6 of the Best Homemade Ice Cream Spots in Central Pennsylvania

If you’re looking to eat some homemade ice cream to celebrate July’s National Ice Cream Month, we’ve got the scoop for you.

I took it upon myself to travel around central Pennsylvania searching for some farm-fresh homemade ice cream.

With a seasoned ice cream connoisseur — my dad — in tow, I visited six different creameries throughout Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks counties.

At each location, Dad and I rated the creameries on four different criteria: flavor selection, taste, cost and atmosphere.

At the end of our week of ice cream tasting, all six places scored exceptionally well, meaning central Pennsylvania has plenty of options for those looking for a good summer treat.

Without further ado, here’s our rundown from our homemade ice cream tour. We suggest enjoying a cone from any of the following six creameries.

Lapp Valley Farm

Our first stop was in New Holland, where Lapp Valley makes its ice cream with milk from its own herd of Jersey cows.

There’s a nice variety of flavors here, including all the classics you’d expect.

Dad ordered a small cone of butter pecan, and I got a small cone of chocolate marshmallow, each costing $3.05.

Dad’s ice cream journey started off on a high note. He said his treat was creamy and smooth, with lots of pecans.

While I enjoyed my cone, the chocolate flavor was a little light for my chocolate-loving taste buds.

What makes this creamery special is its true on-farm experience. While sitting on the porch — which has plenty of seating — we could see calves in their pens, and over by the small playground was a barn full of heifers — all Jerseys, of course.

Flavor selection: 3.5/5

Taste: 4/5

Cost: 4.5/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Overall: 4.25/5

Fox Meadows Creamery

Next, we headed to Ephrata, where Fox Meadows focuses on selling ice cream “from cow to cone.”

With a wide variety, including some unique flavors, it was tough to pick just one.

Dad went with a small brown butter almond brickle and I ordered a small vine-ripened black raspberry. A small cone includes two scoops for $4.40.

Dad enjoyed his ice cream, touting the quality of the ingredients, but said he prefers a stronger flavor. For me, the black raspberry was exceptional, and a refreshing treat on a hot summer day.

While there is lots of seating both inside and out, the creamery was busy. Luckily we were able to find a couple seats on the big porch with a nice view of the farm that sits behind the store.

Flavor selection: 5/5

Taste: 4/5

Cost: 3.5/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Overall: 4.25/5

Patches Family Creamery

Next on our journey was Patches Family Creamery in Lebanon.

Patches’ processing plant for milk and ice cream is in the same building as the store, with a large window through which customers can watch the process.

Again, we appreciated the variety of classic and unique flavors.

We both ordered small cones, with one scoop for $2.60. Dad got peaches and cream and I ordered candy scramble, which was vanilla ice cream with multiple candies — like M&M’s, Reese’s and more — blended in.

Dad enjoyed the flavor but was hoping for chunks of peaches in his ice cream. Mine was tasty as well, and with a similar critique. Larger pieces of candy would have been nice.

It’s hard to beat Patches’ on-farm atmosphere. Next to the creamery is a pasture full of animals for petting, including pigs, goats and donkeys that eagerly come over to say hi.

Flavor selection: 5/5

Taste: 4.5/5

Cost: 5/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Overall: 4.75/5

Twilight Acres

Our next stop was in Womelsdorf.

While Twilight Acres does process and sell its own milk, the ice cream isn’t made at the farm. But it’s still homemade, coming from Windy Knoll Farm in Chambersburg.

The flavor selection was smaller, but there were still some unique offerings.

A small cone of two scoops cost $3.95. Dad went with peanut butter overload, and I ordered salty pretzel delight.

Dad, an avid peanut butter lover, said peanut butter and ice cream is the “perfect combo” and this was outstanding ice cream. I was happy with my choice, too, thoroughly enjoying the salty-sweet symphony.

While the creamery itself is small and seating is limited, the inside of the building has a homey feel.

Flavor selection: 4/5

Taste: 4.5/5

Cost: 4/5

Atmosphere: 3.5/5

Overall: 4/5

Plum Creek

Next up was a trip to Bernville, where we were in for a bit of a surprise when we learned that Plum Creek also sells ice cream made by Windy Knoll Farm.

Plum Creek has an impressive flavor selection. We each ordered a small cone, which has two scoops of ice cream for $4.49.

Dad ordered the fluffernutter, which is a classic combo of peanut butter and marshmallow. I decided on the cookie craver, which was a mocha-flavored ice cream with cookie dough and Oreos.

Dad enjoyed the peanut butter, but said the marshmallow was a bit hard to detect. I — a coffee enthusiast — was a big fan of my choice. You can’t go wrong with coffee, chocolate and cookies.

Plum Creek’s store and outdoor area has an upscale feel. There is plenty of seating, both inside and out, and there’s also a playground for kids.

Flavor selection: 5/5

Taste: 4.5/5

Cost: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

Way-Har Farm Market

The final stop on our homemade ice cream tour was Way-Har Farm Market in Bernville. The store has been selling milk and ice cream for over 50 years.

With about 40 flavors of ice cream to choose from, it took a while to make our decisions.

One scoop costs $3.50. Dad got a cone of black raspberry, and I went with s’mores.

Dad said his “tasted like summer.” My treat was very chocolaty — which I love — and I appreciated the chunks of graham crackers throughout.

The farm market doesn’t have much seating, but Dad said it feels “like home.” I also love the farmhouse setting. And for me, Way-Har is nostalgic because Dad used to take me there often when I was a kid.

Flavor selection: 5/5

Taste: 4.5/5

Cost: 4/5

Atmosphere: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5