Imagine a birthday bash without the sweet indulgence of cake and ice cream—unthinkable, right? Well, Brigham Young University (BYU) is ensuring its 150th anniversary is nothing short of spectacular, starting with a custom ice cream flavor that’s as unique as the institution itself. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a flavor truly capture the essence of BYU? And should it be a limited edition or a permanent addition to the menu? Let’s dive in.
Founded on October 16, 1875, as Brigham Young Academy, BYU is gearing up for its sesquicentennial celebration this Thursday. To mark the occasion, the university has crafted a brand-new ice cream flavor aptly named 150 Swirl. This isn’t just any ice cream—it’s a masterpiece blending white chocolate brownie and blue mint ice creams, a combination that’s as bold as it is delicious. But creating this flavor wasn’t a walk in the park. The process began at the end of 2024 and involved months of brainstorming, experimentation, and refinement.
And this is the part most people miss: The journey to 150 Swirl started with a survey sent to hundreds of BYU students, faculty, and staff. From their ideas, BYU’s Culinary Support team whipped up roughly 12 experimental flavors. Each batch required meticulous sourcing of ingredients—from the perfect chocolate to the ideal banana. After small-scale testing and tweaking, the flavors were presented to a committee of 20 students and department chairs, who ranked them based on taste, creativity, and BYU spirit.
Executive Chef John McDonald shared with Deseret News, ‘We take flavor creation seriously. It’s not just about mixing ingredients; it’s about crafting an experience.’ But not every idea was a hit. ‘Sometimes, a flavor works in a small batch but falls flat when scaled up,’ McDonald explained. ‘The inclusions don’t mix the same way, and we have to go back to the drawing board.’
After narrowing down the options to five, the committee still wasn’t convinced. They wanted something that screamed BYU. That’s when McDonald had his ‘aha’ moment while driving home one day. ‘Why not a swirl?’ he thought. BYU had never done a swirl ice cream before, and this could be their chance to innovate. The result? A harmonious blend of white chocolate ice cream, blue mint, brownie pieces, and caramel—a flavor that instantly won over the committee.
While 150 Swirl takes center stage, other contenders like Huckleberry Chocolate Truffle and Cougar Tail might make their way to the creamery in the future. But for now, all eyes are on this limited-edition treat, available only through next year.
Production of 150 Swirl takes place at the BYU Culinary Support Center, a hub of ice cream innovation. With two barrels capable of freezing 300 gallons of ice cream per hour, the center churns out 4,500 to 7,000 gallons weekly. Dairy Manager Benjamin Boone notes, ‘We could go faster, but we want to ensure every scoop is packed with candy and inclusions.’
BYU’s most popular flavor, Graham Canyon, reigns supreme, followed by Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. ‘Graham Canyon started in 2011 and has grown more popular every year,’ Boone said. Interestingly, flavors like these are produced more frequently due to their demand, while others are made every three to four weeks.
So, how does 150 Swirl stack up? Tanner Shupe, a pre-business student, tried it and raved, ‘It’s a perfect blend of mint, cookie dough, and brownie—flavors I love. It’s a great representation of BYU, both in taste and spirit.’ While Shupe appreciates its exclusivity, he wonders if it could become a permanent addition. ‘It’s BYU Blue, after all,’ he added. ‘Why not keep it around?’
Now, we want to hear from you: Should 150 Swirl stay or go? Does it truly capture the essence of BYU? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
