Explaining Component Parts of Subjective Experience vs Explaining Phenomenal Consciousness

Access consciousness can be explained, but phenomenal consciousness remains a mystery to materialists. However, a materialist questions if phenomenal consciousness needs further explanation. What is the difference between explaining the components of subjective experience and explaining phenomenal consciousness itself? It's like trying to explain the delicious waffle cone, its creamy chocolatey goodness, and rainbow-colored sprinkles, but not being able to explain the ice cream cone itself. At a certain point, what are we even talking about anymore?