Filmmaker Ava DuVernay makes sweet history as the first Black woman featured on a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Via Merchant
Coming soon to freezers near you is a new flavor from Ben & Jerry’s that we can’t wait to get our hands on: Lights! Caramel! Action!. Made in collaboration with Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay, you’ll be able to find the new flavor in your grocery store beginning in January 2023.
Known for its crazy ice cream flavors, Ben & Jerry’s has previously developed flavors based on celebrities such as Willie Nelson, Elton John and the band Phish (Phish Food ice cream, anyone?). DuVernay is the first Black woman to be featured on the famed Vermont ice cream brand’s pints.
What’s in Ben & Jerry’s Latest Flavor?
Get ready, because this new edition is a delicious flavor combo of salted caramel swirls, graham cracker swirls and gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough, all ingredients that DuVernay personally loves and selected. “Partnering with Ben & Jerry’s, a company that I’ve long admired for their commitment to social justice, has been a thrill ride,” she said.
Lights! Caramel! Action! will be available in both dairy and non-dairy options. The ingredients are also fair-trade certified, non-GMO sourced, certified vegan, and made with almond milk or sunflower butter. And, we’re excited because this isn’t just a limited-time flavor release—Lights! Caramel! Action! will be a full-time addition to Ben & Jerry’s flavor line-up.
What Else to Know About Lights! Caramel! Action!
Proceeds from the ice cream will go to a good cause: DuVernay’s non-profit organization ARRAY Alliance. ARRAY Alliance is dedicated to elevating the work of artists of color, creating more inclusive environments in the entertainment industry, and providing mentorship to underrepresented communities.
“Framing this up as a new flavor for the first Black woman to be a featured partner on our pints doesn’t do Ava justice,” said Matthew McCarthy, Ben & Jerry’s CEO. “We are humbled by this partnership, impressed by her work sharing not only the struggle but the joy in the justice, and we are inspired by her commitment and vision.”
Homemade Ice Cream Recipes You’ll Love
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Sauce
Pumpkin pie is the perfect southern comfort food that everyone has on their table at the holidays, but truthfully, I want those cozy flavors any time of year. This ice cream has just the right balance of spices and no matter when you make it, you’ll find yourself surrounded in the warmth and love that pumpkin pie has to offer. —Angie Forester, Memphis, Tennessee
Dish it out with the best ice cream scoop.
Easy Chocolate Ice Cream
This super simple chocolate ice cream is the perfect treat at a moments notice. It’s also a bonus that most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Make sure you have the best ice cream maker for your style.
Coconut Ice Cream
This coconut ice cream recipe is a refreshing dessert that can cap off a warm summer evening. It has a nice coconut flavor without being too strong. —Tamra Kriedeman, Enderlin, North Dakota
If you like this recipe, then you’ll love these ice cream cookbooks.
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
The next time you need a shortcut, try these artisan ice cream brands.
Best Ever Vanilla Ice Cream
After lots of testing (and tasting), I’ve found that eggs are the key to making a smooth and creamy vanilla custard at home that rivals what you can get at a premium ice cream shop. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Get more tips from Peggy and learn how to make professional ice cream at home.
Rocky Road Ice Cream
My daughters always want to put this rocky road ice cream in cones just like the ice cream shops do. We especially like the marshmallows, chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Sometimes we even add extra chips on top…and whipped cream, too.
-Dale Langford
Atwater, California
Make sure you have these ice cream products and tools on hand.
Kulfi
I grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida
Cutting on carbs? Check out these low-carb ice creams.
Rhubarb Crumble Ice Cream
This rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you’re taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic summertime treat! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Use a waffle cone maker to add another special homemade touch. Check out more unique ice cream flavors.
Mint Chip Ice Cream
We have a milk cow, so homemade ice cream is a regular dessert in our household. This creamy version has a mild mint flavor. — Farrah McGuire, Springdale, Washington
Almond Butter Swirl Ice Cream
Warm weather days require ice cream! However, dealing with dairy intolerances can be tricky. This dairy-free recipe is a favorite at our house, especially with kids! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Best Banana Ice Cream
My son-in-law says this is the best banana ice cream he’s ever had. It’s always requested at family gatherings. —Donna Robbins, Skiatook, Oklahoma
Triple Chocolate Ricotta Ice Cream
You’re going to fall in love with this thick, rich chocolate ricotta ice cream. It has a creamy texture that can’t be beat. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
After sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
London Fog Ice Cream
I took one of my favorite coffee shop beverages and turned it into this elegant London fog ice cream. For a star dessert, serve it with lemon sandwich cookies or in a simple glass rimmed with sugar, lavender and lemon zest. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Raspberry Ice Cream in a Bag
Making homemade ice cream is fun for the whole family, and the fresh raspberry flavor of this treat makes it a perfect summer activity. Kids can shake the bags until the liquid changes to ice cream and then enjoy the reward! —Erin Hoffman, Canby, Minnesota
Toasted Hazelnut and Chocolate Ice Cream
The flavors in this ice cream take me back to European vacations I’ve enjoyed in the past. I am a big hazelnut fan, and who doesn’t like chocolate? I’ve been caught red-handed eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon! —Laura Majchrzak, Hunt Valley, Maryland
Cream Cheese Ice Cream
This is hands-down the best homemade ice cream I’ve ever eaten. It tastes like cheesecake with a refreshing hint of lemon.
Spiced Pumpkin Ice Cream
Ice cream lovers can’t get enough of this creamy, rich ice cream that boasts lots of delish pumpkin flavor. —Molly Badger, Provo, Utah
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
We don’t want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It’s the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
When I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with Paprika & Agave
Pair this rich and creamy ice cream with a cup of hot or iced coffee. It’s mildly sweet with a hint of paprika. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Praline Crunch Ice Cream
If you’re a caramel lover, you’ll want to try Julia Register’s recipe for homemade ice cream topped with pralines and a rich caramel sauce. The Huntersville, North Carolina cook reports that she has used this recipe for ice cream socials at her church. “The homemade caramel sauce goes over well.”
Georgia Peach Ice Cream
My state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice Cream
No matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Blueberry Ice Cream
The wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Old-Time Custard Ice Cream
I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice Cream
This sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries instead of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Rhubarb Ice Cream
You don’t need an ice cream freezer to make this rich refreshing treat. Years ago, we had a big rhubarb patch. A neighbor who knew I loved ice cream shared this recipe with me. —Jan Douglas, Dent, Minnesota
Pink Peppercorn and Sake Ice Cream
There’s plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You’ll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Buttermilk Peach Ice Cream
My mother’s family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Ice Cream
Everyone loves a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, so we decided to make a cool and creamy ice-cream version. We’re thrilled with the result. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Corn Ice Cream
You have to give this novel ice cream a try. It’s actually made with corn, sweetly flavored by vanilla extract and maple syrup. I plan to make this surprising treat every summer.—Diana Burrink, Crete, Illinois
Red Curry-Pandan Ice Cream
The curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Butterfinger Ice Cream
Add Butterfingers to this icy, creamy combination, and you get a no-fail sweet everyone will love. —Tammy Drost, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Chocolate Crunch Ice Cream
Making ice cream goes smoothly when you do prep work in advance. I make the custard ahead and refrigerate it overnight. Plus, I toast the almonds beforehand and separate my add-ins into labeled containers. —Rosalie Peters, Caldwell, Texas
Pumpkin Ice Cream
This recipe really captures the flavor of fall. It’s good with or without the gingersnaps.
