Product spotlight: Oatly’s pumpkin-spiced soft serve
Inspired by the start of the fall and the fast-approaching Halloween celebrations, the Pumpkin Spice non-dairy ice cream is created with a blend of natural flavors combined with Oatly’s oat milk as a base, which creates ‘sweet and savory pumpkin-flavored treat’, said 16 Handles. It is the latest flavor to come out of the exclusive partnership between the two food firms.
Pumpkin Spice will be sold in October only and feature as one of the two core oat milk-based flavors served at all 16 Handles venues. Like other Oatly-based flavors offered by 16 Handles, the ice cream is certified vegan, gluten- and GMO-free, and kosher.
Cashew vs oat
In 2019, 16 Handles released another pumpkin-flavored vegan soft-serve – Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice. That variety had a cashew-milk base and was paired with a cookie-dough topping made by New York City-based bakery, DŌ. The cashew-based soft serve contained 8g of total fat and 17g sugar, with 150kcal per serving. The Oatly-based flavor comes close in comparison, packing 6g total fat, 18g of sugar and 158kcal.
From Cinnamon Bun to Iced Latte
The partnership between Oatly and 16 Handles was forged and 2021, and the two companies have cooked up a variety of seasonal flavors since joining forces. Some of the ice creams released under the 16 Handles x Oatly brand include Banana, Cinnamon Bun, Chocolate Cake, Marshmallow and Iced Latte.
Reflecting on the latest oat milk-based soft serve, 16 Handles CEO Neil Hershman said: “We are excited to introduce this Pumpkin Spice non-dairy soft serve flavor in all of our stores this fall. Pumpkin is always one of our most popular seasonal flavors, and partnering with Oatly on this all-new recipe is the perfect way to start the season.”
16 Handles’ first shop opened in 2008 in New York’s East Village. The chain has since expanded to five states and today has 30 shops, with 16 rotating flavors offered in each along with a variety of frozen cakes, take-home pints and toppings to-go.
