Baked goods

Ice cream cones, cake or wafer-type

FDC 175000oz (28 g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Density 39 · -1 vs Baked goods median

Cake and wafer style ice cream cones score 39 of 100 on the Nutrient Density Score, landing in the Low band and ranking 33rd of 60 in Baked goods. Built almost entirely from flour, they still carry 20% DV of iron, 16% DV of protein, and 11% DV of dietary fiber per 100 g, numbers most crunchy shells don't manage.

The cone itself is a vessel, holding a scoop or two of ice cream at the counter or in the freezer aisle. A 1 oz cone supplies roughly 79 g of carbohydrate, 6 g of sugar, and 256 mg of sodium, so what you fill it with matters more than the shell. Bread, Italian scores higher among baked goods if it's overall nutrient density you're after.

See how this score is calculated, build a plate around ice cream cones, or compare it with another food.

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Fig. 1 · Macronutrient composition
Protein 8.1 g · 8%Carb 79 g · 77%Fat 6.9 g · 15%

Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams

Nutrition facts

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories417 kcal21%
Total fat6.9 g9%
Saturated fat1.2 g6%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium256 mg11%
Carbohydrate79 g29%
Dietary fiber3 g11%
Sugars6 g
Protein8.1 g16%
Potassium112 mg2%
Calcium25 mg2%
Iron3.6 mg20%
Magnesium26 mg6%
Vitamin C0 mg0%
Vitamin A0 µg0%
Vitamin E0.78 mg5%

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

FDC 175000

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

What it is rich in

Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.

Iron20% DV
Protein16% DV
Dietary fiber11% DV

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Versus the baked goods median

Nutrient density39 vs 40 median
Protein / 100 g8.1 vs 8.6 median
Fiber / 100 g3 vs 3.4 median
Sodium / 100 g256 vs 447 median

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

More nutrient-dense swaps

Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.

Bread, ItalianDensity 40 vs 39Bread, oatmealDensity 40 vs 39Wonton wrappers (includes egg roll wrappers)Density 40 vs 39

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

In the kitchen and how to use it

Cake or wafer-style ice cream cones are made from a thin, crisp batter of flour, sugar and a little oil or egg, pressed or rolled while hot so it sets into a light, airy shell. Cake cones have a flat bottom and a sturdier, biscuit-like bite, while wafer cones are thinner and shatter more easily. Either way they are built to be filled straight away with scooped ice cream, soft serve, sorbet or frozen yogurt, since they soften quickly once they pick up moisture. Beyond the classic ice cream parlor role, crushed cones show up as a crunchy topping over puddings or milkshakes, and broken pieces work as a stand-in for cookie crumbs in a no-bake crust.

Buy cones in resealable boxes and keep them somewhere dry and airtight; humidity is what turns a crisp cone soft and chewy within a day or two, so they do not belong in the fridge. At 417 calories per 100 grams they read as a dense, carb-forward baked good, with 79 grams of carbohydrate and 6 grams of sugar per 100 grams, more like a cracker than a dessert on its own. They carry a notable 20% DV of iron and 16% DV of protein per 100 grams, which is more than most people expect from a cone, though a single cone weighs only a few grams so the actual contribution to a meal is small; think of it mainly as the crunchy vessel for whatever you are scooping into it.

Frequently asked questions about ice cream cones

How many calories are in ice cream cones?

Cake or wafer-type ice cream cones have 417 calories per 100 grams, though a single cone weighs only a small fraction of that.

How should ice cream cones be stored?

Keep them in their original box or an airtight container at room temperature, away from moisture, since humidity quickly turns a crisp cone soft.

Do ice cream cones contain much iron?

Per 100 grams they provide about 20% DV of iron, though because a single cone is so light in weight the actual amount eaten is modest.

View the USDA source record