Jarling’s Custard Cup, located at 309 W. Kirby Avenue and owned by Doug and Christy Jarling, has been known for providing the Champaign community with great custard since April 28, 1983. The seasonal custard shop reopened in early March for the warmer months.

The first of two shops was opened in Danville, Ill., in 1949. Originally, only three flavors of custard were sold: vanilla, chocolate and lemon. The current owners bought the custard’s secret recipe from Danville owners Wilmer and Dorotha Jarling in 1993. Since then, much has changed with the menu, including the introduction of the shop’s best-selling item: the Snowstorm.

The Snowstorm is the most popular item on the menu, said Sarah Allen, production manager at Jarling’s Custard Cup. The Snowstorm is a mix of custard with different toppings blended in, similar to Dairy Queen’s Blizzard. It comes in three different sizes: junior, regular and giant, priced at $3.75, $4.95 and $5.95, respectively.

The menu shows that many toppings are available, ranging from Nerds to coconut and premade options such as strawberry shortcake and caramel apple. Allen said there are many different combinations to create a successful Snowstorm, but they are all made with the same basic technique.

“We put vanilla custard in (the) cup and then we add the candies, or fruits, or whatever you choose to put in there,” Allen said. “Then we add more vanilla and then we blend it on the machine.”

Allen said her favorite Snowstorm is the “grasshopper,” which consists of vanilla custard, Oreo cookies and mint syrup. 

Jarling’s Custard Cup has a customer base of both loyal locals and college student newcomers, Allen said. The wide range of customers makes for a busy season.

Maggie O’Neill, sophomore in LAS, is a fan of the Snowstorm because of its unique taste.

“I like custard because it is a nice change-up from regular ice cream,” O’Neill said. “I like my Snowstorm with any type of chocolate topping.”

Although Jarling’s serves custard throughout the spring, summer and fall, Allen said there are certain times when the shop receives more business than normal.

“The busiest time of the season is right before the U of I school year ends for the year, (the) beginning of summertime and then again in the fall when all of the students come back,” she said.

During these warmer seasons, Allen said the shop makes anywhere from 600 to 800 orders a day, with many orders consisting of multiple items.

O’Neill said that warm weather is definitely a factor in deciding to go to Jarling’s and grab some custard.

“Getting custard on afternoons when the weather is nice is my favorite time to eat custard,” O’Neill said.

The menu changes slightly ever so often, but one thing is for sure: The secret recipe and the Snowstorm aren’t going anywhere.

Haley can be reached at [email protected].