

junglekitte, missed your question on flavors. I can't remember, since ours here closed awhile ago. I know it wasn't chocolate since I don't like chocolate. It was probably coffee or some variation thereof. They don't do the plastic icing that Carvel does and if I recall, their cake slice is considerable. Overall, they are expensive but it was good. Hopefully, they still are.

If you're adventurous, though, google 'ice cream cake' (or even search here), and note how fairly easy they are to make.

[junglekitte]

Thanks for the recommendations! It's not that I can't make my own, I just don't have the time to make one this time around! Thanks for the warnings against BR and Carvel.

[dolores]

If you don't want to make your own, I recommend Haagen Dazs. BR sucks. Not sure about B&J, I don't think I've had theirs. Carvel sucks also.