Does Cold Stone Use Almond Milk? A Guide to Their Dairy-Free Options

December 20, 2025 •

4 min read

In a collaboration with Silk, Cold Stone Creamery first introduced a plant-based frozen dessert in 2022, answering the frequently asked question, "Does Cold Stone use almond milk?". The specific product, the Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert, is available for those seeking a dairy-free treat.

Quick Summary

Cold Stone offers a plant-based frozen dessert made with Silk Almondmilk. While it's dairy-free, be aware of the high potential for cross-contamination with dairy products due to shared equipment.

Key Points

Yes, Cold Stone uses almond milk: They offer a specific frozen dessert made with Silk® Almondmilk.
The option is Chocolate Silk Almondmilk Frozen Dessert: This plant-based, dairy-free base is a creamy chocolate alternative to traditional ice cream.
High risk of cross-contamination: The frozen granite stone and scoops are shared with dairy products, making it risky for those with severe allergies.
Sorbets are also non-dairy: In addition to the almond milk dessert, Cold Stone offers seasonal sorbets, which are dairy-free but have a different texture.
Ordering requires caution: For a safer experience, clearly communicate your dairy-free needs and ask for a fresh, clean stone and tools.
Not a nut-free environment: Be aware of the risks for nut allergies as well, as Cold Stone cannot guarantee a nut-free product.

Cold Stone's Almond Milk Option

Yes, Cold Stone offers a frozen dessert base that uses Silk® Almondmilk, specifically the "Chocolate Silk® Almondmilk Frozen Dessert". This is a key offering for those who are vegan or dairy-free. It provides a creamy, decadent flavor that serves as an excellent alternative to their traditional dairy ice cream. The introduction of this product was a significant step for the company in catering to a wider range of dietary needs, moving beyond just offering sorbets. It can be ordered as a stand-alone scoop or incorporated into creations with other vegan-friendly mix-ins.

The Silk Almondmilk Frozen Dessert

The Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert is a plant-based, vegan product that is lactose-free. Its rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture make it a popular choice. It is a specific flavor and is not a universal milk substitute for all ice cream bases. When ordering, you must specify this particular dessert to ensure you get the plant-based, almond milk-based option. One popular signature creation is the "Don't Cry Over Spilled Silk," which pairs the almond milk dessert with banana, peanut butter, and roasted almonds.

Understanding Cold Stone's Non-Dairy Menu

Beyond the Silk Almondmilk dessert, Cold Stone offers other options for those avoiding dairy. It is crucial to understand the menu and prepare for the risk of cross-contamination when ordering.

Other Non-Dairy Choices

Cold Stone typically offers several fruit-flavored sorbets, which are inherently dairy-free. Availability can vary by store and season, so checking the local menu is recommended. However, sorbet offers a different, icier texture compared to the creamy frozen dessert. For mix-ins, many fruits, nuts, and some candies are dairy-free, but customers must be diligent in checking the specific ingredients. For instance, the Chocolate Silk® Frozen Dessert is often paired with dairy-free Oreo cookies.

Cross-Contamination Risk: A Key Consideration

For individuals with severe dairy allergies, the risk of cross-contamination at Cold Stone is significant and unavoidable. The frozen desserts are made and served in a busy environment with dairy products, and all are prepared on a shared, frozen granite stone.

Here's what you need to know:

Shared Equipment: The stone used to mix creations is shared for all products, dairy and non-dairy. While staff are instructed to clean the stone between orders, this does not eliminate the risk of trace amounts of allergens.
Shared Scoops and Toppings: Scoops and topping bins are also used for all products, increasing the risk of cross-contact.
Nut-Free Environment: Cold Stone is not a nut-free environment. Those with nut allergies should also be aware of the high risk of cross-contamination.

For those with severe allergies, the safest choice is to avoid Cold Stone entirely. For those with milder sensitivities, being aware of the risks allows for an informed decision.

Comparison of Cold Stone Non-Dairy Items


Feature	Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert	Sorbet	Dairy Ice Cream (e.g., Sweet Cream)
Base	Silk® Almondmilk and other plant-based ingredients.	Fruit juice/purée and water.	Cream, milk, and sugar.
Dairy-Free?	Yes, inherently.	Yes, inherently.	No.
Texture	Rich and creamy, similar to traditional ice cream.	Icier, smoother, and less creamy.	Very rich and creamy.
Flavor	Chocolate.	Varies by location and season (e.g., raspberry).	Wide variety of flavors.
Vegan?	Yes.	Yes, typically.	No.
Cross-Contamination	High risk due to shared prep area.	High risk due to shared prep area.	N/A.

Vegan and Allergen-Friendly Ordering Tips

If you choose to visit Cold Stone, follow these tips to minimize risk:

Communicate Clearly: Inform the staff you are ordering a dairy-free dessert due to an allergy or preference. Ask them to use a freshly cleaned stone and fresh, clean scoops.
Stick to the Basics: Order your almond milk dessert without any added mix-ins to reduce contamination risk from toppings bins. For the Don't Cry Over Spilled Silk, be aware that nuts are an ingredient.
Check Ingredients: For any added mix-ins, check the official ingredient statements to confirm their contents.
Consider Pre-Packaged Items: While not always an option, ask if pre-packaged alternatives are available at your specific store that would have a lower contamination risk.
Check Online: Consult the Cold Stone website for the latest allergen and nutritional information before you go.

Conclusion: The Cold Stone Almond Milk Verdict

Cold Stone does indeed offer a delicious frozen dessert made with Silk® Almondmilk, providing a great option for plant-based and dairy-free customers. The rich, chocolate flavor is a welcome alternative to the traditional ice cream bases. However, the crucial takeaway is the significant and unavoidable risk of cross-contamination in their preparation environment. While the company takes precautions by cleaning equipment, it is not a 100% allergen-free space. For those with severe allergies, this poses a serious risk, and it is best to err on the side of caution. For those with milder sensitivities, being diligent and communicative with the staff is key to enjoying your treat safely.

For more information on the company's allergen statements, you can visit the official Cold Stone Creamery website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Cold Stone has a vegan ice cream option in the form of their plant-based Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert, which contains no animal products or by-products.

Yes, the Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert is a dairy-free and lactose-free product. However, it is prepared in a facility and on equipment that also handles dairy, creating a risk of cross-contamination.

The risk of cross-contamination is high at Cold Stone because all products, both dairy and non-dairy, are mixed and prepared on the same frozen granite stone using the same tools. The company cannot guarantee a product is 100% free of allergens.

No, not all mix-ins are vegan. While many are, such as fresh fruits and nuts, others like cookie dough and brownies contain dairy or eggs. Customers should consult the nutritional information for specific ingredients.

Yes, you can order the Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert by itself in a cup. This is the safest way to reduce the risk of cross-contamination from other mix-ins.

The Silk® Chocolate Almondmilk Frozen Dessert is formulated to deliver a creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor that is a very satisfying alternative to traditional dairy ice cream.

Yes, Cold Stone's sorbets are dairy-free. They are typically made from fruit purée and water, but cross-contamination risks still exist due to shared equipment.

Yes, as it is made with almond milk, it contains almonds. Additionally, Cold Stone is not a nut-free environment, so nut allergens are present throughout the store.