Are Sugar Cones Vegan Friendly? (Find Out Now!)


Are Sugar Cones Vegan

Ice cream is a favorite dessert in many cultures. Made from a wide variety of ingredients, and served in many different ways, the dairy and non-dairy versions of this delicious treat put a smile on people’s faces. And no way is more grin-inducing than when the ice cream is served in a sweet, crunchy, completely edible cone. There are many forms of the ice cream cone — waffle, wafer and sugar.

Sugar cones are typically considered vegan friendly. They do not contain any dairy or egg products, unlike their counterparts, the waffle and the wafer cones. However, they are highly processed and usually contain additives like artificial flavors and vegetable oils. It’s best to always read the ingredients label. The best healthier and vegan ice cream cone is Enlightened Sugar-Free Cones.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different brands of mass-commercially manufactured sugar cones and what ingredients they contain. We’ll also offer some alternative brands which are completely vegan-friendly and healthier for you. We’ll also let you in on the elusive history of the crunchy, fun container you can eat along with your dairy treats. 

History of the ice cream cone

Of all the foods which you think should have an identifiable history, the ice cream cone is not one of them. Circulated from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, there is a picture of a group of children eating ice cream from a cornucopia shaped object, and this seems to be the first time the container holding ice cream was eaten along with the sweet dairy treat it contained. The cornucopia-shaped cone appears to look just like the waffle cones we know today. But, no one has been able to determine which vendor at the fair sold the cones filled with ice cream. 

Sugar Cones Nutritional Information

Sugar Cones

One important thing to note about the Joy Cones Sugar Cones is that they contain a bioengineered food ingredient. The label does not list which ingredient this refers to, and the bioengineering could be a concerning factor for a practicing vegan. 

Ingredients:

  • Bleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
  • Brown Sugar
  • Contains less than 2% of: Vegetable Oil Shortening (Canola Oil and/or Modified Palm Oil and/or Soybean Oil)
  • Oat Fiber
  • Salt
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (per 15 gram serving): 

  • 60 – Calories
  • 0 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 20 mg – Sodium
  • 13 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 0 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 4 g – Sugars
  • Includes 4g added sugars
  • 1 g – Protein

Additional vitamins & minerals: 

  • 2% DV – Iron

Sugar Cones with OREO Cookie Pieces

Like the original Sugar Cones from Joy Cones, the cones with OREO Cookie pieces also contain a bioengineered food ingredient. Along with this, they also contain artificial colors — an ingredient which does not score high on the vegan acceptable list of food ingredients. 

Ingredients:

  • Bleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
  • Brown Sugar
  • OREO Basecake Crumb (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Canola Oil, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Invert Sugar, Leavening (Baking Soda and/or Calcium Phosphate), Salt, Soy Lecithin, Chocolate, Natural Flavor), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali)
  • Contains less than 2% of: Soy Lecithin
  • Vegetable Oil Shortening (Canola Oil and/or Modified Palm Oil and/or Soybean Oil)
  • Artificial Color (Red #40, Blue #1, Yellow #5 and Red #3)
  • Salt
  • Natural Flavor
  • Oat Fiber

Nutrition Facts (per 15 gram serving): 

  • 60 – Calories
  • 0.5 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 85 mg – Sodium
  • 13 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 1 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 5 g – Sugars
  • Includes 4g added sugars
  • 1 g – Protein

Additional vitamins & minerals: 

  • 4% DV – Iron
  • 2% DV – Potassium

Target Favorite Day Sugar Cones

Target took consumer insights and is using its own in-house food scientists and recipe developers to create the Favorite Day line of more than 700 sweet and savory food products, including ice cream and ice cream cones. 

Containing soy and wheat, this brand of sugar cones will not be acceptable for a gluten-free or a paleo diet, but are technically okay for vegans. 

Ingredients:

  • Bleached Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
  • Brown Sugar
  • Contains Less Than 2% Of: Vegetable Oil Shortening (Canola Oil And/Or Modified Palm Oil And/Or Soybean Oil)
  • Oat Fiber
  • Salt
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (per 15 gram serving): 

  • 60 – Calories
  • 0.5 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 20 mg – Sodium
  • 13 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 0 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 4 g – Sugars
  • Includes 4g added sugars
  • 1 g – Protein

Additional vitamins & minerals: 

  • 2% DV – Iron

Keebler Sugar Cones

Who doesn’t love those little Keebler elves? Baking in their trees since 1853, the Keebler brand, a division of Kellogg’s, started out as a small, local bakery in Philadelphia. It is the second largest cookie and cracker brand in the U.S. 

While creating sweet treats may be the Keebler elves specialty, they do not make their sugar cones vegan-friendly. Containing honey and artificial flavors, this brand is not going to be an acceptable one for vegans to enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • Bleached And Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid)
  • Sugar
  • Partially Hydrogenated Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oils
  • Contains Two Percent Or Less Of Molasses
  • Salt
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Honey
  • Caramel Color
  • Artificial Flavor

Nutrition Facts (per 12 gram serving): 

  • 50 – Calories
  • 0.5 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 55 mg – Sodium
  • 10 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 0 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 4 g – Sugars
  • Includes 4g added sugars
  • 1 g – Protein

Additional vitamins & minerals: 

  • 2% DV – Iron

Healthier Alternatives

There are other brands available which meet the dietary needs and choices of vegans. Let’s take a look at those now. 

