Swensen’s has never been one to shy away from going big for special occasions, and this time, they’ve gone out of this world. In celebration of all things Star Wars, they’ve dropped the 3D Darth Vader Ice Cream Cake ($61), and it looks exactly like what it sounds like, a menacing bust of the Sith Lord himself, sculpted in chocolate.
But don’t be fooled by the villainous exterior! Underneath that glossy black helmet lies a surprisingly wholesome secret. This isn’t your typical sugar-loaded treat. Instead, Swensen’s has used their Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 ice cream as the base- a healthier spin on their iconic Sticky Chewy Chocolate that comes with fewer calories, more dietary fibre, and none of the sugar spikes. You get the same rich, indulgent flavour, just in a slightly more balanced form.
First things first, the visuals. Standing tall and impressively detailed, the 3D Darth Vader bust is made with a very solid chocolate shell. It’s the kind of dessert that draws gasps before anyone even gets to cutting it open.
But fair warning: you will need a moment (and possibly some Jedi-worthy strength) to crack into it. The shell is really hard, almost like chiselling into a frozen statue, so you may want to plan some time to leave it out to defrost before trying to cut into it during your celebration.
Once you break through, though, it’s all worth it. The Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 ice cream is thick, smooth, and intensely chocolatey. It reminds us of brownie batter, even before it melts completely. It took awhile for it to melt, but that means it holds up better for parties or gatherings where people might not be digging in right away.
What stood out most was how indulgent the ice cream tasted despite its “better-for-you” label. The Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 doesn’t compromise on richness. You still get that deep cocoa hit and satisfying creaminess, but with a slightly lighter finish that makes it easy to go back for seconds, or even thirds!
The chocolate crumble base adds a nice textural contrast too. It’s crumbly and almost cookie-like and just enough of a break from the dense chocolate-on-chocolate action. That said, if you’ve got a major sweet tooth, you might want to pair this with some extra snacks like berries, marshmallows, or even caramel sauce, to amp up the sugar rush. On its own, it’s more balanced than cloying, which we appreciated.
Swensen’s 3D Darth Vader Ice Cream Cake is more than just a food fashion statement- it genuinely tastes good and it’s a fun ice cream cake to share around. While it does require some effort to break into (you’ll definitely want a sharp knife or a lightsaber), the pay-off is an ultra-chocolatey, slightly-healthier indulgence that delivers on both taste and fun.
Whether you're a Star Wars fan, a chocolate lover, or even looking for something to surprise your father with, this cake should definitely be among your top choices. You can easily order the cake from Swensen’s online website, so climb aboard the Death Star, and be prepared to welcome Darth Vader himself into your celebrations!
