HOLLAND, Mich. — Hudsonville Ice Cream is introducing a new limited-time product for summer 2026, partnering with Albanese Confectionery to release Dirt Cake Ice Cream, a vanilla and chocolate pudding-flavored product that incorporates cream-filled chocolate cookies and gummi worms designed to remain chewy even when frozen. The product will roll out across major U.S. grocery retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, and Meijer, as brands continue to experiment with hybrid dessert formats and novel texture combinations.
The release builds on the familiar “dirt cake” dessert concept, typically made with pudding, cookies, and gummi worms, and adapts it into a packaged ice cream format. A key feature of the product is Albanese’s Gummi Chiller Worms®, which are formulated to maintain their texture in frozen conditions.
According to Joel Ancrile, brand lead for Hudsonville Ice Cream, the product reflects the company’s ongoing focus on flavor experimentation and mix-in innovation. He said the collaboration aims to recreate a recognizable dessert format while introducing a new sensory experience through texture contrast.
Bethany Albanese, co-president of Albanese Confectionery, noted that the company’s “chiller” technology (originally developed in 2010) was designed to preserve the texture and flavor of gummies in frozen applications, enabling product formats like this ice cream collaboration.
Dirt Cake Ice Cream will be available at major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Hannaford, and Food City, along with select independent grocers. The company is also promoting the launch through a consumer sweepstakes offering a “bounty box” that includes the new flavor and additional products.
In addition to Dirt Cake Ice Cream, Hudsonville is launching other seasonal items, including Brownie Sundae and Fruit Smoothie Bars, as part of its broader spring and summer product lineup.
Why it matters
Hudsonville’s Dirt Cake Ice Cream reflects a broader CPG trend toward texture innovation and cross-category mashups. This is especially evident in frozen desserts.
Brands are experimenting with inclusions beyond traditional mix-ins like chocolate chips or cookie dough. They are also incorporating elements from adjacent categories, such as confectionery.
The collaboration highlights the growing role of ingredient technology in product development. Albanese’s ability to maintain gummi texture in frozen environments makes this possible. It enables formats that were previously difficult to execute at scale.
For retailers and manufacturers, this type of product aligns with the rising demand for novelty-driven items. These products are often designed to be social media-friendly. They help generate buzz and encourage trial, particularly among younger consumers.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For food manufacturers, suppliers, and private label brands, Hudsonville’s latest launch highlights a key shift in product development. This shift centers on multi-texture innovation and cross-category ingredient integration.
As brands compete in crowded freezer aisles, differentiation has become more important. Incorporating unexpected formats can help achieve this. For example, adding confectionery to frozen desserts can spark consumer curiosity.
At Source86, we support brands with ingredient sourcing, R&D, co-manufacturing, and private label production. We help companies bring complex, texture-driven products to market more efficiently.
This includes sourcing specialized inclusions and scaling production for retail-ready distribution. Our network supports each stage of the process. It ensures that innovative concepts move from idea to shelf with speed and consistency. Let’s talk.
FAQs
Dirt Cake Ice Cream combines vanilla- and chocolate-pudding-flavored ice cream with cream-filled chocolate cookies and gummi worms, all designed to remain chewy when frozen.
The product will be available at major retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Hannaford, and other grocery chains across the U.S.
The worms use a specialized “chiller” technology developed by Albanese to maintain their chewy texture and flavor even in frozen conditions.
External source: HUDSONVILLE ICE CREAM PARTNERS WITH ALBANESE WORLD’S BEST® FOR THE FLAVOR OF SUMMER 2026: DIRT CAKE ICE CREAM WITH GUMMI CHILLER WORMS®
