A primary component of the iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundaes is the velvety smooth ice cream, and we’re pleased to share that it is handcrafted right here in Brisbane. (And it’s nearly ready to be scooped up at the 2023 Ekka!)
August means Ekka time for many, but preparations begin at Lick Ice Cream in Seventeen Mile Rocks several months beforehand.
The team at the family-owned and operated Brisbane business has been working hard to create and churn the strawberry and vanilla ice cream for the delectable Ekka Strawberry Sundaes.
Each year it takes Lick’s team members around 128 hours – equivalent to 16 shifts or 16 days of production – to ensure there’s enough of this mouth-watering smooth ice cream to satisfy showgoers.
“We are proud to supply the ice cream for the famous Brisbane Ekka sundae, and we love that the sales help fund important medical research through The Common Good,” Lick Ice Cream CEO Simon West said.
Lick’s ‘Real Ice Cream’ for the Ekka Strawberry Sundaes
How does Lick Ice Cream ensure the ice cream is melt-in-your-mouth delicious?
“Our ice cream is handcrafted as we churn REAL cream, pasteurised egg yolks and sugar to ensure our texture is beyond creamy,” Simon said.
The special strawberry flavour is only made for the Ekka, so only showgoers can enjoy it in August when they devour a delectable Ekka Strawberry Sundae at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
The exact ingredients of the limited-edition strawberry ice cream are top secret – but we can tell you it contains 45% cream and 7.5% egg yolk.
“Lick Ice Cream is 100% real ice cream, the way ice cream is supposed to be: rich, dense and creamy. Loads of real Australian cream and eggs, small batch production with big flavours,” Simon said.
To produce the amount of ice cream needed for the Ekka, Lick Ice Cream uses 15000 litres of cream and 2000kg of egg yolks.
What makes Lick Ice Cream unique?
Along with the Ekka strawberry and vanilla flavours, scores of other smooth and scrumptious types are available to savour.
“We have 200+ recipes, and our team experiments with new flavours each week,” Simon said.
“We collaborate with local dairy farms, strawberry farms, wineries, coffee houses, breweries and other primary producers to incorporate local products into our ice cream base.”
“Our products are supplied to supermarkets, fruit and vegetable retailers, convenience stores, and some of Australia’s finest restaurants.”
Here are a few of the main reasons why Brisbane locals love Lick Ice Cream:
- Pure indulgence – Real Ice Cream
- Loads of real Australian cream and eggs
- Only the tiniest amount of air is added, making it super creamy, dense and rich
- Premium restaurant quality
- Small batch, Brisbane made
If you can’t make it to the Ekka this August, you can still make a difference and donate the cost of an Ekka Strawberry Sundae to The Common Good. By giving a little, you can change a lot!
To donate, click here.
Read more about the Ekka Strawberry Sundaes and what makes them such a beloved dessert here.
