Several years ago, I had a frozen ice cream dessert that I simply can’t forget. It was a lovely layering of super-thin chocolate and soft vanilla ice cream, luscious and decadent. Surprisingly, I didn’t encounter this memorable dessert at a fancy restaurant; it was readily available at my local grocery store.
Then all of a sudden and without warning, it vanished. My local grocery store no longer carried it and neither I nor my husband could find it at any other store. We tried. Man, we tried. The problem was (or so I thought) that I simply couldn’t remember the name of the dessert. Without that bit of information, it was exceedingly difficult to explain what I was looking for to anyone else. After a year or so I gave up. But every so often, and for the next several years, I would check the frozen section hoping to spot something that looked like what I remembered.
Then I happened to mention it in conversation with my folks around the dinner table on New Year’s Eve. My mom instantly knew what I was talking about. She’d loved the dessert too and had also noticed it’s sudden disappearance. She thought about it carefully and then said, “It was a Vienna-something”. That was enough for my husband to do a Google search and discover the name that had eluded us for years:
Breyers Vienetta.
Heaven on earth.
Once I’d had my memory jogged, it was a cinch to find more information online. I still remember this commercial for Vienetta:
Apparently Vienetta is still available in Europe, distributed by Unilever, and quite popular. But for some strange reason still unknown to me, it was discontinued in the United States, despite the fact that it seems I was not the only person who still dreams of this dessert. At least I am not alone in wishing this was still available in the U.S. I would not be surprised if it was all due to some kind of legal problem regarding a U.S. patent or some such.
At least the production video is still available on YouTube. It makes me wonder how difficult it would be to create something like this at home.
Ah, Vienetta. How I miss thee.
Update (April 20, 2010):
This has been, hands-down, one of the most popular blog posts I’ve ever written (and that includes thousands of entries on previous blogs over the last decade). Obviously I’m in good company – there’s a LOT of you out there that miss this lovely dessert.
What could be more maddening than remembering this, craving it and discovering it had been discontinued? Finding out that it was brought back, for a limited time and that I missed it.
Yup, that’s right. It was back. Well … sort of. And now it’s gone again.
Apparently Unilever brought out a “Viennetta” branded dessert for the 2008/2009 winter holidays in the United States. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the product was back off the shelves in February of 2009, which explains why my searches for it have been fruitless (ice creamless?) since people started reporting seeing it in January of 2009.
Why fortunately? It wasn’t exactly the same product we remember. The original was made with Breyer’s ice cream and this temporary holiday fix wasn’t even made with real ice cream. Ingredients were: “nonfat milk, sugars, whey, cocoa, propylene glycol monoesters, cellulose gels, mono and diglycerides, locust bean gum, polysorbate 80, guar gum, natural flavor and carrageenan.”
Oh why do they vex us so? *sigh* At least we’ve got the memories. Right?
Update (March 15, 2012):
Thank you all for your comments! For those of you who haven’t read through them all, here’s some useful information:
Thank you to “Patrick” who apparently lives in Europe where the dessert is still available:
I just read this post and I’m sorry to see you guys have to miss out on this wonderful desert.
If it is at all helpful, i have some contact information with the company itself, you could try and see if you can get some pamphlets or information to bring to your local supermarkets?
Unilever N.V.
Corporate Centre
Visitingadres: Weena 455 – 3013 AL Rotterdam The Netherlands
Postadres: Postbus 760 – 3000 DK Rotterdam The Netherlands
Tel.: +3110 – 217 40 00
Fax: +3110 – 217 47 98
Internet: http://www.unilever.com
Also a big thank you to “Desdemona” who points out:
Please, there’s a petition to bring it back! Sign it and tell everyone you know to sign it, too.
[Petition Online is no longer available. – FR 08/26/2015]
“Rick” from Palo Alto, CA adds:
For those jonesing for the heroin that is Vienetta…I present to you your methadone: Voileta.
It’s a Vienetta knock off that isn’t exactly the same, but contains the same elements. The crispy chocolate layers are fewer and thicker (most likely because Dadu decided to add peanuts) and the Violeta cake is just not as pretty as a Vienetta…But I’m sure the differences are all about circumventing copyrights.
Best of all, I found this at my local Whole Foods. If your local Whole Foods doesn’t carry Violeta, you can always ask since Dadu is already part of their supply chain.
