Had Nancy Johnson not invented the hand-cranked freezer in 1846, maybe the whole concept of ice cream would have taken a little longer to catch on in the United States.

Although William Young of Baltimore, Md., received the first U.S. patent for the ice cream freezer on May 30, 1848, he recognized Johnson's influence by naming his invention the "Johnson Patent Ice Cream Freezer," according the International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers. With the invention of the ice cream freezer, Jacob Fussell, the father of American ice cream, began commercial production of the scrumptious treat in 1851.

In celebrating the invention that helped start such a luscious industry in the United States, here are some of the ice cream shops with tasty treats in Utah County.

Sub Zero Ice Cream, 934 N. State Street, Orem

What could be more fun than watching a scientist make ice cream right in front of your eyes?

Jerry Hancock, the owner and founder of Sub Zero Ice Cream, uses cryogenic technology - one substance freezing another - to create customized ice cream for each customer. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the creamy creation into ice cream, making the creamiest and freshest ice cream possible because the freezing process starts after the customer orders, Hancock said.

Although there are only 50 individual flavors, Sub Zero gives customers the ability to choose the cream base, flavors, mix-ins and texture, which ends up offering more than 25,000 distinctive ice cream possibilities. Hancock said the top three flavors are chocolate, raspberry and "The Broderick," consisting of peanut butter, cookie dough and brownies.

Fun Fact: At Sub Zero, it takes no more than 15 seconds to go from the liquid cream base to the solid ice cream product.

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream, 1774 N. University Pkwy, Provo

Started on May 5, 1978, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Burlington, Vt., Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream has grown into a crowd favorite with more than 430 shops in the United States and more than 150 shops internationally, according to the Ben & Jerry's Web site. Not only known for its fun flavors, Ben & Jerry's also has its famous Free Cone Day every year in late April/early May, which gives out more than one million cones each year. Ben & Jerry's always has at least 50 active flavors, with Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Chunky Monkey ranking top three, and other flavors like Half-Baked and Phish Food in the top 10.

Fun Fact: Ben & Jerry's makes 18 million gallons of ice cream each year.

Provo Fro-Yo, 2255 N. University Pkwy, Provo

Started in 2004 by former BYU student Kara Rieben, Provo Fro-Yo is a tasty frozen yogurt shop perfect for those looking for a healthy summer treat.

"Compared to ice cream, frozen yogurt is a much healthier choice," said Tia Rider, Fro-Yo's manager. "All of our flavors are non-fat, low-fat or sugar-free. It's tasty and you don't have to worry about the calories. Don't worry though, we also have plenty of sugary toppings if you really need a sugar fix."

The black and white tiled floor and old-school television shows like "I Love Lucy" playing on the TV give Fro-Yo a classic feel, Rider said. She said the Fro-Yo atmosphere will only get better with time.

"Top three flavors?" Rider said. "You must mean the top six flavors we have every day. Although all of our flavors are loved by our customers, some of the most popular are peanut butter, cookies and cream and all of the tart flavors, like tart raspberry and tart peach."

Fun Fact: With six different flavors each day, Fro-Yo uses between 20 and 25 different flavors each week.

Cold Stone, University Mall and 2302 N. University Pkwy, Provo

With more than 11 million possible creations, customers are sure to find something they enjoy at Cold Stone. Ice cream lovers chose one of 13 ice cream flavors and a variety of candy, nuts, fruit and other sweet mix-ins. Workers than create personalized ice cream, mixing on a slab of stone, thus the name.

Fun Fact: Cold Stone offers seasonal flavors, such as eggnog, peppermint and pumpkin pie. An upcoming flavor in the University Mall store is French toast, said Summer Alexis, a Cold Stone employee.

Baskin Robbins, 29 E. 1230 North, Provo and 210 N. State Street, Orem

For more than 60 years, Baskin Robbins has offered 31 flavors, one for each day of the month. Visit on Tuesday nights for a $1 scoop. Some popular flavors are pralines and cream, cookies and cream, and strawberry. Not in the mood for a simple scoop? Try some of the new items, like the peanut butter cup sundae.

Fun Fact: Baskin Robbins' employees created a 6,000 pound scoop of vanilla ice cream to commemorate the 60th birthday in 2005.

Great ice cream treats can be found in places other than just ice cream shops. Don't overlook the delectable delights found in these Utah restaurants.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, University Mall

Served with Banana Spring Rolls, the coconut-pineapple ice cream is a Haagen-Dazs flavor made just for the restaurant. With one taste, the bursting piña colada flavor will sweeten the summer.

Red Robin, Provo Towne Centre

Feeling adventurous? Reach new heights with their Mountain High Mudd Pie. The combination of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, smothered in peanut butter cookie bits and nuts, topped off with lots of hot fudge and caramel sauce will delight the taste buds.

Outback Steakhouse, 372 E. 1300 South, Orem

Blokes and sheilas get an ace Aussie treat from the Lucky Country. With the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, customers are treated to a gluten-free brownie topped with Texas Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, melted Swedish chocolate, homemade whipped cream and pecans, said Outback server Ryan Davies, 26, a math education major from Simi Valley, Calif.

Copyright Brigham Young University 31 May 2007