Cold Stone Creamery has been serving up rich, creamy ice cream and indulgent desserts for over 30 years. But if you follow a plant-based diet, you might be wondering—are there any vegan-friendly treats on the menu?
The good news is that Cold Stone introduced its first-ever vegan ice cream in January 2022, and they also offer a variety of dairy-free sorbets, mix-ins, and toppings that make customizing your own treat easy.
Just remember, Cold Stone’s menu offerings may vary by location, and some ingredients might contain hidden dairy. It’s always a good idea to check with your local store to confirm availability and ingredient details.
Let’s take a closer look at what Cold Stone has to offer for vegans and how to build the perfect plant-based dessert.
Vegan Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone currently offers just one dairy-free ice cream option:
- Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert
This creamy chocolate ice cream is made with almond milk and can be enjoyed in a cup, cone, sundae, or milkshake.
Vegan Signature Creation: “Don’t Cry Over Spilled Silk”
If you don’t feel like customizing your own creation, you can try Cold Stone’s pre-made vegan Signature Creation, which includes:
- Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert
- Banana
- Roasted Almonds
- Peanut Butter
You can also turn this ice cream into a shake! The Chocolate Silk Shake is made by blending the Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert with Silk Almondmilk, creating a rich and creamy vegan milkshake.
While this is the only official vegan ice cream at Cold Stone for now, there are plenty of mix-ins and toppings you can add to customize your dessert.
Dairy-Free Sorbets at Cold Stone
If you’re looking for something lighter than ice cream, Cold Stone offers a variety of dairy-free sorbets that are completely vegan. Availability varies by location, so check with your local store to see which ones they carry.
List of Vegan Sorbet Flavors:
- Countrytime Pink Lemonade
- Lemon
- Mojito
- Orange
- Peach Mango
- Pineapple
- Pineapple Orange Banana
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Strawberry Mango Banana
- Watermelon
These sorbets can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a custom creation with mix-ins and toppings.
Vegan Mix-Ins at Cold Stone
One of the best things about Cold Stone is the ability to customize your dessert. You can add fruits, nuts, and other vegan-friendly mix-ins to make your treat exactly how you like it.
Fruits:
- Apple Pie Filling
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Black Cherries
- Blueberries
- Cherry Pie Filling
- Maraschino Cherries
- Pineapple Tidbits
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Nuts & Nut Butters:
- Cashews
- Macadamia Nuts
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Roasted Almonds
- Sliced Almonds
- Peanut Butter
Other Vegan Mix-Ins:
- Coconut (Check that it’s not Toasted Coconut, which contains dairy)
- Gold Glitter
- Golden Oreos
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- Oreo Cookies
- Oreo Pie Crust
- Pretzels
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Raisins
- Sugar Crystals
- Walnuts
With such a wide selection, you can easily create a delicious and unique vegan-friendly dessert.
It’s worth noting that while Oreos and graham cracker pie crusts are typically vegan, some locations may use variations that contain dairy. Always check with your local store before ordering.
Vegan Toppings at Cold Stone
Cold Stone also offers a couple of vegan-friendly toppings to add even more flavor to your treat.
- Cinnamon
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce (Yes, it’s surprisingly dairy-free!)
Which Cones Are Vegan?
If you’d prefer your dessert in a cone rather than a cup, Cold Stone has two vegan-friendly options:
- Cake Cone
- Sugar Cone
Avoid the Waffle Cone, as it contains dairy.
Cross-Contamination Considerations
Cold Stone Creamery doesn’t have a separate preparation area for vegan and non-vegan items, so cross-contamination is possible. If you have a severe dairy allergy or prefer to avoid cross-contact, ask the staff to:
- Use a clean scoop
- Mix your ice cream in a separate, fresh container rather than on the cold stone slab
Most locations are happy to accommodate, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Final Thoughts
While Cold Stone isn’t the most vegan-friendly ice cream shop, it does offer one dairy-free ice cream, a wide range of sorbets, and plenty of mix-ins and toppings to create a delicious plant-based treat.
If you’re looking for a fully vegan experience, a sorbet with fruit mix-ins or a Silk Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert with peanut butter and nuts are great choices. Just be sure to check with your local store about availability and cross-contamination.
Want to find more vegan-friendly dessert spots? Check out our other guides to plant-based treats at popular restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cold Stone Creamery’s smoothies vegan?
No. Cold Stone’s smoothie base contains dairy, and they don’t offer plant-based substitutes.
What dairy-free options are available at Cold Stone Creamery?
You can choose from silk chocolate almond milk frozen dessert, chocolate silk shake,
and various sorbets (availability varies by location).
Does Cold Stone Creamery have a vegan ice cream cake?
No, Cold Stone does not currently offer a vegan ice cream cake, but there’s always hope for future additions to their menu.
Does Cold Stone Creamery Have Vegan Cakes?
Unfortunately, Cold Stone does not offer any vegan ice cream cakes at this time. However, since they’ve already introduced a dairy-free ice cream option, there’s hope that vegan cakes could be added in the future.
