Sweet summer treats to cool down the heat

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Enjoy a scoop at Sweet Cow.

Let’s be honest: we in Boulder County are nuts about health food. But after enjoying our artisanal quinoa, hormone-free beef (or locally sourced tofu for the vegan crowd) and kale salad, sometimes we want to get into something sweet. Thankfully there are plenty of unique, local frozen treat options.

Sweet Cow

2628 Broadway, Boulder,
303-447-3269

669 S. Broadway, Boulder,
303-494-4269

637 Front St., Louisville,
303-666-4269

Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

While the “sweet” in Sweet Cow applies to every flavor, the “cow” aspect is variable; among its 24 offerings are always vegan choices, as well as gluten-free options. With straight-forward Vanilla for the traditionalists out there and flavors like Outrageous Lemon Poppyseed and Milena’s Earl Gray Cookie for the adventurous types, there is something for everyone.

Ripple

1682 30th St., Boulder, 303-444-0690

Sunday-Thursday 12-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon-11 p.m.

Offering more than 16 flavors on tap and over 60 toppings, the self-serve frozen yogurt shop is independently owned and operated by a Boulder family. Ripple also has low-fat, non-fat, gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free options.

Glacier

3133 28th St., Boulder, 303-440-6542

4760 Baseline Road, Boulder, 303-499-4760

Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Glacier is the spot for the ice cream lover who craves variety, offering more than 70 homemade flavors in each store, including ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes with plenty of vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options. (Seriously, sample their paleo options: Red Banana Honey and Peanut Butter Chocolate are winners.)

Heifer and the Hen

5290 Arapahoe Ave., Unit H, Boulder,
720-328-3159

Monday-Thursday 3-9 p.m.; Friday 3-10 p.m.; Saturday noon-10 p.m.; Sunday noon-9 p.m.

Heifer and the Hen might be the only local ice cream establishment that can claim its very own “ice cream artist.” Ian Clark is the award-winning brewer, chef and ice-cream maker behind this establishment’s out-of-the-box menu. The 20 rotating, organic flavors include eight dairy-free options, with flavors like Cajeta, Vietnamese Coffee and Mango & Dark Rum.

Yummy treats abound at Le Pop. Sue France
Le Pops

1048 Pearl St., Boulder, Suite 107,
303-443-9803

Monday-Saturday noon-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Don’t let the fancy French name fool you. Le Pops is totally down to earth and its ever-changing menu features a dessert that’s less popsicle and more heaven on a stick. Its menu includes creamy indulgences like Salted Caramel, juicy sorbets like Blackberry Mango and calorie counts for each flavor (which are surprisingly low). Gluten-free and vegan options abound.

Fior di Latte

1433 Pearl St., Boulder, 720-269-4117

1021 Pearl St., Boulder, 720-456-6132

Monday-Thursday noon-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday noon-11 p.m.; Sunday noon-10 p.m.

If authentic Italian gelato is what you’re after, Fior di Latte is your place. And if there’s a flavor you really can’t live without (I’m looking at you, Banana Nutella), plan to arrive before dark. Its gelato is made fresh (as in that same day), from scratch, and Fior di Latte is often out of at least one flavor by the end of the night. And their vegan options are just as creamy as their regular flavors.

SCRUMptious

508 Main St., Longmont, 303-682-2639

Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Scrumptious makes all of its ice cream in-shop, using only the best ingredients. These folks even promise to consider making your favorite flavor if you don’t see it on the menu.

Eats & Sweets

401 S. Public Road, Lafayette,
303-665-3287

Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Eats & Sweets knows how to make you feel comfortable. The cafe is welcoming, and the prices on sweet treats are low. The ice cream comes from Colorado’s Sweet Action Ice Cream, which sources local ingredients.

Twisted Roots Yogurt

1749 N. Main St., Longmont,
303-923-5513

Sunday-Thursday noon-9 p.m.;

Friday-Saturday noon-9:30 p.m.

This family-owned and -operated establishment is slinging some bold, delicious froyo in Longmont’s up-and-coming dining scene. Stop in for a cup of guilt-free frozen yogurt and leave happy.

Lyons Dairy Bar

138 Main St., Lyons, 303-823-5800

Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday-Tuesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

There’s no better way to end a day in Lyons than stopping by the Lyons Dairy Bar. You can’t miss the cow-colored building whether you’re coming or going, and pulling over to sample the fare will likely keep you coming back for more. Soft-serve, shakes, malts, smoothies… you name it, the Dairy Bar has it.