Inside Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream: The Sweetest Local Scoop with a Side of Nostalgia

In a world of mass production and chain-store sweets, there’s something refreshing, literally, about a brand that still believes in making ice cream by hand, batch by batch. Enter Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream: a proudly South African name that’s gone from birthday side hustle to scoop café sensation. And it’s not just about what’s in the cone; it’s about the whole experience.

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Born in a Suburb, Loved Nationwide

Back in 2009, Paul Ballen started making ice cream in his parents’ kitchen in Johannesburg. What began as a personal passion project, birthday gifts for friends, quickly snowballed into a brand beloved by Joburgers and beyond. With every batch, Paul was chasing not just flavour, but feeling. The kind you get when childhood memories melt on your tongue.

Now, Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream has grown into a nationwide franchise with over 30 scoop cafés, a booming wholesale team, a strong online presence, and limited-edition drops that send dessert lovers into a frenzy.

So, What’s the Hype?

It all comes down to flavour and storytelling. From quirky seasonal specials to signature classics, each tub is crafted with an eye for nostalgia and a cheeky wink. Take this month’s flavour, for example: Cinn’mon Krunch.

Think cinnamon custard, cream cheese swirls, gooey marshmallow fluff, and chewy Rice Krispies chunks. It’s like someone churned your childhood Saturday mornings into a tub. Bold, buttery, and a little rebellious, just like your teenage sister, according to the brand’s own tongue-in-cheek description.

Fans have already flooded the brand’s social pages with comments like “This is peak nostalgia” and “I didn’t know I needed marshmallow fluff in ice cream until now.”

Image 1: Facebook/Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream

Not Just a Scoop, It’s a Lifestyle

Beyond the ice cream itself, PHIC (as fans affectionately call it) has built an ecosystem of indulgence. From dreamy personalised cakes to limited-edition pints, gourmet ice cream sandwiches, and even goodies for your “furry friends,” the brand covers every craving. You can grab a coffee while you’re at it too; their Killer Coffee range is just as beloved as their birthday cake flavour.

Want to share the love? PHIC offers gifting options and curated boxes. Want to turn your ice cream obsession into a business? Their franchise and wholesale divisions are open for bold dreamers who want a scoop of the success.

The Local Scoop We Keep Coming Back To

What makes Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream so different in a saturated dessert market is the way it still feels like a local treasure. Despite its national footprint, there’s nothing corporate or cold about it. Each store looks like the inside of a pastel dream. Staff are friendly, scoops are generous, and you never quite know what weird-wonderful flavour is coming next.

From late-night cravings in Parkhurst to summer strolls in Rosebank, Joburg locals know that PHIC isn’t just dessert; it’s ritual.

So, whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the indulgence, or just the marshmallow fluff, Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream continues to churn out the kind of joy you can’t fake.

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Source: Pauls Homemade Ice Cream

Featured Image: Facebook/Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream