If you're visiting Vermont and go to order some ice cream, don’t be surprised if you see options for a “creemee” on the menu! It's what we call soft serve in Vermont, and though the picture might look like soft serve, the name suggests something completely different. So what’s the deal? What’s with this Vermont creemee business?
Creemees are essentially soft serve ice cream - ice cream pumped through a machine to make it more airy and soft. Simple enough.
Now, let's explore the history of the Vermont summer staple so you can enjoy a creemee like a true Vermonter!
Why do Vermonters call it a creemee?
The name might sound funny if you’re not from around here, but to Vermonters, it’s second nature. While some say it came from a regional adaptation of the French word “crème”, others credit it to the higher butterfat content that makes Vermont soft serve so delightfully creamy.
Then there is the spelling debacle. You may ask, “Why not creamy or creamee?” Well, we’re not sure. Someone suggested the name, and it stuck. Either way, creemees are a longtime local favorite and an essential part of summer in Vermont.
Maple: Vermont’s Signature Creemee Flavor
No trip to Vermont is complete without trying a maple creemee. Made with real Vermont maple syrup, it’s sweet, smooth, and uniquely local. There is a science to creating this delicacy: Maple creemee makers carefully monitor the proportion of syrup to its buttermilk base to ensure the mixture is not too sweet, and much like how your average creemee is processed, the maple creemee is pumped with air to create those soft, billowy peaks.
Some folks like it straight up, others prefer a twist with vanilla, and we recommend a twist of black raspberry. Either way, it’s the flavor Vermonters look forward to all year.
History of Soft Serve
The inventor of soft serve ice cream has long been disputed…
There’s the story of how Thomas Carvel frantically sold melted ice cream from his broken-down truck on Memorial Day in 1934, later developing a super secret soft serve recipe to mimic his surprising success. Or there is Dairy Queen’s claim, when in 1938 DQ founders, J.F. McCullough and his son Alex, developed a special soft ice cream for a friend’s store in Kansas. Perhaps the most out-there of origin story involves Margaret Thatcher, who worked briefly as a food chemist for food manufacturer J. Lyons and Co around the same time they had a partnership with Mr. Whippy where they invented a machine that pumped extra air into ice cream.
Overall, nobody knows the true origin of soft serve, but one thing’s for sure: This creamy, swirled treat has made its way into dessert history and summer hearts everywhere.
Where to get a Creemee Near Burlington, Vermont
Now to the important question: Where can I get a creemee in Vermont? There’s no shortage of great creemee stands around Burlington and beyond. Here are a few of our favorites:
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Burlington Bay Market & Café in Burlington - A lakeside spot with classic maple creemees and sunset views
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Ice Cream Evan's in Burlington - Historic Burlington creemee stand along the Burlington Bike Path
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The Sweet Spot in Burlington - Lakeside creemee window along the Burlington Bike Path
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Champ’s Legendary Creemee Stand in Burlington - Delicious creemees at the ECHO Leahy Center
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Offbeat Creemee in Essex - Offering plant based creemees in their new location at the Essex Experience
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Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho - Serving legendary maple creemees with maple dust and maple sprinkles
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Village Scoop in Colchester - A classic roadside stop with generous servings and loyal fans
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Broadacres Creemee in Colchester - A lakeside sackbar and creemee stand serving delicious flavors of local creemee
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Little Gordo Creemee Stand in Burlington - Offering bold, rotating flavors and a funky atmosphere
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Canteen Creemee Company in Waitsfield - Featuring a selection of wild toppings and gourmet-style cones that look as good as they taste
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Bristol Creemee Stand in Bristol - A small-town staple that’s worth the drive
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Palmer Lane Creemee Truck around Burlington - Roaming truck with creative creemee specials
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Rocky's NY Pizza & Ice Cream in Essex Junction - This kid-friendly spot has big swirls and a neighborhood feel
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Shelburne Country Store in Shelburne - A charming shop serving creemees right in the heart of the village
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The Mill Market in South Burlington - A unique Vermont market with sandwiches, premade foods, and window service creemees.
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Joe's Snack Bar in Jericho - A local favorite, this riverside snack bar serves creemees along with handcut fries and other comfort cravings.
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Lu•lu Ice Cream in Vergennes - not just hard scoop, watch for unique seasonal creemees
The Final Scoop
Whether you're team maple, vanilla, twist, or feel adventurous enough to try something wild from Little Gordo’s, there’s one thing we can all agree on: creemees are the unofficial taste of summer in Vermont. They’re nostalgic, a little quirky (just like us), and best enjoyed with sunshine on your face and napkins in hand.
So next time you're out and about in the Green Mountain State, roll the windows down, keep your eyes peeled for a creemee stand, and treat yourself to a swirl of Vermont happiness. You’re not just eating ice cream, you’re taking part in a local tradition, one delicious lick at a time.
