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What’s New in May: Out-Of-Home Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Innovations

  • Sarah McKenzie
  • 2 days ago
  • 10 min read

This month’s global out-of-home ice cream & frozen dessert round-up proves that brands continue to lean heavily into indulgence, nostalgia, and internationally inspired flavor innovation. We’re also seeing continued momentum behind textural experiences, with brands incorporating crunchy pastry elements, cookie crumbles, churro pieces, cereal inclusions, and layered sauces to elevate premium positioning.


Our Pick of the Month goes to Salt & Straw’s Waste Less Series 2026, a collection that transforms surplus and underutilized ingredients into premium ice cream flavors. In a market increasingly shaped by both experiential eating and sustainability conversations, the Waste Less Series demonstrates how purpose-driven innovation can still feel highly premium and trend-forward.


Let’s review some of the other most recent launches globally!



JUMP TO:


Super Mario Galaxy x Baskin-Robbins 31 Collaboration Campaign (Japan)


Japan’s Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream has teamed up with Super Mario Galaxy for a limited-time promotional collaboration campaign celebrating the beloved Nintendo franchise with themed frozen desserts, collectible packaging, and exclusive merchandise.


Launching as part of the brand’s summer campaign lineup, the campaign includes limited-edition sundaes, take-home assortments, and themed cup designs featuring iconic characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi:


  • Cotton Fruit Galaxy Ice Cream: Dark blue cotton candy-flavored ice cream, sky blue salt lychee-flavored sorbet, and white sweet and sour pear-flavored sorbet, topped with Power Star-shaped candy. A single regular size costs 420 yen (USD 2.66).

  • Super Mario Galaxy Double Cup: Two versions of double cups (featuring various Mario characters) are available to hold two customer-chosen ice cream flavors. A regular double costs 760 yen (USD 4.82) and a small double costs 510 yen (USD 3.23).

  • Rosalina Special Double Cup: A special double cup featuring a Rosalina crown pick and a Luma Limited Spoon Charm that can be attached to pencil cases or pouches. A regular double costs 930 yen (USD 5.90) and a small double costs 680 yen (USD 4.31).

  • Super Mario Galaxy Single Sundae: Customer’s choice of ice cream topped with whipped cream, silver dragées, a Luma-designed chocolate, and a Mario pick. The cost is 580 yen (USD 3.68).

  • Super Mario Galaxy Double Sundae: A double sundae featuring whipped cream, a Luma-designed icing biscuit, silver leaf sugar, star-shaped chocolate, and character picks. It also comes with a Luma Limited Fluffy Sleeve made of microfiber material. It costs 1,340 yen (USD 8.50).

  • Sweets Galaxy Set: Eight ice cream-flavor cups in a box, with a Rosalina's Storybook Limited Reusable Bag. A regular costs 3,560 yen (USD 22.58) and a small costs 3,000 yen (USD 19.02).


The purchase of a Super Mario Galaxy Double Cup or a Rosalina Special Double Cup also came with a Grand Star Shine Sticker (limited to 310,000 units nationwide).


The collaboration was rolled out across participating Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream locations in Japan for a limited time from April 1 to May 7. Image Source


Benson Acai Berry Summer Menu Collection (South Korea)

South Korea’s premium ice cream brand Benson has launched four new limited-time acai berry menu items for the 2026 summer season, highlighting antioxidant-rich fruit flavors and wellness-inspired indulgence.


  • Acai Cassis Sorbet (Signature menu item): Acai berries blended with tart cassis and blackberry flavors, finished with large black cherry inclusions. Priced at KRW 5,300 (approximately USD 3.85). It forms the base for the following releases:

  • Acai Berry Sundae: Priced at KRW 6,300 (approximately USD 4.60).

  • Acai Berry & Mango Smoothie: Priced at KRW 7,000 (approximately USD 5.10)

  • Acai Berry Parfait: Priced at KRW 14,000 (approximately USD 10.20)

The parfait is exclusively offered at the Benson Apgujeong Tasting Lounge in Seoul, while the remaining menu items are available at Benson stores across South Korea. The smoothie is not available at select beverage-free locations.


