Cold stone is a little different than your typical ice cream store - they don't just get you a scoop of chocolate, put it on a cone, and then hand it to you. They put that scoop of chocolate on a cold slab and then add in a bunch of stuff - like actual yellow cake pieces, slices of banana, OREO Cookies, pieces of Twix bar, whatever you'd like added from their list - mix it all up with a couple spatulas into a ball, put it in a bowl or a cone, and then hand it to you.
They have about 20 different starting base ice cream flavors and then about 50 different toppings that they can mix in to your ice cream choice on their cold stone - it's unlimited potential. You can come up with your own favorite combinations of ice cream and mix-ins or you can choose from a list of the best combos that they have figured out over the last 35 years.
They call these already figured out combinations their Signature Creations. If you're just starting out, one of these is what you want to order.
Walk in to a Cold Stone Creamery and find the Signature Creations board that's on the wall somewhere and figure out which Creation you want. You can also look on the main menu board behind the counter but that is a shortened version.
Once it's your turn to order:
- Start by telling them the name of the Creation you'd like
- Then tell them the size
- Finally, let them know if you want it in a Waffle Bowl or Waffle Cone or just a Paper Cup
They don't even need to know that you want a waffle bowl with sprinkles on it until after they have mixed your entire order on the stone.
Founders Favorite, Medium, in a Plain Waffle Bowl
Those Signature Creations boards slightly vary by location and they are a little different from the most current creations on the Cold Stone website
[ https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/icecream/signaturecreations/index.html ]
- Select Flavor and Size
- Choose Mix-ins
- Add Waffle Cone or Bowl
- Plain
- Dipped
- Sprinkled
- Lobby Freezer
- Ice Cream Cakes
- Ice Cream Cookies
- Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Ice Cream Cupcakes
- Custom Cakes Available
15 Cold Stone Creamery Flavors Ranked
Tasting TableNovember 2023
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. Especially for a scoop of Cold Stone Creamery's decadent, delicious ice cream. This national chain is a crowd favorite, known for its classic flavors and furthermore, its signature creations. While the toppings are an integral part of the Cold Stone experience, it's our belief that the true star of the show should be the ice cream itself.With that being said, we understand that when it comes down to choosing an ice cream flavor, choice paralysis can get the best of us. Luckily for you, we've done the heavy lifting. We visited a local Cold Stone Creamery and sampled its flavors, including classic flavors as well as a few seasonal favorites. Many flavors (and a minor stomach ache) later, we're bringing you a definitive guide to the worst and best Cold Stone flavors for the next time you need to satisfy that sweet tooth.
The biggest factor that we considered while ranking these was how they tasted as standalone flavors. Cold Stone is well known for its Signature Creations, which often include a number of mix-ins and toppings in addition to the ice cream. To give each flavor a fair rating, we thought it best to rank them based on how we thought they tasted without the added boost of toppings. This of course was considered in addition to general taste and flavor, texture, and creaminess overall. It is called Cold Stone Creamery, after all.
- Coffee
The flavor to top all flavors is Cold Stone's Coffee ice cream. In our books, there is nothing better than a rich, punchy coffee ice cream that not only satisfies your sweet tooth but wakes you up in the process.Made with real coffee, this ice cream was unlike any other ice cream that we've tried before. While there are many store-bought brands that have coffee flavors, we're inclined to say that none compare to a fresh scoop from Cold Stone.
The strong notes of coffee helped to balance out the sweeter notes from the creaminess of the ice cream, making for a smooth and rich taste overall. There was not a hint of bitterness, and the texture was so perfect that it almost brought a tear to our eye. Though we're not saying that you have to order this flavor next time you find yourself at Cold Stone, we are saying that you should.
