Enjoy Ice Cream, Gelato and More
For those who have a sweet tooth, dessert is always a good idea. The options are endless, but in the month of August, it’s a no-brainer in the form of a cool, creamy and decadent frozen treat.
Although not known as such, “ice cream” dates back to ancient times and almost every culture has an interpretation that fits its climate and region.
According to the Museum of Ice Cream, “In China around 200 BCE, mixtures of milk and rice were frozen using ice collected from mountain lakes. By the Tang Dynasty, frozen milk desserts were being served to royalty from ice stored in underground houses built specifically for that purpose.
“In Persia around 400 BCE, people were eating faloodeh, a frozen dessert made with rose water, lime juice, and delicate noodles, a version of which still exists today. In India, kulfi developed as a slow-frozen milk dessert packed with pistachio, saffron, and cardamom. In the Middle East, people were drinking sharbat, fruit syrups chilled with ice, which is where the words sherbet and sorbet eventually came from.”
More close to home, Wisconsin’s history with ice cream includes inventing the sundae (a controversial “fact”) and the famous Blue Moon flavor, plus its rich tradition in frozen custard.
Today, area sweet shops are concocting an array of decadent frozen desserts using a little bit of everything: classic candy, fresh fruit and more.
Whether it’s ice cream, gelato or even a vegan variation, the Fox Cities has an array of options. Beat the heat with these cool treats!
Doughlicious, Kimberly
Specializing in premium soft serve ice cream, hard serve scooped ice cream and edible cookie dough, Doughlicious in Kimberly has made a name for itself for its “creative, over the top and ‘totally extra’ treats.”
“We are best known for taking classic ice cream favorites and turning them into fun, unforgettable dessert experiences that are just as visually exciting as they are delicious,” Chloe Schumann, co-owner and general manager, says. “Whether you’re stopping in for a simple cone or one of our signature creations, we focus on quality ingredients, generous portions and creating treats that everyone can enjoy!”
Flavors: Typically 24 hard serve scooped ice cream flavors in addition to Vanilla, Chocolate and Twist Soft Serve.
“Some of our customer favorites include Michigan Pothole, Superman, Nana’s Banana Pudding, Amaretto Cherry, and of course Cookie Dough,” Schumann says.
Most popular on the menu: Licious Layers. “With more than 10 handcrafted signature combinations to choose from, or you have the option to create your own, there’s a Licious Layer for everyone!” Schumann shares. “Each one starts with a drizzle of syrup around the inside of the cup, followed by a layer of our creamy soft serve ice cream, a combination of candy toppings and additional syrup, then another layer of soft serve. We finish them off with even more toppings, creating a dessert that’s as exciting to look at as it is to eat.
“At Doughlicious, there’s truly something for everyone looking to cool down this summer (or any time of the year). From our creamy soft serve and hard serve scooped ice cream to specialty milkshakes, loaded sundaes, edible cookie dough creations, ice cream nachos, and refreshing dirty sodas, we offer plenty of ways to beat the heat,” Schumann says. “We love creating treats that bring people together, so whether you’re stopping by with family, friends or just treating yourself, we’re excited to help make your summer a little sweeter!”
Sara’s Artisan Gelato, Green Bay and De Pere
Using traditional Italian techniques learned in Italy but also handcrafted from scratch using local Wisconsin dairy, Sara’s Artisan Gelato in Green Bay and De Pere is a unique combination that gives guests craving classic Italian and American flavors a place to savor gelato in cups or cones.
“We’re often inventing new exciting options to try that we’ll rotate seasonally or as limited-time offers,” Sara Kwaterski, owner and founder, shares. “In our pint freezer, we carry 27 flavors that rotate as well! In our history as a company, we’ve invented and served over 100 different options, and we continue to create more!”
Flavors: 16 flavors in the gelato display case for cups and cones that rotate frequently.
Most popular on the menu: “Our most popular menu items include our gelato ‘Pick-Xix’ flights, as well as our homemade waffle cones,” Kwaterski says. “Our take-home pints are very popular as well, with over 25 different options to choose from. We also make homemade cookies which I’m of course very biased towards.”
Specials: Buy 3 get the fourth pint 25% off option at all stores.
“We also frequently run ads with our customer loyalty program,” Kwaterski says. “Other deals include discounts for military and police, as well as teachers! Lastly, we donate 5% of sales back to the Big Brother Big Sisters every Wednesday. The bigs and littles are welcome to get a free small each on Wednesdays when they come together!
“In a few weeks, we’re hoping to be able to ship gelato pints to your doorstep in 6 or 8 packs of varying flavors. We also will be scooping at all the Packers events this summer, including the summer kickoff concert, Family Night and every game in the concourse contingent on weather conditions! The last thing we’re working on involves giving customers access to our flavor archives for special orders—but I’ll leave it at that for the moment!”
Sugar Llamas, Greenville
Primarily known for their customized mini donuts and specialty coffee, Sugar Llamas in Greenville also serves award-winning Ashby’s handcrafted ice cream, known for its premium ingredients and vast flavor selection. They also serve Dirty Soda Mixers and Red Bull Mixers, flavorful drink options for all ages.
“We bring together the best of both worlds—mini donuts and ice cream—with two unique dessert creations,” Derek Kornfehl, owner, says. “Our Summit features two scoops of Ashby’s handcrafted ice cream served alongside six freshly made mini donuts, creating the perfect combination of warm and cold treats.