Enlightened Sugar-Free Cones

Missing both sugar and high-carbs, the Enlightened brand of ice cream cone delivers the same great quality crunchy snack food as its flavors of ice cream. 

Ingredients:

  • High fiber wheat flour
  • Erythritol
  • Non-GMO soluble corn fiber
  • Palm oil
  • Oat fiber
  • Soy lecithin
  • Natural flavor
  • Salt 
  • Monk fruit extract

Nutrition Facts (per 12 gram serving): 

  • 30 – Calories
  • 0.5 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 20 mg – Sodium
  • 9 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 4 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 0 g – Sugars
  • 1 g – Protein

Other Alternatives

Edward & Sons Trading Company Let’s Do Organic Sugar Cones

Let's Do...Organic Sugar Cones, 12 Count Boxes (Pack of 12) Starting in 1977, the Edward & Sons Trading Company began its humble beginnings with a freeze-dried miso soup product. Now, decades later, they produce more than 10 different brands of healthy, fair, and clean products. Let’s Do Organic is one of their brands. 

Certified organic and kosher, these fat-free, vegan-friendly sugar cones will hold your ice cream just right for you until you are ready to finish your treat. 

Ingredients:

  • Organic Wheat Flour
  • Organic Cane Sugar
  • Organic Expeller-Pressed Palm Oil
  • Soy Lecithin
  • Salt

Nutrition Facts (per 11 gram serving): 

  • 45 – Calories
  • 0.5 g – Total Fat
  • 0 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 20 mg – Sodium
  • 9 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 0 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 3 g – Sugars
  • Includes 3 grams added sugars
  • <1 g – Protein

Trader Joe’s Hold the Dairy! Vegan Chocolate Mini Cones

Known for its fun and innovative products, Trader Joe’s is the perfect place to find dietary-friendly in-house brands of sweet and savory products. 

Looking to have your ice cream, cone and eat it, too? Try the great mixture of this dairy-free and vegan ice cream in a cone. 

Ingredients:

  • Chocolate Coconut Frozen Dessert (Coconut Milk [Coconut Extract, Water], Water, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Semisweet Chocolate [Unsweetened Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor]
  • Contains 2% Or Less Of Pea Protein Isolate,Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids, Carob Bean Gum, Guar Gum)
  • Wafer Cone (Unbleached Wheat Flour, Sugar, Coconut Oil, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Caramelized Sugar Syrup)
  • Chocolatey Coating (Coconut Oil, Sugar, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Cocoa, Sunflower Lecithin, Natural Flavor)

Nutrition Facts (per 6 mini cones serving): 

  • 370 – Calories
  • 17 g – Total Fat
  • 14 g – Saturated Fat
  • 0 g – Trans Fat
  • 0 mg – Cholesterol
  • 55 mg – Sodium
  • 48 g – Total Carbohydrate
  • 2 g – Dietary Fiber
  • 29 g – Sugars
  • Includes 28 grams added sugars
  • 5 g – Protein

Additional vitamins & minerals: 

  • 2% DV – Calcium
  • 40% DV – Iron
  • 8% DV – Potassium

Final Thoughts

Ice cream is just great to eat, but put it in a sugar cone, and you have a bunch of fun in store. While sugar cones are considered to be vegan-friendly because they do not contain any dairy or egg products, some of the more commercially manufactured brands contain questionable ingredients, like honey and artificial colors. Be sure to check the food labels for the vegan certification, or try some of the alternative brands we’ve mentioned here. 

Related Questions

What is the difference between a waffle cone and a sugar cone?

Waffle cones have a higher sugar content than sugar cones, and they also contain more fiber. Waffle cones are made specially shaped to hold more ice cream, where a sugar cone has a smaller capacity for creamy fillings. Sugar cones are also made with a different type of batter so they are harder and have a longer shelf life. 

Are sugar cones gluten-free?

In most sugar cone brands, the first ingredient is wheat. This makes them an unacceptable product for a gluten-free diet. 

Are sugar cones dairy-free?

Unlike waffle cones, which use dairy and eggs as their primary ingredients, sugar cones are mostly dairy-free.

Related Guides

Leslie Cole

Leslie C. has always been very conscientious about her health and what goes into her body. She takes pride in her physique and commits to exercising multiple times a week to keep her mind and body strong. Nutrition and intentional health choices are not only interests to Leslie, but concentrated ways of life. Leslie is a market and creator, and she also co-owns custom clothing and homemade décor online stores with her husband, which also bring out her creative side in her spare time. Leslie is mom to a husky named Lily and a kitty named Lina, and she lives in Lansing, MI.

Recent Posts