Worried that your frozen custard sales are going to go cold this winter season? Don’t be! Frozen custard is just as popular in winter-time as it is any other time of year. For one thing, it won’t melt as easily as it does in the summertime. It’s also the perfect complement to holiday desserts. Frozen custard goes with everything! The winter and holiday season brings lots of fun exciting flavors, too. Continue reading for the eight best frozen custard flavors you need to include on your winter menu.
1. Nutmeg Spiced Eggnog Custard
Eggnog is a classic creamy flavor warmed with spicy nutmeg. Half of its appeal comes from the smell of the nutmeg. (The other half may come from the anticipated addition of brandy or rum in the homemade drink.)
Its name is a bit off-putting to some, who envision extreme athletes drinking a raw-egg protein drink. But eggnog is actually a tasty blend of heavy cream, milk, eggs, sugar, and of course, nutmeg.
More than any of the other flavors on this list, eggnog tends to only show up during the winter holiday season. So, indulge in and savor it while you have the chance!
2. Cranberry Frozen Custard
Cranberries are the unsung hero of the winter holiday season. Their sweet, tart flavor of this beautifully colored custard is the perfect complement to any meal.
Many people associate cranberries with Thanksgiving in the fall. However, they’re an authentic holiday flavor all across the season. They’re used in Christmas morning scones or paired with oranges and cloves to glaze the New Year’s Day ham.
Although good on its own, cranberry pairs well with other flavors too. Try pairing it with other flavors like apple, cinnamon, maple, or even gingerbread.
3. Spiced Gingerbread
Spicy gingerbread is a wintertime staple! Ginger, cinnamon, and cloves intermingle to warm the palate, even in frozen custard.
This quintessential holiday spice puts a decadent spin on your winter menu. The taste instantly evokes nostalgia for the gingerbread men and decorated gingerbread houses of your youth. Gingerbread recipe traditions go back as far as the 16th century in France and Germany.
Gingerbread can be paired with a multitude of savory and sweet flavors. Feel free to mix and match with other flavors on this list to create new combinations such as Gingerbread Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Gingerbread.
4. Orange Frozen Custard
Oranges blend naturally with the spices and flavors of winter. From mulled wine to chocolate, this citrus flavor is integral to countless holiday foods. The citrus adds a bright zing to drinks. And it has just enough edge to keep chocolate and sweets from becoming too cloying.
Traditionally, fresh oranges were difficult to come by in the winter months. It was considered a luxury and special treat to receive one on Christmas day. It’s also believed that sharing orange segments represent the season of giving and sharing what you have with others.
Whether you decide to share your orange custard or not, is up to you. But the flavor is sure to lift your spirits even on the coldest winter day.
5. Cinnamon Frozen Custard
May holiday treats get their taste and aroma from cinnamon. It’s the go-to spice of the season.
Cinnamon can be traced back to ancient Egypt. During the Middle Ages, it made its way to Europe by way of the spice trading routes. Now it’s mainly produced in China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Most pre-made holiday spice blends include cinnamon and it flavors many traditional foods and drinks at this time of year. Of course, it’s quite common to use any time of year but at the holidays it’s just a little more indulgent.
6. Peppermint Custard
If you’re looking for a little flair on your holiday dessert table, reach for some peppermint frozen custard! No holiday menu is complete without a little bit of peppermint. This sweet frosty flavor pairs well with chocolate. The minty-freshness also holds its own in a vanilla base.
The red-and-white candy cane hooks are a staple of the holiday season. Peppermint candy sticks hark back to 17thcentury Germany. Legend has it that a choirmaster first shaped them into the cane, to resemble a shepherd’s staff.
Whatever shape they take, there’s no denying that candy cane frozen custard will be a breath of fresh air for your winter menu.
7. Hot Chocolate Frozen Custard
Chocolate is a winning flavor any time of year, but the warming tones of a cup of hot chocolate are especially suitable for the winter season. It’s the go-to drink after a day of shoveling snow, sledding down neighborhood hills, or skating at the local rink.
A creamy, milk chocolate with mini marshmallows and maybe even a hint of cinnamon is the best frozen custard on a cold winter night. While you’re curled up inside, of course, under a comforter sitting next to a roaring fire.
8. Tahitian Vanilla with Toasted Coconut and Macadamia Nuts
During the cold winter months when you’re craving someplace warm and exotic, reach for this blend of island flavors! Vanilla has flourished in Tahiti’s tropical climate for over 170 years.
The rich, sweet complex flavor of Tahitian vanilla evokes notes of black cherry and anise. Bits of toasted coconut and macadamia nuts elevate this custard to a whole new level!
Whether your dreaming of Tahiti or Bora Bora, these French Polynesian flavors will transport your tastebuds away on the vacation of a lifetime! Or, at least until the bowl is empty.
The Best Frozen Custard Flavors for Winter
From the deep spicy flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the tart freshness of cranberries and oranges, there are plenty of frozen custard flavors to make your winter menu special. Whether you add one or all eight, they’re sure to be an instant hit!
Check out our site to learn more about frozen custard machines or how to open your own frozen custard shop!
