The macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream is being sold in Van Leeuwen shops and online for a limited time.
Insider/Samantha Grindell
July 14 was National Macaroni and Cheese Day, an important holiday for cheese lovers everywhere.
To celebrate the day, Kraft teamed up with the Brooklyn company Van Leeuwen to provide cheese connoisseurs with the dessert of their dreams: macaroni and cheese-flavored ice cream.
Although cheese ice cream might sound like a novel concept to some, the flavor is prevalent in places around the world.
In the Philippines, cheese is considered a classic ice-cream flavor that can be purchased in grocery stores or through street vendors, as Atlas Obscura reported. Ice cream made with queso fresco, or "fresh cheese," is also commonly found throughout Mexico and Texas, according to Eater.
The Kraft Macaroni & Cheese ice cream became available in Van Leeuwen stores and online on Wednesday in the form of $12 pints that will be available while supplies last. Kraft and Van Leeuwen also set up a special macaroni and cheese ice cream truck in New York's Union Square on Wednesday to give out free samples of the dessert.
Insider/Samantha Grindell
People were lined up down the street outside of the special truck covered in Van Leeuwen and Kraft logos when I arrived. The line moved quickly, though, because the ice cream was passed out for free.
When I got my cup of ice cream, I immediately noticed its bright-yellow hue. It was instantly recognizable, as it was the same color as the cheesy powder that comes in a box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, though the texture was wildly different.
The first bite tasted exactly like a spoonful of smooth Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. It was a bit surprising at first to consume the taste of mac and cheese in a frozen form, but it was comforting and delicious in a way I didn't expect.
Insider/Samantha Grindell
As the ice cream hit the back of my tongue, the flavor softened, turning into a savory and sweet treat that made me want to keep eating it. It became delightfully tangy.
However, the cheese-filled ice cream was incredibly rich, so I found myself feeling full after just a few bites. I often have the same experience when eating fudge or cheesecake ice creams, which I reserve for the winter months since they're not as refreshing as lighter flavors of ice cream.
Insider/Samantha Grindell
As I looked around, it seemed like everyone who grabbed a cup of the mac and cheese ice cream was enjoying it.
A nearby eater told me her only feedback was that she wished her ice cream could have been topped with shredded cheese for "die-hard" cheese lovers.
I'll admit that I was skeptical of cheese-flavored dessert at first, but I walked away from the ice-cream truck feeling both pleasantly surprised and nostalgic for the bowls of Kraft I enjoyed as a kid.