- Fudge Brownie
- Cake Batter
- Classic Cookie Dough
- Pumpkin Bread Batter
- Strawberry
- Chocolate
- French Vanilla
- Watermelon Sorbet
- Sweet Cream
- Cheesecake
- Mint
- Caramel Apple
- Boo Batter
- Silk Chocolate Almond Milk
Behind the Counter
- Fudge
- Hot Fudge
- Caramel
- Marshmallow Cream
- Whipped Cream
- Peanut Butter
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Pieces
- Dark Chocolate Shavings
- Waffle Cone Pieces
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Brownie
- Chocolate Cake
- Yellow Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Pineapple
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Blueberry
- Black Cherry
- Cherry Pie Filling
- Apple Pie Filling
- Banana
- Cake Batter Ice Cream
- Cookie Dough
- Fudge
- Whipped Cream
- French Vanilla Ice Cream
- Cinnamon
- Graham Gracker Pie Crust
- Apple Pie Filling
- Caramel
- French Vanilla Ice Cream
- Roasted Almonds
- Banana
- Caramel
- Sweet Cream Ice Cream
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Cake Batter Ice Cream
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Brownie
- Fudge
- Cake Batter Ice Cream
- Cookie Dough
- Brownie
- Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Chocolate Ice Cream
- Chocolate Chips
- Brownie
- Fudge
- Coffee Ice Cream
- Roasted Almonds
- Heath Bar
- Caramel
- French Vanilla Ice Cream
- Chocolate Chips
- Cookie Dough
- Fudge
- Caramel
- Mint Ice Cream
- Double OREOs
- Fudge
- Sweet Cream Ice Cream
- Pecans
- Brownie
- Fudge
- Caramel
- Chocolate Ice Cream
- Pecans
- Coconut
- Brownie
- Caramel
- Mint Ice Cream
- Chocolate Chips
- Brownie
- Fudge
- Coffee Ice Cream
- OREO Cookies
- Peanut Butter
- Roasted Almonds
- Fudge
- Sweet Cream Ice Cream
- Chocolate Chips
- Double OREOs
- Fudge
- Strawberry Ice Cream
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- Strawberries
- Caramel
- Whipped Cream
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
- Apple Pie Filling
- Caramel
- Peanut Butter
- Fudge
- Strawberry Ice Cream
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- White Chocolate Chips
- Strawberries
- Banana
About Cold Stone CreameryCold Stone CreameryCold Stone
For more than 30 years we've served up the finest, freshest ice cream, cakes, smoothies and shakes using only the highest quality ingredients, and of course, our signature process of preparing your custom ice cream creation on a frozen granite stone.How good is our ice cream? Well, let's just say that on a scale of 1 to 10, we're somewhere around an 11.5. But we're about more than just serving up amazing ice cream. We like to think we're really in the business of making people happy...
It's all about what we call the 10-Minute Vacation... that 10-minute getaway you deserve from the world outside our doors. Just head inside any Cold Stone Creamery, and that's what you'll get. From our enthusiastic, singing crew members, to the shared laughter of a family enjoying a treat together - if it's making you, your friends, or your loved ones happy, then we're doing our jobs right!
Community Service & Social Responsibility
At Cold Stone Creamery, our mission is to make people happy. And nothing makes us happier than Sprinkling Kindness!
- Best Buddies
Cold Stone Creamery proudly supports Best Buddies and their mission to end the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).- bstrong
We're partnering with bstrong, founded by Bethenny Frankel, to support people and communities in need.- Local Communities
Each Cold Stone Creamery location is locally-owned and operated and our franchisees are committed to serving their communities. We're currently focused on national and local donations of Cold Stone Creations to local heroes on the front lines.
How the ultimate ice cream franchise opportunity pioneered customization, exceptional customer service and the Ultimate Ice Cream ExperienceCold Stone CreameryCold Stone Creamery was founded in 1988
By married couple Donald and Susan Sutherland in the college town of Tempe, Arizona. The Sutherlands were ice cream fanatics and traveled all over the world trying to find the perfect ice cream. Unsatisfied with the ice cream they discovered, when they returned the Sutherlands set out to open a new ice cream shop that would be far different than the prepackaged, chalk-like ice cream they could get in the supermarket, or the prepackaged ice cream that arrived in vats at their local ice cream shops in town. They wanted ice cream that was made in-house, on the very same day their customers came in to get a sundae or cone. The quest for the perfect ice cream franchise opportunity is the reason Cold Stone Creamery was founded, and it's why Cold Stone Creamery continues to enjoy rising popularity.
Cold StoneWhat made us unique when Cold Stone Creamery was founded is what continues to make us unique today, which is the fact that we make our ice cream fresh.
Cold StoneWhat the Sutherlands discovered in the 1980s still persists among a lot of our competitors, who bring their ice cream in tubs or vats, and the ice cream sits until they sell it or it goes bad. This key difference is why Cold Stone Creamery has such a heavenly taste, that perfect ice cream taste that you want when you're in the mood for ice cream: we make the ice cream in the same store where you come in to get it.-Cold Stone Creamery Tastemaster
The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience and pioneering customization
Long before fast food and QSR restaurants began displaying ingredients before the customers, allowing them to pick and choose, Cold Stone Creamery perfected the concept. Customers can pick and choose from brownies, OREO cookies, gummy bears, BUTTERFINGER, SNICKERS and more, alongside a dozen or so freshly made ice cream flavors such as Cake Batter Ice Cream, Sweet Cream, Chocolate, Cheesecake and more to make their own individualized Cold Stone Signature Creation.This revolutionary concept of customization set the standard for the rest of the food industry, but it also helped inspire the concept that Cold Stone Creamery is known for: The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.
