A Vegan Dessert Journey

Now here's something sweet to celebrate: Ben & Jerry's nifty new 100% vegan certified Non-Dairy frozen dessert line! Creating a fully euphoric frozen dessert with all of the creamy texture, funky chunks and sweet swirls you know and love – but without dairy, eggs or honey – was no simple task. But our Flavor Gurus were up for the challenge, and they knocked it out of the park. The result is a sweet treat that we know both vegans and dairy fans alike will find spoon-lickin’ good.

Whether it’s a dietary preference, a cleaner conscience or anything in between, there are a lot of reasons to choose vegan treats. We appreciate all of them and feel there’s never been a better time for Ben & Jerry’s to get involved in the world of non-dairy frozen desserts. It’s an exciting era in food, and we are proud to be a part of it.

So, how did we do it, you ask? How did we harness the power of plant-based ingredients to make a non-dairy frozen dessert this tasty? The journey began with our Flavor Guru and ‘Non-Dairy Queen’, Kirsten Schimoler.

All About That Base

When designing a new flavor, Kirsten starts with the base, the foundation that holds all the chunks and swirls. For the Non-Dairy line, that meant answering one big question: what to make it out of? Off to the flavor lab she went, ready to test vegan options such as coconut, cashew, soy, rice, and hemp milks for the best texture and flavor.

It wasn’t easy, but Kirsten was determined. After trying all the options and testing some really weird concoctions, almond milk was the one that met her exacting standards. It took nearly three years and over 50 versions to achieve perfection, but it sure was worth it.

Give it a Swirl

Next, it was time to look for 100% vegan ingredients for the chunks and swirls. One thing Kirsten knew she would need was a source for chocolate that hadn’t been anywhere near dairy. We kinda have a thing for chocolate around here, so we knew the Non-Dairy line would need lots of it. Eventually we found it – along with all the other chunk and swirl ingredients needed to complete these vegan delicacies.

Vegan Through and Through

With our ingredients lined up and recipes ready, it was time for the moment of truth—seeking certification by the folks at Vegan Action. For over 20 years, this organization has been at the forefront of vegan certification, labeling, education and outreach. Needless to say, they know their stuff. And today, all our Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy flavors are 100% certified vegan.

It’s been a long road, but we are proud and excited to present our fans with our newest creations. Try a pint of Non-Dairy Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Coffee Caramel Fudge or P.B. & Cookies and let us know what you think!