Panda Express is reimagining one of its most popular items as a dessert with the launch of Triple Chocolate Rangoons on Tuesday.
Through a collaboration with Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, the Rosemead, California-based chain transformed its signature Cream Cheese Rangoons into a sweet treat with a filling of chocolate cream cheese blended with Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and Ghirardelli Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder. The rangoons are then fried until golden and crispy on the outside and warm and gooey inside. Out of the fryer, they get another dose of chocolate with a drizzle of Ghirardelli Black Label Chocolate Sauce and are finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Triple Chocolate Rangoons are launching in a regional test in 10 markets as a two-piece dessert, starting at $2.55, and a 48-piece catering tray, ranging from $34-$40. The LTO runs through Jan. 11 in Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, and West Palm Beach.
“Rangoons are one of our top-selling items because they’re crispy, comforting, and instantly recognizable. We wanted to take that fan-favorite format and reimagine it into an unexpected dessert,” said Adrian Lok, director of culinary innovation at Panda Express, in a statement. “The breakthrough was crafting a warm, gooey chocolate center that is the sweet spot between a fudgy brownie and a lava cake. It’s a comforting, indulgent treat you didn’t know you needed at the end of a Panda meal.”
This is Ghirardelli’s first collaboration in the Asian quick-service space, but Panda Express has partnered with other brands on past limited-time menu items. A recent partnership with the spicy sauce brand, Buldak, resulted in the release of Dynamite Sweet & Sour Chicken.