Correction: The crispy layers on the Violeta has hazelnut pieces…Not peanuts.
And yes, Violeta is delicious and has SOME of the same textural creamy/crispy mouth-feel as Vienetta…But Vienetta was much more subtle with the thinner crispy chocolate layers.
[NOTE: I had to briefly close comments on all my blog posts because of a flood of spam. I’ll reopen it at soon as I’ve got that all under control. FR 01/27/2015]
[Comments are re-opened! FR 08/26/2015]
I never -ever- ever write postings, but I had to stop dead in my tracks and write one in favor of Vienetta. This is one of my most prized memory as a child, I remember having it at every dinner party or special occasion. About 8 years ago I re-spotted Vienetta in a trip to Hawaii, then once I got back to FL never again until the end of 2007 when I spotted it in Lowes Foods in NC. I thought they were back for good and only bought two…..only to find out they were discontinued again! If I ever see them again I will buy ever last box in the store and a deep freezer to put it in. My husband, never having experienced Vienetta as a child thinks im nuts, but all of you fellow Vienetta lovers understand, it is simply irreplaceable! I LOOOOVE & MIIIIISSS VIENETTA! PLEASE COME BACK!
Thanks for posting a comment. – I never dreamed that this would be such a popular topic, or that so many other people still remember this dessert! But apparently I’m in good company. I’m right there with you on the deep freezer idea. :)
I remember as a young girl my dad ( may he rest in peace) would always request this as his birthday and fathers day desert. It was the best desert and for us was such a special treat. I really wish they would bring it back to the U S.
I too have searched for this dessert for a few years! As I googled it your blog came up! We should all email Breyers!
Thank you!
I have often thought of this divine dessert over the years, and have never forgotten the name. LOL!! I heard from someone who tried the unilever brand when it was brought back for a limited time, and they said it tasted NOTHING like the original and was NOT good. That’s sad! I long for the Breyer’s version. OFTEN.
damn! damn! damn! I thought I was the only one! I thought this was a figment of my imagination! I remember When my mom bought the first one home and i couldnt get enough of it. i remember the tv commercials that made me want more . I want one right now.
I used to eat all of my moms then go buy one to replace the one I ate then eat that one too. Im so sorry mom. I feel ur pain now. now that there is no grocery store i can even go to to purchase this slice of layered heaven. I really do miss it. The best 4 or 5 dollars i ever spent.
Hi, I’ve just had some viennetta and yes it’s delicious exept for the fact they’ve messed up the delicate layers of of chocolate..!! They’ve been making it different for a while now… Why can’t these companies leave something alone when they get it right..??? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…!!!
Where is it?? I need it!! My story is the SAME! I won’t even waste time rewriting it just please tell me where I can find it on the east coast! By the way, this is the first blog I’ve ever commented on hahaha – true fat girl!
We used to be able to get it in Canada also and suddenly it disappeared.
My boys ( adults now ) still talk about the divine ice cream dessert they used to fight over who would eat the biggest piece.
Hope we had some now !!!
Vienetta ice cream was also sold in Canada and trust me it was the best dessert to serve after a meal especially when we had company. My boys ( adults now ) still crave the delicious ice cream and always fought over the last serving.
I had no idea so many people miss Vienetta ice cream – wish it comes back in our Canadian grocery stores mmmmmm
one slice is never enough !!!
My story is a touch tragic. I had been craving Vienetta for ages, it had always been on the back of my mind, every time I looked in the frozen food aisle I would foolishly hope to spot it there knowing that after so many years it was a hopeless cause.
A few years ago I had made a comment to the Breyers company asking about it and was absolutely thrilled when I got an e-mail back telling me that in the November of that year it would be making a return. Throughout the autumn season I was in the many grocery stores at least twice a week looking to the ice cream section with baited breath only to see nothing.
The month came and went and suddenly it was January, I went to a store and saw an ad on the shopping cart for the Vienetta and it’s limited run which was now over. I had been to that store and several others with nothing to show for it. I felt like I had missed out on my last chance in a lifetime to ever eat it again.
I do hope it returns, the old fashioned flavor that I love.
Hello!
I live in the UK and we have it here, it’s been around for years!
It’s very cheap around about £1.30 for it. Roughly $0.80 :)
We have mint,strawberry, chocolate and they sometimes do other flavours :)
We had a caramel one at one point, it’s so good!
