With the weather warming up, Americans everywhere are getting ready to have some fun in the sun. We can all agree that ice cream truck treats are great additions to any outdoor activities, no matter where you live. Something about that tasty goodness at the end makes an afternoon walk much more tempting. But which sweet treats are most popular, and where do people order them? We turned to Google Trends to find out every state’s favorite ice cream truck treat.
The Most Popular Ice Cream Truck Treat in Every U.S. State
Just because everyone wants ice cream doesn’t mean we all ask for the same flavors. There may even be a few on this list that you’ve never heard of! For example, most people think Screwball means an alcoholic drink, but in Montana and Wyoming, it’s a conical, fruity ice treat with a gumball at the bottom. Similarly, a Firecracker (or Bomb Pop) in Vermont and Alabama is a three-flavored popsicle featuring our beloved red, white, and blue colors.
Weirdly enough, ice creams that used to be household names in every state, like Push-Up Pops, ice cream sandwiches, and Drumsticks, only took the top spot in one state each. Apparently, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Ohio still love the classics, but the rest of America has moved on. The times, they are a-changing.
There’s also a clear regional preference. The Midwest’s love for lemon ice was obvious, considering five (out of the 10 total) states in the region featured that treat as the top-searched term. Head south, though, and suddenly everyone wants strawberry shortcake ice cream. However, the three most populous states, California, Texas, and Florida, only have eyes for the Fudge Pop.
The Most Popular Ice Cream Truck Treat Overall
Coming in as the top-searched ice cream truck treat overall, lemon ice is a lovely combination of sour and sweet. Adults and kids can get behind this refreshing treat on a hot summer’s day. Originally an Italian recipe, the lemon ice phenomenon first really caught on in New York and New Jersey, states with famously large Italian populations. However, its popularity has spread throughout the Midwest, and it’s now one of the nation’s most beloved ice cream treats.
Tied at number two, strawberry shortcake ice cream bars really take the cake (pun intended), along with the Creamsicle. With vanilla ice cream lovingly encased in orange sherbet, the Creamsicle has long been part of the American dream. Considering all of the most popular treats feature fruity flavors, it’s safe to say we love our summertime fruit!
Closing Thoughts
It’s clear that America is very fond of sweet treats during the summer. We love heading out for some fun in the sun with our favorite people in tow to celebrate the end of winter. Especially when things heat up between you and that special someone.
Simple date nights take many forms. As the weather starts to heat up, we recommend a nice walk capped off with your favorite ice cream truck treat! It might give you the perfect opportunity to pop the question with an engagement ring from Shane Co. to really sweeten the evening.
Methodology
To determine the most popular ice cream truck treats, we compiled a list of 30 well-known ice pops and bars from websites like Thrillist and Yardbarker. Then we analyzed regional Google search data from April 2022 to April 2023 to see which treats are popping up in the search bars of Americans most often.
