By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Whether you’re in Princeton, Lawrenceville, or Cranbury, Princeton Magazine has you covered when it comes to ice cream.

Uncle Ed’s Creamery: 155 West Delaware Avenue, Pennington, NJ

www.uncleedscreamery.com; 609-818-0100

As soon as you walk through the doors of Uncle Ed’s you’re surrounded by glass cases brimming with sweets and treats. Aside from its 32 different varieties of homemade ice cream flavors, this creamery also offers scrumptious muffins, pies, cookies, assorted truffles, and chocolates.

The Bent Spoon: 35 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

www.thebentspoon.com; 609-924-2368

Are you craving ice cream flavors like lavender mascarpone, chocolate habanero, or ricotta? Okay, probably not, but after one visit to The Bent Spoon in the heart of Palmer Square, you won’t know how you lived without them. This artisanal ice cream shop may be tiny, but their homemade ice cream is overflowing with flavor. If you haven’t had enough after your offbeat ice cream adventure, try one of their famous mini cupcakes.

Thomas Sweet: 183 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ

www.thomassweet.com; 609-683-8720

Be ready for a line out the door when you go to the famous Thomas Sweet. Known for it’s unforgettable sweet cream ice cream and blend-ins, this local dessert haven will be sure to please your entire group. Get imaginative with your creations because at Thomas Sweet you can pretty much blend anything into your ice cream!

Halo Pub: 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ or 4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ

www.halofarm.com; 609-921-1710; 609-586-1811

Another local hotspot for ice cream is Halo Pub, known for its casual, rustic atmosphere and homemade, all-natural scoops of deliciousness. While you eat, you can enjoy live music in the outside eating area of the Princeton location on Saturday nights from April to October. If it’s the ice cream off-season, warm up with one of their ridiculously good hot chocolates.

 Fedora Café: 2633 Main Street, Lawrenceville, NJ

www.fedoracafe.webs.com; 609-895-0844

So, maybe ice cream isn’t their hottest item, but Fedora Café’s dessert menu is worth mentioning in any sugar-themed article. Homemade by the owners, their amazing glass case of desserts is full of high-calorie pieces of heaven. The choices include mini fruit tarts, chocolate-covered Oreos, huge lemon bars, cannolis, and of course, ice cream (just to name a few). Head over to this full-service funky café for a guaranteed treat.

Purple Cow Ice Cream: 2685 Main Street (Route 206), Lawrenceville, NJ

www.purplecowmainstreet.com; 609-896-0050

This family-owned ice cream shop has the yummiest flavors in town. Along with their signature “Purple Cow” flavor of black raspberry with chocolate chips, you can enjoy Banana Oreo, Coffee Mud Pie, or Chocolate Marshmallow. With quaint indoor and outdoor seating available, the Purple Cow is bustling with local families who are topping off the night with a savory ice cream cone.

Cream King: 46 Route 31, Pennington, NJ

609-737-0283

This roadside ice cream shop with fried food essentials has been serving the area since 1891. From classic chocolate/vanilla twist soft serve to sea salt ice cream, they carry an array of flavors and toppings. Despite it’s basic outdoor eating area with several benches and picnic tables, Cream King yells summertime, and is always buzzing with families on the weekends.

Gil & Bert’s Ice Cream: 69 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ

www.gilandbertsicecream.com; 609-203-6931

People come from near and far to enjoy Gil and Bert’s “old fashioned goodness.” Since first opening in 2008, they’ve become a favorite for ice cream lovers during the summer season. Serving Giffords Ice Cream from Maine, along with Gil and Bert’s own homemade ice cream, they’ve recently added the “Big Bertie” ice cream truck so you can enjoy their treats on the go.