A Brief History
On July 25, 2017, we celebrate National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. This tasty treat with (usually) vanilla ice cream covered in hot fudge may or may not be embellished with whipped cream, and/or nuts, and/or a cherry on top. Plus, you can shake things up by trying a different flavor of ice cream. Today we list 10 Favorite Frozen Treats (either our favorites or the most popular in the country).
Digging Deeper
1. Hot Fudge Sundae.
So darn good it gets its own holiday every July 25th. Probably the favorite type of sundae in the US, you can make your own, get one at an ice cream shop or restaurant, or even at your local McDonald’s. For a change of pace, try it with Chocolate ice cream or Chocolate/Cherry/Chunk ice cream, or even with frozen yogurt (not for me!).
2. Banana Split.
Normally made with vanilla ice cream (3 scoops), it can also be made with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry scoops. Each scoop is covered with its own flavor topping, often chocolate or hot fudge, pineapple, and strawberry, though the toppings may vary. Of course, a key ingredient is a banana split in half and flanking the ice cream. This treat should definitely be covered in whipped cream and topped with a Maraschino Cherry on each scoop, with or without chopped nuts. Variations include a vertical Banana Split in a large cup instead of a “boat,” or the blended variety (such as “Flurry,” “Blizzard” and the like) where the ingredients are whipped together in a blender or some such mixer. (Warning: The typical Banana Split contains over 1000 calories and 30 grams of fat, so enjoy in moderation or end up looking like the Michelin Man!) (Honorable mention: Frozen bananas, preferably chocolate covered.)
3. Euclid Beach Dairy Whip.
On the East side of Cleveland was an amusement park that lasted from 1895 to 1969 right on the shore of Lake Erie. Along with the many rides and attractions were tasty treats, including Humphrey’s Popcorn Balls and their signature Frozen Custard. This wonderful ice cream treat was dipped out of tubs rather than dispensed with a machine and was the creamiest, most delicious frozen custard type treat I have ever tasted. (If you have an East Coast Custard stand nearby, their product is similar. In Ashland, Ohio, Pete’s Treats has a similarly wonderful frozen custard.) The quality of frozen custard has greatly improved over the years, from grainy, icy stuff, to much creamier and smooth products, but for my money Euclid Beach had THE BEST. The original product, made with the same machines made in 1931, is available from Weber’s Custard in Fairview Park, Ohio.
4. Cherry Popsicle.
Why Cherry? Because it is the most popular flavor in the US. These treats are basically frozen Kool-Aid (or other fruity drink) with a stick in them and come in about a million flavors. The sticks have been used for an amazing array of crafts over the years, and there was even a “Bubble-gum music” rock song by Jan and Dean (1963 and 1966) called “Popsicle,” as well as “Popsicles and Icicles” by the Murmaids in 1964. An 11 year old boy invented the popsicle in 1905 by leaving a cup of homemade soda pop on the porch overnight when a freeze came, freezing the drink and the stirring stick in the now frozen pop acting as a convenient handle to enjoy the frozen treat. He called his invention the Epsicle, and changed the name to Popsicle in 1923. August 26 is National Cherry Popsicle Day.
5. Good Humor Bar.
Vanilla ice cream on a stick covered in chocolate was first sold by the Good Humor Company in Youngstown, Ohio, in the early 1920’s, though the product caught on so fast and so enthusiastically that most of the US had Good Humor trucks delivering tasty ice cream bars right to your own street by the 1930’s. By the 1950’s there were over 2000 Good Humor “sales cars” plying the cold product. Of course, other treats were invented and marketed alongside the original ice cream bar. Good Humor Corporation of America is now owned by Unilever, and also owns Breyer’s Ice Cream, Klondike brand ice cream treats, Gold Bond Ice Cream, and even the Popsicle brand. Rising gasoline prices combined with refrigerators replacing ice boxes made the sales of ice cream from trucks less profitable, and Good Humor gradually switched to becoming a grocery store brand instead of the familiar ice cream truck.
6. Milkshakes.
Back in 1885 when the term was first used, the “Milkshake” was an alcoholic drink, often egg nog spiked with whiskey. By 1900 the familiar form of ice cream blended with milk and flavors such as chocolate, strawberry or vanilla became the treat we know and love. Malt can be added to any flavor of milkshake, though chocolate malts are the most common. Today, every flavor under the sun is available, especially seasonal favorites. Hamilton Beach made a drink mixing machine in 1911 often used at soda counters to make milkshakes, and various electric blenders (1922) followed. Milkshakes became common with “malt shops” springing up in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and since then they have become a staple of fast food restaurants around the US and the world. In the movie, Pulp Fiction, John Travolta marveled at the high cost of a $5 milkshake, but today you can find premium shakes for upwards of $15. In 2013 USA Today listed America’s Best Milkshakes, with Franklin Fountain, Philadelphia listed at #1. (Philly scored the #4 ranking as well, at Basset’s Ice Cream Company.)
7. Ice Cream.
Not only is ice cream super popular on its own, it is also the basis for other treats such as sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, pie-a-la-mode, and all those various bars, sandwiches and cone type treats you find in your grocer’s freezer. The international Dairy Foods Association in 2015 listed America’s favorite ice cream flavors as Vanilla, Chocolate, and Butter Pecan, followed by Rocky Road, Coffee, and Neapolitan tied for 4th. On the other hand, analysis of Twitter reveals the most tweeted flavors to be chocolate #1, vanilla #2, and any one of the following as #3 in various states, including cookie dough, strawberry and chocolate chip. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream lists their best sellers as Half Baked (chocolate and vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownie pieces), Cherry Garcia at #2, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough at #3. Personally, I love Pistachio or Spumoni, how about you? (Oh, and I love Chocolate Almond, Peach, Strawberry, and Butter Pecan. Just sayin’…)
8. Dove Bars.
As far as treats on a stick go, these are so rich and so decadent in either milk chocolate or dark chocolate that they even came out with their own chocolate candy bar brand. A premium treat when you really deserve one. Originally dark chocolate covered vanilla ice cream, Dove Bars can now be found in various flavors, including Vanilla Carmel Swirl, Chocolate Almond, Strawberry or Raspberry Sorbet, and with Chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla. You can even get these wonderful cold munchies in miniatures in a variety pack.
9. Creamsicle.
Made by the Popsicle Brand of treats, these frozen fruit flavors over creamy vanilla ice cream on a stick are another great cold treat for hot summer days. Or any day! My favorite is Orange, though there are a bazillion flavors by the various imitator companies. Honorary mention: Fudgesicle. These tasty frozen goodies are so good, they (they as in somebody) make creamsicle flavored drinks and candies combining fruit flavors with creamy vanilla flavor. (Honorable Mention: Frozen candy bars, such as Milky Way or Snickers.)
10. Italian Ice.
You can think of this cold dessert as a Popsicle without the stick, but it is actually much better than just that, with a slightly softer texture so that you can eat it with a spoon. Commonly found in fruit flavors, exotic flavors such as Coconut can also be found. A refreshing light treat when ice cream is too heavy for you, plus you do not have to worry about lactose intolerance!
Question for students (and subscribers): What treats would you add to the list? (You can nominate Sorbet, Sherbet, Drumsticks, Root Beer Floats, etc, but heck with Frozen Yogurt, Ice Milk, and any low-fat treats!) Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Willard, Dennis J. The Incredible Ice Cream Book. Willowisp Pr, 1987.
