REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Typically choosing chocolate over vanilla, and being partial to brownies over cookie dough, I was even more excited about consuming Chocolate Fudge Brownie than I had been about Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. As a kid, my mother always was baking up heavenly, homemade brownies. Ever since, the smell has been permanently imprinted in my noggin'. When I smell brownies these days I'm like a bloodhound who just picked up the scent of a fleeing fugitive. My ears perk up. I begin sniffing uncontrollably and tunnel vision engages until I find that pan. Despite not ever having enjoyed a brownie mix-in from Ben & Jerry's, I had pretty high hopes for this one. Browsing through the text on the back of the carton I brought light to the journey in which I was about to embark. It's pretty well known that Ben & Jerry are both genial guys. Further proving this point, they explain how they source their brownies. from Greyston Bakery. They pride themselves on giving back:

The Greyston Bakery is the nationally leading "Brownie Company". We produce the best tasting, highest quality brownies at a great value to the consumer. Greyston Bakery is a leading model for social enterprise building a coalition with employees, community and shareholders. We properly compensate our employees: fair/living wage, health benefits, and direct participation in the profitability of the company. We train, promote from within, and mentor our employees, who we source from the local community. Greyston Bakery, through it's profit generation, is a substantial source of revenue for the Greyston Mandala, supporting affordable childcare for community, affordable housing for homeless and low income families, and affordable healthcare for persons with HIV."

It doesn't take long before the brownies make themselves readily available. A huge one peers back at me immediately upon opening the container. The chocolate ice cream is silky and rich. It deserves savoring. Unlike the vanilla, you need to take your time with this. As the base melts it becomes nearly impossible to remain clean. There's no covering up that you've indulged in a pint of this.

These brownie hunks are heavenly. They're rich, chewy, super-chocolately and just downright sinful. When extracted in their entirety this remarkable mix-in rivals the size of Chef Boyardee ravioli.

I'm sure these are just as outrageous straight from the oven, but when soaked in chocolate ice cream for a considerable amount of time. Indescribable. The porous exterior of these bits allow all that cocoa cream to breach the brownie barrier and become one in the same. Not only are they covered in ice cream, but as you chew even more of that liquid gold is released.

For such a simple and straightforward idea, Ben & Jerry's overachieve as usual. They take this proven combination, put their own unique spin on things, use top-notch ingredients and surpass my expectations. No wonder this is a fan favorite.

Where I Found It: Ingles Market
Grade: A