The Best 5 Amazing Ice Cream Shops in Orange County

With summer just around the corner, we’re craving sweet treats! If you’re an ice cream connoisseur, you know that ice cream from your grocer’s freezer isn’t going to cut it. You need ice cream from an authentic ice cream shop. They have the best selection and flavors, hands down!

If you’re looking for outstanding ice cream in Orange County you won’t want to miss these five places:

Creamistry

It doesn’t get much fresher than the ice cream at Creamistry. Each time you visit, your ice cream is made to order.

Image: yelp.com/Creamistry

By made to order, we mean freshly made ice cream, scoop by scoop! Liquid nitrogen is used to craft each individual ice cream order. This means you can customize your treat from the ice cream base to the flavor even to the add-ins and toppings. At Creamistry each order can be unique with more than 60 flavor and toppings options. You start by choosing a base of signature premium, organic, sorbet, or coconut (which is vegan and lactose and gluten-free). From there you can choose flavors that include Fruity Pebbles cereal, Tiramisu, and even Thai Tea. You can add dozens of toppings and upgrades to bring your ice cream to the next level. KitKat, M&M’s, Hot Fudge, Blueberry Sauce and even Kiwi sauce are available. Creamistry has locations in Huntington Beach and Irvine and throughout California.

Cauldron Ice Cream

You’ll also find handcrafted ice cream made from using liquid nitrogen at Cauldron Ice Cream in Santa Ana.

Image: yelp.com/Van D.

Forget about that hard-packed ice cream that takes forever to scoop out. Cauldron Ice Cream is made to order each and every time. New flavors are created and rotated each month so that you’ll never get bored with what’s on the menu. Some of the flavors you’ll find include S’mores, Earl Grey Lavender, and Pineapple Express. Each flavor is carefully crafted to give you the best taste.

Hans Homemade Ice Cream

If you want homemade ice cream in Orange County, there’s nothing like Hans Homemade Ice Cream.

Image: yelp.com/Paula R.

They’ve been making sweet treats since 1972! All of the ice cream is made fresh at the store’s Santa Ana location. You won’t get any whipped or fluffed ice cream, just pure creamy indulgence. You can enjoy signature flavors like Nutella Crunch and Coffee Oreo as well as classic flavors like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Strawberry Cheesecake. Besides homemade ice cream, you’ll also find homemade ice cream treats including drumsticks, ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate dipped bananas. Don’t forget the delectable signature sundaes like The Happy Clown and The Pig Out. Hans Homemade Ice Cream has locations in Santa Ana and Huntington Beach, as well as Anaheim.

Afters Ice Cream

Handcrafted ice cream and creative desserts are what you’ll find at Afters Ice Cream. There are several shops throughout California including in Fullerton, Tustin, and Costa Mesa. What makes Afters different than all of the other ice cream shops? Flavors like Jasmine Milk Tea and Cookie Monster. You can’t forget special treats like the sought-after Milky Bun to indulge your taste buds.

Image: Afters/Instagram

The Milky bun is the ultimate combo of a glazed bun with one of the signature ice cream flavors Afters is known for sandwiched right in the middle. It is then sealed back up and heated just a bit on the outside to create the perfect mix of hot and cold. Guaranteed to make you drool!

B. Candy

B. Candy in Huntington Beach and Corona Del Mar is more than just an ice cream shop. It’s where homemade ice cream meets candy and all other sweet treats. Ice cream flavors are taken to new heights with choices like Nutella Shortbread, Root Beer Float, and even Lucky Charms.

Image: yelp.com/Jazmine G.

Ask for any flavor in a homemade waffle cone or cup. If you want something different, try one of the mix-and-match ice cream sandwiches or soda floats that are served in a souvenir cup that changes colors. B. Candy is all about finding those flavors that you never thought were possible.

Once you try ice cream from any one of these shops it’s going to be hard to ever eat store-bought ice cream again. Load up the kids this summer and try them all!