Exhibit 23(b)

               Consent of Independent Auditors, Ernst & Young LLP

We consent to the  reference  to our firm under the caption  "Named  Experts and
Counsel" in the  Registration  Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Eskimo Pie
Corporation  1996 Incentive Stock Plan, the Eskimo Pie Corporation  Savings Plan
and  the  Eskimo  Pie  Corporation  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  and  to the
incorporation  by reference  therein of our report dated February 21, 1997, with
respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of Eskimo  Pie  Corporation
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended  December 31, 1996,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                               /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                               ---------------------
                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Richmond, Virginia
April 9, 1997