As the weather warms up, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than with a great cone of ice cream. Somehow, nothing says “Summer!” like ice cream, a treat we love watching our kids enjoy and one that never gets boring or old. Whatcom County is home to some spectacular ice cream and gelato makers who are coming up with innovative new flavors each season. If you need a feel-good treat for your day, something cool, sweet, colorful and unique, here’s where to get it!
Mallard is a much-loved downtown Bellingham institution where the ice cream is so good, there’s almost always a line to order. Flavor tags are handwritten on a chalkboard above the counter, walls are brightly painted and a shelf is kept stocked with board games, crayons and activities to keep kids busy while their parents are ordering. Ben Scholz, Mallards’ owner, made his name in the business with homemade ice cream and a selection of creative, innovative flavors you won’t see in most ice cream shops. There’s cheesecake, yerba matte, assam tea, vanilla malt, brown butter and coconut flake. Vegans or lactose-free seekers will love the choice of non-dairy flavors – chocolate coconut ice and strawberry lemonade ice to name a couple.
So much more than just a chocolate shop, Chocolate Necessities in Downtown Bellingham makes mouth-watering gelato. Stop by for a delectable scoop or two and then take home fresh truffles for later. The shop also sells coffee, tea, hot cocoa, beer, and wine.
Located in historic Fairhaven Village, Sirena Gelato was founded in 2005 to produce the highest quality product.
Keeping with tradition, the gelato at Sirena is made with milk instead of heavy cream, resulting in less fat and calories than traditional ice cream. Gelato also contains less air content than ice cream and is not frozen as deeply, resulting in a denser texture.
Rather than advertise, Sirena uses these dollars to donate gift cards for local non-profits, schools, charities and educational groups.
Edaleen ice cream is another local favorite, and is the most reasonably priced ice cream in the county. You can find their ice cream stores in Lynden, Blaine, Sumas and Ferndale.
Owned by the Brandsma Family, Edaleen is a combo of the names Ed and Aileen Brandsma, who started the small family business in Lynden back in 1975. All their ice cream is made using dairy from the family farm’s 2,500-plus milking Holstein cows.
With 24 flavors to choose from you can spend a long time tasting before you make a selection – the choice is that difficult. If you’re feeling adventurous try the grasshopper, a dish of mint ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate chips, Oreos, whipped cream and cherries
Like the sound of ice cream in flavors including butter pecan, fudge brownie, dark chocolate and espresso? Then you need to visit Crooked Spoon in Fairhaven. Crooked Spoon comes from Acme, Washington, a small dairy town along the Nooksack River in the shadow of Mt. Baker. The company uses local, hormone-free milk from Whatcom County cows for its ice cream, which, it says, is made with “lots more cream” and “never any air,” resulting in “a much purer ice cream.”
Flavors like fudge brownie contain fudge brownies baked from scratch, the chocolate chip contains melted dark chocolate swirls, and the nuts for butter pecan are freshly roasted. For as many of its ingredients as possible, Acme partners with local farmers and coffee roasters.
LaFeen’s Family Pride Donuts & Ice Cream is a longtime local favorite establishment, better known for its beautifully frosted donuts than its ice cream. But the small family-owned store on Electric, ’round the corner from Bloedel Donovan Park and Whatcom Falls, stocks 16 flavors of ice cream from Tillamook, Edaleen and Cascade Glacier. Flavors include coffee almond fudge marble brickle, salted caramel and kiddie favorites like rainbow sherbert, bubblegum and cotton candy.