“For an even more indulgent experience, try our Llama Smash, a bundt cake made from our signature donut batter with a scoop of ice cream smashed into the center. We finish it with your choice of delicious drizzles and toppings, creating a fully customizable dessert that’s become a guest favorite.”
Flavors: 12, with the most popular ice cream flavors including Coco Loco, Sea Turtle, Superman and Cotton Candy.
Most popular on the menu: “Our most popular menu item is our freshly made mini donuts, customized and made to order. Some of our most popular flavors include Cookies & Cream, Brownie Batter, and Apple Pie,” Kornfehl says.
“For guests looking to try a variety of flavors, our most popular option is the 16-count mini donuts, which allows you to choose up to four different flavors in one order—making it the perfect way to sample multiple favorites.”
Specials: “We love being involved in the community and regularly offer specials through local promotions, sponsorships and partnerships,” Kornfehl shares. “For example, Sugar Llamas is featured on the Hortonville Football discount card, allowing supporters to enjoy special offers while supporting local athletics.
“We also celebrate holidays throughout the year with exclusive promotions and discounts, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, the Fourth of July, and many other special occasions. These events give us an opportunity to thank our customers and create fun reasons for families and friends to stop in and enjoy a treat together.”
The Knotted Cone, Mobile
After her culinary travels and studying at Gelato University in Italy, Kathy Turek returned to Wisconsin and founded The Knotted Cone in 2016. The mobile food truck specializes in small-batch, handcrafted gelato and dairy-free sorbets made entirely from scratch.”
“(We) blend locally sourced Wisconsin dairy with plant-based fibers and sugars to achieve clean, intense and smooth flavors (and) combine local seasonal products with premium international ingredients for unique tastes,” Turek shares. “The sorbets are naturally dairy-free, and the majority of our gelatos are naturally gluten-free (excluding cones or specific bakery mix-ins). The products contain no artificial colors, preservatives or mix-ins. Private catering flavors are all based on the client’s choices.”
Flavors: “The flavor menu is constantly rotating and changing with the seasons, meaning there is no actual fixed menu,” Turek says. “We feature a surprise lineup of 8 flavors at every public event, which is typically previewed ahead of time on social media.”
Most popular on the menu: “Caramel Salted Vanilla: This crowd favorite features a rich, smooth French salted vanilla bean gelato base layered with homemade creamy caramel swirl. Fresh Fruit Sorbets & Gelatos: Whenever local fruit is in season, these flavors fly out of the counter. Using fresh-picked berries, Door County cherries, home grown herbs, Georgia peaches, squeezed oranges & zested lemons etc. these recipes capture the absolute peak of summer. The fruit-based sorbets are always incredibly refreshing,” Turek explains.
“Dark Chocolate Mocha: A deeply rich flavor that pairs premium, French and Belgian chocolates with espresso tones. It is intense, velvety, and a massive hit for true chocolate fans. Pure Pistachio: We craft an authentic, deeply nutty version using 100% pure, unadulterated pure pistachio paste. It is not the artificially flavored bright green pistachio people may think of. Wisconsin Cheese Inspired: We experiment often with local cheeses like ricotta, cream cheese, goat cheese & blend them into rich gelato bases—sometimes folding in elements like raspberry marblings, butterscotch or toasted nuts to create sophisticated flavors.
“Private events are the company’s core focus. We provide custom gelato catering setups for weddings, corporate gatherings, and private parties. The public can routinely find the gelato truck on “Gelato Sundays” during the summer months, parked on the north side of Appleton at the Northsider Convenience Station (5208 North Richmond Street) from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sold out). The season typically runs only until mid September with occasional pop-up events.
Wonders Ice Cream, Appleton
Noted for its twist on traditional ice cream, Wonders Ice Cream-Appleton offers a rolled variety that allows for a lot of creativity and customization.
“It gives people a chance to build something fun, personal, and a little different every time they visit,” the Vang sisters, owners, say. “Every order is made on a cold plate, so customers can actually watch it being made in front of them from start to finish. It’s part of the experience and something people enjoy seeing. We’re a seasonal rolled ice cream shop, so our signature creations menu may change depending on the season and the current flavor trends.
“We may not carry everything you’re looking for, but if you’re feeling adventurous and curious of a new way to appreciate ice cream we would love to see you give us a try to beat the heat! As we continue to grow and evolve, we hope more people discover what makes rolled ice cream so special. Our goal is to envision rolled ice cream beyond what it’s known for and ultimately have you all come to appreciate and love it as much as we do!”
Flavors: “For this season, we’re offering 14 dairy flavors, 7 Italian ice flavors, and a vegan coconut base option,” the Vang sisters share. “Our flavor lineup leans toward simple and classic favorites because we love giving customers the chance to personalize their own creations and make them their own.”
Most popular on the menu: Top 5 popular signature creations on the menu are Oreo Oreo, Brownie Smashed, Nutella & Bananas, Birthday Cake, and Strawberry Cheesecake.
“Our most popular creation is the Oreo Oreo—we’ve rolled over 100 of them this season! It starts with our vanilla dairy base and is smashed with Oreo cookies,” the Vangs explain. “Then, we top it with chocolate Pocky sticks, a chocolate creme wafer roll, an Oreo cookie, whipped cream, and finish with a sprinkle of Oreo crumbs.
“It’s a customer favorite and one of those creations people keep coming back for. We think people love it because it’s simple, nostalgic, and full of all the little toppings that make it feel special.”
