These are the craziest creations at the Vancouver Ice Cream Festival

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Perfectly timed for the first day of summer, the second-annual Vancouver Ice Cream Festival kicks off today.

On through Aug. 5, this year’s festival includes more than 40 sweet ice cream treats (including some vegan and gluten-free offerings) from 29 destinations around the city.

While we love a classic scoop or sundae, there are some seriously creative ice cream creations on offer during this year’s event.

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From a matcha ice cream from Daigyo Cafe, to the Guava Dog (an ice cream sandwich masquerading as a hotdog) from Beta 5 Chocolates, the inventive ice cream eats “represent the best of Vancouver’s culinary creativity,” according to festival founder — and founder of Noms Magazine — Jason Yeh.

“We can’t wait for everyone to experience these and many more at this year’s festival,” Yeh says.

Here are 5 fantastical ice creams on offer in this year’s Vancouver Ice Cream Festival:

The treat: Guava Dog

Where to get it: BETA5 Chocolates

Is it a hotdog? Is it an ice cream? BETA5 Chocolates will keep you guessing — until you bite into it, of course. Featuring a chocolate-covered guava ice cream “dog” nestled into a coconut chiffon cake bun, this cool creation even features condiments such as pineapple-mint “relish” and strawberry “ketchup.”

See the Instagram video HERE.

The treat: Lemon Yuzu Butter Sundae

Where to get it: Elephant Garden Creamery

Described as a “masterpiece,” this delightful dish features shortbread cookies layered with lemon cream, fresh local raspberries and a condensed milk chantilly topped with a yuzu gelee. Yum!

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See the Instagram post HERE.

The treat: Popcorn Cheesecake Ice Cream Sando

Where to get it: Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe

Boasting a Biscoff crumble, cheddar cheesecake semifreddo, salted caramel, coated popcorn, this sweet-and-savoury delight is finished with a cheese powder. It’s the perfect pick for cheese fans.

See the Instagram video HERE.

The treat: Black Sesame Mochi Gelato

Where to get it: Tutto Belle Il Gelato

Already a fan favourite on social media, the viral mochi gelato sees a black sesame gelato wrapped up in a chewy mochi sheet. The gelato goodness is finished with a soybean powder sprinkle and a dash of black sesame seeds.

See the Instagram video HERE.

The treat: Watermelon Ice Cream Sandwich

Where to get it: Milkcow Cafe

For fans of watermelon — and fun, photographable eats — this ice cream sandwich features watermelon soft serve served up in a slice of fresh watermelon. The ice cream treat is then topped with chocolate chip “seeds.” It’s a mash-up of two essential summer treats.

See the Instagram video HERE.

Vancouver Ice Cream Festival: Who’s participating (with map)

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The list of participating eateries and ice cream shops includes:
• Beaucoup Bakery
• Bella Gelateria
• BETA5 Chocolates
• Boketto Tea Bar
• Bubble Queen
• Daan Go Cake Lab
• Daigyo
• Drunken Chocolatier
• Elephant Garden Creamery
• Fufu Cafe
• La Saison de Patisserie
• Little Pisces
• Glenburn Soda Fountain
• J Squared Ice Cream
• Ki Cafe
• Killer Ice Cream
• Le Parfait
• Melt Confectionary
• Matcha Cafe Maiko
• Milkcow Cafe
• Passione Gelato
• Soft Peaks Ice Cream
• Sweet7
• Sweet Surrender Gelato
• The Praguery
• Tutto Belle Il Gelato
• Vancouver Aquarium
• Whisk Matcha Cafe
• Yum Sweet Shop

Check out the map, created by the festival, to see which one is closest to you:

And check out more of our local food coverage here. 

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