These Are the Best Ice Cream Scoop Options According to Fanatics
Updated: Mar. 27, 2024
Find out which ice cream scoop you need to make that super sundae.
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Between the two of us ice cream aficionados, we’ve sent many, many spoons to an early grave trying to scoop hard ice cream. Their frail, spindly spines just couldn’t hold up to my carton of cookies ‘n’ cream. Sure, we could have waited 15 minutes before digging into a batch of homemade strawberry ice cream, but who wants to wait?
You don’t have to wait to find the best vanilla ice cream either, we have got you covered!
So finally, after years of ruining spoons, spatulas and scoopers, we consulted with the pros in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen. If anyone would know ice cream and kitchen gear, it would be this talented team.
The Search for the Best Ice Cream Scoop
Our Test Kitchen team has tried dozens of scoops over the years. These expert cooks and bakers use scoops to top desserts with ice cream and scoop up the frozen treats they whip up in the kitchen. Pint after pint, a few brands of ice cream scoops really impressed our team.
Best Overall: Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop
The Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop is a classic. This traditional scoop has been used in ice cream parlors since 1935, and this brand has been a favorite in the Test Kitchen for years.
What makes this basic scoop so beloved? First and foremost: It scoops really, really well. The heat conductive fluid in the handle warms up the metal so you can scoop through ice cream, gelato and sherbet with ease. This might sound pretty simple with so many fancy-looking scoopers on the market, but the Test Kitchen can attest to how well this basic technology works.
And let’s not forget one more thing: This Zeroll scoop is super durable. As long as you wash this by hand, this aluminum scooper should last you for years (and plenty of sundaes) to come.
Cleanest Scoop: Tovolo Tilt-Up Ice Cream Scoop
What do you do with your spoon when you’re taking a break from scooping portion after portion of ice cream? Chances are that it goes right on the counter creating a mess. But, if you’ve got the right scoop, you can avoid all that stickiness. That scoop is the Tovolo Tilt-Up Ice Cream Scoop. The handle of this gadget has bulit-in feet that keep the scoop off your countertops and funnels any melting ice cream away.
But this scoop is more than just its mess-free feature. Its almond-shaped scoop digs in with ease and creates perfectly round scoops of sorbet.
Best Splurgy Scooper: Midnight Scoop
Say hello to the Midnight Scoop: a feat of design, science and ice cream fanaticism. This scoop was designed by an aerospace engineer with ergonimics in mind. The curved handle helps you push through even extra-frozen ice cream with ease, relying on your shoulder and arm muscles—not your wrist. As for the scoop itself, it’s shaped to dig in and create generously sized portions of ice cream.
This space-age gadget is a bit pricier at almost $40, but if you’re serious about you’re ice cream the way we are, it’s well worth it. With its sturdy stainless steel construction, it might just be the last scoop you ever buy.
Best Soft Grip: OXO Ice Cream Scoop
You don’t need to spend a lot to get a good scooper in our books. The Test Kitchen also recommends this $16 OXO Ice Cream Scoop. It has a pliable, rubberized grip to keep your hands comfy while scoopin’ at an ice cream party. Talk about smart!
As an added bonus, this scoop is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
Need Some Ice Cream Inspo?
Try some homemade ice cream recipes and learn how to make professional ice cream right at home. You can also check out our recommended ice cream brands for satisfying cravings ASAP.
Simple Ice Cream Maker
Are you a true ice cream lover if you don't own an at-home ice cream maker? This best-selling Cuisinart ice cream maker whips up treats like sorbet and frozen yogurt in 20 minutes—all you have to do is pour in your ingredients, set the machine and enjoy.
Our Test Kitchen loves this model because it's super simple to use. If you need a little help to kick-start your ice cream making, check out our step-by-step instructions.
Ice Cream Storage Tub
After making your homemade treats, you're going to need somewhere to store them. This Tovolo ice cream tub is just the thing, with a narrow freezer-friendly design and double-walled insulation that prevents condensation and freezer burn.
Ice Cream Sandwich Mold
While you're making homemade ice cream, the next step is making your very own ice cream treats. This ice cream sandwich mold from Chef'n makes it super easy.
While you're waiting on your mold to come in the mail, pick up a box of our Test Kitchen's favorite ice cream sandwiches.
Ice Cream Scoop
No list of must-have ice cream accessories is complete without our Test Kitchen's favorite ice cream scoop: the Zeroll ice cream scoop. This USA-made scooper glides through frozen treats with ease to produce super-clean scoops to fill up your waffle cone.
