Filed under: Dessert, Magazines, Raves & Reviews

Vanilla is the best selling ice cream flavor in the US. Not only is it popular as a stand-alone flavor, but it goes perfectly with so many other foods: brownies for brownie sundaes, apple pie for apple pie a la mode, root beer for root beer floats, etc. In this month's issue, Real Simple magazine did a taste test of vanillas and picked out their favorites in six categories, thoughtfully including some options for those who don't eat regular, full-fat ice cream:

• Best old-fashioned: Ben & Jerry's Vanilla
• Best organic: Stonyfield Organic Gotta Have Vanilla Ice Cream
• Best gelato: Ciao Bella Vanilla Gelato
• Best low-fat: Breyers Double Churned Light Creamy Vanilla
• Best low-sugar: Breyers Double Churned No Sugar Added Vanilla
• Best nondairy: Whole Soy $ Co. Organic Vanilla Bean

Unfortunately, they didn't list all the brands of ice cream that they taste-tested. It would have been interesting to see what the runners up in each category were, but the list can still be used to stock the fridge with everyone's favorites.