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Dessert Wars: The Largest Dessert Festival In America Coming To North Carolina

Author Jeff Gorra

Things are about to get real sweet in Charlotte. That’s because the largest dessert festival in America is coming to North Carolina this month.

Dessert Wars

On August 26, desserts of every kind will be on display at the Park Expo Center in Charlotte. “This is your chance to sample over 50 local dessert vendors that you might not know about. Whether you prefer cookies, ice cream or donuts, our vendors sample their best and compete to be Dessert Wars Champion,” Dessert Wars explains on their website.

What To Expect

Whether you bake cakes, cookies, or some mash-up of both, dessert makers from the local market will be on display to showcase their treats. In fact, there is still time for potential vendors to submit an application. Once you are selected, you will be onsite at the Fairgrounds baking up a storm. This year, there are expected to be over 50 different vendors participating.

Visitor and ticketholders then get the opportunity to vote for the best dessert in town. By a combination of public vote and judges vote, three winners will then make it to the Dessert Wars national championship. This will be held on December 2, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. This tour also makes stops in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Las Vegas, Palm Beach, Tampa, and Las Vegas.

The categories so far are: cupcakes, donuts, ice cream, cookies, and miscellaneous.

Additional Event Information:

Dessert Wars Charlotte will take place at the Park Expo Center on August 26, 2023 from 3 PM – 7 PM.

For tickets more info, go to www.dessert-wars.com. You must purchase a ticket to enter, and tickets will not be sold at the door.

There is no extra charge for desserts upon entry. VIP tickets include 50 sample tickets, a “go-box” and entry beginning at 3 PM. General Admission tickets include 30 sample tickets, a “go-box” and entry beginning at 4 PM.

Schedule

VIP doors open at 3 PM.

General Admission doors open at 4 PM.

Voting for People’s Choice Champion ends at 6 PM.

Trophy Ceremonies begin at 6:30 PM.

If you would like to see which vendors are participating, you can do so here.

10 Wild Ice Cream Flavors to Try This Season

Summer is officially ice cream season, and July is National Ice Cream Month. Actually, every season is ice cream season, if you ask me. I seriously enjoy scoops of my favorite ice cream whether it’s 90 degrees outside or freezing cold. When it comes to ice cream flavors, it’s hard to beat the classics. Vanilla, chocolate, chocolate-chip and mint chocolate-chip are always favorites. But, why not switch it up and try some really wild ice cream flavors?

As a graduate of Michigan State University, I’ve tried many random ice cream flavors at the MSU Dairy Store. MSU is an agricultural college, so it’s known for the Dairy Store and having delicious ice cream. Honey Lavender and Spartan Swirl come to mind. But, enough about MSU. You don’t have to come to Michigan to get some unique ice cream flavors.

Read on for 10 wild ice cream flavors that you need to try. These flavors are all from major ice cream makers, so they should be fairly easy to find, no matter where you’re located. I’ve also included some non-dairy and gluten-free ice cream options for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. I’m not vegan, but my favorite ice cream currently is actually non-dairy. Hopefully, there’s enough variety on this list for you to find your new favorite ice cream flavor.

It’s worth noting that some of these ice cream flavors are seasonal and only available in the summer. That said, the majority of the flavors below are currently available year-round.

  • Haagen-Dazs - Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream

    I’ve definitely never heard of “Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream.” What is a summer berry cake pop? Regardless, it sounds great. “We swirl velvety strawberry ice cream with sweet cream ice cream, add perfect, fluffy cake pieces and then finish with a tangy raspberry sauce,” they describe on their website.

    Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream | Häagen-Dazs®

    Häagen-Dazs® Summer Berry Cake Pop Ice Cream is crafted with the finest ingredients to satisfy your taste buds! Learn more about our City Sweets ice cream flavors.

  • Breyers - Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie

    Breyers’ “Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie” is a special treat, bringing you that feeling of having a piece of apple pie with ice cream on top. “We start with smooth Breyers® and stir in real apples between two layers of caramel with pie crust pieces. The experience of caramel apple pie topped with Breyers, all in one scoop!” Breyers states on their website.

    Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie

    Our Breyers® Layered Dessert Caramel Apple Pie is a layer of vanilla with real apples between two layers of caramel with pie crust pieces. The experience of caramel apple pie topped with Breyers, all in one scoop!

  • Halo Top - Blueberry Crumble

    Halo Top ice cream is diet ice cream, with way less calories than regular ice cream. Their flavors are pretty standard, but they do have one, “Blueberry Crumble,” that’s super unique. I don’t eat diet ice cream, but my friend had me try this one, and it was good. “Swirls of sweet blueberry pie filling and chunks of pie crust, our Blueberry Crumble light ice cream delivers the best of spring with a good source of protein,” Halo Top states on their official website.

