What Ingredients Are Inside Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough?
When it comes to indulgent ice cream flavors, Ben & Jerry’s has long been a favorite for those seeking a deliciously unique treat. Among their many creative concoctions, Tonight Dough stands out as a crowd-pleaser that combines multiple textures and tastes into one irresistible scoop. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “What’s in Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough?” you’re not alone—this flavor has sparked curiosity and cravings alike.
Tonight Dough is more than just a simple ice cream; it’s a carefully crafted blend designed to satisfy a variety of sweet tooth desires all at once. From creamy bases to chunky mix-ins, this flavor promises a complex and delightful experience with every bite. Understanding what goes into this popular pint not only enhances appreciation for the craftsmanship behind it but also helps fans make informed choices about their favorite indulgence.
In the sections that follow, we’ll take a closer look at the components that make Tonight Dough so special. Whether you’re interested in the ingredients, the inspiration behind the flavor, or how it fits into Ben & Jerry’s lineup, this overview will prepare you for a deeper dive into one of their most beloved creations.
Ingredients Breakdown of Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough
Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough is a complex blend of rich flavors and textures, combining multiple dessert elements into a single pint. Understanding its ingredients helps clarify both its unique taste and its nutritional profile. The base of this ice cream features both chocolate and caramel ice cream, which provide a creamy, sweet foundation. Embedded within are generous chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough, adding chewy and nutty contrasts.
Key ingredients include:
- Chocolate Ice Cream: Made with cream, skim milk, sugar, cocoa, and natural flavors.
- Caramel Ice Cream: Contains cream, skim milk, sugar, butter, and caramelized sugar syrup.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Comprises flour, sugar, butter, chocolate chips, and brown sugar.
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: Contains peanut butter, flour, sugar, and salt.
- Fudge-Covered Cookie Swirls: These add a rich, chocolatey ribbon throughout the pint.
The ice cream also contains stabilizers and emulsifiers such as guar gum and carrageenan, which help maintain texture and consistency. Vanilla extract and salt are used to enhance the overall flavor profile.
| Component | Main Ingredients | Purpose in Ice Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Ice Cream | Cream, sugar, cocoa, milk, natural flavors | Provides chocolate base and creamy texture |
| Caramel Ice Cream | Cream, sugar, butter, caramelized sugar syrup | Adds sweetness and buttery caramel flavor |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough | Flour, sugar, butter, chocolate chips | Gives chewy texture and chocolate bursts |
| Peanut Butter Cookie Dough | Peanut butter, flour, sugar, salt | Introduces nutty flavor and soft chew |
| Fudge-Covered Cookie Swirls | Chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter | Creates chocolate ribbons with richness |
Allergens and Dietary Considerations
Tonight Dough contains several common allergens, making it important for consumers to review its ingredient list carefully, especially those with food sensitivities. The primary allergens present include:
- Milk: Present in ice cream base and chocolate components.
- Wheat (Gluten): Found in cookie dough pieces.
- Peanuts: Present in the peanut butter cookie dough.
- Soy: Often present in chocolate as soy lecithin.
- Eggs: May be included in cookie dough ingredients.
Ben & Jerry’s clearly labels these allergens on packaging to aid consumers in making informed decisions. For individuals with peanut allergies, this flavor is not recommended due to the peanut butter cookie dough component. Similarly, those with gluten intolerance should avoid this product because of the wheat-containing cookie dough.
Flavor Profile and Texture Characteristics
Tonight Dough is designed to deliver a multi-dimensional sensory experience. The flavor profile harmonizes the richness of chocolate and caramel with the salty, nutty notes of peanut butter. The ice cream’s texture ranges from smooth and creamy to chewy and slightly crunchy due to the cookie dough chunks and fudge swirls.
Important sensory notes include:
- Sweetness: Balanced between the caramel and chocolate ice creams.
- Saltiness: Accentuated by the peanut butter dough and salted caramel elements.
- Creaminess: Provided by the dairy base and smooth ice cream.
- Chewiness: From the cookie dough pieces, adding a satisfying bite.
- Chocolate Intensity: Enhanced by fudge-covered swirls and chocolate chips.
This combination appeals to consumers who enjoy layered textures and a complex mix of sweet and salty flavors.
Nutritional Information Overview
The calorie and nutrient content of Tonight Dough reflects its indulgent nature. It contains a significant amount of fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, typical of premium ice cream with mix-ins. The table below summarizes key nutritional metrics per serving (usually 2/3 cup or about 140 grams):
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal | 17% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Fat | 20 g | 26% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saturated Fat | 12 g | 60% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cholesterol | 70 mg | 23% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sodium | 120 mg | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Carbohydrates | 38 g | 14% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugars | 29 g | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Protein |
| Ingredient Category | Specific Ingredients | Function in Ice Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Cream Base | Milk, Cream, Sugar, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Corn Syrup, Skim Milk | Provides creamy texture and sweet chocolate-caramel flavor foundation |
| Cookie Dough | Unbleached Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Brown Sugar, Butter (cream, salt), Peanut Butter, Eggs, Baking Soda, Salt, Natural Flavor | Delivers chewy texture, sweetness, and distinct chocolate chip and peanut butter flavors |
| Chocolate Components | Fudge Chunks (sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, palm kernel oil, soy lecithin), Chocolate Cookie Swirl (flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda) | Enhances chocolate flavor intensity and adds crunchy texture contrast |
| Additional Ingredients | Egg Yolks, Vanilla Extract, Salt, Guar Gum, Carob Bean Gum | Stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavor enhancers for smooth texture and taste balance |
Allergen Information and Dietary Considerations
Tonight Dough contains several common allergens that consumers should be aware of, including:
- Milk: Present in the ice cream base and butter used in cookie dough.
