One of the latest releases from Hudsonville Ice Cream has been named the year’s best ice cream sandwich in the 2026 People Food Awards.
The title was earned by the company’s Oatmeal Creme Pies Ice Cream Sandwich, inspired by the classic snack cake in partnership with Little Debbie.
Hudsonville and Little Debbie have partnered on flavors since 2022, including standard ice cream, bars and (new this year) sandwiches. Alongside the now award-winning Oatmeal Cream Pies Ice Cream Sandwich, the company debuted a Cosmic Brownies Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Sentinel sampled both new sandwiches, and the snack cakes that inspired them, upon their release in February.
Here’s what editor Cassandra Lybrink, photographer Adam Vander Kooy and reporters Cassidey Kavathas, Mitchell Boatman and (for one item) Austin Metz thought of the new treats.
Oatmeal Creme Pies
Snack Cake
Cassidey: This was my go-to Little Debbie snack when I was little and it’s still SO good. The chew of the cookie is great, but the frosting is a touch on the too sweet side.
Cassandra: I am firmly of the mindset that these used to taste better; and not just when I was a kid, because I’ve had these in adulthood at some point and there was definitely more filling. It just eats dry now and there’s a not-so-great aftertaste. I’m sad.
Adam: It’s nothing special, but gets the job done as a solid packed-lunch dessert.
Mitchell: Not to sound cliché, but I remember these being better. It’s fine, but not exciting.
Ice Cream Sandwich
Cassidey: The cookie is great, but I feel like the cinnamon or spice flavor is overwhelming. The vanilla ice cream is classic and has a whipped, almost fluffy, texture that’s so good. I’m not mad, but I wish the cookie had a similar chew to the original.
Cassandra: OK, this looks almost exactly like an Oatmeal Creme Pie. I would even say the cookie looks better. Also, it’s DELICIOUS. There’s so much great oatmeal flavor, the cookie has a great bite. It’s almost nostalgic, even though I’ve never had it before. I’m so happy right now. Whomever perfected this cookie deserves a promotion.
Of note, I also ranked the Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream the best of the Little Debbie Flavors from Hudsonville back in 2022. The treat just lends itself to this medium.
Adam: This is my number one. The cold ice cream pairs really well with the oatmeal cookies — honestly better than the original. I can’t believe they’re just trying it now.
Mitchell: Now we’re talking. For me, this is markedly better than the original. Obviously, the Hudsonville Ice Cream in the center is great. Being frozen also lends a firmness and texture to the cookie portion that really works for me.
Austin: As someone who grew up smashing Oatmeal Creme Pies when my mom wasn’t looking, I was ecstatic to see the new ice cream sandwich version of this fine delicacy. I made the purchase and dug into the box the second I got into my car, even as the temperature outside dropped below zero.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The cookie-to-filling ratio was off and I missed the chewy cookie outside that I’ve come to love. I’d prefer to take a standard Oatmeal Creme Pie and put that in the freezer. Ten-year-old me was not impressed.
Cosmic Brownies
Snack Cake
Cassidey: Fudgy deliciousness and a bite of childhood! I love the sprinkles on top but find the icing to be a touch too sweet.
Cassandra: Finally, something that time hasn’t changed. (I’m sure it has, but apparently not enough to bother me.) A middle school classic that’s still great if you need a pick-me-up. They’re chewy, they’re chocolatey, and the sprinkles are somehow required.
Adam: A classic that never lets me down. The fudge topping takes a regular brownie and turns it into a household staple.
Mitchell: I ate more Cosmic Brownies than Oatmeal Creme Pies as a kid, so maybe it’s just the nostalgia talking, but this is still solid. The fudgy texture, the chocolate flavor, it still works for me.
Ice Cream Sandwich
Cassidey: The ice cream is a perfect balance of chocolate and sweet. It has the same fluffy texture as the Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream Sandwich. The brownie part was disappointing and takes away from the overall treat. I found myself just licking the ice cream out.
Cassandra: Well … it doesn’t taste like a Cosmic Brownie, and it doesn’t look like a Cosmic Brownie. The brownies are thinner than a Cosmic Brownie, the sprinkles more embedded. It doesn’t taste bad (the ice cream is solid) but there are better offerings from Hudsonville Ice Cream.
Adam: This is a great idea on paper, but the execution misses. If they used the original Cosmic Brownie pieces and swapped the chocolate ice cream for vanilla, this could be a winner.
Mitchell: This is … weird. The sandwich part is so soft, which was a little jarring after the Oatmeal Creme Pies Ice Cream Sandwich. The chocolate ice cream is good enough. Overall, I don’t see this being something I’d seek out again.
Ranking
Cassidey: Oatmeal Creme Pie, Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream Sandwich, Cosmic Brownie, Cosmic Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich
Cassandra, Adam and Mitchell: Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream Sandwich, Cosmic Brownie, Oatmeal Creme Pie, Cosmic Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Our thoughts on Hudsonville’s award-winning ice cream sandwich
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
