I Asked 4 Experts for the Best Chocolate Ice Cream—They All Said the Same Brand

As a chocolate ice cream connoisseur, I am constantly trying new flavors and brands: from Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie to Trader Joe’s Ultra Chocolate Ice Cream. I have discovered there are endless pints to dig into, but not all are churned equal.

After speaking with four experts, I discovered the best chocolate ice cream to keep in my freezer.

The Experts

• Carey Polis: Former editor and digital director at Bon Appétit 
• Gillian Simpler: Re-attending the Institute of Culinary Education to get her certificate in Pastry and Baking Arts
• Zasha Gazder: Pastry chef with Michelin star experience
• Niko Trinatfillou: Founder of the dessertbuzz blog and former Serious Eats dessert columnist

The Best Store-Bought Chocolate Ice Cream

Nearly unanimously, the brand most recommended was Jeni’s Ice Cream. Jeni’s is an Ohio-based company, founded by its namesake Jeni Britton, who received the James Beard Award in 2012 for her book Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home. Known for innovative flavors and fair-trade ingredients, this brand has become a must-have.

“My go-to chocolate ice cream is Jeni’s Darkest Chocolate. Because if you really love dark chocolate—and I do—then you should go all in. Jeni’s might be the darkest, richest chocolate ice cream that you can get from a grocery store,” Trinatfillou shared.

Polis agreed, “I love Jeni’s Blackout Chocolate Cake ice cream. It’s luxurious yet approachable—the kind of ice cream that disappears quickly at a casual gathering or fancy dinner party alike. Kids love it, adults love it. It’s for everyone.”

What To Look For in Chocolate Ice Cream

When sifting through containers, these chefs share what they look for in a chocolate ice cream.

“A creamy texture to ice cream is something I look for the most in ice cream, as well as the rich flavor it has. A bad texture and lackluster flavor can ruin an ice cream. It’s hard to find a rich chocolate flavor in grocery store brands, but Jeni’s does a great job,” Gazder shared.

Nice shared a similar opinion, “It’s all about the quality and intensity of the chocolate flavor. Sweetness and sugar are not flavors! And unfortunately, that’s what many brands focus on to the detriment of their product. Mouthfeel is also key. The ice cream should be rich and creamy, with a slight amount of chew,” Trinatfillou shared.

How To Enjoy Chocolate Ice Cream

When it comes to chocolate ice cream, the more toppings, the merrier! “In my opinion, vanilla ice cream should be used as an accessory for other desserts, but if I’m eating chocolate ice cream, I want it to be the star! I like some fresh berries, toasted nuts, maybe a little bit of sea salt (my favorite combo is definitely raspberries and pistachios!),” Simpler shared.

“I love to eat my chocolate ice cream with salted pecans and olive oil. The pecans add a much-needed crunch/saltiness, and the olive oil adds a lovely rich mouth-feel to the ice cream,” Gazder shared.

The next time you have a hankering for chocolate ice cream, try a tub of Jeni’s!