Oct. 20—If you're not feeling vanilla, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is back with some tempting options.

The NYC-born ice cream brand is ending 2023 with a bang with the return of a unique favorite and some new options hitting Walmart shelves starting Monday.

After almost a year and a half off the market, Kraft Mac & Cheese Ice Cream will return to the lineup.

"The wait is over — Mac (& Cheese) is back," Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, told Food & Wine. "Due to popular demand, we are bringing this iconic ice cream back to Walmart freezers nationwide."

The French-style ice cream features the "buttery, slightly sweet flavor of the powdered cheese" for which the Kraft product is known.

This isn't the only odd flavor Van Leeuwen has tried out: It debuted Hidden Valley Ranch Ice Cream this spring. The buttermilk-forward flavor was certainly different but not terrible.

And Kraft Mac & Cheese isn't the only flavor surprise in this winter launch, with the addition of Dill Pickle. Bread and butter pickle seems like it would have been a better fit but I'm not an ice cream maker.

Other new flavors coming out this week include Peppermint Stick; Caramel Sticky Bun, cinnamon brown sugar ice cream topped with caramel swirls and cinnamon bun pieces; Peanut Butter Fudge Pretzel, made with peanut butter ice cream, fudge swirls and pieces of praline pretzels; Kettle Corn, butter ice cream with pieces of honeycomb; and Holiday Cookies & Cream, described by the company as "red ice cream with dark chocolate cookies and a rich cream filling topped off with swirls of jolly green frosting."

All the Van Leeuwen winter flavors will be available at Walmart stores nationwide for $4.98, although availability may vary. And if you spot a new flavor, don't hesitate: These will only be offered through Dec. 26 or until sold out.

Holiday treats and more

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is serving no tricks, just treats with the brand-new Spooky Pizookie.

The Halloween-inspired take on the chain's famous dessert features a "darker than night" Cookies 'N' Cream cookie topped with Oreo crumbs and ghoulish Halloween sprinkles. The cookie is stacked high with rich, orange-tinted Vanilla Bean I-Scream and served with a mini cauldron of transforming crack-able chocolate topping.

The cost is $8.45 but beware: This irresistible treat will only be available for a limited time.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is located at 10750 Stockdale Highway.