1. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt

Multiple locations; handelsicecream.com

This year, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream celebrates 80 years since Alice Handel first began mixing her signature creations in Youngstown, Ohio.

As Zach Leffers, one of the owners of several Orange County franchises says, “The popularity goes back to 1945 and Alice’s original recipes. It’s the best product in the world.”

With 10 shops in Orange County and about 150 nationally, it is clear many agree, including National Geographic, which dubbed Handel’s “the #1 Ice Cream on the Planet.”

Each year, Handel’s unveils crazy and delicious concoctions, many with kooky names, that even Alice hadn’t conceived. It also deletes others to the chagrin of fans.

Many of the tastes that have come, gone and endured include creations of shop owners and customers alike, according to Leffers.

Whether doling flavors that are old-school or new-fangled, each shop makes its ice cream fresh daily at each store, as has been done since its founding.

At any given time, a shop will have about 48 flavors, spanning profiles from Spouse Like A House — malted vanilla with peanut butter ripple and chocolate covered pretzels — to a dozen variations on chocolate.

“Our newest flavor we rolled out is Animal Crackers, a favorite when we were kids — with a Handel’s twist,” Leffers said.

Another core aspect of Handel’s, according to Leffers, is its commitment to charity and nonprofit causes, including sending mobile units that visit schools and community events.

2. Yogurtland

Multiple locations; www.yogurtland.com

Founded in Fullerton in 2006 by Phillip Chang, Yogurtland has grown into an international powerhouse in the frozen yogurt universe, while remaining a go-to destination for O.C. locals.

With more than a dozen Orange County locations and more than 200 internationally, from Asia to the Middle East, Yogurtland continues to flourish and draw raves.

The self-serve franchises on any given day feature 15 or more flavors and about 30 toppings that customers can mix, match and mush to their personal preference and individual taste. Flavors range from fruity — plain tart is the company’s best seller — to extensive variations on vanilla and chocolate, to more exotic flavors. Add in toppings such as candy and other confections or fresh fruit and the possibilities are boundless.

Yogurtland employs a team of “flavorologists,” who have created more than 250 flavors and are always adding and tweaking with seasonal, holiday and “mystery flavors.”

3. Joghurt Frozen Yogurt Haus

17395 17th St # C, Tustin; 714-573-0100

Whether you have a hankering for English toffee, cake batter or chocolate truffles, for example, Joghurt Frozen Yogurt Haus has been dishing the delectables for more than a decade in Tustin and continues to build a clientele of devotees.

There are upwards of 15 flavors available on a typical day. And talk about toppings, “we have tons of toppings,” said employee Brandon — about the 40 or more on hand.

One Yelp reviewer claimed employees will often cut up toppings on the spot, ensuring freshness.

“We have great yogurt, toppings and we’re very clean and polite,” Brandon said. “And we rotate the flavors regularly.”

If you’re about online experiences, Joghurt may not be your thing as the shop has no website and the phone can be spotty depending on how busy business is.

The best answer is to “just come one down,” Brandon says. Because, as Yelp reviewer Ann M wrote, “the flavors are yumanicious!”