    Blueberry Crumble Ice Cream

    Sweet blueberry pie filling,chunks of pie crust, our Blueberry Crumble light ice cream delivers the best with a good source of protein. 330 calories per pint.

  • Baskin-Robbins - Cookie Monster

    When I think of “Cookie Monster” ice cream, I definitely picture something blue, just like the real Cookie Monster. Well, Baskin-Robbins has that flavor of ice cream, and it’s blue. They describe it as “sweet cream ice cream stuffed with chocolate sandwich cookie pieces, chocolate-chip cookie pieces and cookie dough batter flavored swirls.” That sounds delish.

    Baskin-Robbins

    Flavors for everyone, every day, for every occasion. Seize the Yay and order online today.

  • Dreyer's - Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard

    “Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard” is a wild take on your typical brownie-packed ice cream. Dreyer’s describes it as, “A fan favorite re-imagined: our beloved Double Fudge Brownie now with crispy brownie edges​! ​A delicious pairing of brownie pieces and brownie batter swirls is now complete with extra indulgence for the ultimate brownie lover.”

    Triple Fudge Brownie Boulevard Ice Cream | Dreyer's® Rocky Road

    A fan favorite re-imagined: our beloved Double Fudge Brownie now with crispy brownie edges​! ​A delicious pairing of brownie pieces and brownie batter swirls is now complete with extra indulgence for the ultimate brownie lover

  • Blue Bunny - Cherrific Cheesecake

    Blue Bunny keeps their flavors list pretty classic. That said, they do have a few flavors that stand out. One is “Cherrific Cheesecake,” which taste like it sounds. “Cheesecake frozen dairy dessert, cherry and graham swirls,” they describe. It’s like cherry cheesecake, but it’s ice cream.

    Cherrific Cheesecake

    Cheesecake frozen dairy dessert, cherry and graham swirls.

  • Ben & Jerry's - Oatmeal Dream Pie

    “Oatmeal Dream Pie” from Ben & Jerry’s is kind of like those Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream cookies. You know, the soft, tasty, cream-packed oatmeal creams. This is a new flavor from Ben & Jerry’s, and this is the non-dairy version. It uses sunflower milk. It’s also gluten-free. “Our friends at Partake have provided the oh-my-goodness-this-is-gluten-free!? oatmeal cookie you’ll find in this snacktime favorite of a flavor,” they state.

    Oatmeal Dream Pie™ Non-Dairy

    Our friends at Partake have provided the oh-my-goodness-this-is-gluten-free!? oatmeal cookie you'll find in this snacktime favorite of a flavor. Learn their story at partakefoods.com

  • Cold Stone Creamery - Oreo Overload

    Everyone has heard of cookies and cream ice cream. But, Cold Stone Creamery goes one step further and packs its cookies and cream ice cream with a ton of real Oreo cookies, making it stand out. “It’s just like dipping an Oreo in milk. Except, you know, with chocolate chips. And fudge,” they describe. I’m in.

    Oreo® Overload

    It's just like dipping an OREO® in milk. Except, you know, with chocolate chips. And fudge. Whatever - it's amazing!

  • Haagen-Dazs - Black & White Cookie Ice Cream

    Here’s another unique flavor. I’ve definitely had cookies and cream ice cream. But what about “Black & White Cookie Ice Cream?” I’ve never heard of such a thing! Haagen-Dazs describes it as, “Inspired by New York’s classic Black & White cookie, we mixed vanilla bean ice cream with soft cookie pieces and ripples of chocolate frosting. Forget the cookie and grab your spoon.”

    Black & White Cookie Ice Cream | Häagen-Dazs®

    Häagen-Dazs® Black & White Cookie Ice Cream is crafted with the finest ingredients to satisfy your taste buds! Learn more about our City Sweets ice cream flavors.

  • Dairy Queen - Non-Dairy Dilly Bar

    Here’s an option for vegans. Dairy Queen offers a “Non-Dairy Dilly Bar,” which is “gluten free, dairy-free, and plant-based, made with a coconut cream based protein and finished with our delicious crunchy chocolatey coating,” according to their website. So, you can have the fun without the dairy or gluten, which is a good thing for sensitive diets.

    Non-Dairy Dilly® Bar | Dairy Queen® Menu

    Our Non-Dairy Dilly Bar is gluten free, dairy-free, and plant-based, made with a coconut cream based protein and finished with our delicious crunchy chocolatey coating.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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