Waffle Cone Maker
When you visit an amazing ice cream shop, the scoops are the star of the show. However, when your go-to parlor also creates scratch-made waffle cones, well, that's a match made in heaven.
With this waffle cone maker from Amazon, you can get that fresh waffle cone experience right at home. Waffle cone makers come with molds to shape cones and dishes—perfect for any ice cream style.
Hot Fudge and Caramel Sauce
Don't settle for lackluster chocolate or caramel syrup. To top your sundaes you'll want super-rich, super-delicious Williams-Sonoma salted caramel and fudge sauces. These jars also make great gifts for the sundae fanatic in your life.
Fancy Ice Cream Dishes
For when you're not eating directly out of the pint (no shame!), treat yourself by scooping your favorite flavor into these elegant ice cream dishes from Wayfair.
Be sure to bring these out to serve elegant ice cream desserts at your next dinner party. May we suggest these Warm Pineapple Sundaes with Rum Sauce?
The Midnight Scoop
If you're looking for a next-level ice cream scoop to complete your collection of ice cream accessories, add the Midnight Scoop to your cart right now.
According to our editors, this is one of the best ice cream scoops you can buy—and it should be! The Midnight Scoop was designed by an aerospace engineer and ice cream aficionado.
Whipped Cream Dispenser
No doubt about it: Homemade whipped cream is better than any of the pre-made stuff. However, breaking out the hand mixer each time you want to top your favorite scoop with a dollop can be a bit of a pain. An easy shortcut is to use a cream dispenser from Williams-Sonoma—one of our favorite ice cream accessories. Fill the canister with cream and the N2O charger will take care of the rest!
Single-Serve Ice Cream Maker
If you don't have a lot of space in your kitchen but still want to experiment with the wonderful world of homemade ice cream, try this single-serve ice cream maker by Chef'n. To make your own serving of ice cream, just freeze this dish, then add your ice cream base right to the bowl. With a little stirring, you'll soon have a few scoops of ice cream.
You can also use this compact gadget to mix toppings into any ice cream—store-bought or from-scratch—a la Cold Stone Creamery.
Milkshake Mixer
To make homemade milkshakes you can absolutely use a blender, but we think it's much more fun to use an old-fashioned milkshake mixer. All you have to do to make a milkshake from scratch is load up the metal cup and get whirring with this Hamilton Beach milkshake maker. And if you prefer malts, just add a scoop of malted milk powder!
Milkshake Glasses
Sure, you can serve that homemade milkshake in your favorite glass, but it's so much more fun to serve them up in special milkshake glasses. These retro glasses from Wayfair are also great for ice cream floats and boozy ice cream drinks, too.
Stainless Steel Electric Ice Cream Maker
When you want to make enough ice cream to feed a group, give this Cuisinart two-quart ice cream machine a try. It works with just the turn of a dial and can make everything from traditional ice cream to sorbet to fro-yo. It's also one of our Test Kitchen's go-to models.
Stand Mixer Ice Cream Maker Attachment
If you've got a KitchenAid stand mixer at home (and we know all you serious bakers do), you don't need to invest in an all-new appliance to make ice cream. Instead, snag the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment. This extra fits right onto your mixer and churns a batch of homemade ice cream in 20 minutes.
Don't forget to check out our other favorite KitchenAid attachments.
Fancy Sprinkles
Whether you're building an over-the-top milkshake or just enjoying a scoop after dinner, sprinkles make any frozen treat better. Fancy Sprinkles is the headquarters for head-turning sprinkles and sugars.
Ice Cream Starter
Want homemade ice cream without all the fuss? Try an ice cream starter from Williams-Sonoma. Just stir this mix with cream and pop it into your ice cream maker for a shortcut treat. When you have a little more time, try our homemade coffee ice cream recipe.
Soft Serve Maker
If soft serve ice cream is more your style, we know you love a good Dairy Queen Blizzard. Next time you're having a craving for one of these DQ-style treats, you can skip the drive-thru and take a quick trip to the kitchen.
This Cuisinart soft serve ice cream maker churns your ingredients. When you're ready to enjoy, just pull the handle and make the perfect swirl. Another reason we love this gadget: It comes with three built-in topping dispensers so you can customize your cone.
Maraschino Cherries
What's a sundae without a cherry on top? When you're making your perfect sundae at home, skip those basic neon red cherries and opt for Luxardo maraschino cherries. These cherries are the darkest red and are imbued with a sweet yet tart flavor. And don't sleep on the syrup at the bottom of the jar; it's a great topper for ice cream.
Originally Published: May 27, 2021
