Ice Cream Shop Supplies

Ice Cream Ingredients

Before looking at ice cream equipment, it's best to nail down your menu and what you'll be serving. Will you only serve hard serve ice cream or soft serve? Will you be known for your unique toppings or cone flavors? These are all important factors to consider. Below is a comprehensive list of all the ingredients you may need for your ice cream shop.

• Ice Cream Mixes and Bases: The base of any ice cream is the mix. This typically includes dairy products like milk and cream, as well as sugar and flavorings. You can choose from a variety of pre-made ice cream flavor bases to mix with a liquid base, or you can opt to make your mix from scratch.
• Ice Cream Flavorings: To create a range of delicious ice cream flavors, you'll need a selection of ice cream flavorings. They come in paste, extract, powder, and syrup formats, making it easy to create a well-rounded dessert menu that caters to all types of customers.
• Ice Cream Variegates: If you're looking to add swirls, ribbons, or marbling of flavor into your prepared ice cream, fold in ice cream variegates as it's being dispensed from your commercial ice cream maker. Variegates are perfect for adding additional flavor and texture to your house-made ice cream.
• Inclusions and Mix-ins: Inclusions are the solid pieces or chunks that are added to the ice cream to enhance its texture and flavor. Common ice cream inclusions are chocolate chips, cookie dough, fruit pieces, nuts, and candies. These ingredients add a delightful surprise to each scoop and make your ice cream stand out from the rest.
• Stabilizers and Emulsifiers: If you are making ice cream from scratch, stabilizers and emulsifiers are ingredients that help improve its texture and consistency. They prevent ice crystals from forming, ensuring a smooth and creamy product, and also slow down melting. Common stabilizers and emulsifiers used in ice cream production include guar gum, xanthan gum, and lecithin.
• Syrups and Sauces: Syrups and sauces are essential for creating delicious ice cream sundaes. They can be used to drizzle over ice cream, create swirls, or even mix into the ice cream itself. Stock up on classic options like chocolate, caramel, and strawberry syrups, or consider offering specialty syrups such as butterscotch, peanut butter, and marshmallow.
• Ice Cream Toppings: Toppings are the finishing touch that takes ice cream to the next level. Offer a selection of popular toppings such as sprinkles, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries. You can also consider more unique options like crushed cookies, crushed candies, or fresh fruit.
• Ice Cream Cones: What you serve your ice cream in is just as important as the ice cream itself. Ice cream cones enhance the taste and texture of your frozen treats and can be an easy way to upsell your menu items. Classic waffle cones, sugar cones, and cake cones are all popular ice cream cone types to offer.
• Cone and Shell Dips: Enhance your frozen treat's visual presentation and flavor by offering cone and shell dips on your menu. Apply smooth shell topping directly onto your creamy ice cream for textural contrast, or turn your cones into a confection with a cone dip. Chocolate is a classic dip flavor, but they are available in more unique flavors like cherry, birthday cake, and butterscotch.

Ice Cream Makers

Once you've figured out the types of frozen desserts you'll be offering, it's time to choose the machines to produce them. Soft serve ice cream machines and batch freezers are the two main types of ice cream makers. However, there are a variety of specialized machines you may also need. Remember to consider factors such as production capacity, ease of cleaning, and energy efficiency when choosing the best ice cream maker for your shop.

• Batch Freezer: A batch freezer allows you to quickly make large quantities of ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, sorbet, and custard. It works by freezing the mixture while constantly stirring it to prevent ice crystals from forming. This type of machine is ideal for operators looking to make their products on-site.
• Soft Serve Machine: Soft serve machines are perfect for serving up smooth and velvety soft serve ice cream. These machines incorporate air into the mixture as it freezes, resulting in a light and fluffy dessert. Soft serve machines are available in both gravity-fed and pump-fed models, and they typically offer multiple flavors and twist options. Many soft serve machines can also handle making frozen yogurt and sorbet to increase your menu offerings.
• Gelato Machine: Specifically designed to produce authentic Italian gelato, gelato machines have a slower churning speed compared to traditional ice cream makers, which helps create a denser and creamier product. They come in both floor and countertop models to accommodate your output needs.
• Milkshake Machine: If you'd like to offer your premium ice cream in the form of a milkshake or create blended beverages, having a milkshake machine is crucial. They feature a spindle that agitates and blends the ingredients to break down the thick ice cream and whip air into the mixture. The final product should be smooth enough for customers to sip through a straw while still preserving the richness of the ice cream. Milkshake machines come with one, two, or three spindles depending on your demand.

