Van Leeuwen Ice Cream usually draws customers with gourmet takes on classics like vanilla and pistachio. But occasionally, the parlor chain and manufacturer headquartered in New York slips in what it calls a 'shock flavor,' like Hidden Valley Ranch or pizza. Kraft Heinz approached New York-based artisanal ice cream maker Van Leeuwen a few years ago about macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream.
Van Leeuwen's Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ice cream came out to rave reviews in 2021 and was re-released for a short time last fall. ICE CREAM QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THESE SWEET FACTS ABOUT THE POPULAR DESSERT? 'We will only do a shock flavor if we can make it good and distinct. We will not do a shock flavor where it’s just shock in name but taste like vanilla,' Van Leeuwen said.