The limited-time summer menu launched on April 29, 2026, and will remain available through August 31, 2026


Häagen-Dazs Dark Cherry Truffle Collection and Updated Sorbet Smoothie Collection (United States)


Häagen-Dazs is celebrating the arrival of warmer weather with its new limited-time Dark Cherry Truffle Collection, available exclusively at Häagen-Dazs Shops across the United States. The indulgent lineup features Dark Cherry Truffle Ice Cream, made with cherry vanilla ice cream swirled with tart cherry ribbons and soft cocoa truffles.

The collection also includes:


  • Dark Cherry Truffle Dazzler Sundae: Layers of Häagen-Dazs Dark Cherry Truffle ice cream, tart cherry preserves, hot fudge, whipped cream, and a premium cocktail cherry from Traverse City Whiskey Co.

  • Dark Cherry Truffle Shake: Signature Häagen-Dazs Dark Cherry Truffle ice cream, blended with milk, topped with whipped cream and the same candied Michigan cherry garnish.


Häagen-Dazs Shops locations nationwide are offering the limited-time collection from April 1 through June 30, 2026. The Dark Cherry Truffle Dazzler Sundae is priced at USD 9.99–12.99 depending on location, and the Dark Cherry Truffle Shake is approximately USD 11.99.


Additionally, the brand recently updated its Sorbet Smoothie Collection to include five new-and-improved non-dairy sorbet smoothies:


  • Aloha Mango Smoothie: Mango sorbet, peaches, and bananas with pineapple juice

  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie: Strawberry sorbet, bananas, and strawberries with cranberry juice

  • Strawberry Mango Smoothie: Mango sorbet, strawberries, and peaches with pineapple juice

  • Wildberry Smoothie: Strawberry sorbet with fresh blueberries and strawberries with cranberry juice

  • Pomegranate Berry Smoothie: Raspberry sorbet and fresh strawberries with pomegranate juice


The collection was available until the end of March.

Image Sources: Here and Here

San Bernardo Churro Ice Cream (United States)


San Bernardo Ice Cream has introduced a new Churro ice cream flavor that recreates the authentic taste of a freshly made churro in a super-premium frozen dessert.


Unlike many churro-inspired ice creams that lean on snickerdoodle or sugar cookie flavor profiles, the brand developed this release with rich cinnamon-molasses ice cream layered with cinnamon streusel variegate, real churro pieces, and a sweet swirl inspired by warm cinnamon roll frosting. According to owner Jonathan Tammara, the indulgent new flavor delivers “warm cinnamon spice, sweet molasses notes, and crunchy churro pieces in every scoop,” creating a nostalgic churro experience in a creamy scoopable format.


The Churro flavor is being promoted as part of San Bernardo Ice Cream’s spring lineup. Packaging formats, pricing, and broader foodservice availability weren’t available at the time of publication.


Salt & Straw Waste Less Series and Cereal-sly Delicious 2026 Collections (United States)


U.S.-based Salt & Straw has unveiled its 2026 Waste Less Series, an annual limited-edition ice cream collection focused on sustainability and food waste reduction through creative ingredient repurposing. This year’s collection includes the following inventive flavors:


  • Chocolate Date Tiramisu Stracciatella: A coffee-forward base sweetened with dates and layered with espresso-soaked chocolate cake, created in partnership with Atomo Coffee

  • Cherry Red Velvet Cheesecake: A red velvet cream cheese frozen yogurt featuring cherry marmalade and cheesecake crumbles, developed with Hello! I’m Ugly

  • Chocolate Malted Potato Chip Cupcake: Malted barley milk ice cream combined with glazed cupcakes and chocolate-dipped potato chips, in collaboration with Uglies Kettle Chips and EverGrain

  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Pound Cake: Salted sweet cream featuring blueberry jam and peanut butter crumble, made alongside Urban Gleaners

  • Rum Raisin Bundt Cake (Vegan): A toasted coconut rum base with rum-soaked cake chunks and Cabernet raisins, produced with Renewal Mill


The Waste Less Series is available throughout June 2026 at Salt & Straw scoop shops across the United States, as well as through the brand’s online nationwide shipping platform.


