ICE CREAM in or near Pine Township, PA
Do you hear it?
That’s the sound of your inner child screaming ice cream. Don’t panic, I’m here to help. Below are the best ice cream shops in or near Pine Township.
Keep breathing. We are going to get through this together.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
10610 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090
www.graeters.com/retail-stores/pittsburgh/wexford
In 1868, Louis Graeter began selling his ice cream on the streets of Cincinnati, Ohio. 148 years later, Graeter’s opened up their first Pennsylvania location in Wexford, PA, minutes from Pine Township. Just like Louis, Graeter’s still uses French Pot Freezers to craft their distinctive ice cream, two-and-a-half gallons at a time. Many of Graeter’s flavors are infused with giant chunks of chocolate – a signature of theirs. Graeter’s absolutely lives up to the hype. Keep in mind that your first taste of Graeter’s is going to spoil your sweet tooth forever. It will no longer accept mediocre ice cream.
Recommendations:
With Chocolate: Black Raspberry Chip (Pictured Above), Mint Chocolate Chip
Without Chocolate: Vienna Coffee, Original Salted Caramel
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard
20635 Route 19, Cranberry, PA 16066
The Meadows has been making their frozen custard the same way since it began serving the public in 1950. Since day one, they’ve had no problem finding customers to serve. The Meadows serves frozen custard, not ice cream. Frozen custard is creamier and smoother. If you’ve never tried frozen custard, The Meadows will gladly set the bar for you, and if you have tried frozen custard, The Meadows will raise it. They’ve got frozen yogurt and espresso drinks on the menu, they create custom cakes, and they’re open year-round. Their custard is well-worth the short trip from Pine Township.
Recommendations:
Chocolate and Vanilla Custard in Waffle Cone, Black Cow (their version of a Root Beer Float)
Ice Box Creamery & Cafe
1343 Old Freedom Road (next to Wal-Mart), Cranberry, PA 16066
Ice Box Creamery & Café is another one of the Pine Township greater area’s finest ice cream providers. They use only quality ingredients in their homemade ice cream, and they offer a wide variety of flavors. They serve paninis and coffee there as well, but Ice Box is known especially for their ice cream. Trying to make an Ice Box flavor recommendation is no easy task (they make so many great flavors) but I will certainly do my best.
Recommendations:
Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Hazelnut, Brown Sugar Cinnamon
BAKED GOODS in or near Pine Township
Gigi’s Cupcakes
761 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
In 2008, Gina “Gigi” Butler opened the doors of the original Gigi’s Cupcakes Shop in Nashville. Eight years later, Gigi and her family’s stellar cupcakes are being served in over 100 locations across the country. Out of all the Gigi’s locations, only one is located in Pennsylvania. Luckily, it’s close to Pine Township in the McCandless Crossing Town Center. Gigi’s serves up a near endless variety of cupcakes and other baked goods. Some recipes are staple offerings, others are seasonal. Gigi’s Cupcakes will also custom-bake cupcakes and other goodies for weddings, birthdays and other events. You can even schedule a tasting! Gigi’s Cupcakes are more art than food. You’ll probably hesitate to eat whichever cupcakes you choose … but then you’ll eat them … and you’ll be glad you did.
Recommendations:
Scarlett’s Red Velvet, Kentucky Bourbon, Wedding Cake, Texas Milk Chocolate
Peace Love & Little Donuts
11915 Perry Highway, Wexford PA 15090
20325 Route 19, Cranberry PA 16066
www.peaceloveandlittledonuts.com
It all started with a mistake. Ron Razete, would-be co-founder of Peace Love & Little Donuts, put together his first donut machine wrong. When he turned it on, it produced miniature donuts! They embraced the mistake and opened the first Peace Love & Little Donuts on Smallman Street in the Strip District of Pittsburgh in 2009. Today, their “perfectly sized” donuts are served in over 20 locations across the United States. Unlike most donut shops, Peace Love & Little Donuts makes their donuts all day long so their consumers are always receiving fresh goods. And they offer donut flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Maple Bacon donut anyone? You’ll think their crazy till you try it. Only then will you understand the power of Peace Love & Little Donuts! They’ve got two locations that are both minutes from the Pine Township lines, so it won’t take you long to be tasting the area’s finest donuts.
Recommendations: Maple Bacon, Blueberry Frosted, Samoa, Cinnamon Sugar
COFFEE in or near Pine Township
Convive Coffee Roastery
751 Providence Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
In my opinion, coffee is a form of dessert. And Convive is serving up the area’s best. Located just south of Pine Township in the McCandless Crossing Town Center (next to Gig’s Cupcakes, I might add), Convive is roasting some of the world’s best coffee beans and using them to serve incredible coffee drinks to the public. The same beans they use are also offered for sale, whole or grinded. They’ve got cookies and other baked goods too. Maybe the most unique thing about Convive (other than the “Pay It Forward Wall,” of course) is that they have a mobile espresso bar that customers can host at their events (weddings, reunions, etc.) operated by knowledgeable baristas. If high-end coffee and espresso is up your alley, drop into Convive to enjoy a hand-crafted, delicious drink in a relaxing environment.
Recommendation: Anything really. However you prefer your coffee, they will not disappoint.
No longer will you ever go without a good dessert (unless by choice). The above-mentioned businesses have proven to the Pine Township community that they know how to hit the sweet spot. Let them prove it to you.
If you haven’t even had your drinks or your main course yet, be sure to check out my blogs on:
The Best Pizza in Pine Township PA
The Best Seafood in Pine Township PA
The Best Sandwiches in Pine Township PA
The Best Craft Beer Selections in Pine Township PA