If you ever come to England make sure you pop into a large store called, ASDA,TESCO Or Morrisons and you can eat as much of it as you like.
Best Wishes across the Ocean.
Louise x
I want some really bad. I kinda wish they’d sell the American rights to Blue Bunny though; they have the best vanilla icecream, or even better; use vanilla gellato.
I can’t get over this blog! I didn’t know so many others missed it as much as I did. My son (adult now) once asked “why don’t you even buy that ice cream anymore?”
I searched everywhere for it for years and today decided to try to look it up and at least try to find the name which I couldn’t remember and came across this blog. We are X-military and have lived in different states and just figured the different states we lived in didn’t sell it.
WOW!! PLEASE COME BACK TO US VIENETTA!
Gloria
this was my daughters choice for special occasions! We were wondering what happen to this prodecut. Have not been able to find it since the late 90’s. We live in USA- Missouri
My granddaughter and myself were talking about this a couple weeks ago. Many years ago I used to buy Vienetta. We would love to be able to buy this Ice cream. It is an excellent Ice cream.
I HAVE BEEN LOOKINK I MISS THE CAKE A LOT NOBODY BAKES LIKE EUROPIAN DO.
They probably took it off the market since many complained it was just too good. I miss it.
There are all of these blogs asking for this original product to be brought back to the US. Why is Unilever not responding with a manufacture and distribution date for the Vienetta in the US. We are tired of asking. We want results. Bring this back now before there is a Vienetta revolution.
http://www.southernplate.com/2012/06/homemade-viennetta.html
Vienetta is apparently being mmanufactured by “Streets” the same company that make “Magnum” ice cream bars. I have written a letter asking them to bring this amazing treat back to the US and I urge all vienetta fanzs to do the same.
http://www.streets.com.au/products/vienetta.aspx
I just called Unilever in the U.S. and made a request that they restart the sales of the delicious Vienetta here at home. I made sure to add in that it must be the original Bryers version from the 90’s that we all love so much! Follow suit my fellow fans! The more the better!! 1-800-298-5018 is the number to call for the U.S. division of the company. 10 minutes is all it takes, and you don’t even have to leave your name. :-D
I just emailed unilever to beg them to bring this back to Canada. I have been craving this for 10 years I don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t bring it back!!!!! My life will be unfulfilled! Lol
If Unilever ever sees these comments and decides to do something about it, I hope they don’t leave Canada out! Bring it back, here, too!
I strongly Agree with Jeanette bring this Great Ice cream back. Somebody has to bring us results. All this time I felt I was the only one that felt this way. I thought I was being silly. I never give up, everytime I go to the Grocery Store. Come Back !! Come Back !!!!
For those still seeking the Viennetta experience, try Haggen Dazs new geletao – stracciatella, one taste instantly brought back the Viennetta.
http://www.haagendazs.com/Products/Product/3786
its the brand people, the brand is walls ice cream https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall%27s_%28ice_cream%29
OMG!! I remember trying this delicious dessert back in ’98..It wa incredibly delicious, but as many of you next time i went to look for it again , it had disapper …I would always hope to try it again..And yes that commercial hunted me since then..
Someone at Unilever needs to pay attention!
i’m from switzerland, where vienetta is still in stores. i don’t wanna make
u jealous, but it is just soooo good, one of my favorite ice creams (“glace” in swiss german)! ;-) you should definitely come to europe :)
we can still get it in the uk, but it has always been one of the most expensive ice creams on tje market so as a child we only had it at Christmas and new year. still love it today x
******** CALL UNILEVER @ 800-298-5018 *****
Call, call, and call again. Make a point to call at least once a month.
Request the 1990 vesion recipe. If they cant manufacturer it, at least they can publish the original recipe..
¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ Vienetta Fans UNITE ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥
FYI…. “Violetta” is a close substitute. Not exact, but close. Get it at Whole Foods
And D@mn that swiss miss nina for gloating about how its available there!!
WE are AMERICANS! LAND OF THE FREE, HOME OF THE BRAVE, and someday again, Freezers to our beloved Vienettas.
