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Ample Hills Creamery
RESTAURANT SUMMARY

Where artisanal ice cream meets narrative artistry, Ample Hills Creamery New York City transforms frozen desserts into edible stories that capture Brooklyn's creative spirit through inventive flavors crafted by passionate storytellers-turned-ice cream artisans.
Founded in 2010 by former high school teachers Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna, Ample Hills Creamery emerged from a shared obsession with reimagining ice cream as community storytelling. What began as home experimentation evolved into Brooklyn's most beloved artisanal creamery, where each flavor carries a narrative deeply rooted in local culture and imagination. The duo's educational backgrounds shine through their approach—every scoop teaches a story, from "It Came from Gowanus," featuring dark chocolate with white chocolate pearls representing oysters hoped to restore the polluted canal, to collaborations with Disney creating Star Wars-themed creations. Despite navigating expansion challenges and ownership changes, the founders' vision of ice cream as cultural connector remains intact, earning recognition throughout the artisanal dessert industry for their innovative storytelling approach.
The cuisine philosophy centers on scratch-made excellence, with every base pasteurized on-site and mix-ins crafted in-house. Signature creations like Ooey Gooey Butter Cake showcase their commitment to complexity—housemade butter cake chunks layered in cream cheese-based ice cream that transforms nostalgic comfort into sophisticated indulgence. The Munchies delivers pretzel-infused ice cream loaded with salty mix-ins, while Salted Crack Caramel and Peppermint Pattie demonstrate their range from playful to refined. Seasonal rotations ensure constant discovery, with flavors like Pistachio Squared featuring housemade pistachio brittle, and Sweet As Honey incorporating honeycomb candy. Their ice cream cakes layer brownie foundations with multiple ice cream flavors, fudge, caramel, and whipped cream, creating celebration centerpieces that rival fine dining desserts.
The Brooklyn locations, anchored in Prospect Heights and Gowanus, cultivate welcoming community atmospheres where sampling is encouraged and flavor splitting accommodates adventurous palates. Specialty cones—pretzel and birthday cake-flavored—add playful touches to the experience. Service emphasizes inclusivity and exploration, with knowledgeable staff guiding customers through flavor narratives while maintaining the casual warmth that defines neighborhood gathering spaces. The former Red Hook factory, once New York's largest ice cream production facility, featured interactive exhibits teaching ice cream craftsmanship to young visitors, embodying their educational mission.
Ample Hills Creamery represents New York City's finest artisanal ice cream experience, where every visit promises flavor discovery wrapped in compelling storytelling. Reservations aren't required, but arriving early ensures access to limited daily flavors before they sell out, making each scoop a treasured neighborhood luxury.
CHEF
Brian Smith
ACCOLADES

(2024) Opinionated About Dining Cheap Eats in North America Ranked #293
