Our province experienced a major heat wave this week; the AC units, fans and kiddie pools flew off the shelves. It was unbearable, but it was THE perfect excuse to eat lots of ice cream! It made me think about the time when my bestie got an ice cream maker for her birthday and we experimented with “cereal milk ice cream.” While our attempt wouldn’t make it on our list of favourites we do know of a few places where you can get excellent ice cream…and no, Dairy Queen isn’t one of them!
Village Ice Cream in Calgary
They make handcrafted ice cream starting with a dense and creamy base (made with a surprising amount of egg yolks, cream and sugar) in 10 flavours available year round, with a bunch of seasonal flavours and non-dairy, vegan and gluten free options such as: Grahamtellow, Cherry Cola, Salty Malty Pretzel, Chocolate Coconut Milk, Banana Split, Huckleberry, Passionfruit and Strawberry Shortcake. The smell of freshly made waffle cones will make your mouth water.
The Big Moo Ice Cream Parlour @ Sylvan Lake
This ice cream parlour is an institution in Sylvan Lake! They have at least 80 flavours of ice cream in addition to burgers, wraps and rice bowls. Nothing like strolling along the beach with a delicious ice cream in hand. You can get a basic two or three scoop cone or a whimsical ice cream concoction with sprinkles, candy kabobs and cookies.
Daisy McBeans @ Pigeon Lake
A cozy but bustling restaurant serves up hard and soft ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and frozen yogurt in addition to a hearty meals and great coffee. After enjoying your ice cream, you’ll find a cute little surprise at the bottom of your cone…a jelly bean.
Marble Slab
Marble Slab made its way to Alberta in 2003 from Texas; this frozen slab concept creamery features 50 flavours and 30 kinds of mix-ins (fruits, nuts, candies, chocolate and cookies). You pick the ice cream, mix-ins and they fold everything together right before your eyes. In addition to ice cream, splits, floats, smoothies and sundaes, Marble Slab also has crumbles, cupcakes and pies made from ice cream! It is truly THE ice cream experience.