Cold StoneThe Ultimate Ice Cream Experience is a 10-minute vacation
Cold StoneA guest walks into Cold Stone Creamery and is immediately welcomed, and their eyes dart over to our freshly made ice cream, they see the mix-ins, and they know they can create something that is perfect for them, or they can choose one of our iconic Cold Stone Signature Creations. Cold Stone Creamery crew members sing and cheer, encouraging laughter and friendly conversation, and when the customer leaves, they leave us with a smile. That's our goal, really. Our primary goal is to make people happy. The fact that people are happy when they leave us is one of the reasons why they come back.-Cold Stone Creamery Tastemaster
A Global Footprint
Cold Stone Creamery began franchising in 1994, and the result has been that Cold Stone Creamery is an iconic brand all over the world. When Kahala BrandsTM, one of the world's most esteemed franchisors, with a portfolio of multiple international brands, including Blimpie, took the reins of Cold Stone Creamery in 2007, the ice cream franchise became a giant. Cold Stone is in nearly 30 different countries around the world, and hundreds of locations across the United States.
Ranking EVERY SINGLE Signature Creation at Cold Stone Creamery
ThrillistSeptember 2013
Cold Stone Creamery is known for combining house-made ice cream with creative mix-ins on a frozen granite stone, and employees who sing when you tip them, unlike those other ungrateful ice cream shop employees who think it's enough to say, "Thank you!" and smile. At least freestyle for us! To help you determine which of their 20 signature flavors to order next time you visit, our team of ravenous food detectives fought off brain freeze to taste-test each one, score 'em on a scale from 1-10, and then power-rank everything
- Birthday Cake Remix
Tasting notes: This is one of Cold Stone's most popular Signature Creations, and it's obvious why after digging into a spoonful of cake batter ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, brownies, and fudge. This is better than any birthday cake we had growing up. Sorry, Fudgie.
Average score: 10- Germanchokolatekake
Tasting notes: This surprised us, but the mixed-in toasted coconut was super-tasty, and made for an epic frozen version of a German chocolate cake. Loved the addition of pecans, as well.
Average score: 9.25- Cheesecake Fantasy
Tasting notes: Cheesecake ice cream, graham cracker crust, blueberries, and strawberries make for a refreshing bowl of delicious. Better than any slice of cheesecake we've ever had.
Average score: 9- (tie) Cookie Mintster
Tasting notes: Obviously named after the beloved puppet from Serserme Strait, the Mintster's got plenty of Oreo crunch with a delicious minty finish.
Average score: 8.25- (tie) Oreo Overload
Tasting notes: The sweet cream ice cream makes it taste like you're eating a bowl of Oreo filling. That is a high compliment. Love that they added fudge to this, too.
Average score: 8.25- Peanut Butter Cup Perfection
- (tie) That's How I Roll
- (tie) Berry Berry Berry Good
- Apple Pie A La Cold Stone
- Our Strawberry Blonde
- Mud Pie Mojo
- Coffee Lovers Only
- All Lovin' No Oven
- Banana Caramel Crunch
- Founder's Favorite
- Cookie Doughn't You Want Some
- Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip
- Chocolate Devotion
- Strawberry Banana Rendezvous
- The Pie Who Loved Me
Cold Stone Creamery
WIKIPEDIAThe Cold Stone Creamery, Inc.
American international ice cream parlor chain. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, they are owned and operated by Kahala Brands. Their main product is premium ice cream made with approximately 12–14% butterfat, made on location and customized for patrons at time of order. Cold Stone has also expanded its menu with other ice cream-related products, including: ice cream cakes, pies, cookie sandwiches, smoothies, shakes, and iced or blended coffee drinks.The company was co-founded in 1988 by Donald and Susan Sutherland, who sought ice cream that was neither hard packed nor soft-serve. Cold Stone Creamery opened its first store that year in Tempe, Arizona.
- Patrons first select a flavor of ice cream and then choose a number of mix-ins to be created into the ice cream. Mix-ins include candies, nuts, brownies and syrups.
- Cold Stone derives its name from the frozen granite slab that employees use to fold mix-ins into the ice cream.
- In 1995, Cold Stone Creamery opened its first franchise store in Tempe, Arizona.
- Shortly after, a second location (first out of state) was opened in Camarillo, California.
- Cold Stone Creamery is now the sixth best-selling brand of ice cream in the US.
- In May 2007, Cold Stone Creamery merged with Kahala Corp
- In 2008, Cold Stone opened its first European franchise in Copenhagen, Denmark. Three more stores were later opened in other parts of the country.
- Strawberry Passion
Moist red velvet cake, strawberry ice cream & graham cracker crust with strawberry puree wrapped in fluffy strawberry frosting. - Midnight Delight
Layers of moist devil's food cake & chocolate ice cream wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. - Cookie Dough Delirium
Moist yellow cake, sweet cream ice cream with cookie dough & chocolate shavings covered in fluffy, white frosting, - Coffeehouse Crunch
Layers of moist devil's food cake, coffee ice cream, & Heath bar wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. - Cookies & Creamery
Layers of moist devil's food cake, sweet cream ice cream, & Oreos wrapped in a fluffy white frosting. - Peanut Butter Playground
Layers of moist devil's food cake, chocolate ice cream, & Reese's Peanut Butter Cups wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. - Mmmmmmint Chip
Layers of moist devil's food cake, mint ice cream, & chocolate shavings wrapped in a fluffy white frosting. - Chocolate Chipper
Layers of moist devil's food cake, sweet cream ice cream, & chocolate shavings wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. - Butterfinger Bonanza
Layers of moist yellow cake, Cake Batter ice cream with Butterfinger covered in a creamy peanut butter frosting. - Caramel Nut Nirvana
Layers of moist devil's food cake & sweet cream ice cream with Snickers wrapped in a rich fudge ganache. - A Cheesecake Named Desire
Moist yellow cake, cheesecake ice cream & graham cracker pie crust, & a layer of raspberry sauce in a raspberry frosting - Raspberry Truffle Temptation
Moist red velvet cake, chocolate ice cream & chocolate shavings with a layer of raspberry sauce wrapped in a rich fudge ganache.
11 Best Cold Stone Secret Menu Items
CozymealMay 2024
Are you curious about the possibilities of Cold Stone's secret menu? Want to enjoy a whole new world of ice cream flavors? Then you're in the right place. Cold Stone Creamery is a popular American ice cream parlor chain based in Arizona, with international locations in over 20 countries. With ice cream treats crafted to the highest quality, it's easy to see why this is a favorite dessert spot for many.While the classic menu boasts plenty of familiar flavors, Cold Stone's secret menu offers new combinations for the more adventurous. No matter what you're craving, there's something for everyone. While this unofficial menu is still well-known and popular enough for regulars to get creative with their orders, this list is a starting point for the uninitiated to experiment with Cold Stone's classic treats.
- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Creamy cake batter ice cream as your base, then add yellow cake pieces and juicy pineapple bits for texture and tropical sweetness. Top it off with maraschino cherries for an extra burst of flavor.- Key Lime Pie
Lemon sorbet with cake batter ice cream as your base, then top it off with graham cracker pie crust and a delicate dollop of whipped cream to finish.- Dulce de Leche
French vanilla ice cream as your base, topped with a light dusting of cinnamon and a generous drizzle of sweet caramel.- Coconut Cream Pie
French vanilla ice cream as your base, topped with graham cracker pie crust, whipped cream and shredded coconut.- Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry ice cream for your base, topped with juicy strawberries, tender yellow cake pieces and a dollop of fluffy whipped cream.- Peanut Butter and Jelly
Peanut butter ice cream with chilled watermelon sorbet.- Cherry Cobbler
French vanilla ice cream for your base, topped with golden yellow cake pieces, luscious cherry pie filling and a crumbly graham cracker pie crust.- Arroz con Leche
Swirl of cotton candy and cinnamon ice cream- Ants on a Log
French vanilla ice cream for your base, then top it with chocolate-covered sea-salted pretzels, raisins and a drizzle of peanut butter sauce.- Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake
Cake batter ice cream for your base then add fudge and bits of both cake and brownie pieces.- Boston Cream Pie
French vanilla ice cream base, generously topped with tender bits of yellow cake, a dollop of creamy whipped cream and a gorgeous drizzle of rich fudge.
For Cones & Bowls
- 1 Bag Waffle Mix
- 6 1/4 Cups of Water
- 12 Dash of Cinnamon
13 Secrets Cold Stone Doesn't Want You to Know
Yes, they make the ice cream in-house, but it doesn't start there.Eat This, Not That!May 2022
There's just something about Cold Stone Creamery that can't be beat. Founded in Arizona by Susan and Donald Sutherland in 1988, the husband and wife team sought to bring super-premium ice cream with a unique concept to Arizona. Needless to say, the idea caught on and the chain now boasts over 1,000 locations in the U.S.But though the ice cream shops churn out creamy confections, there are some secrets that Cold Stone would rather you not pay attention to when enjoying their frozen, made-to-order treats.
- The ice cream is very high in fat.
- Monday is the best day of the week to go.
A former employee revealed that Monday is the best day to go for the freshest ice cream. While all of the ice cream is churned in-house, the employee said that "over the weekend a lot of the ice cream gets cycled out so you have the freshest on Monday."- The ice cream is churned in-house but it isn't technically made there.
