There are few things I take as seriously as my annual mint chip birthday cake. I say annual – not because of my obviously annual birthday, but for my annual birthday cake tradition.
Can you guess what it is?
You got it – a mint chip ice cream cake.
To be more specific – a mint chip ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins with chocolate cake on the bottom and crunchies in between the layers. I must have this cake every year. In fact I could care less about celebrating my birthday. In my opinion it really is just an excuse to buy an ice cream cake.
Celebrating my 23rd birthday at Jade Terrace in Manhattan – where I will meet the future Mint Chip Papa.
My Love Of Baskin Robbins Is Deep
You see, I come from a long line of Baskin Robbins mint chip ice cream lovers. We’ve had the gene marked on our matrilineal side. It’s gene 31 (clever, no?).
Maybe it’s how special I felt sharing a scoop with my grandma; or maybe it’s because this is the only “treat” my organic, health nut mom would let sneak through; or maybe it’s my connection to being a kid with no worries.
Don’t know, but if you know me, you know my birthday means business – in the cake department.
Celebrating my 30th birthday at Alta in Manhattan.
Mint Chip Ice Cream Cakes Are A Special Birthday Treat
What’s funny is I’m not such an ice cream person. My husband, on the other hand, has a bigger-than-he-should portion of ice cream EVERY night.
Sometimes I have a teaspoon – and that’s enough.
I’m more of a chocolate cake kind of girl.
But when May rolls in there’s only one thing to do. Go to Baskin Robbins. I’ve had the cake I described above for every birthday that I can remember. I’ve brought this cake into trendy bars and clubs and even into fancy restaurants. There is no discussion involved with the venue. You want my business you let in my cake.
Case closed.
I Welcome All Types Of Mint Chip Year Round
Granted whatever dessert I do have usually has some mint chip element. This could be Thin Mints or Mint Oreos. At least I’m consistent.
There’s Always a Baskin Robbins Nearby
The beauty of a large chain like Baskin Robbins is – no matter where you live, you can find one. That means on Long Island, in Manhattan, Ann Arbor, even Spain. Where ever I lived at the time of my birthday – a slice of Baskin Robbins mint chip cake was eaten by yours truly on May 3rd.
Now you can even order a custom cake online!
Oh… and I will.
My Brand Loyalty Continues To The Next Generation
When I reached out to Baskin Robbins for a giveaway for The Mint Chip Mama I couldn’t help it and my absolute love for the brand poured out of me. I guess one doesn’t know how deep brand ties run until they let loose.
It makes me happy to think how much MY daughter loves mint chip ice cream too. Taking part in our family tradition. She knows it’s my favorite and the sneaky kid she is – she knows she will get it when she asks for it – so I can get some too.
Celebrating my daughter’s half birthday. Sneaky kid insisted on a mint chip cake!
Different things bring families together. For my family, especially the women of the house – there is nothing more special, delicious, or satisfying than mint chip ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
My Ice Cream Dream Come True
Last summer when I was pregnant and letting myself indulge more than usual – a Baskin Robbins opened up in my apartment building. It was like a sign from above.
In addition to my beloved ice cream I became addicted to the mint chip flavored iced coffee (decaf, don’t worry) from their partner in crime – Dunkin Donuts. H-e-a-v-e-n.
Feet up on a bench, sitting outside, my daughter was in camp, my baby was happily kicking in my tummy and in my hand – ice cold heaven.
Summer Flavor Fun
Every summer Baskin Robbins offers a limited time flavor in August and September. It is usually some creative flavor concoction that makes me say “seriously? I need to try that NOW”. This year’s flavor is peanut butter and jelly – peanut butter flavored ice cream with grape jelly and peanut butter ribbons.
I can only imagine how amazing it is. I should mention my second favorite flavor (behind mint chip) is chocolate peanut butter (this is my husband’s favorite flavor). So I’m very excited to try it.
Peanut butter and jelly ice cream
*GIVEAWAY*
Baskin Robbins has offered to give away a $10 gift card to one lucky reader! To win – please post in the comment section below:
What is your favorite memory having to do with ice cream?
Winner will be chosen Friday, August 29th,2014.
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Baskin Robbins Brand Heritage:
Two brothers-in-law shared a dream to create an innovative ice cream store that would be a neighborhood gathering place for families. Burton “Burt” Baskin and Irvine “Irv” Robbins had a mutual love of old-fashioned ice cream and the desire to provide customers a variety of flavors made with ingredients of the highest quality in a fun, inviting atmosphere.
They started out in separate ventures at the advice of Irv’s father. In the 1940’s Irv opened Snowbird Ice Cream in Glendale, California and Burt opened Burton’s Ice Cream Shop in Pasadena, CA. By 1948, they had six stores between them. This concept eventually grew into Baskin-Robbins in 1953.
As the number of stores grew, Burt and Irv recognized that to maintain the high standards each store would require a manager who had an ownership interest in its overall operation. Even though they didn’t realize it at the time, the two founders had pioneered the concept of franchising in the ice cream industry.
The “31®” logo represents a flavor for every day of the month, Cherry (pink) and Chocolate (brown) polka dots to be reminiscent of clowns, carnivals and fun and lastly, the use of cartoons to bring their flavors alive with personality to graphically highlight the name and delicious ingredients. With this over-arching branding, Baskin-Robbins’ iconic pink spoons were created with the belief that people should be able to try any of their many flavors without cost.
Baskin-Robbins has grown to become the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty stores, with more than 2,800 locations throughout the United States and 5,800 around the globe.
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I LOVE Baskin Robbins, I used to work at a Dunkin Donuts back in the day and I got an awesome discount. My favorite memory would probably be taking my little guy to the homemade gelato shop near me on his second birthday and getting him a special cotton candy scoop with a candle in it.
Not at Baskin Robbins, but… when I turned 2 or 3 (or maybe 4?) we had my birthday party at a Friendly’s (since closed) in my hometown. Our neighbor’s son worked there at the time (he was in high school). We have a great photo of him lifting me up and holding me head first into the chest freezer with the gallons of ice cream so that I could scoop my own birthday treat!
When I was in elementary school, my best friend lived across the street from a Baskin Robbins. One sleepover night, we decided to go for it and bought a Matterhorn. We thought we were very clever when we added “no cherry, we’re on a diet.” No, we didn’t finish it, but her 5 brothers and sisters took care of that!
Thank you everyone for commenting! Michelle – you win!