We’re always happy when we can take a Limited Edition ice cream flavor and turn it into a full time flavor. That’s why were happy to announce two new additions to our pint-sized Stuff’d line-up: Double Dunker and South of the Border. (And no, these aren’t the “secret” flavors Ernie talked about in Wednesday’s blog entry.)

Some of you may already be familiar with our Double Dunker flavor, which made its Limited Edition debut last year and will make another appearance as our June Limited Edition flavor in our full-sized ice cream line-up. Double Dunker is described as Mocha light ice cream swirled with chewy cookie dough and crunchy chocolate cookie swirl.

Our new South of the Border flavor also made an appearance in the 2009 Limited Edition line-up under the name “Fried Ice Cream.” Like Double Dunker, it’s also a 2010 Limited Edition flavor (April). South of the Border is cinnamon light ice cream swirled with cinnamon sopapilla and sweet tostada pieces. Some would say it’s very good, while others might says it’s muy bueno!

Speaking of flavors, the votes are pouring in for the first round of this year’s Ultimate Flavor Tournament. If you haven’t already voted, you can sound off with the polls on the right. Round one will end on Monday and the winners will advance to round two. There are still a few match-ups that are very close, so anything can happen this weekend. We’re keeping a close eye on the Cookies Match-Up between Cookies ‘n Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. That’s a huge first round showdown between two powerhouse flavors and it’s the closest race of all so far!

CAROL M. FROM HALIFAX, PA ASKS: I have a question about new flavors. I heard from a friend that Turkey Hill is making a new flavor of ice cream that will be totally new and different. Is that true? I understand if you can’t tell me about it because it’s a secret, but any information you can provide would be great because I’m a big ice cream fan, especially anything chocolate!

Thanks for your question, Carol. I’m actually surprised that it’s taken this long for rumors about our “secret” new ice cream to find their way to ice cream fans outside the Dairy. (Although I have a sneaking suspicion that the “leak” is a clever tactic cooked up by our marketing department.)

It’s true that we’re working on a new type of frozen treat, but it’s not really a new flavor. It’s more of a new type of ice cream, which will be available in several different flavors. We’ve been working on it for about two years under the internal code name “Nine.” I was initially opposed to using a secretive code name and it took some getting used to, but it’s actually grown on me because I sort of feel like James Bond when I use it.

I can’t really reveal too much about the project until we’re ready to officially announce it later this month, but I can say that this type of ice cream has never been created before and it will redefine the way people enjoy at ice cream. Stay tuned!

Spring is upon us, which means two things: warmer weather and the start of the Turkey Hill Ultimate Flavor Tournament.

Now in its third year, the Ultimate Flavor Tournament is a six-week showdown to determine the best Turkey Hill ice cream flavor of them all, and it’s all based on your votes. In 2008, Vanilla Bean emerged as the victor. Last year, Vanilla Bean made it to the final round, but was upset by Light Recipe Moose Tracks, which took the title and claimed a victory for the entire Light Recipe line-up.

Here’s how it works: Each week will feature a different series of one-on-one match-ups, all voted on by you (see the polls on the right). We’ll start with 32 flavors (the “Thrilling 32”), or 16 head-to-head contests, with the winner of each contest advancing to the next round, until only two flavors remain standing. The winner of that final showdown will be declared the Ultimate Flavor Tournament champion.

Of course, there will also be prizes. At the end of the tournament, we’ll give away a one-year supply of Turkey Hill ice cream to one commenter chosen at random from all the comments left during the tournament. We’ll also choose 10 of our favorite comments during the tournament to receive some free ice cream.

As always, Turkey Hill’s “Einstein of Ice Cream,” Ernie Pinckney, will offer predictions and expert commentary on each of the upcoming week’s match-ups, starting with the Thrilling 32 of round one below. Check back each Monday for the new match-ups, and may the best flavor win!

THE COCO-NUTTY MATCH-UP – Light Recipe Coconut Almond Fudge vs. Dynamic Duos CocoNutz!

“Coconut is an unpredictable flavor, so there’s no telling what might happen in this match-up, but based on Light Recipe’s showing in last year’s contest, I have to give a slight edge to Coconut Almond Fudge.”

THE ONE-WORD NAME MATCH-UP – Neapolitan vs. Coffee (All Natural)

“Coffee is one thing I can’t do without in the morning, but I’m not sure if it packs the same punch here against an all time classic like Neapolitan.”

THE PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS MATCH-UP – Peanut Butter Ripple vs. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

“One thing I’ve learned during my ice cream making career is that peanut butter lovers are a very vocal bunch. I expect this to be a heated showdown and too close to call.”