While it's true that every batch of ice cream is churned in-house, it's all made from premade bases and mixes that are made in a large factory and delivered to the locations. The employees then pour the mixtures into the ice cream machines.- Some ice creams have more "real" ingredients than others.
Another employee mentioned that while the ice cream is high-quality, some of the ice creams have more "real" ingredients than others. The employee recommended anything with "banana, coffee, sweet cream" as those are made with the more 'real' ingredients." In fact, every ice cream starts with one of four company bases: sweet cream ice cream, chocolate ice cream, sorbet, and yogurt.Plus, some flavors contain natural and artificial flavorings instead of the real deal, like the cheesecake flavors which contain cheesecake flavoring, not any real cream cheese, or the pistachio which doesn't have any actual pistachios in it. Many contain artificial colors as well. If you are sensitive to any ingredients, it's best to check the ingredient list.
- You really can order every topping.
- Cold Stone ice cream isn't cheap.
One scoop of ice cream for about as much as a pint of premium ice cream in the supermarket.But Cold Stone is going to taste way better than what you can make at home, says an employee, "Unless you can afford a $30,000 ice cream machine like ours, you will not be able to make it at home. Our machine is specifically designed to make the ice cream creamy and smooth." Plus, he reasons, "Grocery store ice cream is packaged weeks/months before you actually consume it. With Cold Stone it's made fresh and made to order, so you can get EXACTLY what you want. It may cost a little more but as our motto says 'friends don't let friends eat grocery store ice cream.'"
- You can mix as many ice creams as you want for free.
Another employee offers this tip for getting more flavor for free: "Little-known fact: at Cold Stone, you have to pay extra for each mix-in, but as long as your server can fit them into the right 5-, 8-, or 12-oz cup, you can mix as many flavors of ice cream as you want."- You might want to skip the cherry pie filling.
According to another employee, you might want to skip the cherry pie filling because it's the least popular. "Being its the least popular," she warns, "it will sit out the longest and sometimes pie crust or almonds will wander into it..." Also, if your child insists on gummy bears, get them on the side. They tend to become hard and impossible to eat in the actual ice cream.- Pretty much all of the Signature Creations are diet disasters.
- The menu boards might be outdated.
According to a Reddit user that is a manager, the menu boards might be, "DANGEROUSLY outdated." "We still list the old stuff they discontinued," he says, "No one except veterans know wtf those are anymore." Check out the website to see what's new before you go.- Brain freeze is a real consequence of fast eating.
- The singing used to be a bigger thing.
While some locations still faithfully sing, many don't on slower days and it's okay to say you don't want them to. "Sometimes people will say "you don't have to sing" which we obviously appreciate. To be honest, it's so busy at our store at times, that we rarely sing unless requested, because singing just slows down the line, and then people get angry that we are holding things up," the manager confessed.- You can get a free replacement if you don't like your creation.
- 1/2 Blimpie 1/2 Cold Stone
[ https://www.eatlife.net/restaurants/blimpie.php ]
Every Cold Stone Creamery Creation Ranked
MashedMay 2022
If you're confused about which flavor to order from the shop, you're not alone. The sheer number of flavors on the menu can be quite intimidating and if you don't already have a flavor picked out before entering the store, you may find yourself standing around for a while before deciding on a particular flavor.Cold Stone Creamery offers so many flavors, and some are truly remarkable, while others border on average. The best way to avoid any indecision before placing your order is to do your research and work out which flavors you simply must try as opposed to the ones you should probably just skip. And, as always, feel free to make adjustments to your order based on your taste preferences.
- Cheesecake Fantasy
The best Cold Stone flavor of them all: The Cheesecake Fantasy. Ice cream and cheesecake go fantastically well together as two incredible desserts. But when you order the Cheesecake Fantasy from Cold Stone, you're not just going to be getting a cream cheese-flavored ice cream. Instead, you'll enjoy your cheesecake ice cream with generous helpings of blueberries and strawberries added to the mix. Their tartness and slight sweetness make this dessert feel both fresh and decadent at the same time.Since the crust is an important component of any cheesecake, Cold Stone has incorporated plenty of graham cracker pie crust into this flavor. This flavor is so good that it almost tastes better than an actual cheesecake. The creamy cheesiness combines with vibrant, slightly acidic fruit notes and a biscuity, crumbly texture to deliver spoonfuls of heaven right into your mouth. Once you've tried this flavor, you're bound to emerge as a Cheesecake Fantasy convert.
- Coffee Lovers Only
- Germanchokolatekake
- The Way the Cookie Crumbles
- Berry Berry Berry Good
- Peanut Butter Cup Perfection
- Our Strawberry Blonde
- Mud Pie Mojo
- Surrender to Strawberry
- Reese's Peanut Butter Awesome Sauce
- Cookie Minster
- One Smart Brookie
- Cookie Doughn't You Want Some
- Dough For It!
- Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip
- Dough-lightful Peanut Butter
- Peanut Butter Pretzel Time
- Chocolate Devotion
- Banana Caramel Crunch
- Apple Pie A La Cold Stone
- Cookies Make Everything Batter
- Cake Batter Batter Batter
- Founder's Favorite
- Oreo Overload
- Birthday Cake Remix
- PB Dough Delight
- Somewhere Over the Rain-dough
10 Things You Need to Know Before Eating At Cold Stone Creamery
You definitely need to get the scoop on this place.DelishJuly 2016
Ice cream shops are always joyful places. What could make a person happier than the sweet smell of fresh waffle cones and gallons of creamy, frozen goodness to choose from? Cold Stone Creamery figured out a way to top that with a unique in-store experience that makes any conehead's heart go pitter-patter. We've got the low-down on how the chain churns out those creamy concoctions.
- Cold Stone ice cream was different from the beginning.
Donald and Susan Sutherland traveled around the world in search of the perfect ice cream and founded Cold Stone Creamery back in 1988. The first location was in Tempe, AZ, where they began serving their unique recipe, which falls between a hard-packed ice cream and soft serve.- The ice cream is made fresh daily.
- Each store has a very special countertop.
- Their "toppings" are not just for sprinkling on top.
That granite stone comes in handy when it's time for customers to choose their mix-ins. Crew members put a big dollop of ice cream base right on the cold countertop and make a well with their spatula. A selection of mix-ins get nestled inside, then chopped and folded into the creamy mixture until they're evenly incorporated.- There are over 30 mix-ins to choose from.
In addition to the shop's signature creations, customers can opt to make their own concoctions with the impressive selection of toppings. You'll see everything from fresh fruit and candy-bar pieces to sponge cake and gooey brownies behind the counter.- Staffers have to go through an "audition" process.
The employees aren't just there to mindlessly scoop all day-they're called "sundae artists" and when they interview, they have to impress higher-ups with an enthusiastic performance to prove that they can contribute to the "Entertainment Factor."- They might even sing for you.
Staffers are instructed to break into song when they receive a tip, and some crew members even come up with their own ditties for customers. Depending on your threshold for public embarrassment, that means you should either make sure to drop some change in the tip jar, or make sure to avoid eye contact at all costs.- The chain is home to the World's Biggest Ice Cream Social.
A scoop of ice cream is enough to bring a smile to any kid's face, but Cold Stone goes further to make dreams come true for youngsters in the U.S. In partnership with Make-a-Wish, the chain has hosted the World's Largest Ice Cream Social for several years, donating $1 to the charity for every "Love It" or "Gotta Have It" size treat sold over the course of a select month during the year.- They're famous for a half-baked flavor.
- Cold Stone won't wreck your diet
Okay, so you probably want to steer clear of those decadent signature creations, but did you know that Cold Stone also has a frozen yogurt bar?
20 Best Cold Stone Creations, Ranked
Insanely Good RecipesNovember 2023
Cold Stone Creamery is a gourmet ice cream chain with something for everyone. It has delicious ice cream and mix-ins galore! Chocolatey, nutty, sweet, fruity- you name it, you can make it. Are you about to visit Cold Stone for the first time? Or are you a long-time Cold Stone fan? Either way, this list is for you! I've compiled the 20 best Cold Stone flavors, ranked from best to worst.
- Cheesecake Fantasy
Are you a sucker for sweet and tangy desserts? Or are you just someone who really loves cheesecakes? Either way, you cannot go wrong with Cold Stone's Cheesecake Fantasy. It starts with a cheesecake ice cream base. (And yes, it tastes just like it sounds like it would- like a frozen cheesecake.) To that, Cold Stone adds chunks of graham cracker pie crust. And plenty of strawberries and blueberries. It tastes like a fruity mixed berry cheesecake topped with creamy ice cream. This treat is not overly sweet- tart enough to give it some oomph. And it is also berrylicious in all the very best ways.- Germanchokolatekake
- Birthday Cake Remix
- Coffee Lovers Only
- Peanut Butter Cup Perfection
- Chocolate Devotion
- Cookie Doughn't You Want Some
- Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip
- Founder's Favorite
- Surrender to Strawberry
- Cake Batter Batter Batter
- Apple Pie A La Cold Stone
- Banana Caramel Crunch
- Berry Berry Berry Good
- Cookie Mintster
- Our Strawberry Blonde
- Mud Pie Mojo
- The Way the Cookie Crumbles
- Reese's Peanut Butter Awesome Sauce
- One Smart Brookie
11 Chock-Full Facts about Cold Stone Creamery
Mental FlossMarch 2016
Whether you like it, love it, or gotta have it, Cold Stone Creamery and their candy-filled, extra rich ice cream creations have been the pinnacle of summertime decadence since the first store opened in Tempe, Ariz. in 1988.
