Summer Sweets: Sweet Annabelle’s Vegan Ice Cream Cakes

I am excited to report on Sweet Annabelle’s, an all-vegan ice cream maker from right here on Long Island. I made the trip to Northport to meet the magical lady behind Sweet Annabelle’s and collect my baby-sized chocolate chip ice cream cake. But c’mon, an ice cream sandwich for the road? Yes, ma’am.

But first, Annabelle, the inspiration behind this all-vegan ice cream. Annabelle the cow (below) resides at Lewis Oliver Farm, a small farm with a deep history dating back to the 1800’s. The red shingled farm used to be a working dairy farm. Now it is a permanent home for its animal friends: goats, sheep, geese, chickens, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, bunnies and cats. Though many of its pens are dated and aligned more with its previous function, volunteers (like the vegan ice cream maker!) are morphing the grounds slowly, as funds allow, into a true animal sanctuary, crafting a space based on care and respect for the different temperaments and spatial needs of the animal friends.

It is satisfying to see that the space had evolved from a dairy farm that profited from its animals to their safe haven. Not to mention I was here at the old dairy farm to buy non-dairy treats. Sweet Annabelle’s had a selection of pints, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream cakes–all-vegan. When I sampled the salted caramel flavor, I knew Sweet Annabelle’s was the real deal. Creamy and delicious, and in that bright coconut white that feels so… ice cream-y. (As a long time vegan, my associations with early attempts at ice cream range from greyish to an off-putting beige.)

Though we packed the baby-sized ice cream cake in a cooler, I took the “chipwich” to eat in the car. Two vegan chocolate chip cookies sandwiching a smooth blob of Sweet Annabelle’s vanilla. This was the perfect ice cream treat. The cookies were chip-heavy and were moist and chewy, just like I remember Chipwich being. They didn’t break and crumble with a bite; they gave in and joined the trip downward. Each bite had cookie and ice cream. That is the mark of a successful chipwich! So goood. 

The cake was intact when we got home, which I worried about because of this oppressive heat. The fully dressed baby cake was adorable, with fork striping around its circumference, just like you know who.

A vegan ice cream cake?! Pinch me!

This baby was classic chocolate chip with crunchies. It was fantastic for a couple of reasons: 1) it’s delicious vegan ice cream that you can eat with a fork, all fancy like and 2) It makes you feel great that veganism has come so far in its offerings. It’s a special feeling that emphasizes each bite. Do you want to feel special? You can order the cake you want from Sweet Annabelle’s website and arrange a pick-up at Lewis Oliver Farm. Or you can find pints and ice cream sandwiches at the Huntington Farmers Market on Sundays.