Some relationships start off on the wrong foot. I’m no Christmas-hating Grinch, in fact I’ve many times thought about a Frosty the Snowman tattoo, and I’m no weirdo chocolate mint hater either. But Ben & Jerry’s latest seasonal release and I have had a beef since before we even spooned for the first time. Minter Wonderland replaced Glampfire Trail Mix. Essentially taking away one of the best B&J releases in years after only SEVEN months, while many other sub par flavors continue to live long lives. I was shook, distraught, and still sad that such a wonderful creation could be gone so soon. No matter how deep in my feelings I was, and am, about Glampfire being retired, I’m willing to embrace this newest Target-exclusive with an open mind and semi-open heart. Minter Wonderland combines a dark chocolate mint ice cream with marshmallow and chocolate cookie swirls.

Off the jump the dark chocolate mint base is rich and perfectly balanced with both dominant deep cocoa notes and cooling peppermint. Each flavor has a chance to shine in the spotlight while complimenting the other very well. As usual with Ben & Jerry’s the texture is smooth and creamy with a little extra thickness from the more heavy handed use of cocoa powder.

B&J’s marshmallow swirl is one of their best, and the only element that Miss Minter shares with my beloved Glampfire, as well as my personal all timer Phish Food. As always it’s prominent and sticky-sweet providing both terrific flavor and texture to the decadent Christmasy pint. The white color pops hard against the extra dark base and provides some much needed snowy contrast.

Another B&J’s staple, the chocolate cookie swirl, rounds out the experience. For those unfamiliar with the classic Milk & Cookies, these are basically Oreo crumbles swirling throughout the ice cream’s creaminess to bring an extra dose of chocolate and slight crunch to the otherwise squishy melty texture. It’s a great swirl, but unlike in Milk & Cookies where it gets a chance to really pop against the vanilla, they aren’t quite as effective, or prominent with the intensity of the dark chocolate mint. Still delicious, but a little lacking in thickness for my personal taste.

Rating: 8/10

Found at Target: $4.39