Hudsonville Ice Cream - Holland, Michigan
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5 Sweet Insights Into Hudsonville Ice Cream | A Satisfying Michigan Tradition

Hudsonville ice cream is a brand name that every Michigander knows and loves. This company has been making ice cream in Michigan for nearly a century!

Hudsonville remains much the same company today. Using milk from Michigan cows, it does all of its production at the creamery in Holland Michigan.

If you’ve grown up eating and loving Hudsonville ice cream, here’s everything you need to know about this authentically Michigan company. 

History of Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Company

Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Company was first founded in 1895. Back then, it wasn’t about ice cream. Instead, it was a simple neighborhood dairy cooperative, where dairy farmers could work together to distribute their products more effectively. 

It wasn’t until almost 30 years later, in 1926, that Hudsonville Creamery began making and selling ice cream. By 1940, the creamery was regularly selling its six original flavors, which included orange pineapple, butter pecan, tutti frutti, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Hudsonville Ice Cream, Holland - Hudsonville Ice Cream
Hudsonville Ice Cream | photo via @jeremytodddavis

New Ownership

In 1946, Dick Hoezee, a long-time employee, bought the cooperative. In the next few years, he would move it from its original home in Hudsonville to Burnips Michigan, where it continued to grow as a local favorite.

But it wasn’t until almost 30 years later, in 1972, that Hudsonville Creamery began to be a name throughout the state. Hoezee sold the company to his four sons, who helped it expand into the ice cream brand as it’s still known today.

In 2003, the company again came under new ownership, moving from Burnips to the town of Holland. Its new owners built the modern, large-scale ice cream production plant that still produces and distributes Hudsonville ice cream throughout the state of Michigan.

The Hudsonville Creamery Today 

Today, Hudsonville operates out of a state-of-the-art facility located in Holland. Visitors are occasionally able to access a Hudsonville ice cream tour, which offers a glimpse into the mammoth operation. 

The company prides itself on producing updated versions of recipes that it has made since the beginning. In fact, it claims that every ice cream that comes out of the plant is based on the first recipes from the 1920s.

But with nearly a century of experience, Hudsonville has had time to update its manufacturing method and refine it into a process you won’t find anywhere else. One of the most unique things about it is the company’s dedication to sanitation and cleanliness.

All the ice cream is frozen the moment it’s packaged to make sure that the consistency is perfect and the food is safely sealed. Meanwhile, the manufacturing rooms have negative air pressure to further reduce the growth of dangerous bacteria. 

Holding Onto Tradition

Although Hudsonville has expanded far beyond the six flavors it originally served, the company still uses the same base recipe for all its flavors. That means that Hudsonville ice cream is recognizable from generation to generation. 

Partnering With Michigan Dairy Farmers

The company started as a simple dairy co-op, and it still partners with Michigan dairy farmers to this day. The milk that Hudsonville uses for its ice cream comes from neighboring farms near the plant in Holland Michigan.

That means that the ice cream is fresh, safe, and most importantly, local! 

Hudsonville Ice Cream, Holland - Hudsonville Ice Cream
Hudsonville Ice Cream | photo via Alex Beaton

All of the Hudsonville Ice Cream Flavors

Hudsonville is known for having a huge variety of ice cream flavors. The company also features seasonal flavors for holidays throughout the year. The regular list of flavors includes:

  • Bananas Foster
  • Belgian Cook Butter
  • Black Cherry
  • Blue Moon 
  • Brownie Batter Cookie Dough
  • Butter Pecan
  • Caramel Deer Trax
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
  • Classic Chocolate
  • Cookies n’ Cream
  • Creamery Blend Vanilla
  • Deer Traxx
  • Double Chocolate Almond
  • French Vanilla
  • Mint Chocolate Chip

  • Mackinac Island Fudge
  • Neapolitan
  • Orange Cream Swirl
  • Orange Pineapple
  • Seaside Caramel
  • Strawberry Cheesecake
  • SuperScoop — aka superman ice cream (black cherry, vanilla, and blue moon)
  • Toasted Coconut
  • Traverse City Cherry Fudge
  • Triple Peanut Butter Cup
  • Vanilla Bean
  • American Fireworks (sour cherry swirl with blueberry popping candy)
  • Cake Batter

In 2019, the company produced its first line of extra indulgent ice cream, which includes flavors like: 

  • Caramel Coffee Chip
  • Cookie Overload
  • Crunchy Peanut Butter
  • Mint Cookie Dough
  • Salted Caramel Brownie
  • Raspberry Chocolate Chunk

Limited edition ice cream flavors from Hudsonville Ice Cream include:

  • Blueberry Graham Delight
  • Peppermint Stick
  • Apple Crisp
  • Malted Milk Ball

In 2018, Hudsonville had a Faygo float flavor of ice cream, and it has recommended using Michigan’s favorite pop brand alongside its ice cream on social media.

Hudsonville also carries a wide variety of dairy-free ice cream flavors. Most of these are made with a combination of oat milk and coconut milk to achieve a classic consistency while being safe for those with dairy allergies or intolerances.

