Types of Ice Cream Cones

For a unique appearance and texture of ice cream servings, a waffle cone blends cake and pastry flour to produce a sweet and crunchy flavor. Adding molasses or dark brown sugar to your cone batter provides crispy, syrupy qualities, while fiber increases strength and reduces breakage.

Created with a conical shape and waffled exterior, waffle cones collect any drips with their unique design. This quality makes them perfect for children and adults alike. For a fun, unique twist, many ice cream parlors are replacing traditional waffle cones with bubble waffle cones using bubble waffle makers. Whether you prefer traditional styles or trendy ideas, you’ll find an assortment of sizes, shapes, and flavors of waffle cones to pair with your popular flavors.

Another unique take on a waffle cone is a waffle bowl. For an edible base to your sundae and multiple scoop creations, a waffle bowl reduces the mess associated with a cone and still provides the delicious flavor and crunch complimenting your ice cream. Great for hand-dipped or soft-serve ice cream, custard, or frozen yogurt, the waffle bowl is sturdy, does not get soggy, and customers can eat it once finished.

Many mistake sugar cones as a smaller version of a waffle cone, but the two have many differences extending beyond size. Sugar cones are dense with a solid, flat brim designed to hold ice cream stacked on top of it. Denser than a waffle cone, a sugar cone is ideal for people who take their time eating their ice cream because it won’t get soggy as quickly as other cones.

Waffle cones are bigger, fluffier, and have a more varied flavor profile than sugar cones. Designed to hold ice cream primarily within the cone itself, the edge is conical with a jagged lip. While you can buy waffle cones in bulk, the best waffle cones are made in-house using a unique battle and a press.

When comparing a cake cone vs. a sugar cone, key differences include their respective flavors, shapes, and consistencies. Cake cones have a mild flavor intended to remain neutral when paired with ice cream. They also have a unique shape, utilizing a flat bottom rather than the usually pointed bottom of other cones. This feature reduces the risk of leaking and allows customers to set their cones down without spilling their ice cream. Additionally, these cones have a light, wafer consistency compared to other ice cream cones.

In contrast, sugar cones are sweet with a distinct molasses flavor. They have a solid, round edge with a flat brim, whereas cake cones have a ridged lip. Their shape is characteristic of a traditional cone with that distinctive pointed bottom. Perhaps the densest consistency of all ice cream cones, sugar cones are sturdy and provide a satisfying crunch to complement the ice cream.

Compared to waffle cones, cake cones are short, stout, and sturdy. Their flaky, multi-layered consistency provides a different crunch than waffle cones. Due to their conical top and flat bottom, cake cones cannot hold as much ice cream as waffle cones.

Sweet and crunchy, waffle cones have a multitude of flavors that add a unique flair to the ice cream within them. These cones are much thinner than cake cones and retain the signature cone shape with a pointed bottom. With a wide, jagged rim, ice cream stays nestled within the confines of the cone rather than being stacked on top.

• Twin cone: To give your customers the perfect two-in-one treat, a twin cone offers room for multiple scoops of ice cream in one cone. The two rounded cups display your scoops side by side, letting each flavor stand individually.
• Chocolate-dipped cone: Dunked in creamy milk chocolate, a chocolate-dipped cone features a rich, chocolate-coated rim. You can buy pre-dipped cones or dip your sugar, cake, or waffle cones yourself.
• Pretzel cone: For a salty and crunchy alternative to your traditional cone flavor, pretzel cones provide a tasty twist that enhances the sweet flavors of your ice cream.
• Ice cream sandwich wafers: Use ice cream sandwich wafers to create your own signature ice cream sandwich or layer them to create an ice cream cake base.
• Gluten-free cone: Adding gluten-free cones to your collection ensures that all patrons can indulge in your sweet and tasty products.
• Kid cone: With a kid cone, children can have the extra sweet treat with their ice cream, and these petite sizes let you serve the proper kids' scoop portion.

• Cone jackets: A paper covering around your cone helps prevent messes and protects against outside contamination. Using these jacketed cones shows that sanitation is a priority in your ice cream shop or cafe and lessens the need for extra napkins.
• Countertop holder: Countertop ice cream holders showcase different cone options and flavors at your ice cream shop.
• Wall mount holder: Wall mount ice cream dispensers help staff grab cones quickly in high-volume shops.
• Dispenser-compatible cones: Easily access your cones during service by using dispenser-compatible cones. About 100 to 132 cones are sealed in a poly bag and packed in a box for further protection.
• Sleeve packaging: In a stacked row of 20 to 25, sleeve cones are machine sealed in a poly bag to maintain freshness and quality.
• Bulk cones: Carefully stacked and sealed in a poly bag, bulk-packaged cones have self-supporting inner packaging to allow for easy dispensing.