Who says you can't eat ice cream for breakfast?
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Ice Cream for Breakfast Day may have passed (it’s the first Saturday in February, for those interested in celebrating), but I’ve never been much of a rule follower—especially when it involves ice cream. Luckily for all of us dessert lovers out there, neither is Jeni’s, the brand behind our favorite ice cream subscription.
While some creameries treat ice cream like a mere dessert, Jeni’s is all about challenging that notion. Just look at the brand’s latest release of House Coffee, a love letter to espresso fans everywhere. As someone who considers coffee their favorite ice cream flavor, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a pint.
I tried this newest, caffeinated release as part of the Ice Cream for Breakfast Collection to see how it holds up to my (admittedly high) expectations. Spoiler: this brew-focused blend blows bland supermarket coffee ice cream out of the water—and into the nearest mug.
Jeni's House Coffee Ice Cream
Ice cream for breakfast? Sign us up!
What is Jeni’s coffee ice cream?
Included as part of the Ice Cream for Breakfast Collection, House Coffee pays homage to the smooth, rich flavor of freshly brewed coffee and cream. For folks who prefer a sweet and smooth affogato to a plain old cup of java, this eye-opening flavor is the perfect post-dinner pick-me-up. Or, if you’re anything like me, you might even enjoy a few scoops first thing in the morning.
The ice cream base starts with—what else?—lightly sweetened cream. From there, the experts at Jeni’s fold in freshly brewed coffee from their partners at Verve Coffee Roasters. This direct trade specialty coffee imbibes the ice cream with several complexly layered notes, including nuts, chocolate and brightness. As a finishing touch, fine espresso grounds are folded in for a little texture. The result? A perfect breakfast ice cream!
How I Tested
I received the Jeni’s House Coffee ice cream as part of the Ice Cream for Breakfast Collection (which is frankly my dream assortment). The collection includes breakfast-friendly flavor blends like Brambleberry Crisp, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Powdered Jelly Donut, Wildberry Lavender, Maple-Soaked Pancakes and, of course, the new House Coffee.
Upon first opening the package, I was already impressed. Much like Deputy Editor Katie’s experience with the summer collection, I was in absolute awe at the adorable packaging. Jeni’s puts as much work into the visual experience of their ice cream as they do to the flavors, which makes the brand all the more enjoyable to scoop.
The pints arrived completely rock-solid thanks to copious amounts of dry ice, so they did require a little time in the freezer to soften. While I had a hard time waiting, this is much preferable to receiving melted goodies! By the time morning rolled around, the ice cream was at the perfect temperature for tasting.
First, I tried a big scoop of the House Coffee flavor on its own. The fragrance alone is intoxicating—it smells like a vanilla latte! As for the flavor, it’s incomparable to any other coffee ice cream I’ve tried. Instead of a fake-y coffee flavor, the ice cream was very reminiscent of my aforementioned affogato. It’s smooth and creamy, yet also nutty and bright. The brewed coffee definitely makes a difference here.
The espresso grounds even add a little burst of bold flavor, without any grittiness. This is an ice cream flavor for both coffee lovers and humble dessert fans alike.
From there, I paired another scoop of House Coffee with Katie’s favorite flavor, Maple-Soaked Pancake. I totally get all the love! This combo is absolutely delicious together and channels a sweet breakfast spread. I also tasted a bit of the other flavors. After all, when else will I get an excuse to eat ice cream for breakfast? All were delicious, with Powdered Jelly Donut being my favorite of the remaining pints.
Where to Buy
Jeni's House Coffee Ice Cream
No need to break out the coffee maker. Just take a bite of this brew-tiful blend!
Ready to dig into a morning pint of your own? If so, you can score a pint of Jeni’s new House Coffee ice cream on the brand’s website for only $12. While a bit pricey, the natural ingredients and incredible attention to flavor make it well worth the splurge—especially for espresso fans. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, I highly recommend grabbing this flavor as part of the Ice Cream for Breakfast Collection for the full ice cream for breakfast experience.
