You know those adorable, brightly-colored ice cream sundaes that have been filling up your Instagram feed lately? Yeah, those are Sugar Spell Scoops vegan ice cream dishes, and you’ll soon be able enjoy them in the comfort of your very own home.
Sugar Spell Scoops is a Pittsburgh-based vegan ice cream and dessert supplier that debuted their treats at the 2016 VegFest. Since then, Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to get enough of these frozen vegan creations.
Sugar Spell Scoops is now Pennsylvania’s first all-vegan ice cream company. Chef and owner Amanda Burk, has been a vegan for 11 years, and says she’s excited to be part of the expanding vegan food scene in Pittsburgh. Being able to grow this business, she says, has always been a dream of hers.
“I found in my email this old conversation from 2006 where I say my goal is to open an ice cream business,” laughs Burk. “It’s not just a spur of the moment thing. I am very food-centric.”
While the idea of handmade, vegan ice cream is appealing enough on its own, Sugar Spell Scoops takes their creations to the next level. Burk is constantly formulating unique flavors and specialty sundaes for different events.
For example, on Cinco De Mayo, the brand served vegan floats with horchata ice cream and Mexican Coke. For the popular “Sweet Horror” vegan treat popup, Sugar Spell Scoops served blue ice cream cups with red dye and white chocolate chips to look like a shark attack, and black ice cream with activated charcoal.
And those creations are just the tip of the sundae. Fans of the Sugar Spells know can expect other items like frozen cones, cookie and s’more sandwiches, and decadent toppings. Flavors are constantly rotating, but some customer favorites include peanut butter, peaches ‘n’ cream, chocolate-PB pretzel, carrot cake, and seasonal blends with fresh fruit and berries – all vegan.
And, starting September 6, pints of Sugar Spell Scoops ice cream will be on sale at Naturally Soergel’s in Wexford. Flavors include:
- Rainbow Vanilla
- Chick-O-Stick
- Strawberry
- Mocha Chips
They will also be selling cookie dough parfaits, peanut butter parfaits, and mini cakes (about four inches, serving two people).
For customer orders, Sugar Spell Scoops can create cakes, and provide gallons of ice cream with supplies and toppings for sundae bars at events.
The company’s clever name, Sugar Spell Scoops, which fits well with their quirky flavors, was also the brainchild of Burk.
“Sugar spells are real things in magic. They use sugar, honey or sweeteners to usher in happiness, love, good fortune and peace. They are supposed to ease tension, and I thought what better ease tension than with ice cream. Especially with the compassionate vegan element, it all made sense,” says Burk.
Sugar Spells is working to sell pints at more Pittsburgh locations in the near future. They are also considering starting an monthly ice cream subscription service. Follow their Facebook page for updates, and posts about their newest creations. The Sugar Spell Scoops website provides information on custom orders and rates for cakes.
“I am living through my heart to do this, and all the amazing feedback is incredible,” says Burk. “I feel so fortunate. Even when we’re working at 3:00 a.m., it is still a good time.”
Because Sugar Spells Scoops doesn’t use any softener chemicals in their ice cream, and they suggest letting pints sit on the counter, or in the fridge for 15 minutes prior to serving.
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