Scoop prices vary by market, with single scoops generally retailing from approximately USD 5.95–7.95. Take-home pints in 16 oz (473 ml) are priced at USD 15.00 each, depending on location and shipping configuration.


The nationwide chain also had a nostalgic, cereal-inspired lineup for March 2026 The limited-time collection transformed the iconic cereals into a series of premium ice cream creations:

  • Pots of Gold and Rainbows: Toasted cereal-infused ice cream packed with colorful rainbow marshmallows, created as a festive nod to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

  • Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats: Salted vanilla ice cream blended with crunchy Rice Krispies marshmallow florentine pieces

  • Peanut Butter Brownie Cereal Puffs: Milk chocolate ice cream swirled with peanut butter and loaded with double-baked peanut butter brownie puffs coated in Reese’s candy

  • Concord Grape Nut Crumble (NEW): Concord grape frozen yogurt layered with creamy Grape Nut pudding and finished with a toasted pecan and Grape Nut crumble for added crunch and nuttiness

  • Captain’s Berried Treasure (NEW) (v): Dairy-free coconut and oat milk ice cream steeped with cereal flavors and swirled with housemade “crunch berries,” featuring vibrant pink and purple cookie puffs crafted from freeze-dried strawberries and blackberries


Customers purchasing a Cereal-sly Delicious Series flavor could also request a complimentary Pots of Gold and Rainbows sticker while supplies lasted.

Image Source: Here and Here


Handel’s Knot Your Average Dough Ice Cream (United States)


U.S.-based Handel's Homemade Ice Cream has brought back its fan-favorite Knot Your Average Dough flavor for a permanent addition to its lineup as of March 2026. The return follows strong consumer demand for the flavor.


The indulgent flavor features cookie–dough–flavored ice cream, ribbons of salted pretzel ripple, and generous chunks of cookie dough.


Consumers can purchase the flavor in cups, cones, and 16 fl oz (473 ml) take-home pint formats. Pricing varies by market, though single scoops generally retail between USD 5.00 and USD 7.00, while pints are typically priced around USD 8.00–10.00


KING’S HAWAIIAN x Van Leeuwen Ube Coconut Ice Cream Collection (United States)


KING'S HAWAIIAN and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream have partnered on a limited-edition Ube Coconut ice cream collaboration celebrating the nationwide launch of KING’S HAWAIIAN’s new Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls. The partnership introduces a custom Ube Coconut ice cream flavor alongside an exclusive Ube Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich, combining island-inspired flavors with Van Leeuwen’s premium French-style ice cream.


The collaboration features creamy ube coconut ice cream layered between KING’S HAWAIIAN’s soft Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls, which are made with real ube and coconut milk. The dessert delivers sweet, vanilla-like ube notes, paired with coconut flavor and a fluffy bread texture for a unique multisensory ice cream sandwich experience. The launch follows strong consumer demand after the sweet rolls’ successful limited-time debut in 2025.


The limited-edition Ube Coconut Ice Cream and Ice Cream Sandwich launched on April 29, 2026, and were available while supplies lasted at select Van Leeuwen scoop shop locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.


The special edition sandwich costs USD 8.00.


Returning Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Collection and New Banana Dulce de Leche Flavor From Baskin-Robbins (United States)


Baskin-Robbins has brought back its limited-time Dubai Chocolate-inspired lineup! Inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate trend, the returning collection blends rich chocolate and pistachio with crispy pastry textures into a premium frozen dessert experience:


  • Pistachio Chocolate Bar Ice Cream: Rich pistachio and chocolate ice creams packed with pistachio pieces and chocolate crunch swirls

  • Dubai Chocolate Sundae: Three scoops of Pistachio Chocolate Bar Ice Cream topped with hot fudge and crispy kadayif pastry, then finished with whipped cream, pistachio sauce, fudge drizzle, and additional kadayif

  • Dubai Chocolate Shake: A thick and creamy shake blended with Pistachio Chocolate Bar Ice Cream and pistachio sauce, then topped with whipped cream, pistachio sauce, crunchy kadayif, and a side garnish of fudge drizzle

  • Dubai Chocolate Inspired Cake in a Box (NEW): A layered dessert featuring chocolate cake, fudge, pistachio and kadayif mix, Pistachio Chocolate Bar Ice Cream, whipped frosting, chopped almonds, pistachio sauce, and fudge drizzle, packaged in a convenient resealable box format


The Dubai Chocolate-inspired collection is available for a limited time throughout April and May 2026 at participating Baskin-Robbins locations across the United States. Pricing varies by market: the Dubai Chocolate Sundae retails at approximately USD 8.99–10.99, the Dubai Chocolate Shake at approximately USD 7.99–9.99, and the new Cake in a Box format at approximately USD 32.99–39.99, depending on size and location.


