The Inside Scoop: Ben & Jerry’s “Milk” & Cookies

Photo Credits: Keith Homan / Shutterstock.com

By Kati Wilkes and Savonnah Wong

For our second scoop into the world of non-dairy ice cream alternatives, we tried out Ben & Jerry’s “Milk” & Cookies ice cream. We stopped by our local Safeway and picked it up, eager to see if it lived up to its reputation. In place of dairy milk, this ice cream has a base of sunflower milk and butter, making it vegan. Since it’s vegan, it’s an even more accessible choice for those who aren't just dairy-free. 

The sunflower milk base creates a creamy texture that is very similar to traditional dairy ice cream. While either scooping or enjoying this treat, it’s nearly impossible to tell that what you are eating is not “normal ice cream.” There is not much more we could ask of Ben & Jerry’s in making a non-dairy alternative.

As for the flavor and fillings in the ice cream, the “Milk” and Cookies variation really stays true to its name. It’s filled with a swirl of Oreos and chocolate chip cookies, which adds to the creamy yet smooth consistency of the entire concoction. The flavor is rich, yet not overpoweringly sweet, so with every spoonful, you get a taste of everything wonderful that the ice cream has to offer.

Though the frozen desert certainly is a wonderful alternative, it is far from perfect. The vanilla “ice cream” base has a bit of a weird flavor due to the roasted sunflower seeds that are used to make the sunflower milk. The vanilla taste is almost overpowered by a burnt undertone. However, in the scoop that has everything mixed together, the “burnt” taste really is not an issue at all. 

Taste: 🍦🍦🍦/5

Consistency: 🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦/5

Similarity to Ice-Cream: 🍦🍦🍦🍦/5

Overall: 🍦🍦🍦/5