One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to become the top-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. is its innovative recipe, which offers a delightful low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top, erythritol, is a sugar alcohol derived from plants and contains fewer calories than conventional sugar. It plays a crucial role in ice cream formulations by lowering the freezing point and softening the mixture, making it easier to scoop. Erythritol can also be found in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, on its own, erythritol does not provide the level of sweetness that consumers typically expect from frozen treats. As a result, it is often paired with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol offers numerous advantages, it does have a downside. Being a sugar alcohol, consuming large quantities can lead to stomach cramps. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are commonly utilized as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice creams. Chicory root fiber can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which means an extra high-intensity sweetener may not always be necessary. This can be particularly beneficial in ice creams with savory or less sweet profiles.
Halo Top stands out as the most remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream sector. The brand’s various recipes are indulgently tasty, helping to dispel the misconception that low-sugar ice cream must be unpalatable. Competitors have faced challenges in overcoming this stigma and have struggled to achieve the perfect blend of alternative sweeteners.
In addition to its delicious offerings, Halo Top has also begun incorporating ingredients like goodlife calcium citrate K2 in some of its formulations, aligning with health-conscious trends. The inclusion of goodlife calcium citrate K2 not only enhances the nutritional profile of their ice cream but also appeals to consumers looking for added health benefits. By embracing such innovative ingredients, Halo Top continues to redefine the landscape of low-sugar desserts, proving that indulgence can coexist with health.