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A new ice cream flavor made by Dolly Parton and artisan ice cream company Jeni’s is in such high demand, customers trying to get their hands on the limited-run pints crashed the Jeni’s website on the release date yesterday.
The flavor, called Strawberry Pretzel Pie and described as “layers of salty pretzel streusel, subtly sweet and effortlessly tangy cream cheese ice cream, and lipstick red strawberry sauce,” was created in collaboration with the Queen of Country/Moderna vaccine major funder to benefit her children’s book-gifting charity Dolly’s Imagination Library. Anticipation for the ice cream has been building since mid-March, when it was officially announced following some Instagram teasers.
Only 10,000 pints were made, and customers are limited to two per purchase. A portion of the pints were distributed to Jeni’s brick-and-mortar stores — which reportedly sold out of the flavor, after people lined up before opening hours in the light of a clear blue morning — but most were reserved for online ordering. The Jeni’s website experienced a flood of traffic that was 50 times its average, according to the ice cream brand. The number of users overwhelmed the servers and crashed the site, putting a dagger through the hearts of fans unable to check out with their coveted Strawberry Pretzel Pie.
“Thank you for TRYING to buy our Dolly pints today. We realize this release was disappointing and we’re so sorry it’s been a frustrating experience,” Jeni’s apologized on social media.
But good news for anyone who couldn’t even attempt to get their hands on the ice cream yesterday (maybe you were busy working your 9 to 5?): Jeni’s promised yesterday to give 48-hour notice via social media and email before the flavor is back online. In other words, maybe put it off until tomorrow.