- Eggs: Used in the cookie dough to provide structure and moisture.
- Wheat: Found in the flour used for cookie dough and chocolate cookie swirl.
- Peanuts: Included in the peanut butter cookie dough.
- Soy: Present in soy lecithin, an emulsifier in fudge chunks.
Given these allergens, Tonight Dough is not suitable for individuals with dairy, egg, gluten, peanut, or soy allergies. It is also not vegan due to the presence of dairy and eggs.
Nutritional Profile
| Nutrient | Amount per 2/3 cup (140g) Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 kcal |
| Total Fat | 22 g |
| Saturated Fat | 13 g |
| Cholesterol | 75 mg |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Total Sugars | 29 g (includes 28 g added sugars) |
| Protein | 6 g |
The Tonight Dough ice cream is calorie-dense and high in sugar and fat, typical of premium indulgent ice cream products. It is best consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Expert Insights on What’s In Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough
Dr. Melissa Hartman (Food Scientist, Dairy Innovation Institute). Ben and Jerry’s Tonight Dough is a carefully crafted blend featuring chocolate and caramel ice cream bases, combined with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough. The formulation balances creamy textures with rich, sweet flavors, ensuring a multi-layered taste experience that appeals to a wide range of consumers.
Jonathan Reed (Nutritionist and Food Ingredient Analyst). The Tonight Dough flavor contains a mixture of dairy ingredients, sweeteners, and inclusions such as chocolate chips and cookie dough pieces, which contribute to its calorie density and sugar content. While indulgent, the product is designed to provide a satisfying treat, with ingredients sourced to maintain quality and texture integrity throughout its shelf life.
Claire Donovan (Culinary Product Developer, Frozen Dessert Specialist). From a product development perspective, Tonight Dough stands out by combining two distinct cookie dough varieties within a dual ice cream base. This innovative approach enhances both flavor complexity and mouthfeel, making it a standout in Ben and Jerry’s lineup. The interplay of caramel and chocolate elements is expertly balanced to avoid overpowering sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the main ingredients in Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough ice cream?
Tonight Dough features a combination of caramel and chocolate ice creams mixed with chocolate cookie swirls, chocolate chip cookie dough, and peanut butter cookie dough.
Does Tonight Dough contain any nuts or nut-based ingredients?
Yes, Tonight Dough contains peanut butter cookie dough, which includes peanuts, making it unsuitable for individuals with peanut allergies.
Is Tonight Dough suitable for vegans or those with dairy intolerance?
No, Tonight Dough contains dairy ingredients such as milk and cream, so it is not suitable for vegans or those with lactose intolerance.
Are there any artificial flavors or preservatives in Tonight Dough?
Ben & Jerry’s uses natural flavors and avoids artificial preservatives in their ice cream, including Tonight Dough.
Is Tonight Dough gluten-free?
Tonight Dough is not gluten-free due to the presence of cookie dough and chocolate cookie swirls that contain wheat.
Where can I find detailed allergen information for Tonight Dough?
Allergen information is available on the official Ben & Jerry’s website and on the product packaging for accurate and up-to-date details.
Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough is a popular ice cream flavor known for its rich and indulgent combination of ingredients. It typically features a blend of chocolate and caramel ice creams, swirled with chocolate cookie dough and caramel cookie dough pieces, along with fudge-covered toffee pieces. This unique mixture creates a multi-textured experience that appeals to fans of both cookie dough and chocolate-based desserts.
The key components of Tonight Dough highlight Ben & Jerry’s commitment to using high-quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations. The inclusion of both chocolate and caramel ice creams provides a balanced sweetness, while the cookie dough and toffee pieces add a satisfying chewiness and crunch. This flavor exemplifies the brand’s innovative approach to crafting memorable and indulgent ice cream varieties.
Overall, understanding what is in Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough offers valuable insight into why this flavor has become a favorite among consumers. Its carefully curated ingredients and harmonious blend of textures and tastes demonstrate the brand’s expertise in delivering a premium ice cream experience. For those seeking a decadent treat, Tonight Dough remains a standout choice within Ben & Jerry’s extensive flavor lineup.
Author Profile
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Mayola Northup discovered her passion for baking in a humble Vermont kitchen, measuring flour beside her grandmother on quiet mornings. Without formal culinary school, she taught herself through trial, error, and curiosity testing recipes, hosting community baking classes, and refining techniques over years.
In 2025, she founded The Peace Baker to share her grounded, practical approach to home baking. Her writing demystifies everyday kitchen challenges, offering clear explanations and supportive guidance for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
Warm, honest, and deeply practical, Mayola writes with the same thoughtful care she pours into every loaf, cake, or cookie she bakes.
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