- They sell "superpremium ice cream."
That flattering adjective isn't just some self-awarded praise. The label is an industry designation that refers to ice cream with 12-14 percent butterfat and relatively low “overrun”-the amount of extra air that's pumped into it. This is what gives Cold Stone's flavors their super creamy feel, an intentional choice by founders Donald and Susan Sutherland, who wanted something between flavorful hard-packed and smooth soft-serve.- All of their ice cream is made on site.
- Cold stone didn't invent the mix-in.
- The company grew super quickly.
- They once served crickets.
- You can get Jelly Belly beans flavored like cold stone favorites.
- Cold stone made non-melting ice cream once.
- The milkshakes are really, really decadent.
- There's a Cold Stone video game.
- Cold Stone's former CEO is now the Governor of Arizona.
- Servers compete to be the most entertaining.
MashedMarch 2023
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, 1.4 billion gallons of ice cream were produced and enjoyed in the United States in 2017. That's a lot of sprinkles and a lot of cones. The options for shops to get a scoop at are abundant, but there's one franchise that will jam-pack your already flavorful ice cream with additional mix-ins, making the ultimate personalized treat. Enter: Cold Stone Creamery. And while you already know it's a go-to stop for an ice cream creation you will absolutely love, what else is there to Cold Stone than just its delicious ice cream? We decided to dive in and take a look. This is the untold truth of Cold Stone Creamery.Cold Stone has been around longer than you think
Founders Donald and Susan Sutherland opened the first Cold Stone Creamery in 1988. The first shop debuted in Tempe, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. The Sutherlands had spent time exploring the world for the perfect ice cream, but after years of searching, they just weren't finding the ideal balance between hard-packed ice cream and the ever-popular soft serve. So, to solve the problem, they opened up a mom-and-pop shop of their own boasting the best ice cream they'd ever had.It definitely took a while for the idea of Cold Stone to catch on at the time, but the Sutherlands certainly held on strong. For 15 months, the couple saw very few customers until a local newspaper featured the ice cream shop and sang its praise. It was only a matter of time before customer visits and ice cream sales began to soar, launching the business into a success.
Each Cold Stone store really does have a cold stone slab
The slab of stone is made of granite and kept frozen at a chilly 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Granite is incredibly heat resistant, along with being pretty much impossible to chip or scratch, so it makes it a perfect candidate to embrace and keep the cold, providing a slab of literal cold stone for ice cream to be mixed on.When you order a treat at Cold Stone Creamery, you're not just getting a scoop with candy or fruit poured on top. The whole goal behind Cold Stone is to offer the ideal ice cream treat with flavor mixed into every bite. Once you place your order, your ice cream will be scooped and thrown onto the granite stone, and you can then choose which ice cream add-ins you want on top. The employee mixes up your ice cream right in front of you, and the granite stone keeps it cold throughout the entire process, eliminating any potential for serving up melty ice cream.
Cold Stone ice cream is made fresh
When Donald and Susan Sutherland set out to open the best possible ice cream shop, they wanted to be sure they were offering a premium product. And for them, that meant that the ice cream they were scooping up needed to be made fresh in their store every single day. And since opening in 1988, Cold Stone has upheld that promise, delivering ice cream that's actually made in each of its individual stores.According to Cold Stone, the ice cream served up is made in small batches with a mixture of high-quality cream, sugar, and additional flavors. Staff members make the ice cream in the back of each store using an ice cream machine, ensuring that it's fresh when a customer comes in to grab a scoop with their favorite mix-ins. And because they make the ice cream right in-store, it also means that you can request larger custom sizes to be mixed up for you to take home too.
Cold Stone's topping options seem endless
Cold Stone offers an option to make your own ice cream creation, and providing that you get exactly what you want in your scoop, you're in for the ultimate dessert experience. While many ice cream shops offer you the ability to top a cone with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, or M&M's, the mix-ins at Cold Stone are definitely next level.Ice cream lovers can opt to add toppings like apple pie filling, ground cinnamon, frosting, pineapple, and even pieces of cake to their ice cream to really up the ante.
