10 Iconic Frozen Treats In Minnesota That Locals Love

Nothing beats the summer heat in Minnesota like a frosty, delicious frozen treat.

From old-fashioned ice cream parlors to innovative new dessert spots, the Land of 10,000 Lakes knows how to satisfy a sweet tooth when temperatures rise.

As a lifelong Minnesotan, I’ve spent countless summer evenings chasing the perfect scoop, cone, or popsicle across the state.

Here are my absolute favorite frozen delights that every true Minnesotan has on their summer bucket list.

1. Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour’s Picture-Perfect Waffle Cones

The moment you step into Selma’s in Afton, you’re transported back to 1930 when this historic ice cream parlor first opened its doors. Their hand-rolled waffle cones, made fresh throughout the day, give off an irresistible aroma that wraps around you like a warm hug before delivering the perfect crunchy vessel for their creamy scoops.

I still remember my first visit as a kid, standing on tiptoes to watch them pour batter onto the waffle iron. The sizzle and steam created pure magic! The cones cool just enough before being filled with generous scoops of their homemade ice cream.

Fun fact: Selma’s survived a devastating fire in 2010 but reopened to continue its sweet legacy as Minnesota’s oldest ice cream parlor.

2. Grand Ole Creamery’s Majestic Sundaes

Crowned with a signature malted milk ball, Grand Ole Creamery sundaes have been making Minnesotans smile since 1984. Their hot fudge masterpiece remains my go-to celebration treat – rich vanilla bean ice cream drowning in thick, glossy chocolate sauce that hardens just slightly when it hits the cold cream.

Last summer after a softball game, our whole team crowded around their St. Paul shop’s counter, sweaty and victorious. We watched in awe as the server artfully constructed towering sundaes topped with fresh whipped cream mountains.

What makes these sundaes truly special is how they’re served in glass dishes – never paper – maintaining the old-school ice cream parlor experience that keeps locals coming back generation after generation.

3. Sebastian Joe’s Handcrafted Flavor Adventures

“Pavarotti” isn’t just an opera legend – at Sebastian Joe’s, it’s their legendary banana ice cream swirled with caramel and chocolate chips that has Minneapolis residents forming lines around the block. My apartment in Uptown was dangerously close to their Linden Hills location, making their small-batch creations my Friday night ritual.

What separates Sebastian Joe’s from the pack is their fearless flavor experimentation. One week it’s Roasted Garlic (surprisingly delicious!), the next it’s Surly Furious beer-infused ice cream. Their Nicollet Avenue shop feels like a community living room where neighbors catch up over scoops.

The family-run business has been churning since 1984, and the recipes remain closely guarded secrets – though I’ve spent years trying to replicate their Raspberry Chocolate Chip at home without success.

4. MN Nice Cream’s Instagram-Famous Tie-Dye Cones

Blue, pink, and yellow swirls of soft-serve wrapped in cotton candy clouds and sprinkled with edible glitter – MN Nice Cream didn’t just create a dessert; they created a social media phenomenon! The first time I ordered their signature tie-dye cone, I spent so long photographing it that it started melting down my arm.

Owner Katie Romanski revolutionized Minnesota’s ice cream scene by combining nostalgic soft-serve with over-the-top toppings and presentation. Their food truck-turned-permanent-shop in Northeast Minneapolis features a neon “Ice Cream Makes You Pretty” sign that’s become as iconic as their colorful creations.

Beyond the photogenic appeal, the vanilla-based soft serve is genuinely delicious – creamy with the perfect sweetness level that balances all those wild toppings without becoming overwhelming.

5. Rolled Ice Cream Revolution At Rolles & IceDreamzzzMN

The hypnotic scraping of metal spatulas against frozen plates at Rolles and IceDreamzzzMN has turned ice cream into performance art. My nephew stood mesmerized for ten solid minutes watching the staff pour cream onto sub-zero metal surfaces, then skillfully scrape it into tight cylindrical rolls.

This Thai-inspired technique arrived in Minnesota just a few years ago but quickly captured our hearts. The made-to-order aspect means everything is supremely fresh – I love watching them fold in real strawberries or cookies rather than artificial flavoring.

What makes Minnesota’s rolled ice cream special is how local shops have adapted it to our tastes – incorporating Nordic flavors like cardamom and lingonberry at IceDreamzzzMN or State Fair-inspired varieties at Rolles. The photogenic presentation in cups with perfectly aligned rolls makes them twice as satisfying.