THE TROPICAL FLAVORS MATCH-UP – Mango Duetto vs. Banana Split

“Ahh, the tropics. Many of us wish we were there right now, but we’ll settle for a taste of the tropics instead. I’m calling this race in favor of Mango Duetto, but that’s just a hunch.”

THE COOKIES MATCH-UP – Cookies ‘n Cream vs. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

“Wow, this is an impressive first round match-up. Both of these flavors are strong enough to make it into the final eight, but one of them will be eliminated in the first week. I’m just going to sit back with a bowl of each and let the votes decide this one!”

THE BASEBALL MATCH-UP – Phillies Graham Slam vs. Yankees Pinstripe Brownie Blast

“I’m very interested in seeing the results of this showdown. It really comes down to which team’s fans can get to the Ice Cream Journal and vote!”

THE NOT-QUITE-ICE-CREAM FROZEN YOGURT MATCH-UP – Honey Vanilla Granola Frozen Yogurt vs. Chocolate Marshmallow Frozen Yogurt

“Frozen yogurt is often forgotten in the frozen dessert battle because it’s not technically an ice cream, but I’m a big fan, so I definitely think it deserves a spot in this tournament. I’m predicting a come-from-behind win by Honey Vanilla Granola here.”

THE DUETTO MATCH-UP – Cherry Duetto vs. Root Beer Duetto

“I think this is the year for Duetto to make it far in this tournament. I don’t think it can win the whole thing, but it can be a contender. Look for Root Beer to eek out a win here.”

THE PINT-SIZED STUFF’D MATCH-UP – Tastykake Chocolate Cupcake vs. South of the Border

“Both of these flavors are great, but this looks like an easy win for Tastykake Chocolate Cupcake. But don’t take my word for it… register a vote and see what happens!”

THE LIGHT RECIPE MATCH-UP – Light Recipe Extreme Cookies ‘n Cream vs. Light Recipe Strawberry Cheesecake

“I know, there’s a Cookies ‘n Cream flavor in the Cookies Match-up, but this is EXTREME Cookies ‘n Cream, which means it’s made with chocolate ice cream and packs a little extra punch than its vanilla-based cousin. Everyone knows I’m an Extreme Cookies ‘n Cream fanatic, so it’s no surprise who I’m picking to win this one.”

THE CREAM MATCH-UP – Strawberries ‘n Cream vs. Orange Cream Swirl

“Gotta go with Orange Cream Swirl here, but that’s just a personal preference. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Strawberries ‘n Cream win, though. Decisions, decisions!”

THE FRUITY MATCH-UP – All Natural Cherry Vanilla vs. Black Raspberry

“People forget that fruit was one of the first inclusions added to the earliest ice cream recipes, which is what makes this match-up one of the most underrated in the bunch. I expect both flavors to fight it out to the very end, with Cherry Vanilla taking this one by a stem.”

THE HOLIDAY FLAVORS MATCH-UP – Egg Nog vs. Ginger Snap

“Ginger Snap is a relatively new holiday flavor in the Turkey Hill line-up, but people really seem to enjoy it. Still, nothing says yuletide cheer like egg nog, which is why I think this flavor is going to skate by with an easy victory.”

THE LIMITED EDITION PARTNERSHIPS MATCH-UP – Gertrude Hawk Box of Chocolates (January) vs. YORK Peppermint Pattie (August)

“I know, I know. YORK Peppermint Pattie is a brand new flavor and no one has even tried it yet since it won’t be out till August, but I think the candy’s reputation speaks volumes for the power of this flavor. Gertrude Hawk also packs a punch, though, which makes the winner of this match-up hard to predict.”

THE FLAVORS WITH TWO WORDS THAT BOTH START WITH “R” MATCH-UP – Rum Raisin vs. Rocky Road

“Rum Raisin used to be a holiday flavor, but it was so popular that we started making it year-round. Can its popularity help it get past Rocky Road? Maybe, but I’m guessing Rocky Road will win this one.”

THE MINTY MATCH-UP – Choco Mint Chip vs. Light Recipe Skinny Minty

“This one is truly a coin toss. I’ve looked at this match-up from every possible angle and I still can’t come up with a winner. I’ve even eaten bowls of both flavors and I still have no idea. Maybe I should go back for another taste of each.”

If you’re going to get hit in the face with something, being hit with an ice cream cake isn’t all that bad.

That’s exactly what happened to an ice cream shop manager in Rochester, NY earlier this year when a disgruntled employee waited until his last day on the job to take out his frustrations on his soon-to-be former boss. According to one article about the incident, “the manager went to pick up a ringing phone, no one was on the other line, and when he turned around he unexpectedly found himself face-to-face with an 80-ounce sheet of (ice cream) cake.”

The attacker is free on $1,000 bail with a trial set for April. He’s also forbidden to enter the ice cream shop ever again. If they banned him from ALL ice cream shops, that might be a suitable punishment for this senseless crime. And that’s not taking into account what should happen to him for wasting a perfectly good ice cream cake.

