LOGAN SQUARE -- A new ice cream flavor from Pretty Cool Ice Cream will be a toast to summer in partnership with New York's popular Levain Bakery.
Pretty Cool Ice Cream, which has locations at 2353 N. California Ave. in Logan Square and 709 W. Belden Ave. in Lincoln Park, will serve its toasted vanilla ice cream alongside Levain Bakery cookies starting May 30.
The flavor was created by Pretty Cool's owner, award-winning pastry chef Dana Cree, in part to celebrate the bakery's 30th anniversary, she said in a press release.
Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald founded Levain Bakery in 1995 as a small bread shop on New York City's Upper West Side, and it's since become a national brand famous for extra thick, gooey cookies.
To celebrate summer and the anniversary, Levain is partnering with ice cream shops near each of its seven locations on the limited-edition ice cream line, called Levain à la Mode.
"I'm a long-time fan of Pam and Connie, the creators of Levain Bakery, and jumped at the chance to partner with them -- especially to help celebrate their 30th anniversary," Cree said in a statement. "The vanilla in our scoop is toasted, which I think will pair perfectly with the richness of their cookies."
Levain has two Chicago locations, 840 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop and 408 N. Clark St. in River North, where customers can try the ice cream and cookie pairing, company officials said.
Levain à la Mode, which features one scoop of ice cream and one 6-ounce cookie, will be available throughout the summer for $10.50. Levain Bakery will also bring back its Rocky Road cookie, a seasonal favorite, starting June 23, company leaders said.
Pretty Cool Ice Cream -- known for its fun, colorful and innovative flavors sometimes inspired by the community -- often partners with organizations and chefs, creating limited-edition flavors that support local charities.
Another Logan Square-based food collaboration is also geared toward sweet tooths. Daisies pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky and Milk Bar's Christina Tosi partnered this month to create The Bake Sale Croissant, stuffed with gooey chocolate chip cookies, sprinkle cookies and a rich chocolate fudge brownie. The croissant is topped with malted vanilla mousse, mini cookies and a confetti shower of rainbow sprinkles.
The sweet treat is available through May only at Daisies, 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer, the pastry chef duo said on social media.