Vanilla ice cream is a timeless classic that delights ice cream lovers of all ages. With creamy textures and rich flavors, finding the perfect vanilla ice cream can elevate any dessert experience. Among the myriad of options available, some brands stand out for their dedication to quality ingredients and exceptional taste. Discover which brands have made it to the top of our list to satisfy your vanilla cravings. Read on below to find out who made the cut.
Illustration of vanilla ice cream
Best brands of vanilla ice cream in 2025
Häagen-Dazs
Haagen-Dazs is renowned as one of the best producers of vanilla ice cream, known for its premium positioning and high-quality ingredients. Since 1960, the brand has been committed to using 100% Canadian dairy and natural ingredients like Madagascar vanilla extract to create an extraordinary ice cream experience. Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream is crafted with just five simple ingredients: cream, skim milk, sugar, egg yolk, and Madagascar vanilla extract. The brand's focus on innovation and quality has established it as a leader in the luxury ice cream segment, with a milk fat content of at least 15% to enhance creaminess. Haagen-Dazs continues to innovate, introducing new flavors and products while maintaining its commitment to quality and indulgence. For more details, visit their official vanilla ice cream page.
Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's is renowned for its high-quality vanilla ice cream, characterized by its rich, nuanced, and aromatic flavor profile. Founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the company has a long history of commitment to quality and social justice, including introducing the world's first Fairtrade vanilla ice cream in 2015. Each serving of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream contains 230 calories, with 22% of the daily value of total fat and 40% of the daily value of saturated fat. The ice cream is made with fresh Vermont milk and cream, ensuring a dense and satisfying texture. Ben & Jerry's continues to innovate and expand its product line while maintaining its core values of making the best possible ice cream in the nicest possible way. Discover more about their delectable flavors and social initiatives on their official website.
Tillamook
Tillamook is renowned for producing some of the best vanilla ice cream flavors, with options like Old Fashioned Vanilla, Vanilla Bean, and French Vanilla standing out for their creamy and rich textures. French Vanilla, in particular, is highlighted for its fatty and custardy taste, making it a favorite among ice cream enthusiasts. Tillamook's commitment to high-quality ingredients and avoiding artificial colors and flavors contributes to the superior taste of their ice cream. The brand has seen significant growth, with a 29% year-over-year increase in dollar sales to $339 million and a 19% rise in unit sales to 64 million. This success underscores Tillamook's position as a leading ice cream brand in the market.
Talenti
Talenti is renowned as one of the top producers of vanilla ice cream, known for its high-quality and unique flavor profiles. The brand's Madagascan Vanilla Bean Gelato, made with real vanilla beans imported from Madagascar, stands out for its rich and distinct taste. In the artisanal ice cream market, vanilla flavors like those offered by Talenti account for a significant share, with vanilla flavor segments holding around 31.9% of the market in 2022. Talenti's slow cooking process and addition of lemon zest enhance the floral vanilla notes, making it a favorite among consumers. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation contributes to its strong presence in the ice cream market.
Blue Bell
Blue Bell Creameries is renowned as one of the top producers of vanilla ice cream, with its Homemade Vanilla flavor being the best-selling single flavor of ice cream in the United States as of 1997. This Texas-based company, which expanded beyond its home state in the 1980s, has a significant market share, particularly in the Southern United States, where it holds a 52% market share in Texas. Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla is made with a special hand-cranked flavor and high-quality ingredients, contributing to its rich, homemade taste. The company's commitment to traditional half-gallon containers and its wide range of seasonal flavors have also contributed to its popularity. Blue Bell's products are highly sought after, with the brand being the most-searched ice cream brand in 22 states, mostly in the South and Midwest.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, founded in 2002 by James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker Jeni Britton Bauer, is renowned for its high-quality and unique ice cream flavors, including its exceptional vanilla-based options. Known for using grass-grazed milk and innovative flavor combinations, Jeni's stands out for its creamy texture and balanced flavors. While they may not have a traditional vanilla flavor ranked as their best, their vanilla-based flavors like Brambleberry Crisp and Salty Caramel are highly acclaimed. Jeni's commitment to quality is evident in their use of real ingredients and lack of artificial additives. With a wide distribution in scoop shops, grocery stores, and online delivery, Jeni's has become a standard for premium ice cream.
Breyers
Breyers, a renowned ice cream brand since 1866, is celebrated for its high-quality products, including its vanilla ice cream. Despite a recent class action settlement of $8.85 million due to allegations of misleading labeling on its Natural Vanilla ice cream, Breyers remains a leader in the industry, with sales increases in certain categories, such as a 22% rise in frozen yogurt sales in 2023. Breyers is the second-best-selling ice cream brand in the U.S., following Ben & Jerry's, and it continues to innovate with products like Breyers Blasts and better-for-you dessert options. For more information about Breyers, visit their official website.
Strauss Family Creamery
Straus Family Creamery is renowned for its high-quality, organic ice creams, including their exceptional vanilla flavors. Made with organic milk and cream from family dairy farms in Northern California, their ice creams are free of gluten, preservatives, fillers, artificial ingredients, and coloring agents. The creamy texture and rich flavor are achieved through a churning process that incorporates less air and higher butterfat content. Straus Family Creamery's commitment to sustainable dairy farming practices and simple, all-organic ingredients sets their products apart. Their vanilla ice cream is a favorite among those seeking pure, real vanilla flavor. For more details on their range of super-premium organic ice creams, you can read the full article here.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams, established in 1949, is renowned for its high-quality vanilla ice cream, characterized by its rich, dense texture and minimal air content, allowing for a longer shelf life of up to 15 months. Despite some critics describing the vanilla flavor as "fake" but "delicious," McConnell's is appreciated for its commitment to sustainability and responsible production methods. The brand's vanilla ice cream is Kosher certified and made with carefully selected ingredients, prioritizing quality over organic certification. McConnell's has been a staple in California, enriching communities with its premium ice creams. Its vanilla bean ice cream is noted for its smooth texture and classic flavor profile.
Ample Hills Creamery
Ample Hills Creamery is renowned for its high-quality vanilla ice cream, made with genuine vanilla flavor and no artificial additives, setting it apart from typical grocery store ice creams. Founded in 2011 in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, the creamery has expanded to several locations in New York and even Disney's Epcot in Florida. Known for its creamy and flavorful ice cream, Ample Hills pasteurizes its milk on-site to ensure maximum flavor creativity. The creamery offers over 20 creative flavors, including the popular "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake" and "Peppermint Pattie," both made with house-made inclusions. With its commitment to using the best ingredients and generous sampling policy, Ample Hills has earned a reputation as one of the best ice cream producers in NYC.
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