If you haven't been outside today, congratulations on making excellent decisions. It's already hot, and this weekend promises to crank things up even more. Once the forecast starts flirting with triple-digit temps, frozen treats officially qualify as a food group. But before you reach for a pint of ice cream, remember: Not all frozen desserts come in a carton. Let's branch out.
Frozen Yogurt
Hot (cold?) take: We gave up on frozen yogurt far too quickly. It seemed there was a froyo place in every strip mall during the Golden Years of Hope and Change, and now just a few national chains remain. But one local chain has held on, bringing by-the-ounce frozen goodness to the masses.
- Froyo Frozen Yogurt has three Utah County locations offering the froyo flavors and toppings you expect. My personal favorite is the original tart with loads of fresh fruit. It’s like a reward. But while some national chains feel like you’re encouraged to get your food and get the heck out, Froyo Frozen Yogurt is designed specifically for people, especially families, to linger. A cool treat AND A/C? Sounds great to me!
Shave Ice
Thanks to Utah's large Polynesian community, we get to enjoy island favorites like shave ice — and despite what I initially thought, it is not just a snow cone. The secret is in the ice itself. Shave ice is made with incredibly fine, fluffy ice that soaks up the syrup instead of letting it pool at the bottom of the cup. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream underneath (trust the process), and suddenly you're wondering why every frozen dessert isn't made this way.
You can dive into the surprisingly fascinating history of shave ice if you'd like. But the real question is: Where should you get it?
- Aloha Surf Shack in Sugar House is the top rated shave ice stand on Yelp.
- Nobuko serves up elevated shave ice flavors like rose and green tea matcha.
- Just-a-Craving offers Latin-inspired flavors as well as indoor seating.
Soft Serve
Soft serve is my favorite form of ice cream. Its lighter, creamier texture makes it infinitely easier to eat on a hot day, and it plays especially well with mix-ins. Instead of getting soggy while sitting in a carton, cookies, candies, and toppings keep their crunch. It's science. Probably.
- Normal Ice Cream serves soft serve that's anything but normal. The menu changes every month to showcase seasonal flavors, so there's always a reason to come back.
- If you're a soft-serve purist, though, my pick is Crown Burger. Their classic chocolate-and-vanilla swirl has the perfect texture — slightly icier than most.
- Looking for something a little richer? Nielsen's Frozen Custard is your answer. Frozen custard has more egg yolks than traditional ice cream, giving it an ultra-smooth, velvety texture that somehow feels both lighter and more indulgent. Bonus points for pairing it with a basket of fries, because sweet and salty is one of life's greatest combinations. Again, science. Probably.
