Sundae

A sundae is a yummy ice cream dessert from America. It usually has one or more scoops of ice cream with sweet sauce or syrup on top. People like to add fun toppings like sprinkles, whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, M&M's, peanuts, cookies, chocolate brownies, maraschino cherries, or fresh fruits such as bananas and pineapple.

One popular way to enjoy a sundae is in a banana split. This has three scoops of ice cream in different flavors placed in a row on a slice of banana. Sundaes are loved for their sweet flavors and the chance to add favorite toppings, making each one a special treat.

Etymology

The word "sundae" first appeared in an advertisement in Ithaca, New York, on April 5, 1892. It was originally spelled "Sunday." It was named by Chester Platt, who owned Platt and Colt's Pharmacy. He served this special ice-cream dish after Sunday church services on April 3, 1892. The spelling later changed to "sundae." This may have been to avoid trademark problems, to move away from religious meanings, or just to make it more eye-catching.

History

One story says the sundae began as a change from an ice cream soda. Some places did not allow selling soda on Sundays, so people made the sundae instead.

The sundae became a popular treat in the early 1900s, especially on weekends. It came in many fun flavors like Robin Hood sundae and Cherry Dip sundae.

Later, in 2019, McDonald's in Portugal created a sundae called "Sundae Bloody Sundae" for Halloween. This caused some upset, so McDonald's apologized and stopped the promotion.

Main article: ice cream soda

Contested origins

Many places say they are where the ice cream sundae was first made. These places include Plainfield, Illinois; New Orleans, Louisiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and New York City. The biggest rivalry is between Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and Ithaca, New York.

In Two Rivers, Wisconsin, a story says that in 1881 a man named George Hallauer asked a soda shop owner to put chocolate syrup on ice cream. This treat was sold for a nickel and later became popular.

In Ithaca, New York, in 1892, a minister and a pharmacy owner made a dish they called "Cherry Sunday" by putting cherry syrup and candied cherries on ice cream. This is the oldest known written mention of a sundae.

Types

Classic ice cream sundae

The original sundae has vanilla ice cream with flavored sauce or syrup, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. Classic sundaes are often named after the syrup flavor, like cherry sundae or chocolate sundae. They are usually served in a special glass called a sundae glass.

Banana split

Main article: Banana split

A banana split uses two halves of a banana. It has strawberry ice cream with chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream with crushed pineapple, and vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup. Each scoop is topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

Parfait

Parfait is a sundae in a tall glass with layers of ice cream or yogurt, gelatine, and flavorings such as syrups, whipped cream, granola, and fresh fruit.

Knickerbocker glory

Main article: Knickerbocker glory

This is a tall sundae with layers of ice cream, jelly, fruit, and cream, topped with syrup, nuts, whipped cream, and often a cherry. It is popular in the United Kingdom.

Brownie sundae

A brownie sundae mixes brownies, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, peanuts, hot fudge, and whipped cream, often finished with a maraschino cherry.

Tin roof sundae

The tin roof sundae, first made in the 1930s in Potter, Nebraska, is served in a tall glass. It starts with vanilla ice cream, then chocolate sauce, chocolate ice cream, marshmallow sauce, and a sprinkle of peanuts. Over time, simpler versions have become more common. Some ice cream brands have created their own tin roof sundae flavors.