One of Delaware’s sweetest conversations isn’t about the best ice cream flavor—it’s what to call the colorful candy toppings that finish off your cone.
If you’re relocating to the First State, you’ll soon discover that Delaware has its own mix of traditions, influenced by neighbors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and beyond. One of those fun regional quirks is the friendly debate over what to call those tiny candy toppings.
Do you call them jimmies or sprinkles?
In Delaware, you’ll hear both.
Northern Delaware: “Jimmies” Are Still Popular
In New Castle County, particularly around Wilmington and the communities bordering southeastern Pennsylvania, many longtime residents grew up asking for chocolate jimmies on their ice cream.
The term has strong roots throughout the Philadelphia region, and that influence extends into northern Delaware. Stop by a neighborhood ice cream stand on a warm summer evening, and you’ll likely hear customers confidently ordering their favorite cone “with jimmies.”
Central Delaware: Either One Works
Head into Kent County, and the vocabulary begins to blend.
Many local ice cream shops hear both jimmies and sprinkles throughout the day, and employees rarely think twice about either term. Families who have lived in Delaware for generations may use one word, while newer residents bring the expressions they grew up with elsewhere.
It’s less of a disagreement and more of a lighthearted conversation.
Southern Delaware: “Sprinkles” Become More Common
Along Delaware’s beaches and throughout Sussex County, sprinkles tends to be heard more frequently, especially among visitors and the growing number of people relocating to coastal communities.
With thousands of new residents arriving from across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and beyond, Delaware’s beach towns have become a melting pot of regional expressions. As a result, both terms are widely understood no matter where you order your favorite frozen treat.
More Than Just Ice Cream
Like debating the best boardwalk fries, choosing between vinegar or ketchup on fries, or picking a favorite Delaware beach town, the jimmies-versus-sprinkles conversation is one of those small cultural details that makes living in Delaware enjoyable.
It’s the kind of discussion that sparks smiles while standing in line at an ice cream shop after a day at Cape Henlopen, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, or Fenwick Island.
A State Full of Sweet Stops
No matter what you call them, Delaware offers plenty of places to enjoy a great scoop of ice cream.
From family-owned creameries and dairy farms to classic beach boardwalk shops and neighborhood favorites, you’ll find everything from traditional vanilla and chocolate to seasonal peach, strawberry, salted caramel, butter pecan, and locally inspired flavors.
Many shops also feature homemade waffle cones, fresh regional dairy, and an impressive selection of toppings—whether you ask for jimmies or sprinkles.
Welcome to Delaware’s Sweet Side
At Let’s Move to Delaware News, we enjoy sharing the everyday traditions that help newcomers feel at home. Sometimes it’s understanding local expressions. Other times, it’s discovering your new favorite ice cream shop.
So whether you order your cone with jimmies or sprinkles, don’t worry—Delaware’s ice cream shops will know exactly what you mean.
And after a few summers in the First State, you may even find yourself joining the friendly debate.