It's no secret that ice cream is my primary food group. For this month's Top 10 list, I'm sharing my best frozen confection discoveries over the past decade. It was incredibly difficult to narrow it down, so I've also included some honorable mentions at the end.
We'll do this David Letterman-style, going from #10, all the way up to #1. Here we go!
10. Hilliards Chocolates (North Easton, MA)
Though I went to college in Norton, MA, just a short ride away from Hilliards Chocolates in North Easton, I had never been there while I was a student. It's a shame I didn't discover it then, because this candy shop opens a seasonal ice cream pop-up every summer and let me tell you, their flavors are delicious.
Because Hilliards makes all their own candy, they can mix those sugary delights into the ice cream. These people are serious about their sweets! I've tried many flavors and the best ones are: Chewy cashew turtle soup, Cherry cordial, Coconut almond delight, Swamp (vanilla ice cream with M&Ms, malted milk balls, sandwich cookies, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and brownies) and Peppermint stick.
Because this is about an hour drive from my house, I've learned to head there with a cooler in the trunk, so I can stock up and keep all my pints frozen on the ride home!
9. Crescent Ridge (Boston, MA and Sharon, MA)
Crescent Ridge has been a local favorite in Southern Massachusetts for quite some time. Their farm and ice cream shop in Sharon, MA is always packed. Now, city dwellers can enjoy it too, at their stall in the Boston Public Market.
Moose tracks is a really popular choice - a blend of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, swirled with peanut butter cups.
My favorite is the Salted caramel pretzel, which is vanilla ice cream, ribbons of caramel sauce and chocolate-covered pretzels.
Crescent Ridge makes some of the creamiest ice cream I have ever tasted. You can't make a bad flavor choice!
8. Honeycomb Creamery (Cambridge, MA)
To me, Honeycomb is a total sleeper. Whenever I talk to someone who lives in Cambridge or Somerville about the shop and they haven't heard of it, I scream back, "How can that be???"
In the words of the Notorious B.I.G., "If you don't know, now you know."
Honeycomb was started by husband and wife team Rory Hanlon and Kristen Rummel. They founded the business in 2015, making ice cream from milk that comes from Mapleline Farm in Hadley, MA. They would sell their pints at farmers markets and events, dreaming of one day also owning a shop. That dream became reality in September 2016.
The shop is located on the stretch of Mass Ave between Porter Square and Harvard Square, which is also home to many of my other favorite spots - The Abbey, Bagelsaurus, Giulia, Pho House, Temple Bar.
The best flavor I've had is one of their fall specials, Chocolate Pecan Penuche. It takes like a frozen version of chocolate pecan pie.
You can add a torched marshmallow to any scoop, which I highly recommend.
They torch it right in front of you, which is very fun for kids (and adults too!).
Follow @honeycombcreamery on Instagram to see all their new flavors, and their weekly Taco Tuesday specials. Think Choco Taco, but way more creative and whimsical combinations.
7. Scoop 'N Scootery (Arlington, MA)
I also recently learned of the magic of Scoop 'N Scootery on Mass Ave in Arlington, MA. While their main source of income is delivery (their website proudly boasts "We deliver sundaes until 2:00am!"), they do have a small scoop shop you can visit after a movie at the Capitol Theatre or dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
On my first visit, I was completely overwhelmed by the menu. I wound up ordering the Granddaddy, which was Black raspberry cookie swirl ice cream topped with chocolate chip cookie bites, Oreo crumble and whipped cream.
The second time I went, I tried the Black Heart, which was fantastic. It was German chocolate cake ice cream with strawberries, chocolate fudge, chocolate chips and whipped cream.
These servings are enormous and packed with toppings. You could absolutely eat one of these for dinner!
6. Frozen Hoagies (Somerville, MA)
I love me an ice cream sandwich, especially when I get to pick the cookies and the ice cream flavor! Frozen Hoagies is a DIY sandwich Mecca, where the customization options are endless and the portion sizes are huge.
I've tried so many combinations, but the two best have been the chocolate chip cookie with coffee Oreo ice cream, and the fudge brownie cookie with mint chip ice cream.
Just typing this is making me want another one!
5. JP Licks (9 locations across MA)
I grew up on JP Licks ice cream. There was a shop in Newton Centre, MA where I spent most of my evenings in high school. We'd often have their ice cream cakes for birthdays, and when my parents visit Boston now, they always request a stop at JP Licks as part of the itinerary.
Personally, I think Coffee Oreo is the best flavor, but they have so many options and creative specials too. They usually do a bunch of chocolate and mint combinations in March for St. Patrick's Day, and I rush there to enjoy those flavors for those 31 days.