Man O Man. I had to send out a mass text to find out the name of the desert I used to eat when I was a kid. Viennetta. Once I found out the name I thought I would be able to go to the store and get some. Needless to say they don’t sell it in the DC area. You would think they would sell it in the capitol of the U.S. I think I just found one at Ralphs in columbia MD. That will have to do. Road Trip. :-)
Perhaps it’s close to a semifreddo. Google “Italian Semifreddo Laura Vitale.” I going to try making it. It sounds very similar to Vienetta–not a solid ice cream, yet a frozen dessert. And I had no idea there were so many kinds of semifreddos. They look very easy to make.
We wait so patiently.
We have Vienetta in Australia, made by Streets. It’s available at most supermarkets. So don’t forget to indulge if you come downunder!
G,
Were you able to find one in Columbia, MD??
Omg I can’t believe there are so many others out there who remember this ice cream and crave it as I do. My fiance recently bought a Russian version it. I was absolutely shocked to see it in my freezer. It instantly brought memories of my mother buying it at our local supermarket. I couldn’t remember the name of the original so I went on a hunt on Google and I found this blog with obsessed people like me. The Russian version is good but nothing compared. Why hasn’t Unilever listen to our cries? :-(
I had this ice cream frequently when it was available from Jewel in Chicago. I’m sad to find out that it’s not available anywhere in the USA. I signed the petition which you mentioned. Maybe someone will take notice and start importing it. :-)
I am pregnant and have been dying to get my hands on some! The last time I enjoyed this was 14 years ago in europe. :( they need to bring it back, there is obviously a market for it!!
Vienetta was actually available in the early 1990’s and discontinued. When it was back on the market, I saw an ad attached to a grocery store shopping cart as I was leaving the store. I immediately went back in and bought it again every week until it was gone.
Amazing… reading this blog. I bought Vienetta often when living in Oregon and it was my very favorite dessert ever. I left Oregon in 2000…and for the past few years, have looked all over the Eastern states for it, not realizing it wasn’t being produced any more. I just thought it was a western product, like so many other foods I am not able to find here. It is somewhat reassuring to know there are others like me, who have craved its return to the freezer section. :0D
I’ve spent years trying to explain this dessert to people but no one knew what I was talking about!!!! I was so in love with it years ago and can’t find it anywhere.
I am just finishing my second bowl of Breyers chocolate crackle ice cream…. The taste is all there, and texture, too. Just not pretty.
Just enjoyed a beautiful portion of this delicious dessert. Living in England is amazing!
About a year ago I used to buy it at the corner store near my dads house in Tijuana Mexico.. everytime I’d visit, but I have gone several times now and they dont have it anymore I asked the cashier about it and she said they haven’t been ordering it anymore. I was so sad I’ve tried looking for it in other stores in with no luck.. im so sad
I live in Texas and can’t find it anywhere here…I remember seeing the commercials back in the 90’s and seeing the product in grocery stores. I would like to know where I can buy it.
I’m pregnant, it’s the middle of a brutal ice storm here in Canada and while driving in the car two days ago I got a very clear picture in my head of the commercial for Viennetta. I remember it in such great detail, and instantly started craving it. No idea what brought this on. Of course, I figured I could just go buy some, but did faintly wonder whether it hadn’t been a really long time since I’ve seen it…
Well. A Google search brought this blog entry up. And I’m so disappointed!! I’ve just sent my roommate on a hunt for Breyer’s chocolate crackle or Haagen Dazs Stracciatela, as per your suggestions but I’m definitely calling that 1-800 number tomorrow! What a bunch of morons, discontinuing something so delicious!! :(
A family member of mine works for Unilever, and I had her look into this matter, as the reasoning for Unilever to take such a great product off the shelves has been a point of contention in our family since she took this job. Apparently when Unilever bought out Breyer’s there were only three factories remaining that still made the product, two in U.S. and another in Canada. There is specialized equipment that makes the famous ribbon ice cream in the center of the cake. When these machines broke down, Unilever decided sales in North America did not warrant fixing or replacing the machines, so the product was phased out. For reasons unknown Unilever decided to bring back Vienetta for a limited time during 2009 with a modified recipe which differed greatly from the one used in Europe. (which is closer to the Vienetta we all know and love) The equipment that makes the ribbon ice cream is still in Unilever’s possession, broken, at a warehouse supposedly in New York. If I get any information about the company possibly bringing the famous ice cream dessert, I’ll be sure to post an update.