Baskin-Robbins has also introduced a new limited-time Banana Dulce de Leche flavor to its seasonal ice cream lineup. The indulgent new flavor takes inspiration from banoffee pie, the classic British dessert known for its combination of bananas, toffee, and cream. The ice cream blends banana custard with brown butter-flavored ice cream, rich dulce de leche swirls, and crunchy toffee pieces for a decadent, dessert-inspired experience.


The Banana Dulce de Leche flavor was available in March at participating locations.

Image Sources: Here and Here

Jeni’s Spring 2026 Ice Cream Collection (United States)


U.S.-based Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has unveiled its Spring 2026 limited-edition collection, introducing a lineup of bright, dessert-inspired flavors. The featured launches include:


  • Key Lime Pie: A key lime pie-inspired ice cream with a tart and creamy lime-flavored base with swirls of graham cracker

  • Basque Cheesecake with Brambleberry Jam: Cheesecake-inspired ice cream with caramelized burnt-sugar notes, layered with sweet-tart brambleberry jam for a rich, slightly tangy flavor profile

  • Black Tie Tiramisu: A blend of mocha and mascarpone ice creams mixed with ladyfinger cookie pieces and ribbons of chocolate, inspired by the classic Italian dessert


The new flavors were available for a limited time starting March 26, both in scoop shops and online.


Stewart’s Shops Summer 2026 Ice Cream Collection (United States)


Stewart's Shops has launched seven limited-edition ice cream flavors for Summer 2026 across its ice cream counters in the northeastern United States. The seasonal collection features five new flavors alongside two returning fan favorites:


New Additions:

  • Philly Espresso: Philly vanilla ice cream with espresso swirls and espresso chocolate flakes

  • After Dinner Mint: Peppermint ice cream with fudge swirls and chocolate mint pieces

  • Peanut Butter Brownie Bonanza: Chocolate butter fudge ice cream, peanut butter swirls, and brownie pieces

  • Caramel Cookie Dough: Vanilla ice cream blended with salted caramel swirls and cookie dough pieces

  • Sunshine Swirl: Vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet swirls


Returning Flavors:

  • Dirt Cake: Vanilla pudding-flavored ice cream with cookie crumb swirls and brownie pieces

  • Strawberry Shortcake: Vanilla pudding-flavored ice cream, strawberry swirls, and strawberry shortcake crumble inclusions


The seasonal flavors launched progressively beginning March 23, 2026, with additional flavors rolling out through April 20, 2026.


The collection is available at Stewart’s Shops cone counters across New York and surrounding northeastern markets in scoop shop formats, including cones, sundaes, milkshakes, and hand-packed pints.


Pricing varies by format and location, with single scoops generally retailing around USD 2.00–5.00 and hand-packed pints priced approximately USD 6.00–8.00.


NOTE: The world of ice cream and frozen desserts moves fast. While we do our best to keep everything current, product details, pricing, and availability can change after publication. For the latest information, we recommend checking directly with the brand or retailer.



Want to be featured in our next ice cream and frozen dessert round-up? Email Andrea Montreuil from Innodelice with more details!

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ABOUT INNODELICE

Founded by former executives in the ice cream industry, INNODELICE aims to create a worldwide ecosystem of solutions within the frozen dessert industry. Thanks to the relationships fostered by INNODELICE, manufacturers, brands, importers, distributors, and suppliers can discover, buy, and sell solutions to grow their businesses. These solutions include co-manufactured and branded products and innovative and competitive ingredients, packaging, and services. Our collaboration model generates lower costs and fewer risks for our participating partners while optimizing their time to market. To learn more about INNODELICE, contact Andrea Montreuil or visit www.innodelice.com.

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