Is it just us or are there more places than ever to get a sweet treat? Here, three new places for flowery cakes, topping-covered cookies and vegan ice cream.
SMART COOKIES
Crumbl (crumblcookies.com), the cookie company that took TikTok by storm with its weekly drops and now has 1.6 million followers, opened its first Pennsylvania location in Jenkintown in late August. With 120 rotating flavors—think Muddy Buddy, Funfetti, orange creamsicle and chocolate caramel along with two standing selections, warm chocolate chip and chilled sugar—guests choose their favorites and then the cookies are presented to them in Crumbl’s signature pink box for their own TikTok moment.
MADE WITH LOVE
A pandemic hobby turned into a full-time hustle for self-taught baker Noelle Blizzard, who opened New June (new-june.com) in Fairmount this past July. Named after an especially busy June she shared with her husband, where they purposely sought out new food experiences for one month, Blizzard operates out of her home (New June falls under cottage food law, ideally suited for bakeries). Her rotating selection of sweets includes cinnamon-filled morning buns, krispy cornflake cookies and seasonal galettes, most of which are adorned with a fresh flower petal. The arrival of fall means more seasonal flavors, like pumpkin, warm spices and locally sourced produce, plus assorted gift boxes and international treats. Blizzard says that Philly is an ideal place to launch a concept like New June. “There is comfort in sweets. There is also a strong sense of community here in Philly, and people are committed, thankfully, to discovering and supporting entrepreneurs who pursue creative outlets.”
HERE’S THE SCOOP
A New York ice cream truck concept with a mission to make more wholesome flavors is now one of the most popular spots to score scoops across the country, from Los Angeles to Texas and, since August, Philadelphia. Van Leeuwen’s (vanleeuwenicecream.com) new Midtown Village corner shop features the full rainbow of flavors, from traditional dairy to alternative options like cashew-milk vegan ice cream and oat-milk vegan ice cream; it also launched its first line of dairy and vegan ice cream bars this year. Look out for flavors like honeycomb, Earl Grey and marionberry cheesecake along with the Philly-centric Strawberry Lavender Donut, a collab creation with Federal Donuts. You can also opt for sundaes, root beer floats and milkshakes. As for the original ice cream truck, you just might see it wheeling around town in Philadelphia.
Photography by: Courtesy of Brands; Noelle Wheatley Blizzard; Courtesy of Brands
