12 Ice Cream Treats from the '70s That Are Gone

The 1970s were a golden era for experimental frozen treats, characterized by vibrant packaging, unique shapes, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. From the bell bottom era of disco to the rise of the neighborhood ice cream truck, these snacks were the highlight of every summer afternoon. While many of these treats have since been discontinued or rebranded beyond recognition, their impact on pop culture remains frozen in time. This listicle revisits 12 of the most beloved ice cream bars, cones, and pops that are no longer available. We explore why they were so special and why we still crave a bite of these vintage delights today.

1. The Original Good Humor Whammy

Nothing signaled the start of summer quite like the sound of the Good Humor truck rolling down the block. The Whammy was a heavy hitter in the world of chocolate-coated snacks. It featured a thick, rectangular block of rich vanilla ice cream dipped in a high-quality chocolate shell that actually had a satisfying snap when you bit into it. Unlike today’s thinner coatings, the Whammy felt substantial. It was a simple pleasure, yet it represented the gold standard of neighborhood treats. While the brand still exists, the specific 70s formulation of the Whammy has long since been retired, leaving only the memory of that perfect chocolate crunch.

2. Sealtest Polar Bär Squares

Sealtest was a household name in the ’70s, and their Polar Bär squares were the ultimate freezer staple for many American families. These were not your average ice cream sandwiches. They were perfectly uniform squares of ice cream wrapped in thin silver foil, like opening a tiny, cold gift. The texture of the ice cream was famously dense and creamy, often used as a base for homemade sundaes or eaten straight out of the wrapper while watching Saturday morning cartoons. As dairy conglomerates merged and shifted production in the following decades, the Sealtest name and its iconic Polar Bär mascot slowly faded away, much to the disappointment of nostalgic fans.

3. Jell-O Pudding Pops (The 70s Debut)

Before they became a massive 80s phenomenon, Jell-O Pudding Pops got their start in the late 1970s. They were a revolutionary concept because they offered a texture that was completely different from traditional water-based popsicles. These were icy but somehow remained chewy and creamy at the same time. The chocolate, vanilla, and swirl flavors were intense and lived up to the Jell-O name. Kids loved the way they coated your tongue in a way a fruit pop never could. Although they made a brief comeback under a different brand name years later, the original recipe that captured the hearts of ’70s children is considered a lost culinary treasure.

4. Borden’s Frosted Malt

If you wanted the taste of a diner milkshake without leaving your house, Borden’s Frosted Malt was the go-to choice. Sold in a distinctive cup with a peel-off lid, this was a semi-frozen delight that you ate with a wooden spoon. It had that specific, slightly grainy malted flavor that balanced the sweetness of the chocolate. It was thick enough that you had to work for it, making it last much longer than a standard ice cream cone. Elsie the Cow was the face of the brand, and her seal of approval meant you were getting the best dairy available. Sadly, the convenience of pre-packaged malted cups vanished as fast-food shakes became more accessible.

5. Cool Whip Non-Dairy Sundaes

In the 1970s, the world was obsessed with “space age” food, and nothing fit that description better than Cool Whip. The brand experimented with pre-frozen sundaes that featured layers of whipped topping, fruit preserves, and cake crumbs. They were marketed as a lighter alternative to traditional ice cream, but they were pure sugary bliss. The texture was airy and never truly became rock hard, even when stored in the back of a deep freezer. These were the height of convenience for busy parents who wanted to serve a “fancy” dessert without any effort. While Cool Whip remains a holiday staple, these individual pre-made sundaes have disappeared from the frozen aisle.

6. Meadow Gold Twin Pops

While many companies made twin pops, the Meadow Gold variety was a ’70s icon. These double-stick popsicles were designed to be shared, though most kids spent their time trying to break them perfectly down the middle without one side shattering. The flavors were neon bright and incredibly sweet, with cherry, grape, and lime being the primary contenders. There was something about the specific formula used in the ’70s that felt more like frozen juice and less like flavored ice. Meadow Gold was a massive regional player that brought joy to countless backyard barbecues. Today, the twin pop design is a rarity, and the Meadow Gold brand has largely consolidated into other dairy labels.

7. Bon Bon Ice Cream Nuggets

Long before we had modern “poppable” snacks, we had Bon Bons. These were small domes of vanilla ice cream encased in a thick chocolate coating, sold in a yellow box that was a staple at movie theaters and grocery stores alike. The ’70s version was particularly beloved because the chocolate had a slight hint of coconut oil, giving it a unique melt in your mouth quality. They were the ultimate “just one more” snack, though most people ended up finishing the whole box in one sitting. While similar products exist today, the specific branding and nostalgic taste of the ’70s Bon Bons are a thing of the past.

8. Mickey’s Parade Pops

Mickey’s Parade Pops were the ultimate treat for Disney fans in the late ’70s. These were fruit-flavored ice pops shaped like the heads of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. The colors were vibrant, and the flavors were surprisingly bold. There was a certain thrill in choosing your favorite character and then racing to eat it before Goofy’s ears melted off. These pops represented the beginning of heavy character licensing in the frozen food section. While Disney treats are everywhere today, these specific sculpted ice pops from the disco era have been retired, leaving us only with the memories of those brightly colored character molds.

9. Gold Mine Ice Cream Bars

Gold Mine bars were a clever marketing triumph of the 1970s. These were vanilla ice cream bars coated in a golden-hued, crunchy topping that was supposed to resemble “gold dust.” The real draw, however, was the “gold” hidden inside. Some bars contained a small plastic token or a stick marked with a prize that you could redeem for toys or more ice cream. It turned every snack time into a treasure hunt. The combination of the crunchy exterior and the smooth vanilla interior was a winner, but it was the gimmick that made it a ’70s legend. As safety regulations for toys in food tightened, the Gold Mine eventually closed for good.

10. Carnation Ice Cream Sandwiches

Before Carnation became synonymous primarily with instant breakfast and evaporated milk, it was a powerhouse in the frozen dairy department. Their ice cream sandwiches were famous for the quality of the chocolate wafer. It was soft enough to bite through without the ice cream squishing out the sides, but firm enough to hold its shape. The vanilla ice cream was exceptionally white and creamy, a hallmark of the Carnation brand. These were the sandwiches you would find in the cafeteria at school or in the “big box” at the grocery store. The brand eventually moved away from frozen novelties, leaving a hole in the hearts of sandwich lovers.

11. Heath Toffee Ice Cream Bar (The Original)

While Heath bars still exist as candy, the ’70s version of the Heath Toffee Ice Cream Bar was a different beast. It featured a very thin, delicate plank of vanilla ice cream that was almost entirely overshadowed by a massive, thick layer of genuine Heath toffee bits and milk chocolate. It was less of an ice cream bar and more of a frozen candy bar. The ratio of toffee to cream was legendary. Modern versions often use “toffee-flavored” coatings, but the original ’70s bar used the real deal. It was a sophisticated treat for kids who wanted something a bit more “grown up” than a standard fruit pop.

12. Buried Treasure Pops

Buried Treasure pops were the ultimate interactive dessert of the decade. These were cylindrical ice cream treats on a plastic stick, but the stick was the real star. As you ate the ice cream, you would slowly reveal a plastic figurine or a small toy molded directly into the top of the stick. It was usually a pirate, an animal, or a space explorer. The suspense of waiting to see which character you got made these a massive hit at birthday parties. Once the ice cream was gone, you had a new toy to add to your collection. They were eventually phased out due to changing manufacturing costs and safety standards, but they remain a peak ’70s memory.

• Tags:
• Nostalgia
• 1970s
• ice cream
• 70s desserts
• forgotten ice cream