Ice Cream Shop Equipment

In addition to ice cream makers, there is a variety of additional equipment you will need to open your ice cream shop.

• Dipping Cabinets: Dipping cabinets are a must-have for any ice cream shop that offers a variety of flavors. These cabinets are designed to hold tubs of ice cream at a consistent temperature, allowing for easy scooping. Look for dipping cabinets with glass tops for maximum visibility, as well as refrigerated storage below to keep additional tubs chilled. If you are serving gelato, be sure to get a gelato dipping cabinet since they are designed to hold and serve gelato at its optimal temperature.
• Ice Cream Storage Freezers: Ice cream freezers are designed to store and display your frozen treats. These freezers come in a variety of sizes and styles, including chest freezers and glass-top display freezers. Look for models with adjustable temperature controls and easy-to-clean interiors.
• Dipping Wells: Designed to be installed near your dipping cabinets, dipping wells are used to keep your ice cream spades and scoops clean. They provide a constant supply of fresh rinse water, making it easy for staff to clean ice cream dippers between scooping ice cream flavors.
• Waffle Cone Makers: Waffle cones are a popular choice among ice cream lovers, and making your waffle cones can elevate the experience for your customers. Waffle cone makers make it easy to produce freshly baked cones that add a delightful crunch to your ice cream creations. Look for models with adjustable temperature controls and non-stick plates for easy cleaning.
• Hot Fudge Warmers: Hot fudge warmers are essential for serving warm toppings that complement your ice cream. These units keep your hot fudge or other toppings at a consistent temperature, ensuring a smooth and easy pour.

Ice Cream Tools

When running a successful ice cream shop, having the right tools is essential. From scoops to topping dispensers, these tools will help you serve delicious frozen treats to your customers. Here is a list of serving and display supplies that every ice cream shop needs:

• Ice Cream Scoops: The most basic and essential tool in any ice cream shop is the ice cream scoop. Available in various sizes, these scoops are designed to help you portion out the perfect amount of ice cream for each serving.
• Ice Cream Spades: Spades feature a flat, wide blade that is perfect for scraping the sides of ice cream containers, ensuring that every last bit of ice cream is served. Spades are also useful for mixing in toppings and creating custom flavors.
• Ice Cream Cone Holders: Keep your cones organized and easily accessible with cone holders. These holders come in various sizes and styles, including countertop or wall-mounted options. Consider purchasing a countertop cone holder to display your cone flavor and size options and wall-mount cone holders to store cones for your staff to easily grab as they fulfill orders.
• Ice Cream Display and Storage Containers: Perfect for catered events, ice cream display containers allow you to serve frozen treats to your customers, even if a freezer isn't available. Simply freeze these containers overnight and then fill them with ice cream. They feature double-wall constructions and are filled with non-toxic refrigerant gel to keep your ice cream chilled for hours at a time.
• Toppings Dispenser: Enhance your customers' ice cream experience by offering a wide variety of toppings. Store your toppings in clear dispensers to allow for fast identification of the contents.

Ice Cream Disposables

Using high-quality disposables to serve ice cream is a must for most ice cream shops, as most customers will be eating on the go. We've provided a list of essential disposable products to have on hand in your ice cream shop below.

• Ice Cream Cups: Ice cream cups are a must-have for serving single scoops or multiple scoops of ice cream to your customers. Look for sturdy paper cups that can hold the weight of the ice cream without leaking or becoming soggy.
• Spoons: Make sure to stock up on sturdy plastic spoons that can withstand the cold temperature of ice cream. Consider offering both regular spoons and long-handled spoons for reaching the bottom of tall sundae cups.
• Straws: If you offer milkshakes or blended drinks, you'll need straws with a large enough diameter to handle the thick liquid.
• Napkins: Keep a good supply of napkins on hand to provide customers with a convenient way to clean up any drips or spills. Look for absorbent napkins durable enough to handle ice cream messes.
• Ice Cream Packaging Containers: If you want to offer pints or half gallons of your signature ice cream to-go, then having the appropriate packaging containers is crucial. Look for containers that are leak-proof and can keep the ice cream frozen during transportation.