Written by Samantha Stone
July is National Ice Cream Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to visit one of the many shops scooping handmade ice cream right here in Lancaster County! Listed below are just a few of the many places that serve a variety of mouth-watering ice cream flavors and sundae creations:
Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, Lancaster. Located on North Duke Street in Lancaster City, the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe serves ice cream churned just down the road at the Pine View Dairy. The Shoppe offers mouth-watering flavors like Espresso Oreo Caramel, Fresh Peach, and Coconut Pineapple. If you’re looking to try something new, the Stroopie Ice Cream Sandwich is for you! Two stroopwafels (freshly-made cinnamon waffles sandwiching a thin layer of delicious caramel) and your choice of any Pine View ice cream flavor. Yum!
Fox Meadows Creamery, Ephrata. Fox Meadows Creamery believes that “happy cows make the tastiest ice cream,” and if you’ve ever tasted any of their churned-in-house ice creams you know it’s true! Fox Meadows offers a wide variety of creative flavors, alongside an evolving seasonal menu. Floral Honeyed Lavender, sweet Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble, and tropical Endless Summer Sorbet are the featured flavors of the summer, and specialty creations like the Blueberry Lemon Shortcake Baked Fox are sure to please every ice cream lover on a hot summer day. Try their handcrafted sandwiches and cold coffee drinks too!
September Farm, Honey Brook. The amazing cheese shop at September Farm features a sweet surprise: distinctively creamy old-fashioned ice cream made right on the farm! Flavors include Triple Chocolate Earthquake, Strawberry Swirl, and Strawberry Cheesecake, and many other delicious offerings. Be sure to sample all of their cheeses and jams for the full September Farm experience!
The Udder Choice, Ephrata. Family operated since 1989, The Udder Choice features extensive breakfast, lunch, and ice cream menus for hungry visitors. With humble beginnings as a small ice cream parlor, the restaurant has expanded into a large, eclectic dining area with plenty of space for you and your family to enjoy unique ice cream creations such as the Holstein (vanilla, hot fudge, marshmallow), a Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Roll (think pumpkin roll meets strawberry shortcake!), or one of their amazing extra-thick milkshakes.
Rolled Cold Creamery, Lancaster. For a unique and modern twist on traditional ice cream, visit Rolled Cold Creamery in the Lancaster City Historic District. Here, the ice cream is spread in a thin layer on a -19 degree steel pan, and as the cream freezes, your choice of toppings (fresh fruit, candy, pretzels, and more) is mixed in. Finally, the ice cream is {rolled} into thin, creamy rolls and topped with whatever you’d like! With specialty flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Maple Bacon, and Nutella Crunch, it’s easy to see how the Creamery lives by their featured phrase- “Life is made up of experiences… why shouldn’t dessert be one too?”
Oregon Dairy, Lititz. With humble beginnings as a beautiful farm property, this dairy blossomed from a humble dream to a large market, popular restaurant, and bustling tourist destination. Oregon Dairy is well-known among locals for its extensive menu of delicious, homemade ice cream flavors that can be enjoyed in a spacious outdoor area complete with a large playground and an overhead goat path. With options for the traditionalists (Bordeaux Cherry, Strawberries & Cream) and the adventurous (Coconut Almond Fudge, Salty Caramel Truffle), every ice cream lover is sure to savor the indulgent flavors of Oregon Dairy!
Hayloft Ice Cream & Soft Pretzels, Leola. Who doesn’t love a treat that’s salty AND sweet?! Hayloft serves delectable pretzels and fries that you can enjoy with soft serve (Blueberry Vanilla twist? Yes, please!), Italian Ice (Cherry, Peach, Mango, and more!) or one of Hayloft’s signature Barn Blasters (Black Raspberry Cheesecake. Need I say more?). Visitors can relax in the spacious pavilion and feed the ducks in the nearby pond as the kids play on the Hayloft’s beautiful new playground. What makes this location even more unique is the fact that all proceeds are donated to the Allegany Boys Camp, an outdoor experience that offers emotional, behavioral, and spiritual development counseling. If you want to support a charitable cause in the tastiest way possible, visit Hayloft!
Lickety Split, New Holland. This old-fashioned ice cream parlor and sandwich shop offers a unique dining experience right on New Holland’s Main Street. Formerly the home Kauffman’s Hardware, the building now serves as a destination for lunch, dinner and, most importantly, ice cream! After savoring a delicious salad, sandwich or wrap, diners can choose from sizable dessert menu that includes sundaes, shakes, floats, and waffle ice cream sandwiches. Can’t decide on which delicious flavor to try? Order a flight of four small servings to mix and match your favorites with something new!
Scoops Ice Cream and Grille, Mountville. Don’t let the name fool you- Scoops is more than an ice cream shop. Famous for its Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, pork barbecue, and more, the property is also home to Boulders Mini Golf, recently acquired by the owners of the restaurant. Visitors can putt over streams, under waterfalls, and across ponds as they work up an appetite for a sweet specialty sundae, float, or shake. A Fluffernutter Sundae or Thin Mint Explosion would be perfect for sharing with your favorite mini golf partner!
Good Life, Lancaster. A life filled with ice cream is a Good Life indeed! Located on Fruitville Pike, this confectionary destination features handmade ice cream in flavors ranging from Dark Chocolate to Fresh Mint, with an enticing signature sundae menu starring unique combinations like Cherry Brownie Vacation, Salted Caramel Crunch, Birthday Cake, and many more. Good Life also offers a to-go menu for customers interested in pints and quarts, ice cream cupcakes (and yes, that is a cupcake made entirely out of ice cream!), and ice cream sandwiches. Be sure to return in the fall to try their Pumpkin Whoopie Pie ice cream!