Your Guide to Wyoming’s Best Sweet Treats
When you think of the cuisine of the American frontier, your mind immediately conjures images of bison burgers and chuckwagon dinners. But there’s a sweeter side to Wyoming’s food scene that’s not to be overlooked. From pecan pralines infused with local honey to handcrafted huckleberry ice cream, there’s no shortage of sweet bites and decadent desserts to enjoy—so kick off your boots and dig into this roundup of Wyoming’s top treats, inspired by the one-of-a-kind flavors of the West.
Get Your Huckleberry Fix in Jackson
Ask any local what the Cowboy State’s confectionary culture tastes like and they’re sure to say huckleberry. These tart wild berries thrive in the high-elevation forests of the Mountain West, and were traditionally used by frontier homesteaders in jams, syrups and preserves. But at Yippy I-O Candy Co. in Jackson, you’ll find the classic Wyoming flavor in everything from salt water taffy to fresh, homemade fudge.
Just off historic Town Square, the beloved local candy shop has been satisfying Jackson’s sweet tooth for three decades and counting. Pop in and browse a wide variety of locally made items, including more than 1,000 different kinds of candy, and you’ll immediately see why they’ve been named “Best Candy Store in Wyoming” by Taste of Home magazine.
In the mood for a huckleberry treat that beats the summer heat? Moo’s Gourmet Ice Cream (located just around the corner from Yippy I-O Candy Co.) serves up a wild huckleberry ice cream that the Food Network voted Best Dessert in Wyoming. Their mouthwatering menu of 26 flavors and six sorbets rotates daily—all made with organic, natural and locally sourced ingredients. You can even try a selection of alcohol-infused options, such as Jameson Whiskey Pecan or Zonker Stout, made with malt sourced from the nearby Jackson Hole Brew Pub.
Pull up a Stool at an Old-School Soda Shop
For a taste of classic Americana, there’s nothing quite like a trip to the local soda fountain. Wyoming’s charming towns and historic main streets abound with these old-fashioned establishments—perfect for getting your sugar fix with a side of sweet nostalgia.
Just north of Cheyenne in small-town Chugwater, the Chugwater Soda Fountain takes pride in crafting scratch-made sodas the way they did at the turn of the century. Established in 1914, they are Wyoming’s oldest operating soda fountain, with a timeless menu of sodas, shakes, malts and savory fare.
Younger in age but every bit as decadent and delicious, Annie's Soda Saloon in Cody serves up artisanal sodas made with pure cane sugar, along with ice cream sundaes, shakes, scones and sweet cream pancakes. Located in a historic building on Sheridan Avenue (once the home of Seidel’s Saddlery), their shop embraces an authentic Old West ambiance that only adds to the sweetness of the experience. Not sure what to order? The ever-popular Raspberry Rattler, topped with a scoop of ice cream, is sure to please even the pickiest of palates.
Taste the Nectar of the Gods at Queen Bee Gardens
Beekeeping in Wyoming is not for the faint of heart. The resident bees, descended from wild bees collected from trees along the Shoshone River, are known for producing some of the sweetest honey around. This locally sourced “nectar of the gods” is the secret ingredient to Queen Bee Gardens’ irresistible confections, from chocolates to candies and more.
Headquartered in Lovell, with locations in Cody, Greybull and Powell, Queen Bee boasts a buzzworthy selection of sweet caramels, truffles, toffee and turtles, all handcrafted in small batches using time-tested family recipes. A standout favorite is their Pecan Pearls: award-winning, honey-infused pecan pralines made with authentic Wyoming honey for a distinct, warm flavor profile you won’t find anywhere else.
Enjoy Scrumptious Scoops from Across the State
Though Wyoming’s summer nights are known to be cool and refreshing, daytime temperatures here can reach well into the mid-80s, so it’s no surprise that folks in the Cowboy State have developed something of a taste for frozen treats. Just ask the McClures: the family of born-and-raised Wyomingites is the force behind the popular Ice Cream Cafe in Gillette. A sweet summer tradition since 2013, they offer 24 homemade, gourmet ice cream flavors, including dairy-free options, with heavenly takes on classic confections like birthday cake or cookies and cream.
Get a taste of authentic Western-style ice cream at the acclaimed Cowboy Creamery in Sheridan. The nationally registered style of artisanal ice cream is handcrafted in small batches using whole fruits, fresh cream and handcrafted ingredients to create a rich, dense texture that packs more creaminess into every decadent bite. (Plus, their plastic-free pints are a great way to WY responsibly, letting you indulge your sweet tooth while being kind to the planet.)
An Afton fixture for more than four decades, Shumway Farms crafts quality, farm-fresh scoops that harken back to a time when things were a little more simple and slow-paced. Treat yourself to a decadent Salt River Caramel, ‘smore-inspired Campfire Delight or Dry Creek Berry (the secret ingredient is—you guessed it—huckleberry). Their on-site Farm Store is open Monday through Saturday, but you can also pick up a pint at locations across the Cowboy State, including Jackson, Star Valley, Bridger Valley and beyond.
If your taste in sweet treats leans light rather than rich, Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop in Laramie is an absolute must-try. Their ice cream is made from 14% butterfat milk and churned at high speeds to create a uniquely airy, fluffy texture. They also offer a craveable selection of gelato, sorbetto and almond milk-based vegan ice cream, along with milkshakes, malts, sundaes, banana splits, floats and custom ice cream cakes.
Try Wyoming’s Best Candy, From Casper to Cody
Looking for a Cowboy State destination that will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store? Then head on over to the Cowtown Candy Company in downtown Cody. The largest candy shop in northwestern Wyoming, this family-owned establishment has made a name for itself as the home of award-winning treats like the Cody Crunch: buttery corn puffs encased in a special white chocolate coating. You can also browse a tempting selection of fresh fudge, hand-dipped truffles and artisanal chocolates, or bring home their Moo-velous Huckleberry Gift Pack as a sweet memento of your Wild West adventure.
Of course, Cody isn’t the only Wyoming town that knows how to indulge its sweet tooth. Family-owned Donnells Candies has been a Casper institution for almost 70 years. Snack, sip and nibble your way through a tasty menu of homemade chocolates, ice cream, candied popcorn, specialty coffees and Italian sodas. You can even join in on a free tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at their manufacturing process—and maybe even sample a few sweet treats yourself.
Sample Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meeteetse Chocolates
In this epic roundup of Wyoming’s top treats, we’ve definitely saved the best for last. Chocolate lovers won’t want to sleep on the decadent, melt-in-your-mouth morsels of Meeteetse Chocolatier. Lovingly handcrafted by Tim Kellogg—a genuine Wrangler-wearing, hat-tipping Meeteetse cowboy—their confections are creamy and rich with just the perfect touch of sweetness.
Enjoy delightful treats like their Sea Salt Caramel chocolates or Turkish Figs. Or try a quintessential Wyoming take on chocolate truffles infused with huckleberries and cream, enrobed in an exquisite Belgian dark chocolate shell. But a word of advice: get there early. Tim’s chocolates are legendary around these parts (and beyond). He often sells out completely, and when they’re gone for the day, they’re gone.
Plan a Sinfully Sweet Wyoming Adventure
The Cowboy State has something sweet to satisfy just about every craving: scratch-made sodas, huckleberry-infused desserts, artisanal ice cream and so much more. Start exploring our unique, made-in-Wyoming culinary scene today, and follow your sweet tooth to a new frontier of flavor and fun.