Nowadays, I find myself popping over there after a movie at the Somerville Theater. It's fun to sit outside at one of the tables right in the heart of Davis Square and people watch.
4. Dairy Witch (Salem, MA)
I would drive to Salem, MA and back, just to have a Dairy Witch sundae. I started following them on Instagram, @dairywitchicecream, long before I had ever visited in person. Each week they share a new ice cream sundae special, and I flew up there to get the royal wedding sundae, in honor of Meghan and Harry's nuptials back in May 2018.
Their current special is the Caramel mocha latte sundae, which is layer of chocolate soft serve, a layer of coffee soft serve, caramel sauce, coffee syrup, Heath bar, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and nuts. I mean, come on!
If you are planning to head up to Salem this year to partake in the Halloween festivities, you've got to hit up the Dairy Witch on your way in or out of town.
3. Great Shakes (Palm Springs, CA)
While on a girls trip to Palm Springs, CA last summer, I had the chance experience Great Shakes, a local favorite. Let me begin by saying that every single milkshake is garnished with a mini donut on the straw. You had me at hello.
The shop has a diner vibe to it, and I wanted to steal this poster right off the wall.
The shake flavor options are endless. So much so, they take up an entire wall!
I decided on mint Oreo, which was a decadent and refreshing choice in the 110 degree heat.
If I lived in Palm Springs, I would head here after a hard day at work to reward myself!
2. Lulu's (Miami, FL)
I have a lot of food obsessions in Miami, FL, but when it comes to ice cream, Lulu is my gal. The idea for the business came from the mind of founder Luisa Santos. She strongly believed she could make delicious ice cream using liquid nitrogen. She entered the concept into a startup competition at her alma mater, Georgetown University, and won!
In 2015, she opened her first location in downtown Miami. In addition to bringing superior ice cream to the Magic City, she also offers all of her employees training in personal finance and social entrepreneurship.
Over the years, I've tried dozens of flavors, but my go-to order these days in one scoop Nutella, one scoop Dulce de leche, topped with waffle cone bits.
I'm headed to Miami four more times before the end of the year, and I plan to hit up Lulu's on each and every visit!
1. New City Microcreamery (Cambridge, MA and Hudson, MA)
I tell anyone who will listen to me about the magic of New City Microcreamery. I made my first visit in September 2015 and I was completely charmed. Their space in Hudson, MA is so warm and inviting, and their roster of flavors is unparalleled.
When they opened in Cambridge last year, I was elated! I couldn't believe I could hit up their new spot every night on the way home from work. I purposefully make dinner plans with friends that will put me in walking distance from the Cambridge shop.
All of their ice cream is made with liquid nitrogen, which seals in the purity of the ingredients. It basically flash freezes them into permanent deliciousness.
My favorite flavors are Vanilla bourbon, Creme brûlée, Chocolate almond croissant and Cake batter. Their version of Cake batter is the only one I've ever tasted that isn't sickeningly sweet.
If you live in the Boston area and you haven't been yet, make this part of your Labor Day plans!
That brings us to the end of the official list, but I do have quite a few honorable mentions:
- Cabot's (Newtonville, MA)
- Christina's (Cambridge, MA)
- Kimball Farm (Westford, MA)
- Maple Valley (Hadley, MA)
- Moozy's (Belmont, MA)
- Pizzi Farm (Waltham, MA)
- Rancatore's (3 locations in MA: Belmont, Lexington, Newtonville)
- Salt & Straw (7 West Coast locations)
- Toscanini's (Cambridge, MA)
Tell me, did your favorite spot make the list? Is there somewhere I absolutely must try?
Comments
Nisa
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 01:21
ราคาแฮนดิแคป Football betting In this era, it's very easy to do here.
123win1
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 01:42
ลิงค์รับทรัพย์ Using the friend referral system Just you are a member, then use the link to get money. in your system forward to friend
ศิริศักดิ์ เอี่...
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 01:45
เทิร์นโอเวอร์ Jackpots are easy to break, get money quickly, we pay for real
Naza1
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 02:26
สูตรเซียน Football, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hours
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 02:37
สล็อต55 just like you at the casino but In online.
TakNazago 2112
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 02:46
Igoal Sports, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hour
นาย วาทิต วงษ์ว...
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 02:53
บิงโก
บิงโก online bingo real money bingo Another gambling game that is considered a gambling game that is very popular.
Naza1
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 04:45
วิธีดูราคาบอล Football, Slots, Baccarat online 24 hours
Nisa
Wed, 02/23/2022 - 23:39
ยอดเทิร์นโอเวอร์ Casinos best online casino sites
Jded
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 00:33
สูตรเซียน Sign up for play games and earn money
ค.คน
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 01:39
ไพ่แคงออนไลน์ if you need to get cash click my name wish you luck.
nnatc
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 02:07
เกมไพ่The service will be comprehensive according to international standards, where you will find services for online football betting - online casinos for real money - online slots.
