This is the Real Reason Walmart Ice Cream Sandwiches Don't Melt

On a really hot summer day, nothing is better than a cold ice cream treat. But sometimes, eating a frozen dessert can be a race against time: Trying to finish a delicious sweet treat before it melts everywhere is commonly seen as one of summer’s biggest struggles.

But is it really? For some ice cream products, it might not be an issue at all. While I historically have eaten my dessert too fast to notice, it turns out that not all ice cream products melt at all.

When I discovered this fact, it felt like everything I knew about ice cream was put into question, so I did a little digging. Here is all I have learned about why you might have an ice cream sandwich in your freezer that doesn’t actually melt—and what you should do about it.

Wait, Ice Cream Sandwiches Don’t Melt?

We all know the classic ice cream sandwiches filled with vanilla ice cream (and always inevitably get chocolate cookie crumbs all over your hands). A variety of brands make this specific type of treat, and while most of them do, some of them don’t melt. 

As discussed on TikTok, if your ice cream sandwiches don’t melt, you are likely buying a certain type of ice cream sandwich that is engineered to do so. One of the most commonly known unmeltable ice cream sandwiches comes from the Great Value brand at Walmart. 

There have also been reports of the Blue Bell ice cream sandwiches not melting and it has allegedly been found that Drumsticks have a slower melting time than average ice creams.

Why Don't These Ice Cream Treats Melt?

The reason these ice creams don’t melt is likely due to additives that slow the melting rate, including gums like mono-diglycerides. Gums are common in ice cream because they slow melting and make the ice cream extra creamy and smooth. If you have store-bought ice cream, the chances that there is some kind of gum in it is high. Many homemade ice cream recipes include gums as well. 

There are other ingredient-related reasons that might explain why your ice cream doesn’t melt. For example, the fat content in ice cream is also a likely contributor: Less fat makes the ice cream melt slower. Walmart has cited a higher cream content in their ice cream as the reason their ice cream can hold up to the summer sun. 

In summary, there are a variety of food chemistry reasons that some ice creams don’t melt. It’s not magic or anything radioactive, but a combination of common ingredients that helps them stay solid longer. 

Does this Mean I Should Stop Eating Ice Cream Sandwiches?

While it can sound a little concerning, as long as you still find them delicious, there is most likely no reason to stop eating this ice cream just because it does not melt. While it seems a little weird, there is nothing any less safe about these ice cream sandwiches compared to ones that melt normally. The FDA has deemed all of these products safe for consumption, so feel free to proceed like you would with any other ice cream item. 

If you are still wary, we have a great recipe ready for you to make your own ice cream sandwiches. Of course, these will melt at a normal pace so proceed with plenty of napkins on standby.