These days choosing an ice cream flavor is not easy, since there are more varieties than you can imagine. As I stood in line at Ample Hills Creamery, I wasn’t sure I could make a decision by my turn to order, but once I saw “Salted Crack Caramel” I knew my search was over. It’s made with a base of sea salt, butter and beautiful dark amber caramelized sugar. Fresh local hormone-free milk, cream and eggs are then cooked together and added to the caramel base, which is mixed with pieces of “Deb’s famous crack cookies” — saltines, butter, sugar and chocolate. I’m not the only person who’s hooked on this crack, as it’s Ample Hill’s most popular flavor, along with Peppermint Pattie, Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Nonna D’s Oatmeal Lace and Cotton Candy. I love the atmosphere of the store; it’s like a playhouse for the inner child in all of us.

Note: Deborah Rosen is a friend of Ample Hills Creamery owners Jackie Cuscuna and Brian Smith, and her fabulous crack cookies are also available in a “Crack Pack” ($2.50) at Ample Hills.