America's Favorite Ice Cream Flavors by State
The average American eats more than 23 pounds of ice cream every year (according to the IDFA). That's almost 5 gallons of ice cream! Have you ever wondered what each state's most popular ice cream is? The answers may surprise you!
Alabama: Buttered Pecan
Pecans are an Alabama staple. No wonder their favorite ice cream is buttered pecan! It's the perfect mixture of savory nuts and sweet ice cream.
Alaska: Akutaq
Akutaq is a traditional cold dessert in Alaska. It's known for being a mixture of berries and whipped fat. Modernly, people will use whipped cream and a sprinkling of sugar. However you eat it, you're sure to feel transported to Alaska.
Arizona: Bubblegum
A childhood favorite of many Americans is an adulthood favorite of Arizona. It's bright, sweet, and fun! Bubblegum ice cream is always a hit.
Arkansas: Peach
Peaches are prevalent in this hot, humid state. Add them to sweet cream and you can't go wrong! It's the perfect sweet and fruity combination.
California: Boba
Boba is a fun and trendy phenomenon crossing the US. California is all about following trends! You can easily make your own boba ice cream using brown sugar boba and vanilla ice cream.
Colorado: Vanilla
A classic for colorful Colorado! Vanilla is sweet and versatile flavor beloved by many. It's perfect for any topping.
Connecticut: Beer
Whether it's a beer float or beer-flavored ice cream, Connecticut is ready to scoop it! This more savory, boozy flavor is perfect for those warm New England summer nights.
Delaware: Blueberry
The perfect purple ice cream for this fair state! Blueberry ice cream is a classic flavor that even the founding fathers loved. It's a great mixture of sweet and tart, no wonder Delaware loves it so much!
Florida: Orange Creme
The Sunshine State sure loves their oranges! It's not a surprise this is their favorite ice cream flavor. Orange creme ice cream is the perfect treat for a coastal Florida night.
Georgia: Peach
Georgia is known for its peaches, of course, their favorite ice cream is peach! With this creamy, pink treat, you're sure to have a good time. It's a classic summer dessert!
Hawaii: Ube
Ube is a less common fruit in mainland US. Its subtly sweet flavor and intense purple color make it a popular choice in America's tropical state. Ube ice cream is perfect for Hawaiian beaches.
Idaho: Huckleberry
Nothing is more quintessential to Idaho than huckleberries! Nearly every ice cream shop in Idaho has its own version of huckleberry ice cream. It's a classic sweet summer treat.
Illinois: Blue Moon
If you're not from the midwest, you might not know this flavor. It's bright blue and it tastes like Froot Loops. This ice cream is a classic midwestern staple.
Indiana: Chocolate
Everyone loves chocolate, especially if you're from Indiana. They can't get enough chocolate ice cream! This common flavor flourishes in Indiana.
Iowa: Bunny Tracks
Iowa is the home to Blue Bunny ice cream, a common grocery store brand known for fun flavors and high-quality ice cream. Bunny Tracks is a beloved flavor made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate peanut butter bunnies, chocolate-covered peanuts, and caramel and fudge swirls. It's rich and decadent, perfect for Iowa!
Kansas: Cookie Dough
You can't go wrong with cookie dough! Kansas loves the classic vanilla ice cream with cookie dough chunks. It's the perfect mixture of classic ice cream and whimsical cookies.
Kentucky: Bourbon Vanilla
Kentucky is known for its bourbon whiskey. Scoop some vanilla ice cream into a glass of bourbon or combine them in a milkshake. You can't go wrong with bourbon vanilla ice cream!
Louisiana: Praline Pecan
If you've ever been to the south, you know how much they love their pralines. This ice cream is a simple mix of candied pecans and vanilla ice cream. It's sweet and crunchy, the perfect combination!
Maine: Strawberry
Strawberry is another classic and traditional ice cream flavor. Much like Maine, strawberry ice cream can remind you of simpler times by the sea. It's a great summer treat for any time in Maine.
Maryland: Maryland Mud
Everyone has heard of Mississippi Mud, or coffee, but have you heard of Maryland Mud? It's a decadent ice cream made with mocha ice cream, fudge swirl, and Oreo cookie pieces. It pairs great with an espresso flavored waffle cone!
Massachusetts: Maple Nut
New England is known for its maple syrup. Massachusetts loves their maple nut ice cream! It's a simple vanilla ice cream with walnuts and a maple swirl.
Michigan: Superman
You've heard of the Midwestern love of Blue Moon ice cream, Superman ice cream incorporates that! It's a swirl of red, blue, and yellow ice creams. Usually, they're raspberry, lemon, and blue moon flavors.
Minnesota: Cookie Monster
Everyone knows the beloved children's character Cookie Monster, this would be his favorite ice cream! It's bright blue marshmallow flavored ice cream with Oreo and cookie dough pieces. Adults and children alike are sure to love it!
Mississippi: Mississippi Mud
Traditionally, people call coffee Mississippi Mud. This ice cream is a play on that. It's coffee ice cream with Oreo pieces and fudge-covered-cookie pieces.
Missouri: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
This is another play on cookie dough ice cream made popular in the "Show Me" State. It's vanilla ice cream with cookie dough pieces and chocolate chunks. It's a great addition to classic ice cream.
Montana: Huckleberry
Much like Idaho, Montana has a big love for huckleberries. You can find this pretty purple ice cream nearly everywhere you stop. It's a sweet and fresh ice cream perfect for summer days.
Nebraska: Butter Brickle
Butter Brickle ice cream is a classic Nebraska treat. It's made of vanilla ice cream, Heath toffee bits, and chocolate swirl. It's a fun new take on English toffee!
Nevada: Strawberry Shortcake
The Silver State loves decadent things. This ice cream is a great example of that! It's made from vanilla ice cream, shortbread cookie bits, and strawberry swirl.
New Hampshire: Pumpkin
This fall favorite of the rest of the country is the year-round love of New Hampshire. It's sweet and savory with great spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Some people even add pie crust!
New Jersey: Mint Chocolate Chip
This green ice cream is the perfect choice for anyone with a sweet tooth. It's bright and colorful with fun chocolate chunks mixed in. No wonder New Jersey loves it so much!
New Mexico: Chocolate Chili
New Mexico is known for its green chilis and spicy food. Of course, their favorite ice cream would be chocolate chili! It's a spicy new take on classic chocolate ice cream.
New York: New York Cherry
New York state is known for its cherry orchards. From sweet to sour and from black to bright red, whatever cherries you choose, this ice cream is sure to be great! It's a New York staple.
North Carolina: Wolf Tracks
Wolf Tracks ice cream is a North Carolina Specialty. It's a mixture of vanilla ice cream, fudge swirl, and peanut butter cups. It has the perfect combination of savory and sweet.
North Dakota: Coconut Milk
North Dakota may be sparsely populated, but their ice cream consumption still ranks high. They love coconut ice cream the most! Some make it vegan-- without milk and cream, but some just add coconut flavoring to regular ice cream. However you make it, it's sure to be great.
Ohio: Blue Moon
Another Midwestern state in love with Blue Moon ice cream! Ohio is a big consumer of the bright blue ice cream. Adults and children alike can't get enough!
Oklahoma: Strawberry
The state of red rocks understandably loves red fruit! Strawberry ice cream is a staple in Oklahoma. It's more than just OK!
Oregon: Mixed Berries
The beaver state is home to many wild berries and bears! No wonder they love berry flavored ice cream. It's a great mixture of tart raspberries, blackberries, and white cherries!
Pennsylvania: Milky Way
Pennsylvania may be the home to Hershey's headquarters but Milky Way ice cream is the state's favorite ice cream. The chunks of caramel, nougat, and milk chocolate easily make this ice cream a crowd favorite.
Rhode Island: Coffee
Coffee ice cream is a classic ice cream flavoring beloved by many. This state may be small but their love of ice cream isn't. They can't get enough of this coffee ice cream!
South Carolina: Peach
Much like Georgia, peaches grow very easily in South Carolina. Peach ice cream is a staple of the south for a reason, it's sweet and delicious! Everyone loves it.
South Dakota: Cookies and Cream
Cookies and cream ice cream is a favorite of many Americans. South Dakota loves it the most! The vanilla ice cream with chunks of cookies is a must-have.
Tennessee: Cotton Candy
Reminiscent of county fairs and childhood ice cream shops, cotton candy ice cream is a big crowd-pleaser. Tennessee especially loves it! Adults and children can't get enough.
Texas: Homemade Vanilla
The popular Texas-based ice cream brand, Blue Bell, has one of the best vanilla ice creams sold. It's creamy and flavorful. Everyone loves Homemade Vanilla ice cream!
Utah: Cookie Dough
This Rocky Mountain state can't get enough of cookie dough ice cream. It's simple and delicious, perfect for Utah!
Vermont: Maple Walnut
Vermont has the best maple syrup in the country! Of course, their favorite Ice cream would have maple in it. It's the perfect combination of vanilla ice cream, walnuts, and maple syrup.
Virginia: Caramel Apple
Sweet and sticky caramel apples are a quintessential part of Virginia county fairs and candy shops. Why not add ice cream shops to that list! Caramel apple ice cream is a favorite of many Virginia ice cream shops.
Washington: Coffee
Starbucks originated in Seattle, no wonder coffee ice cream is such a big hit! Washington is famously addicted to coffee. You can't go wrong with coffee ice cream at any ice cream shop in Washington.
West Virginia: Rocky Road
West Virginia famously loves ice cream. Rocky Road, a mixture of chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, fudge swirl, and peanuts. It's a big crowd-pleaser, especially in West Virginia.
Wisconsin: Blue Moon
Wisconsin is another Midwestern state obsessed with Blue Moon ice cream. The bright blue is loved by adults and children alike! It's a Wisconsin staple.
Wyoming: Vanilla
Vanilla is a classic flavor fit for cowboy country. No frills, just great flavor-- just like Wyoming.
Ice cream is one of the United States' favorite desserts. Who doesn't love going to their local ice cream shop and getting a scoop of their favorite ice cream? It's a great American pastime.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Tell us in the comments, we love hearing from you!
