Step Aside Scoops, Cones and Shakes – We’re Talkin’ Gooey, Delicious Sundaes
By this time in the summer, most of us are pretty close to what you might call ice cream experts. We’ve been bouncing from parlor to shop to shack all season long. And that’s the beautiful thing about summer in NEPA – just about every day offers a valid excuse for scoring some delicious ice cream. From the celebration after the ball game to that first date treat to “Yay! It’s Tuesday!,” we’ve consumed more than our fair share.
Luckily, NEPA is home to plenty of unique ice cream stops. So, it never really gets old (like it ever would). All summer, we’ve treated ourselves to waffle cones with scoops of ice cream bigger than our heads. We often opted for classic sugar cones and velvety soft serve, or slurped down thick, malty shakes. There were dip tops, twisters, flurries and blizzards. But one treat stands out among the rest: the ice cream sundae.
Hot Fudge, Rocky Road and Banana Splits are the classics, but these days, you can add just about any toppings under the sun. Some of us go for ice cream loaded with sweet jams and fresh, summer fruit. Others go all-out with candies, cookie crumbles, brownies and more. We spent the summer hitting up NEPA’s ice cream stands and trying some of their signature sundaes. Here are some of the incredible ice cream creations we found along the way.
West Pittston, PA
Take on this mountain of a sundae if you dare. The Krakatoa is made with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream at the base of a sugar cone volcano. Then, they add hot fudge lava, cotton candy smoke and chocolate rocks. This fun sundae comes in child and adult sizes (not just for kids!).
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Here’s one for the 21+ crowd. This alcohol-infused treat has layers of vanilla cake, strawberry wine sauce, vanilla rum ice cream and strawberry crunch topping. It comes in a towering souvenir beer glass. Seriously, you’re gonna need help finishing it.
Shenandoah, PA
S’mores and ice cream are two of summertime’s best treats… and they’re even better together! This sundae has hot fudge, marshmallow and crushed graham cracker over vanilla soft serve. The whole thing is topped with homemade whipped cream, peanuts, cherry and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. And if you’re more of a shake person, they make a Toasted S’mores Milkshake too.
Tunkhannock, PA
Harding’s has put a cool twist on a classic fall treat. Their Caramel Apple Sundae is made with a swirl of their premium vanilla ice cream, topped with warm cinnamon apples and drizzled with caramel sauce. Fluffy whipped cream and a cherry finish it all off.
Dalton, Clarks Summit, Dunmore, Scranton & West Scranton, PA
This sundae starts off with a scoop of Manning’s homemade, farm-fresh Mint ‘n’ Chip ice cream and decadent brownie chunks. Then they add hot fudge, marshmallow, chocolate syrup and peanuts. Whipped cream, peanuts and a cherry on top are the perfect finish.
Hanover Twp., PA
Michael Mootz knows the true way to our hearts: chocolate. They top their sundaes with candies made at the shop right next door. If you love those irresistible chocolate eggs, then go for the Caramarsh Egg Sundae. It’s a dish of vanilla ice cream smothered in marshmallow, house caramel sauce, whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings.
Old Forge, PA
No campfire needed for this heavenly treat. Pick your favorite ice cream flavor, and Picc’s will top it off with thick chocolate syrup, gooey marshmallow, crumbled graham crackers, whipped cream and a cherry.
Shavertown, PA
Okay, maybe we’re a little biased about this one. We teamed up with Hillside to create this epic sundae, featuring vanilla and chocolate ice cream, a swirl of chocolate syrup, crushed Oreos, whipped cream and a whole lot of creamy peanut butter. Our signature green sprinkles finish it all off.
Susquehanna, PA
This delicious sundae puts a spin on pie a la mode. It includes Deep Dish Apple Pie flavored ice cream layered with spiced apple topping and caramel sauce. And it’s not complete without Cool Whip, a drizzle of caramel and a cherry.
Freeland, Jim Thorpe, White Haven & Weatherly, PA
Nothing beats a classic split on a warm summer day. Woods Ice Cream makes this tried-and-true favorite with vanilla soft serve topped with pineapple, chocolate soft serve topped with strawberries and slices of banana. The whole dish is drenched with chocolate, sprinkled with peanuts and finished with whipped cream and a cherry.