March means spring and warmer weather approaching, but it also means the start of Turkey Hill’s annual Ultimate Flavor Tournament held right here on the Ice Cream Journal starting next Monday.

The Ultimate Flavor Tournament is a weekly contest that pits one ice cream flavor against another and your votes will determine the winner. The first week (starting on Monday) will feature 16 match-ups (32 total flavors). The 16 winners will face off the next week, which will be whittled down to eight flavors the week after and so on. The contest will culminate in the middle of April with two flavors going head-to-head for the title of Turkey Hill’s Ultimate Flavor.

In 2008, Vanilla Bean swept through the tournament with ease to win the title, but was stopped in the final round the next year by our 2009 champ, Light Recipe Moose Tracks. Both former champs are sitting out this year to give other flavors a chance at the title (we’ll stop short of saying that the previous winners are serving as “coaches” this year because that would be taking the sports theme a little too far).  Who will reign supreme as 2010’s Ultimate Flavor? Your votes will help to answer those questions and your comments could land you some sweet prizes. More on that in Monday’s blog entry!

By the end of the month, spring will have officially sprung, so we thought we’d choose a colorfully appropriate product to give away as this month’s prize, and we think we accomplished that with the pastel-hued bowls featured here. The bowls are porcelain and one commenter chosen at random from all the comments left on the blog this month will receive a set of four! Good luck!

Legend has it there’s a place in Annapolis, Maryland called Chick & Ruth’s Deli that offers a towering six pound milkshake. If you finish the $17 behemoth, you get your photo taken and placed on the deli’s website. Many have attempted the challenge, some with a little help from a friend, but most have failed.

Pictured above is a gentleman who not only completed the milkshake in the photo, he tackled the deli’s “Man vs. Food Challenge” by also downing a one pound cheeseburger (that’s it on the table in front of him) in under an hour! Knowing that the Ice Cream Journal has some of the biggest ice cream fans in the world as its readers, we were curious to know how many of you think you could tackle Chick and Ruth’s jumbo shake. The burger, of course, is optional!

If you’re going to have a nearly empty freezer, it’s probably best to keep your priorities in mind by stocking a little Turkey Hill ice cream like the person below. The only question is, if you’re only stocking one flavor, which one do you choose?

Thanks to hestopshethinks over on Flickr for this thought-provoking photo!

It’s well known that sports are important to Turkey Hill Dairy, and for good reason. They’re fun, exciting, and they inspire kids to get outdoors and play! Sports also help bring people together, whether you’re a participant or just a spectator.

Those are just a few of the reasons we’re proud to announce that Turkey Hill Dairy is an official sponsor of the newest Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union.

As part of our sponsorship, Turkey Hill will be the team’s official ice cream, iced tea and lemonade. The Union will play their first game on March 25 in Seattle and their first home game on April 10 against four-time Major League Soccer champions, D.C. United. The team will play their home games at the newly built 18,500 seat Union Field, where Turkey Hill products will be sold.

Although we’re already a sponsor of professional baseball and football teams, to be a sponsor of a professional soccer team is a special honor because soccer is such a popular sport among today’s youth. Along those lines, Turkey Hill’s partnership with the Philadelphia Union will allow us to be a part of the team’s “Grassroots Soccer Tour” and have our giant Turkey Hill cow travel to the youth soccer fields all across the region.

If you live in the Philadelphia area and you’re not already a soccer fan, now might be a good time to start, especially when you see what the team’s new stadium will look like in the picture below!

From the comments on our last entry, it doesn’t sound like too many people would be willing to indulge in some lobster ice cream. We’ll make a note of that for our future flavor development meetings, but hopefully you’ll enjoy our two new Light Recipe flavors: Coconut Almond Fudge and Bavarian Espresso. And before you scoff at the idea of enjoying a “light” ice cream, we should tell you that in a blind taste test, you’d be hard pressed to taste the difference between a Light Recipe flavor and a regular flavor. And keep in mind, a Light Recipe flavor (Light Recipe Moose Tracks) WON last year’s Ultimate Flavor Tournament here on the Ice Cream Journal!

LIGHT RECIPE COCONUT ALMOND FUDGE

Coconut is an extremely popular flavor in the frozen desserts market right now, and this flavor delivers on that popularity with a mildly flavored coconut ice cream that doesn’t overwhelm the swirled fudge and roasted almonds.

LIGHT RECIPE BAVARIAN ESPRESSO

This flavor is described as Bavarian cream-flavored light ice cream swirled with mocha fudge and espresso chunks. If espresso is the ultimate pick-me-up in the morning, this ice cream just might be the ultimate indulgence later that night!