6. 2 Scoops Ice Cream Eatery’s Community-Building Split Cups

“You pick, I pick” became my family’s summer motto after discovering 2 Scoops Ice Cream Eatery’s brilliant split cups. This Black-owned St. Paul treasure solved the eternal ice cream dilemma by letting customers divide their cup down the middle with two completely different flavor experiences.

Founder Brian White Jr. created more than just an ice cream shop – he built a community gathering place where flavors like “Highland Bridge” (caramel and brownies) celebrate St. Paul neighborhoods. During last year’s heatwave, I watched elderly neighbors sitting outside 2 Scoops, sharing split cups and stories while kids played nearby.

Their commitment to quality means every scoop is dense and flavorful, without the excessive air pumped into commercial brands. The shop’s bright turquoise exterior has become a beacon of sweetness in Rondo, a historically significant African American neighborhood.

7. Nelson’s Ice Cream’s Legendary “Lumberjack” Portions

“You’ve been warned!” reads the sign at Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater and St. Paul, and they mean it. Their small size equals most shops’ large, while their “Lumberjack” portion could feed a family of four! My first Nelson’s experience left me simultaneously impressed and overwhelmed as I stared at a mountain of chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream that towered above the cone.

Founded in 1923, Nelson’s has maintained its reputation for Minnesota-sized generosity for a century. The original Stillwater location still has the charming, no-frills feel of a neighborhood staple where teenagers work summer jobs and families gather after Little League games.

Despite the gargantuan portions, they don’t sacrifice quality – their ice cream is rich and creamy with generous mix-ins. Pro tip: bring friends or prepare for serious leftovers!

8. Chilly Billy’s Frozen Treats On Wheels

The jingling melody of Chilly Billy’s truck turning onto your street triggers a Pavlovian response in Minnesotans of all ages. Nothing captures summer nostalgia quite like sprinting barefoot down the sidewalk, dollar bills clutched in hand, to catch the colorful truck before it drives away.

Unlike the mass-produced offerings of national ice cream trucks, Chilly Billy’s serves local favorites with Minnesota flair. Their signature Blue Moon ice cream – that mysteriously delicious bright blue flavor that nobody can quite identify – comes dipped in chocolate that shatters perfectly with each bite.

Owner William “Billy” Anderson started with one truck in 2008 and now operates a fleet that covers Twin Cities suburbs throughout summer. He’s famous for remembering regular customers’ orders and occasionally surprising neighborhood kids with free treats during particularly scorching days.

9. Fru-Lala’s Farm-To-Freezer Artisanal Popsicles

Strawberries picked at sunrise from a Northfield farm might be in your Fru-Lala popsicle by afternoon – that’s the farm-to-freezer promise that makes these treats exceptional. My first Fru-Lala experience at the Minneapolis Farmers Market changed my perception of what a popsicle could be: sophisticated, nuanced, and bursting with Minnesota-grown goodness.

Creator Heidi Skoog sources ingredients within a 50-mile radius whenever possible, transforming seasonal bounties into frozen works of art. Spring brings rhubarb-honey pops, summer delivers sweet corn-blueberry combinations, and fall features apple cider creations that taste like Minnesota’s changing seasons.

Unlike mass-produced frozen treats, Fru-Lala popsicles contain no artificial preservatives or corn syrup – just fruit, herbs, and minimal organic sugar. The clear, vibrant colors come from nature alone, making these popsicles as beautiful as they are delicious.

10. Nostalgic Screwball Ice Cream Cups With Hidden Treasures

Remember the thrill of discovering the gumball at the bottom of your Screwball ice cream cup? This childhood treasure continues to delight new generations of Minnesotans, especially at community pools and little league games across the state.

Last Fourth of July, I watched my niece experience her first Screwball at Lake Harriet – her expression changing from enjoyment to absolute wonder upon discovering the gumball surprise. The simple combination of vanilla and cherry-swirled ice cream in a conical paper cup hasn’t changed since I was a kid, and that’s precisely its charm.

While fancy artisanal ice cream shops have their place, there’s something magical about these unpretentious treats that cost just a couple dollars. The slightly artificial cherry flavor and the challenge of eating it with that flat wooden spoon creates a sensory experience that instantly transports Minnesotans back to simpler summer days.