All Hail The Creemee

Black Raspberry & Maple Swirl Creemee at Seb's Snack Bar, South Hero, VT

Looks like soft serve ice cream, but it's not. It's better. Especially the maple.

In summer, there are roughly 400 places across the state of Vermont to find a creemee, and should you find yourself driving/ biking/walking/ boating by one, I strongly urge you to stop and give one a try (you know, if you're not lactose-intolerant or still full from your last meal, or diabetic, or whatnot).

Creemees (not a typo) are most-often sold in maple, black raspberry, vanilla and chocolate flavors, or as a twist. If you have the time and inclination, taste them as you explore the state, because every vendor makes their own flavors, and there are as many variations on a theme of maple (how maple-y it is) as there are as there are takes on Caesar salad.

So, what differentiates the creemee from soft serve?  Why the butterfat content, of course! Soft serve apparently typically has 10-14% butterfat while creemees start at 14%. And we all know that fat adds flavor and lusciousness to everything (yeah, yeah, and inches to your hips and waistline -- but you only live once).

Where to find a creemee? They are typically sold in country and general stores (but not all of them), roadside stands, creameries, sugar shacks, and sugar houses. Or, click on any of the dots in the interactive creemee map below.

OK. You are now ready to fully embrace on of Vermont's favorite summer treats. (If you visit between, say, November and March, you may be out of luck, as creemees are pretty seasonal.)

Enjoy!