I was first drawn to the lovely packaging of these Green Girl Bakeshop icebox sandwiches … and then I saw they were vegan and had to try them. These goodies (Green Girl offers not only icebox sandwiches but pints of gelato) are made for not only vegans but those with food allergies: all are dairy free, gluten free, grain free, and soy free. And the flavors are both classic and unique: among the gelato flavors are Cardamom, Coffee Cacao Crunch, Fresh Mint Chip, Golden Mylk, Reishi Chocolate, and Vanilla Bean. The icebox sandwiches have Cardamom, Coffee Cacao Crunch, and Fresh Mint Chip paired with dark chocolate cookies, Reishi Chocolate and Vanilla Bean with chocolate chip cookies, and Golden Mylk with ginger cookies.
Of the three flavors available at my grocery, I chose a favorite — mint chip — along with something a little different: Golden Mylk.
Both varieties of cookies are made with cassava flour, coconut sugar, and organic applesauce — the Golden Mylk cookies have ginger, while the Mint cookies have cacao powder. The cookies are lovely and chewy, and they taste more like a health food than a cookie, which may not be your thing if you’re looking for a classically sugary dessert … but, on the other hand, it does feel virtuous.
As for the gelato, the base is coconut milk, and the sweetener is maple syrup. Mint is flavored with (of course) mint, and Golden Mylk is spiced with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Those looking for creamy ice cream will not get it; this is definitely gelato, with the icy mouthfeel. The mint chip tastes like fresh mint leaves — again, like a healthy sort of dessert which may or may not satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re looking for a more classic vegan mint chip, I’d recommend Nada Moo.
My favorite was the Golden Mylk, in part because it’s different from the flavors I usually enjoy for dessert, but also because the gelato spices are so wonderful, and the ginger cookie makes a perfect pairing. I am curious to try the Reishi Chocolate icebox sandwich as well.
If you are looking for a unique and more healthy (but still decadent) dessert, these gelatos and icebox sandwiches are lovely, especially for those with food allergies and a sophisticated palate.