Ice cream summer 2024: the challenge of brands continues, rethinking the classics

Among the “sweeter” reasons for which summer 2024 will be remembered, we must certainly include the arrival on the scene of the great classics of the confectionery sector, offered in ice cream versions …

Ice cream summer 2024: the challenge of brands continues, rethinking the classics


Among the “sweeter” reasons for which summer 2024 will be remembered, we must certainly include the arrival on the scene of the great classics of the confectionery sector, offered in ice cream versions for bars and large-scale distribution: from Gocciole to Pavesini, to Panettone and Pandoro, to Nutella. We had already given some previews but, in light of recent developments, we believe an update on what we will be able to find, especially in supermarkets, between now and the end of this bizarre summer season is absolutely necessary.

Nutella Ice Cream & Co.

Many people, especially Nutella addicts, will have wondered why Ferrero hadn’t thought of it before, also considering that a good part of the artisanal ice cream shops have been making their own version in the form of a variegated sauce for some time. In the end, however, it arrived: Nutella Ice Cream, a 230-gram ice cream tub (which resembles the shape of the glasses in which it was sold in the 70s) made up of hazelnut and cocoa ice cream, alternating with layers of the iconic spreadable cream, which “seals” the upper part. Recommended price for large-scale distribution, 4.99 euros per tub.

This new product joins other versions of classics from the Alba company, such as Kinder ice cream (pack of 4 x 38 g, €3.79), the “spring-summer” version of the well-known bar, as is the case for Bueno (pack of 4 x 62, approx. €3.79), Pocket Coffee gelato (pack of 4 x 41 g, approx. €3.59, also in a mocha version), Rocher (pack of 3 x 46 g, €3.99), and Raffaello (pack of 4 x 47 g, €3.59), available in different variants.
Leo: even the pads are “cooling down”
If chocolates “land” in our freezers in the form of ice cream, why deprive sweets of this possibility? Leone 1857, a famous company in the sector, has accepted the summer challenge and offers four flavors of ice cream, gluten free, made in collaboration with Cascina Biraga, which uses milk from a short and controlled supply chain. These are Violetta, inspired by the aroma of the famous Leone pastilles, mixed with fiordilatte, Stracciatella, with Leone raw chocolate (cocoa, vanilla and cane sugar), Leone Raw Chocolate and Sorbetto Spritz, a fresh and lactose-free flavor. Available in three formats: 90 gram single portion, with 100% recyclable paper packaging, 2.49 euros; 180 gram bi-pack, 3.99 euros; 320 gram pint, 5.49 euros.

Sammontana does the “Bis!” and focuses on mango

A variation on the evergreen biscuit theme, Bis! is offered with chocolate and red velvet crumble, that is, vanilla-flavoured ice cream with chocolate and black cherries, black cherry variegation and topping, as well as in the Croccantino and Pistachio versions. Pack of 4 pieces, 200 g, approximately 4.29 euros. For those who want to orient themselves towards more exotic flavours, Gruvì mango ramingo could be the right ice cream: yogurt, mango sorbet, mango topping with mango grains. Pack of 4 x 60 g, approximately 4.99 euros.

Loaker: the wafer becomes a biscuit (ice cream)

But in addition to producing ice cream for its own brand, Sammontana also makes it for other prestigious brands: from the Empoli company comes the Biscotto Loaker, in the classic Napolitaner version, (hazelnut and cocoa wrapped in variegation and enclosed between two biscuits) which takes its name from the famous wafers, and Latte alpino (combined with fresh cream and enclosed between two biscuits). For both flavors, the 4 x 66 gr pack costs approximately 4.89 euros.

Kit Kat, when the snack becomes a cone (and not only)

From the Froneri group comes the ice cream version of a very famous snack, Nestlé Kit Kat, in the vanilla ice cream and cocoa ice cream variants, or just cocoa, all with the unmistakable wafer covered in milk chocolate in the

half. Pack of 4 X 63.3 gr, from 4.49 euros. For the hardest to please, there is also the 321 gr basket, with vanilla ice cream with cocoa swirl and biscuit crumbs covered in milk chocolate, approximately 3.97 euros.