THERE’S STILL TIME. Still time to indulge in a sweet treat before winter closes in and home-grown ice cream shops shutter for the season here in Minnesota.
On an August weekday afternoon in Northfield, Randy and I popped into The Blast, an ice cream shop in an out-of-the-way spot just west of the library, off Division Street and down the sidewalk toward the Cannon River. The walk-up window is located inside a “tunnel” wedged between buildings and labeled “The Nutting Block, Est. 1893.”
We happened upon this business a previous summer Saturday, but left after seeing the lengthy line of customers. This time, on a Wednesday, there was no waiting. Rather, the friendly teen behind the window waited patiently for us to choose from a wide array of treats.
I opted for the limited specialty Puppy Chow Flurry while Randy chose a Red Raspberry Sundae. Puppy Chow is a snack made from Chex cereal covered first in melted chocolate and peanut butter, then coated in powdered sugar.
Selections at The Blast are vast and deciding isn’t easy when the choices in smoothies, slushies, shakes, malts, floats, frosties, flurries, sundaes and cones seem nearly endless.
We both enjoyed our soft-serve ice cream treats at a riverside picnic table on a perfect summer day. There’s something about summer and ice cream that go together, especially soft-serve ordered at a walk-up window.
The Blast has adjusted hours now that school is back in session and days are shorter. Current hours are 3:15 – 8 pm Monday – Friday and 11 am – 8 pm Saturday and Sunday.
As with the limited edition Puppy Chow Flurry, The Blast continues to offer seasonal or limited edition specialty flavors. Like the current pumpkin spice and apple crisp, oh, so fitting for fall in Minnesota. This time of year we crave those flavors.
My appreciation for home-grown ice cream shops with creative offerings runs deep. I’m all in when it comes to trying something new, something different, something decidedly cold and yummy and all about summer here in southern Minnesota.
TELL ME: Do you have a favorite home-grown ice cream shop? What’s your ice cream treat of choice? The Blast also has a location in Owatonna, where I’ve found another terrific ice cream place, The S’Cream.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
We have a couple places locally we like — one is Dolly’s at the entrance to Pisgah Forest. This year we haven’t even been there but have stopped at Kilwin’s downtown. At Lakeside we always go to the Patio— now that is a tradition!
Sounds like you’ve discovered some great places for ice cream both near and far.
YUM and those ice cream cups are full, which is nice 🙂 When I do indulge in ice cream I usually go chocolate and I like a good strawberry ice cream too (the more chunks of strawberry the better). Happy Day – Enjoy!
Strawberry and chocolate, two favorites for me also.
I am not much of an ice cream person, but we have one place near us – Connie’s Creamy Cone – that I do actually love! That place has been there forever and they have the best raspberry malts I’ve ever had. I used to take Abby there when she was in school. I’ve taken my granddaughter Camille there to celebrate the end of the school year, too.
What wonderful memories you have of enjoying ice cream from Connie’s Creamy Cone with Abby and now Camille. Good to hear from you, Kathleen.
I’m glad Blast seems to be successful. I prefer hard ice cream, and Hogan Brothers is a great place to get that in Northfield.
I’ve enjoyed ice cream at Hogan Brothers also, so thank you for mentioning that ice cream option in Northfield.
We have a local one , blank slate creamery’ and sometimes they feature’ Michigan pothole’ flavor, with chunks of all kinds of things like brownie pieces mixed in )
What a creative name, Michigan pothole. I love the name.
And it’s so appropriate!)
Trust me. I understand.