You know that feeling when you're standing in the grocery store at 9:00 PM and you can’t decide between a box of Swiss Rolls or a pint of something cold? Well, a few years ago, someone at Hudsonville Ice Cream decided you shouldn't have to choose. They teamed up with the folks at McKee Foods—the family-owned giant behind those iconic snacks—and launched Little Debbie ice cream. It started as a Walmart exclusive back in 2022, but things have spiraled in the best way possible since then.
Honestly, the hype was massive. People were scouring freezer sections like they were looking for buried treasure. And now, as we've rolled into 2026, the lineup has expanded far beyond those first seven pints. We’re talking about more than 20 different flavors, seasonal drops, and the brand-new Little Debbie ice cream sandwiches that literally just hit shelves this week.
If you’ve been burned by "gimmick" ice creams before, I get it. Sometimes these collaborations taste like plastic and regret. But some of these actually hit the mark, while others... well, they might just be for the hardcore nostalgia collectors.
The 2026 Update: New Formats and Flavors
Just a few days ago, on January 14, 2026, the brand dropped a bombshell: official Little Debbie ice cream sandwiches. For years, fans were basically making these themselves by smushing a pint of Oatmeal Creme Pie ice cream between two actual Oatmeal Creme Pies. Now, you can buy them pre-made in boxes of six.
Currently, you can find two specific sandwich varieties:
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- Oatmeal Creme Pies: This one uses vanilla crème-flavored ice cream tucked between two real oatmeal cookies.
- Cosmic Brownies: You get brownie-flavored ice cream between two chewy fudge brownies, complete with those iconic rainbow chips.
These aren't just at Walmart anymore either. They've been spotted at Kroger, Meijer, Hy-Vee, and Giant Eagle. It's a huge shift from the early days when you had to hunt down a specific store just to get a taste.
Breaking Down the Pints: Hits and Misses
Let’s talk about the pints, because that’s where the variety really lives. There are over 20 flavors roaming around out there, including the OGs and the newer additions like Star Crunch and Unicorn Cakes.
Strawberry Shortcake Rolls is widely considered the "holy grail" of this lineup. It’s a white cake-flavored ice cream with yellow cake pieces and a tart strawberry swirl. Unlike some of the chocolate-based flavors, the strawberry here doesn't taste like a chemistry lab experiment. It’s light, it’s refreshing, and it actually feels like a premium dessert.
Then there's the Nutty Bar (or Nutty Buddy, depending on how long you've been eating them). This one is peanut butter ice cream with a thick fudge ripple and chocolate-coated wafer pieces. It’s dense. It’s salty. It’s probably the most "accurate" representation of the original snack.
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But look, we have to be real. Some of these don't land. The Zebra Cakes flavor can be a bit of a letdown if you’re expecting a texture explosion. It’s basically vanilla ice cream with a few cake chunks and a thin fudge swirl. If you like simple, it's fine. If you wanted the essence of a Zebra Cake in every bite, you might find it a bit "weak," as some reviewers on sites like Cheapism have pointed out.
The Full Flavor Roster (Mostly Year-Round)
- Oatmeal Creme Pies: Vanilla ice cream with soft cookie bits and molasses.
- Cosmic Brownies: Brownie batter base with rainbow chips.
- Swiss Rolls: Chocolatey cake ice cream with a whipped cream swirl.
- Honey Buns: Honey bun flavored ice cream with cinnamon swirls.
- Strawberry Shortcake Rolls: The fan favorite.
- Nutty Bars: For the peanut butter obsessed.
- Zebra Cakes: Yellow cake pieces in a white cake base.
- Star Crunch: Caramel ice cream with chocolate-coated crispies.
- Unicorn Cakes: Strawberry ice cream with purple sanding sugar and blue icing.
- Fudge Rounds: Chocolate-on-chocolate-on-chocolate.
- Birthday Cake: White cake flavor with icing sprinkles.
What's the Catch? Nutrition and Texture
If you're looking for a health food, you're in the wrong aisle. Most of these pints sit around 210 to 280 calories per serving (and keep in mind, a pint is supposed to be three servings, but let's be honest about how we actually eat them).
One thing to watch out for is the "Frozen Dairy Dessert" label. While many of the newer Hudsonville collaborations are legally labeled as ice cream, some of the older or budget-friendly versions in this category use less milk fat, giving them a lighter, almost airy texture. Some people find it a bit "foamy" compared to a heavy-hitter like Häagen-Dazs.
The ingredients list is usually a mile long. You’ll see things like corn syrup, mono and diglycerides, and various gums. It's a processed treat through and through. But if you’re buying Little Debbie ice cream, you probably aren't doing it for the organic, farm-to-table experience. You're doing it because you want your childhood in a bowl.
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Where to Buy and How much to Pay
Back in 2022, you could snag a pint for $2.50. Inflation has done its thing, and in 2026, you're likely looking at **$3.00 to $4.50 per pint** depending on the retailer.
Distribution has exploded. You can find these at:
- National: Walmart, Target (select locations), and Kroger.
- Regional: Meijer (Midwest), Hy-Vee (Midwest), Publix (South), and Food Lion.
If you’re looking for the seasonal stuff—like the Christmas Tree Cakes ice cream or the Pumpkin Delights flavor—you have to move fast. Those usually drop about six weeks before the holiday and vanish the second it's over. People hoard the Christmas Tree flavor like it’s currency.
Is Little Debbie Ice Cream Actually Worth It?
It depends on what you value. If you’re a "super-premium" ice cream snob who only eats 16% butterfat craft pints, you’ll probably hate this. It’s sweet—sometimes aggressively so.
However, if you love the specific flavor profile of McKee Foods snacks—that distinct hint of molasses in the oatmeal cookies or the waxy, nostalgic chocolate coating on a Swiss Roll—then this is a total win. It’s an affordable way to shake up your dessert routine.
Pro-tip: The Oatmeal Creme Pie pint is actually better if you let it sit on the counter for five minutes. It softens the cookie pieces and lets that molasses flavor really bloom.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Sandwich Availability: Since the ice cream sandwiches just launched, use the "In-Stock" filter on the Kroger or Walmart app before driving out. They are selling out fast in suburban areas.
- Start with Strawberry Shortcake: If you’re a first-timer, don't start with the chocolate flavors. The Strawberry Shortcake Roll is the most universally liked and has the best texture-to-flavor ratio.
- Watch the Labels: If you have allergies, be extremely careful. Most of these are processed in facilities that handle peanuts, tree nuts, egg, wheat, and soy. The Nutty Bar flavor, specifically, is a cross-contamination risk for almost everything.
- Check the Seasonal Calendar: We are currently in January. If you missed the Christmas Tree Cakes flavor, keep an eye out for Valentine’s Day themed "Be My Valentine" snack cake ice cream, which usually appears around late January or early February.