Trader Joe's - ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cacao - Oct. 1, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Trader Joe's
ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cocoa Bars
Good ++
Weight: 1.2 oz. (35 g.) / 7.4 oz. (210 g.) in total box/package of 6
Calories: 160 calories for 1 bar
Cost: $2.99 for 1 box/package of 6
Purchased from: Trader Joe's, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Today's box of six individually-wrapped ABC Bars - Almond Butter Cocoa Bars (flavored with other natural flavors) was from Trader Joe's (Monrovia, CA).

The bars were composed of a substantial, sweet and chewy chocolate "dough" and a soft almond butter filling. The outside had a subtle fig texture and sweetness and an almond extract flavor accent.

Sorbabes - Coffee Almond Frozen Dessert - Sept. 30, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet
Coffee Almond Frozen Dessert with Espresso Bark
Good
Weight: 5 fl. oz. (147 mL) total container
Calories: 160 calories in 1 container
Cost: $0.50 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Almond Theme Week.

Sorbet is not ice cream; but this offering was a frozen dessert, and it served as a transitional item into Today's Coffee Almond Sorbet with Espresso Bark and other natural flavors was from Sorbabes Gourmet Sorbet (Le Mars, IA).

This frozen dessert was rich, sweet and refreshing, and was made with no soy or gluten; and it was labeled Non-GMO.

So Delicious - Cashew "Milk" Double Chocolate Delight non-dairy frozen dessert (bars) - Sept. 29, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

So Delicious Dairy Free
Cashew "Milk" Double Chocolate Delight non-dairy frozen dessert
Good
Weight: 2.3 fl. oz. (68 mL) / 9.2 fl. oz. (272 mL) in total box/package of 4 bars
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 for 1 box/package of 4 bars
Purchased from: Sprout's Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

While not "ice cream," today's Cashew "Milk" Non-Dairy Double Chocolate Delight frozen dessert (bars) from So Delicious Dairy Free (Eugene, OR) had much of the same creamy texture of a conventional ice cream bar.

These frozen bars had a rich, chocolate coating and had a slight processed nut flavor.

*The company has been dedicated to making dairy-free offerings for 30 years. They also offer coconut, almond and soy "milk" products.

Ben and Jerry's - Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices - Sept. 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Unilever)
Vanilla Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices
Good
Weight: 2.86 oz. (81 g.) / 9 fl. oz. (266 mL) in total package of 3
Calories: 300 calories in 1 "slice"
Cost: $ missing information 
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

Today's Vanilla* Peanut Butter Cup Pint Slices from Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Burlington, VT) were comprised of vanilla ice cream and peanut butter cup pieces, and covered in a Dark Chocolatey Coating.

These individually-wrapped Pint Slices contained a pleasant vanilla ice cream, and fleeting glimpses and bites of peanut butter cups.

*The vanilla in these slices came from Fairtrade Certified farms in Uganda.

Ben and Jerry's - Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz Pint Slices - Sept. 27, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Unilever)
Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz Pint Slices
Good
Weight: 2.86 oz. (81 g.) / 9 fl. oz. (266 mL) in total package of 3
Calories: 280 calories in 1 "slice"
Cost: $ missing information 
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

Today's Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz Pint Slices from Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc. (Burlington, VT) were comprised of coffee ice cream and "Espresso Bean Fudge Chunks, covered in a Dark Chocolatey Coating with Cocoa Nibs."

Famous for their pints of ice cream with the famous black and white cow* (and favored by late afternoon and evening snackers), the company's individually-wrapped Pint Slices were the love children of a chocolate-coated ice cream bar and a hand-held ice cream sandwich.

The packaging and concept were laudatory and the flavor combination sounded very appealing. The overall product was OK, but somehow the flavors didn't quite match the potential conjured up in my mind. Maybe this slice was not meant as a breakfast food.**

* The iconic Ben and Jerry's cow was designed by Woody Jackson in 1979.
**I sample chocolates first thing in the morning.

Gusto Bello Cafe - Triple Chocolate Gelato - Sept. 26, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Gusto Bello Cafe
Triple Chocolate Gelato
Good +
Weight: 1/2 cup (67 g.) / 30 fl. oz. (1 Pint 14 fl. oz. (900 mL) in one container
Calories: 140 calories in 1/2 cup serving
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

Today's frozen treat was a bowl of Triple Chocolate Gelato from Gusto Bello Cafe (distributed by Topco Associates LLC, Elk Grove Village, IL).

This gelato was creamy smooth and chocolatey, and lighter (less dense, more fluffy) than ice cream. At only 140 calories per 1/2 cup it also contained far fewer calories than most ice creams.

Gelato Fiasco - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Gelato - Sept. 25, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Gelato Fiasco
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Gelato
Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (50 g.) / 1 Pint container
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup serving
Cost: $2.99 for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Ice Cream Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream from Gelato Fiasco (Brunswick, ME) was constructed with chopped peanut butter cups, and a swirl of peanut butter in chocolate gelato.

Gelato Fiasco founders, Josh and Bruno, set out to create a better, Italian-inspired gelato in the U.S., and they've succeeded.

My only quibble, I wish I could find more ice creams and gelatos without emulsifiers or vegetable gums; but they are very hard to find.