Cold Stone Creamery ice cream has a super high fat content/
Cold Stone Creamery ice cream is considered "super-premium" ice cream. Sounds exquisite, right? According to the International Dairy Foods Association, in order for an ice cream to be considered super-premium, it needs to have a higher fat content in comparison to regular ice cream, along with utilizing incredibly high-quality ingredients. And what makes that fat content so high is all thanks to what's in the recipe.Cold Stone's Sweet Cream ice cream is made using real cream, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, and whey. And all of those ingredients amount to a whopping 21 grams of fat in the one-scoop size, Like It, which is approximately five ounces. A typical half-cup serving of ice cream often ranges from seven to 13 grams of fat. As delicious as this ice cream is, apparently, super-premium is another word for super high in fat.
Every Cold Stone flavor starts with one of four recipes
Similar to what some bakery owners do when they need to make a huge variety of cookies, Cold Stone ice cream flavors all start with a base. The company uses four bases for all of its flavors, utilizing sweet cream ice cream, chocolate ice cream, sorbet, and yogurt to craft all of the rest of its flavors. Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream uses a base of sweet cream ice cream with cheesecake flavoring and strawberry puree added, while the peppermint mocha ice cream utilizes a base of chocolate ice cream with peppermint extract and instant coffee added to the mix. Talk about ice cream efficiency.Cold Stone's former CEO became a governor
Cold Stone's milkshakes have a ton of calories
You can get Cold Stone Creamery-flavored Jelly Bellies
Cold Stone employees are instructed to sing for customers
Cold Stone once sold dead crickets as a topping
Cold Stone hires ice cream scientists
You can have Cold Stone at your wedding
Cold Stone CreameryWe take great pride in the fact that it's made fresh, every day in every store, using only the finest quality ingredients. But sometimes customers want to know more, or in extreme cases, such as allergies or ingredient sensitivities, they need to know more. Find more information on our products, ingredients, allergies and sensitivities below.Ingredient Information
- Ice Cream, Sorbet, & Frozen Dessert
[ https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Ingedient%20Statement-Ice%20Cream_Yogurt_Sorbet.pdf ]- Mix-ins & Cone Products
[ https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Ingedient%20Statement-Mix-Ins_Cones.pdf ]Nutritional Information
- Ice Cream, Sorbet & Frozen Dessert
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Ice%20Cream_Sorbet.pdf ]- Signature Creations
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Signature%20Creations.pdf ]- Mix-ins & Waffles
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Mix-ins_Waffles.pdf ]- Sundaes
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Sundaes.pdf ]- Shakes
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Shakes.pdf ]- Smoothies
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Smoothies.pdf ]- Signature Cakes, Pies, Cupcakes & Cookie Sandwiches
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Cakes_Pies_Novelties.pdf ]- Promotion
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Nutrition%20Info-Promotional%20Builds.pdf ]Food Allergens and Sensitivities
- Chart
[https://www.coldstonecreamery.com/nutrition/pdf/CSC_Food%20Allergies%20and%20Sensitivities.pdf ]
What Happens When You Order Every Mix-In at Cold Stone Creamery?
Seious EatsSeptember 2020
Cold Stone claims you can get anything smashed into their ice cream. Plenty of people order cookie dough and brownies and Butterfinger, say, mixed into their scoop. They pledge to make your sundae however you want. But what happens if you order every topping? No limit exists on their website, so my interest was piqued further. Could I do it?We just had to find out.
Arriving at the toppings bar, I smiled and said "I'd like every single topping, please." Her eyes widened slightly in horror: "We have 24 toppings." I replied: "Then I'll take all 24."
She made an "It's your funeral" face, but went to work immediately. She dumped a huge spoonful of marshmallows into the mix, and I gulped. "Um, maybe smaller spoonfuls? I don't want to put you guys out of business."
"You have to pay for the toppings. $0.69 each."
Having put me in my place, she recommenced dumping.
I watched eagerly as the first few toppings-marshmallows, graham crackers, and M&Ms-were placed in the bowl. But it all grew more comical as they piled on. It was hard not to giggle when she put a full piece of spongecake with cherry topping in the mix; I laughed audibly when she added a full cookie's worth of cookie dough and a massive golf-ball-sized glob of peanut butter. Surprisingly, she did it all professionally-no laughs, no comments, no giggles. She also seemed to have no problem handling what became a massive mound of ice cream and toppings. I guess they have a good training program at Cold Stone.
With that many toppings, each bite was different, with the first having an odd mix of Butterfinger, gummy bears, and cookie dough. The second? Marshmallow, Kit-Kats, and cherry topping.
The mix-ins, of course, are the main reason to go to Cold Stone. But it turns out they make sense only up to a certain limit. Grabbing all the fruits, all the candy, or five different wacky toppings could make for a more manageable, affordable (if still moderately absurd) dessert. This soupy mess (surprise, surprise) isn't something I'd shell $28.90 for again.
But you can now rest assured: Cold Stone Creamery will give you any of their toppings you want. Even when that "any" is "all."