Hudsonville Ice Cream - Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge, Holland - Hudsonville Ice Cream
Hudsonville Ice Cream – Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge | photo via @rufio08

Dairy-free Hudsonville ice cream flavors include:

  • Dairy-free Birthday Cake
  • Dairy-free Caramel Cookie Dough
  • Dairy-free Cherry Fudge
  • Dairy-free Mint Fudge Cookie
  • Dairy-free Peanut Butter Truffle
  • Dairy-free S’mores
  • Dairy-free Toasted Coconut

Where to Buy Hudsonville Ice Cream

Although Hudsonville Creamery is based and distributed in Michigan, it’s increasingly sold throughout the Midwest and in select places on the East Coast.

These days, you’ll find the brand sold in stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, extending south to Missouri, and up the East Coast to Vermont.

Hudsonville is carried by select retailers in these states, with sizes and flavors varying. Your best bet is to use the company’s website to find the closest retailer that stocks the Hudsonville brand.

Interesting Facts About Hudsonville Ice Cream

There’s a Mystery Surrounding Hudsonville’s Blue Moon

Hudsonville’s Blue Moon flavor has been stocked on shelves for decades. But the recipe is a company secret, said to have originated from a special “flavor analyst” in the 1950s.

What it actually tastes like has been a topic of hot debate for many years. Some people think it tastes like cotton candy, others taste flavors such as lemon and vanilla, almond extract, or even Froot Loops. Despite that, the mystery hasn’t kept it from being a long-time favorite. 

Hudsonville Ice Cream - Blue Moon, Holland - Hudsonville Ice Cream
Hudsonville Ice Cream – Blue Moon | photo via @alisajoysw

Hudsonville Credits the Quality Standard to Doing Everything in One Spot

Everything that goes into Hudsonville ice cream is produced in the town of Holland. That means that the milk comes from local cows and the cream from the local Meijer plant, which is just down the road.

Everything Hudsonville needs to make its ice cream is right there in one spot — so it’s much fresher than it would be if the items had to be shipped in.

The Company Takes Requests for New Flavors

Every year, the official Hudsonville Facebook page holds a voting contest to choose a specialty flavor to produce. But that’s not the only way that the company helps gather community feedback for new flavors!

There are even stories about long-time fans contacting the creamery directly to make suggestions. Customers have inspired flavors like Pure Michigan Double Berry Pie, Bramble Brandy Crumble, and Winter Campfire.

Specialty Flavors Are Inspired By Regions of Michigan

Some of the specialty flavors that Hudsonville Creamery produces are inspired by different parts and attractions of Michigan and the unique culture. One of these, Traverse City Cherry Fudge, is now included in the company’s regular flavor lineup.

Specialty regional flavors include Grand Hotel Pecan Ball — named for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, which exclusively serves the Hudsonville brand. Others include Sleeping Bear Dunes Bear Hugs and Mackinac Island Fudge.

The creamery also introduced Tiger Traxx, a chocolate and pretzel-loaded flavor named in honor of the Detroit Tigers. You can find it at select grocery stores, as well as at the Comerica Park ballpark.

Hudsonville Ice Cream - Tiger Traxx, Holland - Hudsonville Ice Cream
Hudsonville Ice Cream – Tiger Traxx | photo via @awesomemitten

Frequently Asked Questions About Hudsonville Ice Cream

Is Hudsonville Ice Cream made in Michigan?

Hudsonville ice cream is made in Holland, Michigan. The milk and cream used to produce the ice cream come from neighboring dairy farms, which means that Hudsonville products are made with Michigan ingredients, on Michigan soil.

Does Hudsonville Ice Cream have eggs?

Hudsonville ice cream does not contain eggs. Most of the flavors contain milk, though there’s also a line of dairy-free flavors that use a combination of oat milk and coconut milk to achieve the proper consistency.

It’s worth noting that the ice cream is made in a facility that processes eggs for other products (as well as soy, tree nuts, peanuts, and wheat), so cross-contamination is a possibility.

Where can I find Hudsonville Ice Cream near me?

If you’re looking for a Hudsonville ice cream shop or just an outlet where Hudsonville products are sold, try using the Hudsonville Scoop Locator tool. It lets you search for Hudsonville products based on your zip code.

You can even look for specific products, such as holiday flavors, within your search radius!

Is Hudsonville Ice Cream real ice cream?

Hudsonville ice cream is real ice cream, made from milk from Michigan cows. The company introduced a line of dairy-free flavors in 2019, which substitute coconut milk or oat milk to achieve a smooth, traditional consistency.

Satisfy Your Ice Cream Craving With Hudsonville

Whether you love the classic flavors that have been made the same way for a century or are part of the following of the mystery Blue Moon flavor, you know that Hudsonville ice cream is synonymous with Michigan.

Once you’ve satisfied your ice cream craving with Hudsonville, you’ll know exactly why this amazing ice cream has been around for nearly 100 years!

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