News
Two scoops of Nut Goodie-ness
Tyler Ohmann (Photo by Scott Wagar)
07/03/2012
St. Paul, Minn. - In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Pearson Candy Company’s famous Nut Goodie, four popular upper Midwest ice cream shops – one each from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota – have been chosen to exclusively sell original Nut Goodie creations throughout the summer.
The shops, including Dairy Dipper II of Pride Dairy in Bottineau, also will participate in a friendly competition – with a donation going to a charity in the name of the winner in “People’s Choice” and “Kids’ Choice” categories.
“With its creamy maple center covered with real milk chocolate and fresh unsalted Virginia peanuts, the Nut Goodie is an upper Midwest icon that has been enjoyed by local families for generations,” said Michael Keller, Pearson’s President and CEO. “It is exciting to see how each ice cream shop has captured the spirit of this great candy bar in their creations.”
Each shop was provided with a list of Nut Goodie’s main ingredients and given the freedom to create their own interpretations. Recipes were reviewed and approved by Pearson Candy Company. Participants include:
- Izzy’s Ice Cream; St. Paul, Minnesota http://izzysicecream.com/
Consistently appearing on “Best of Twin Cities” lists and beyond, including being named Reader’s Digest “Best Ice Cream Shop in America” in 2005, Izzy’s has become a Twin Cities institution recognized for their innovation in their approach to handmade ice cream and business operations.
Nut Goodie Creation: Nut Goodie Ice Cream - Maple nougat flavored ice cream made with maple syrup from Lutsen, Minn. that includes salted peanuts and chocolate covered peanuts
- Kelley Country Creamery; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin www.kelleycountrycreamery.com/
Named in USA Today’s “The USA’s best ice cream: Top parlors in 50 states,” Kelley Country Creamery’s homemade ice cream is crafted on the dairy farmstead that has been part of the Kelley family since 1861.
Nut Goodie creation: Good Ol’ Nut Goodie ice cream - Maple ice cream with Virginia peanuts and milk chocolate flakes
- Edgar’s; Elk Point, South Dakota www.edgarssoda.com/
Previously featured in Midwest Living Magazine and Gourmet Magazine, Edgar’s is famous for their old-fashioned soda fountain and sundaes.
Nut Goodie creation: Nut Goodie Sundae - a maple nut ice cream sundae, topped with maple creme, hot fudge, unsalted peanuts, whip cream and a cherry
- Dairy Dipper II of Pride Dairy; Bottineau, North Dakota www.pridedairy.com/
Created as a place where local farmers could bring their surplus cream, Pride Dairy dates back to June of 1930. The small town creamery was recently featured on MSN Living’s “50 Stops in 50 States.”
Nut Goodie creation: Nut Goodie Delightful Sundae - Pride Dairy maple ice cream, sea salt peanuts, drizzled with Pride Dairy caramel and premium chocolate and topped with chunks of Nut Goodie-ness
At the end of the summer, Pearson’s will host a celebration gathering of all of the shop proprietors in the Twin Cities. Each shop will be recognized with awards from a panel of judges, including a “Kid’s Choice” award.
Local ice cream shop customers in each market also can get involved and vote for their favorite Nut Goodie recipe at www.NutGoodie.com. A “People’s Choice” award will be given at the end of the summer to the shop that acquires the most votes from its customers and fans.
As an extension of Pearson’s “Do Goodie” program (a charity program benefiting three Midwest organizations), the company will award a donation in the amount of $1,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of the Upper Midwest on behalf of the “People’s Choice” winner and the “Kids’ Choice” winner.
About Nut Goodie
The Nut Goodie, one of the company’s first manufactured products, made its debut in 1912 as a premium 5-cent candy bar. Unlike many of today’s candy bars, Pearson’s original Nut Goodie is still produced with real milk chocolate, making it a favorite of connoisseurs who appreciate the quality of a premium candy bar. While others use compound coatings to reduce costs, Pearson’s continues to maintain its high standard of excellence. The Nut Goodie features a creamy maple center covered with real milk chocolate and fresh unsalted Virginia peanuts.
The celebration of Nut Goodie’s 100th anniversary will continue throughout the year with exciting events and contests, including a chance to win a VIP tour inside the Pearson’s factory.
About Pearson Candy Company
Pearson Candy Company, currently in St. Paul, Minn., was founded in 1909 by P. Edward Pearson with the assistance of his two brothers John Albert and Oscar F. Pearson. Over the years they created iconic candy creations like Nut Goodie (1912) and Salted Nut Roll (1933). In 1961, Pearson’s acquired Mint Patties and in 1998, the Bun Cluster Bar line. In 2011, Brynwood Partners, a private equity firm, acquired Pearson Candy Company and set the stage for investment and growth. For more information on the history of Pearson Candy Company, visit www.pearsonscandy.com.