When you visit your favorite ice cream shops, among the many choices, there are usually both hard ice cream and soft serve options. Different people have their preferences, but both remain popular. At Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream, we want our customers to have a great experience every time they visit, which means offering as many options as possible. But our customers expect more than just choices. They expect us to have some ice cream knowledge. To that end, let us prove our ice cream bona fides by explaining the differences between hard ice cream and soft serve.

How They’re Made

First, let’s start with how they’re both made. Hard ice cream (also called “regular” or “hand-scooped” ice cream) is churned in batches. The base—typically made of cream, milk, sugar, and flavorings—is pasteurized, homogenized, and then churned while being frozen. 

During churning, air is incorporated into the mixture in a process called overrun. After churning, hard ice cream is further frozen at very low temperatures (usually around 0°F or -18°C) to fully solidify before packaging and storage.

Soft serve, on the other hand, is made and dispensed continuously. The liquid base is stored in a machine that simultaneously freezes and churns it. Soft serve is kept at a slightly warmer temperature (around 20–25°F or -4 to -6°C), which keeps it smooth and easy to dispense. It’s served immediately after freezing, which is why it has that signature swirl and creamy texture.

Differences in Ingredients

While the ingredient lists look similar at first glance, there are key differences. Hard ice cream typically contains a higher percentage of milk fat—often 10% to 18%—which contributes to its rich, dense texture. Premium varieties may have even higher fat content and less air.

Soft serve generally contains less milk fat, typically 3% to 6%. It also usually has more air whipped into it—sometimes up to 50% or more of its volume—making it lighter and fluffier. 

Stabilizers and emulsifiers are common in both types, but soft serve mixes are often formulated specifically for machine dispensing and consistency.

Texture and Popular Variations

Because of its lower temperature and higher fat content, hard ice cream is firm and scoopable. It comes in countless flavors and mix-in combinations—from cookie dough and rocky road to fruit swirls and fudge ribbons.

Soft serve is known for its silky, airy texture and iconic twist shape. Classic flavors are vanilla and chocolate, often served in a swirl, but variations include frozen-yogurt-style soft serve, dairy-free options, and creative toppings such as sprinkles, candy pieces, or chocolate-dipped shells.

Methuen Ice Cream Shops | Enjoy All Your Favorites at Pica’s!

We have something for everyone at Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream. Whether you like your ice cream scooped or swirled, you’ll find it at our ice cream window. In the mood for something savory? Get yourself a sandwich or a snack at the deli! They’re located right next to each other at 18 Ayers Village Road in Methuen.