Ben & Jerry's is more than just ice cream; it's a cultural phenomenon built on chunky ingredients, creative flavor names, and a strong social mission. As of December 17, 2025, the debate over the ultimate flavor continues to rage, but recent sales data and fan polls have solidified a core group of iconic pints that consistently dominate the freezer aisle. From classic favorites that launched the brand to modern collaborations with celebrities, the best flavors share a common thread: an unapologetic commitment to massive, satisfying mix-ins that make every spoonful an adventure.
To help you navigate the ever-expanding universe of superpremium ice cream, we've compiled the definitive ranking of the top 10 Ben & Jerry's flavors for 2025. This list goes beyond basic popularity, diving into the unique origin stories, key ingredients, and the social impact behind the most beloved pints, ensuring your next scoop is the absolute best.
The Ultimate Scoop: The Biography of Ben & Jerry's and Its Founders
The story of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. is a quintessential American success tale, rooted in friendship, a desire for fun, and an old gas station. The company was founded by lifelong friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who grew up together on Long Island, New York.
- Founding Year: 1978
- Original Location: A converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont.
- The "Chunky" Secret: A key element of the brand's signature style stems from Ben Cohen's anosmia (lack of smell), which significantly diminishes his sense of taste. To compensate, he focused on maximizing texture, leading to the brand's famously large and abundant "chunks" and "gobs" of mix-ins.
- Social Mission: Since its inception, the company has operated on a three-part mission: a Product Mission (making the best ice cream), an Economic Mission (sustainable growth), and a Social Mission (using the company to make the world better). They were one of the first companies to embrace a progressive social agenda, becoming a certified B Corp.
- Acquisition: While the founders remain the spiritual heart of the brand, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by the global conglomerate Unilever in 2000.
This commitment to quality ingredients and social responsibility has created a brand loyalty few competitors can match, making the best Ben & Jerry's flavors not just delicious, but meaningful.
The Definitive Top 10 Ben & Jerry's Flavors of 2025 (Based on Fan Favorites & Sales Data)
The following list represents the flavors that consistently rank highest in terms of global sales and critical fan reviews heading into 2025. These are the pints that define the Ben & Jerry’s experience.
1. Half Baked
The undisputed champion, Half Baked, remains the number one best-selling flavor globally. It is a masterful blend of two classic Ben & Jerry’s concepts: chocolate and vanilla ice creams mixed with gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownies.
- Why It's #1: It eliminates the need to choose between Cookie Dough and Fudge Brownie.
- Unique Story: The fudge brownies used in this flavor are sourced from Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, a social enterprise that provides job training and employment to individuals with barriers to employment. This partnership is a prime example of the brand’s social mission in action.
2. Cherry Garcia
A true classic and a testament to the power of fan ideas, Cherry Garcia holds its place as a perennial favorite. It’s a cherry ice cream base loaded with plump, sweet cherries and dark chocolatey chunks.
- Origin: Named in 1987 after the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist, Jerry Garcia, the idea came from a fan who sent the suggestion on a postcard. It was the first flavor named after a musician.
- The Mix-In: The combination of cherry and chocolate is perfectly balanced, offering a sophisticated yet fun flavor profile.
3. The Tonight Dough
A relative newcomer that quickly shot up the ranks, The Tonight Dough is a collaboration with late-night host Jimmy Fallon. This flavor is a chunky masterpiece featuring caramel and chocolate ice creams with a crunchy chocolate cookie swirl and massive gobs of both chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough.
- Social Impact: Proceeds from this flavor benefit the SeriousFun Children's Network, a global community of camps for children with serious illnesses, co-founded by Paul Newman.
- The Dough Factor: It’s the ultimate pint for cookie dough enthusiasts, offering two distinct dough experiences in one tub.
4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Often cited as the world's most favorite Ben & Jerry's flavor internationally, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is the flavor that arguably perfected the concept. It features vanilla ice cream with huge chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough.
The original idea for this flavor came from an anonymous fan submission at the Burlington scoop shop in 1984, proving the founders’ commitment to listening to their customers.
5. Phish Food
Another beloved collaboration, Phish Food is a rich chocolate ice cream with gooey marshmallow swirls, caramel swirls, and fudge fish.
- Origin: Created in 1996 in partnership with the Vermont-based jam band, Phish.
- The Cause: A portion of the proceeds from this flavor is dedicated to environmental causes in the Lake Champlain watershed, connecting the flavor back to its Vermont roots and the band's philanthropic efforts.
6. Strawberry Cheesecake
A creamy, fruity standout in a field dominated by chocolate and caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake features strawberry cheesecake ice cream with a thick strawberry swirl and chunks of graham cracker crust. It provides a delightful texture contrast and a sweet-tart flavor balance.
7. Americone Dream
Comedian Stephen Colbert’s flavor, Americone Dream, is a vanilla ice cream with fudge-covered waffle cone pieces and a caramel swirl. It’s a tribute to the classic American ice cream cone, elevated by Ben & Jerry’s chunky style.
8. Chocolate Fudge Brownie
For the purists and chocolate lovers, Chocolate Fudge Brownie is a dense, decadent chocolate ice cream packed with chewy, fudgy brownies. Like Half Baked, the brownies are sourced from Greyston Bakery, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to social good.
9. Chunky Monkey
A classic since the early days, Chunky Monkey is a banana ice cream base—a rarity in the ice cream world—mixed with fudge chunks and walnuts. It’s a divisive flavor, but those who love it are fiercely loyal to its tropical, nutty profile.
10. Milk & Cookies
A simple concept executed perfectly, Milk & Cookies features vanilla ice cream with a chocolate cookie swirl and chunks of chocolate chip cookies. It’s pure comfort in a pint, making it a reliable choice for those seeking nostalgia.
Beyond the Pint: The Social Mission and Flavor Innovation
The enduring popularity of the best Ben & Jerry's flavors is inextricably linked to the company's unique approach to both ingredients and ethics. The brand's commitment to using Non-GMO ingredients, Fairtrade certified cocoa, sugar, and vanilla, and its partnerships with social enterprises like Greyston Bakery (for brownies) and Rhino Bakery (for cookie dough), adds a layer of feel-good factor to every scoop.
The Art of the Swirl and Chunk
Ben & Jerry's is a pioneer of the "superpremium" ice cream category, distinguished by its low air content and high butterfat content, resulting in a richer, denser texture. However, the true innovation lies in the mix-ins. The Flavor Gurus meticulously craft the perfect balance of "swirls" (like the caramel swirl in Phish Food or the chocolate cookie swirl in The Tonight Dough) and "chunks" to ensure maximum flavor and texture contrast. This attention to detail is what elevates a flavor like Half Baked from a simple combination to a legendary experience.
New Flavors and the Flavor Graveyard
To keep the lineup fresh, Ben & Jerry's is constantly innovating. While the classics remain, new additions are always on the horizon. For instance, new flavors like 'Cookie Vermont-ster' and 'Dulce De-lish' have been introduced in international markets and are gaining attention in 2025.
The company also famously maintains a Flavor Graveyard in Waterbury, Vermont, where retired flavors are laid to rest with humorous epitaphs. This unique concept not only adds to the brand's quirky identity but also reminds fans that no flavor is guaranteed to last forever, driving them to enjoy their current favorites while they can.
Whether you're reaching for the complex, dough-filled layers of The Tonight Dough, the nostalgic comfort of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, or the iconic blend of Half Baked, choosing the best Ben & Jerry's flavor is a personal journey. But by understanding the history, the ingredients, and the social mission behind these top 10 pints, you can appreciate the full scope of what makes this ice cream brand a global favorite.
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