Cake often holds the acclaimed role as the go-to birthday dessert. However, there are so many little moments in our lives that also call for a sweet treat. After a big win in Little League, the only place to go is the ice cream shop. Nailed the big test? Celebrate with a scoop or two. The sweltering heat of a beach day can only be tamed by a frozen treat. No one can deny the nostalgic taste of a soft serve swirl.
Ice cream continues to inspire positivity and community for Hap Cameron, the owner of the Denver-based Happy Cones Ice Cream. His greatest memory growing up in New Zealand was paying for fresh fruit ice cream with the paycheck he gained from picking berries that would be blended into his magenta swirled treat. The zing of the berries was in full force, and they were only enhanced by the cream to create the best texture. Everyone knows Italy has gelato. However, Cameron is now putting New Zealand in its rightful place on the ice cream map.
Other ice creams dabble with cream or air ratios to achieve different textures. Cameron knows that the only way to get authentic New Zealand style ice cream is through classic machinery. Just as they do in New Zealand, the ice cream base and berries unite within the churning machines to produce an even mix of bright berries and rich cream. It is the newest version of whipped cream and berries, but now there’s a cone involved. Cameron has traveled to every continent and still affirms the greatness of New Zealand style ice cream; his dedication to his craft has led him to Edgewater Public Market in Denver. He constructed a home of happiness with ice cream as the primary attendant.
Cameron shows us that the berry ice cream we passed up as children is actually a crave-worthy flavor. The tart, sweet berries bring out the richness of the local, organic cream. The magenta hue lights up Happy Cones’ signature waffle cones. They also utilize seasonal fruits, so be sure to grab a strawberry mango treat in the summer to place yourself right by the beach.
This sweet treat is refreshing rather than heavy, as typical ice cream can be. This is all thanks to the ice cream being spun rather than left hardened from freezer burn.
However, a nice sugary treat is always appreciated. At Happy Cones, it’s called Hokey Pokey. The name alone makes it something you want to order. The caramel and honey combination in this ice cream is addictive. Cameron begins with his typical local, organic base. However, in the midst of churning, he incorporates his “happy dust”—it’s sugar that’s been caramelized to a deep golden color.
Typically, butter or cream is added to this sugar to get the caramel sauce we use to drench our sundaes. At Happy Cone, Cameron becomes a mad scientist by adding baking soda to the pot of sugar. This creates enormous bubbles that bloom in the sugar crystals. Looking at it from the side, it resembles a sponge or Swiss cheese from all the holes. These pockets of air create a lightness in the caramel but keep that wonderful flavor intact. It’s a little bit sticky and crunchy, an unconventional caramel. Once the mixture cools, Cameron shatters it into a million pieces and integrates it into his ice cream.
These little gems create an eruption of toffee flavor that make anyone happy. The only thing that can make this ice cream better is fitting it into a unique waffle cone that’s dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in more happy dust.
Happy Cones knows that it’s never easy walking into an ice cream shop that boasts 50 flavors. Therefore, they consolidate their crafts to a select few: four classics and two seasonal flavors. However, the offerings are all so artfully created that it’s impossible to pick a flavor even from this small group. It might be worth it to see if a cone could hold six scoops. Happy Cones also caters to vegans with their gelato, so everyone can enjoy the taste of New Zealand.
What began as a childhood memory came to life as an age old ice cream truck and now, its own storefront. Cameron demonstrates that happiness can come from even the simplest things in life, like good food and the people we choose to share it with.
Happy Cones has been serving out pints the past couple Saturdays during Colorado stay-at-home orders. They have now transitioned back to full service while keeping in compliance with all safety precautions. Cameron is determined to make sure that everyone’s day can be brightened with the help of this frozen treat.