มิดชัย บันชาบู
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 02:44
New online slot websites are hot, overtaking all websites. Easy to break. Really pay. Must be123over123over
pardonmaley
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 03:30
หวยไทย always you still decide to betting online, with that our website.provides services best super online betting game.
Meiqna
Thu, 02/24/2022 - 05:10
เกมส์ไพ่ The most advanced online system for you to experience in one place
pardonmaley
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 02:09
เว็บคาสิโนออนไลน์ just betting on our games, many rewards will come for you. see you again.
sswmfn
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 04:26
The easiest way to check football prices.สูตรเซียน
Foolest
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 05:15
pgslot
A new dimension of investment
sswmfn
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 06:10
Play in every type of casino as real casinos have. Like a small casino in the form Online casinosดูหนังออนไลน์
IG 88
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 21:20
เว็บพนันออนไลน์ website that have all the betting in it to answer all the needed
สมพร เดธสง
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 22:37
แทงบอล Want to earn extra income from football betting?
สมพร เดธสง
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 22:37
123คาสิโน Number one in online gambling services Complete in one place
Nahoya Kawata
Fri, 02/25/2022 - 23:08
ufa Is the number 1 most popular online gambling website
snowball room
Sat, 02/26/2022 - 01:23
The best online casino sites in Thailand at 123over only. สล็อตแตกง่าย
Nyknong28
Sat, 02/26/2022 - 22:34
sa casino A comprehensive online website, football betting, baccarat, slot games, the most modern system No minimum deposit
ti tom
Sat, 02/26/2022 - 22:49
Igoal The best online gambling sites With every bet To meet all needs of the gambler with a complete range.
ti tom
Sat, 02/26/2022 - 22:54
nazago Online gambling service providers That answers all needs Excellent gambler 24 hours a day.
นาย วาทิต วงษ์ว...
Sun, 02/27/2022 - 01:24
สมัคร IGOAL88win
สมัคร IGOAL88win
Get detailed match analysis, previews and predictions for these competitions on our football predictions page.
สมพร เดธสง
Sun, 02/27/2022 - 01:43
igoal88 Sign up for play game and earn money
สมพร เดธสง
Sun, 02/27/2022 - 01:48
igoal88 Sign up for play game and earn money
Nisa
Sun, 02/27/2022 - 21:51
ราคาแฮนดิแคป Handicap football betting to make money
Jded
Sun, 02/27/2022 - 21:58
เว็บคาสิโน Easy way to earn extra money, Just click.
ttt
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 00:00
ทางเข้า 123Broadcasting live signals from leading casinos around the world.
ค.คน
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 00:21
คาสิโน if you need to get money click my name. have a good day.
เจบี สมายดี
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 00:34
igoal88 The best online casino website in Thailand
zoom88 zoom88
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 00:45
เว็บพนันNew style slots games that are played online And supports playing on both Android and ios mobile phones that are comfortable to play And also a
TakNazago 2112
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:13
สมัคร igoal88win Make your own money easily and quickly.
nnatc
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:18
wm casino Online casino sites that offer baccarat betting games that can meet the needs of the gambler as well. And there are many online gambling games available to complete gambling
Maypink Chanel
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:20
เกม123 Online gambling service
นาย วาทิต วงษ์ว...
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:31
บิงโก
บิงโก Bingo can be profitable, fast and fun.
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:33
เว็บคาสิโน The number 1 most popular online casino
ti tom
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:35
nazago Number 1 lottery website, bet lottery, buy lottery tickets via the web via mobile phone
123win1
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:37
ลิงค์รับทรัพย์ A new dimension of investment
Nyknong28
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 01:59
28 A comprehensive online website, football betting, baccarat, slot games, the most modern system No minimum deposit
pong pong
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 02:02
เว็บคาสิโน The best online casino website in Thailand and make good money.
ศิริศักดิ์ เอี่...
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 02:33
sa casino The best casino sites in Thailand and make good money
Meiqna
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 03:13
sexy baccarat The most advanced online system for you to experience in one place
วรพงษ์ บุญเรือน
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 04:46
คาสิโนออนไลน์ Many online betting game centers are avaliable on here.
วงใน หลอดแก้ว
Mon, 02/28/2022 - 11:34
Slots that are the easiest to break, must be played on the web.123 over 123over
Jded
Tue, 03/01/2022 - 00:31
ไพ่แคงออนไลน์ Easy way to earn extra money Just click.