Where to Find the Best Finger Lickin’ Homemade Ice Cream in Connecticut

They say you can’t buy happiness, but THEY are incorrect. You can buy a waffle cone stuffed with fresh, homemade cookie dough ice cream from a roadside shack in the middle of Connecticut—and honestly, it's the same thing. Connecticut’s got a handful of hidden gems where the ice cream isn’t just dessert; it’s a religious experience. And if you're still getting your scoops from the freezer aisle, you might want to rethink your life choices after reading this.

Recently, the 'Ethan, Lou, and Large Dave Show' welcomed Bethel's First Selectman, Dan Carter, to our studios, who came bearing gifts of homemade ice cream from Dr. Mike's Ice Cream Shop. OMG, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Food writer for Hearst CT Media, Erik Ofgang, stated...

Dr. Mike’s uses a high-butterfat base that “melts in beautiful, even waves,” and—after countless blind taste tests I declare it's the best ice cream in Connecticut, ready to “die on this hill” for it. 

Connecticut excels in producing small-batch, farm-fresh, and delicious frozen treats. We're talking about secret recipes, dairy farms crafting creamy masterpieces, and family-owned shops that have been serving ice cream since the 1970s! If you're an ice cream enthusiast like I am, here are four must-visit small-batch, farm-fresh ice cream shops that every ice cream lover should check out.

** Ferris Acres Creamery (Newtown) - A local favorite since 2003, on a farm with roots back to 1864. They churn out creative flavors like Elvis Dream (vanilla with peanut butter, banana & chocolate) and Campfire (vanilla with graham, marshmallow & fudge)

** Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream (Hamden) - Huge portions and friendly service. A favorite post-Sleeping Giant hike destination

** Rich Farm Ice Cream (Oxford) - Their portions are massive, their flavors like German Chocolate Brownie or Peanut Butter Swirl are crave-worthy, and their fresh-made waffle cones are basically edible hugs.

** Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop (Newtown) - All of their ice cream is made on-site in small batches using Connecticut dairy. They offer a wide selection of hard ice cream, soft serve, milkshakes, sundaes, and custom ice cream cakes. Holy Cow has been serving homemade ice cream since 1969.

** Arethusa Farm Dairy (Bantam) - churns out ultra-premium ice cream using milk from their own pampered Holstein herd. This isn’t just ice cream—it’s a velvety, full-fat, flavor-loaded experience. If luxury had a scoop, it’d be Arethusa’s Salted Caramel or Bourbon Vanilla.