I Tried Salt & Straw’s New Thanksgiving-Inspired Ice Cream Flavors. Here’s My Honest Opinion.

Fan favorite artisan ice cream maker Salt & Straw is known for their wildly imaginative flavors and this November, they are taking things to a whole other level. For the first time in 10 years, the brand is offering a completely new Thanksgiving menu with sweet and savory flavors ranging from Parker House rolls with salted buttercream to caramelized turkey and cranberry sauce. Now available in local scoop shops on the West Coast and in Miami, for local delivery, as well as nationwide shipping, the just-released festive menu is the perfect gift to share at a Friendsgiving dinner. And, if you don’t feel like cooking, you could even create a five-course ice cream tasting menu out of the new flavors. Before you head online to place your order though, if you’re interested in getting my firsthand thoughts on all five pints, here’s what your palate can expect from each of the new flavors.  

Parker House Rolls with Salted Buttercream – Salt & Straw makes all of their mix-ins from scratch and the buttery Parker House Rolls strewn into this salted sweet cream ice cream are no exception. I usually prefer crunchy mix-ins, but the fluffy chunks of Parker House Rolls feel like you’re eating a buttery cloud. If you like desserts with a savory twist, this is a winner.

Candied Walnut Cheesecake – This cream cheese ice cream is infused with crispy bits of graham cracker crumble made with walnut butter from Spread the Love. It’s basically frozen cheesecake masquerading as a pint of ice cream. To me, it tastes like somebody threw a couple slices of New York-style cheesecake in a blender, then froze it. It’s very dense, and not as soft and creamy as I like, but if cheesecake is your thing, give it a try.

Sweet Potato Pie with Double Baked Almond Streusel – This deconstructed sweet potato pie is my favorite flavor of all. Sweet potato purée is the fourth ingredient (after milk, cream, and sugar) and it’s brought to life with a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Instead of a crust, there are buttery bits of double-baked almond croissant throughout, and finding these golden brown nuggets is like digging for buried treasure.

Caramelized Turkey & Cranberry Sauce – Turkey and cranberry sauce are a classic pairing, but swirled into ice cream? True bliss. Don’t worry though, there are no literal hunks of meat in the ice cream. Rather, turkey bacon from Diestel Farms is roasted and folded into a brittle, flavored with thyme and ground pepper. The herbaceous notes contrast well with tart and fruity cranberry sauce, but the brittle really sticks to your teeth.

Pumpkin & Gingersnap Pie – The lone vegan flavor of this seasonal bunch relies on a coconut cream base and pumpkin purée to achieve a super rich and silky custard-like texture. Bits of molasses gingersnap crumble are incorporated into every bite. It’s pretty similar to the sweet potato pie, and a great alternative for anyone who’s vegan or looking for dairy-free ice cream.

Salt & Straw’s new Pints of the Moment: Friendsgiving Series is available now on their website for $65.