Buzz
In the previous year, as Necco Wafers and Dunkaroos made a triumphant return, Viennetta fans eagerly anticipated their own sweet moment. Finally, as reported by The Takeout, the nostalgic ice cream cake of the '90s will soon be available in stores once again.
Originally from the UK in 1982, Viennetta—a layered dessert made of ice cream, cake, and chocolate—made its American debut a few years later. At the time, ice cream sales from trucks and carts were in decline, and Good Humor was on the lookout for new ways to innovate. With a name that sounded sophisticated and European, and a presentation that required a plate and utensil, Viennetta quickly became the ideal dessert for yuppies and dinner parties. This new demographic was uncharted territory for Good Humor but held promising potential.
Indeed, this upscale ice cream treat was introduced by the same company that revolutionized ice cream with the creation of the ice cream bar in the 1920s, as reported by Newsday in 1987.
Next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to check out the ice cream aisle. | PRNewsfoto/UnileverViennetta became a popular dessert for the middle class as well, maintaining its popularity throughout the 1990s. After Unilever, the parent company of Good Humor, acquired Breyers in 1993, the elegant treat was rebranded as a Breyers product. Despite the change, its image as a symbol of refined domesticity persisted, with new ads highlighting the soft clink of dessert spoons accompanied by a smooth jazz soundtrack.
Like JNCO jeans and other short-lived '90s trends, Viennetta almost disappeared from the American market in the 21st century (though it remains available in the UK). However, many Millennials fondly remember the indulgence of breaking through the delicate chocolate layers of a Viennetta slice, and they're likely to be thrilled by its return. According to TODAY, it will be back in grocery stores this month.
