Prepare to be amazed and slightly bewildered, because Stew Leonard's, the supermarket with the singing milk cartons and life-size cow sculptures, has taken dessert to a whole new level with their latest creation: ice cream dipped in melted butter. Yes, you read that right!
This unique dessert concept, which has sparked curiosity and controversy, was actually invented by the renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel at his Manhattan bakery, Papa d'Amour. The treat consists of vanilla soft serve ice cream, quickly dipped in melted butter, and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt. When the butter meets the ice cream, it hardens, creating a crunchy, translucent shell.
But here's the twist: Stew Leonard's, a family-owned business with dairy roots dating back to the 1920s, has claimed this innovative dessert as their own. Marketing director Chase Leonard explains that butter has been an integral part of their brand, and one of their stores decided to test the butter-dipped cone. Chase's father, Stew Leonard Jr., even made a video sampling the creation, declaring it 'sheer enjoyment'.
The butter cone is now available at both Long Island stores, in Farmingdale and East Meadow, for just $5. It features vanilla soft serve dipped in Stew's own brand of melted Wisconsin dairy butter, topped with sea salt.
Now, you might be thinking this sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen, but after trying it, I was pleasantly surprised. The buttery shell is delicate and doesn't overpower the ice cream's flavor. Instead, it adds a subtle richness, and the sea salt provides a tantalizing twist. It made me wonder, why haven't we been doing this all along?
And let's not forget the other quirky attractions at Stew Leonard's. I burned off some of those extra calories by walking around the store, enjoying the animatronic banana dressed as Carmen Miranda, singing 'Chiquita Banana'.
So, is this butter-dipped ice cream a gimmick or a genius innovation? You decide. Stew Leonard's invites you to taste for yourself and form your own opinion.
Andi Berlin, our intrepid food explorer, is here to guide you through the wonders and surprises of the culinary world, one unique dish at a time.
