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Two California icons, one scoop
There are collaborations—and then there are California collaborations. When Santa Barbara–based McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams announced a partnership with See’s Candies, the beloved chocolate company founded in 1921, it immediately felt like a match made in dessert heaven.
Together, they’ve created three limited-edition ice cream flavors, each blending McConnell’s ultra-creamy, house-made base with See’s signature sweets. On paper, it sounded like the ultimate nostalgic sundae moment. With over 175 combined years of confectionery tradition behind them, this wasn’t just another seasonal flavor drop—it was a meeting of two California classics.
And because I’m someone who lives for both chocolate and ice cream, I knew I had to try all three. This is how I’d rank the lineup, with the final pick earning top spot as my ultimate favorite.
Third place: PB&J with Peanut Butter Patties
According to McConnell’s, this flavor is “creamy peanut butter meets house-made raspberry jam in this nostalgic, nutty-sweet throwback.” They nailed it! The peanut butter base is rich and bold without tipping into sweetness overload, while ribbons of tart raspberry jam run through every scoop, delivering that timeless PB&J comfort in ice cream form.
And yet, this one ended up in third place for me simply because peanut butter ice cream isn’t usually my go-to. The peanut butter flavor here is bold and front-and-center, and while the raspberry swirl was a delightful surprise (I love that they went with raspberry instead of strawberry), it leaned a little heavier than what I typically reach for.
That said, peanut butter devotees will likely fall head over heels for this pint. The quality is undeniable—the texture is silky, the swirl generous, and the balance well-considered. It just wasn’t destined to be my personal favorite.
Second place: Brown Sugar with Milk Bordeaux
This flavor takes inspiration from one of See’s most popular chocolates, the Milk Bordeaux. McConnell’s version features a buttery brown sugar ice cream dotted with milk chocolate sprinkles, all designed to echo the fan-favorite candy.
This one felt like the sleeper hit of the lineup. See’s Bordeaux is already a fan favorite—a melt-in-your-mouth brown sugar–buttercream center coated in chocolate—so turning it into an ice cream flavor just makes sense. McConnell’s translated that classic perfectly: the ice cream has this deep, brown sugar sweetness that tastes warm and nostalgic, while the chocolate sprinkles scattered throughout add both crunch and a little sundae-shop fun.
It’s got that “sneaks up on you” quality too—simple at first bite, but then you find yourself going back again and again. Before I knew it, I was scraping the bottom of the pint.
First place: Strawberry with Strawberry Creams
Now for the flavor that absolutely blew me away: Strawberry with Strawberry Creams. McConnell’s describes it as “a dreamy swirl of strawberry ice cream, chocolate ganache, and See’s iconic chocolate-covered strawberry creams.” And let me tell you—that dreamy swirl is no exaggeration.
The strawberry ice cream alone could have carried this pint. It was vibrant, fruity, and natural-tasting, without that artificial candy-like sweetness you sometimes get in strawberry flavors. Add in the mix-ins, and things reached another level entirely.
First, there were chunks of See’s chocolate-covered strawberry creams, which added a chewy, chocolatey punch in every bite. Then came the ganache swirl—as decadent as a ribbon of fudge sauce poured straight from a sundae fountain. Together, it was a perfect balance of fruit, chocolate, and cream.
This pint didn’t just win—it ran away with the competition. My whole family agreed it was the standout, but my dad put it best: he called it “the best ice cream he’s ever had in his life.” Considering the man has eaten his fair share of desserts, that’s no small statement. For me, it was an easy 100 out of 10.
Why this collaboration matters
Part of what makes this partnership so special is how seamlessly both brands’ strengths come through. McConnell’s brings its from-scratch ice cream, made with Central Coast milk and cream, known for its dense, slow-melting texture. See’s brings its iconic candies—beloved for generations—folded right into the mix.
Each flavor feels nostalgic without being predictable. The PB&J taps into childhood lunchbox memories. The Brown Sugar with Milk Bordeaux channels the comfort of homemade sweets. And the Strawberry with Strawberry Creams reinvents the chocolate-dipped fruit experience in frozen form.
Grab them while you can
So, are these flavors worth the hype? Absolutely, yes. Even the pint I ranked lowest was still high-quality, inventive, and enjoyable—it just came down to personal preference. And that’s the beauty of a collaboration like this: there’s something for every palate.
Like most collaborations, these flavors are limited-edition. They may not stick around forever. If you happen to spot them in your local grocery freezer—or better yet, at a McConnell’s scoop shop—don’t hesitate. Grab them while you can. You just might discover your new favorite pint, too.
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