Sundae

A sundae is a delicious ice cream dessert that originated in America. It usually has one or more scoops of ice cream with a sweet sauce or syrup on top. People often 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, which features three scoops of ice cream in different flavors arranged in a row on a slice of banana. Sundaes are loved for their sweet flavors and the chance to customize them with favorite toppings, making each one a special treat.

Etymology

The word "sundae" was first used in an advertisement in Ithaca, New York, on April 5, 1892. It originally appeared as "Sunday," 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. Later, the spelling changed to "sundae," possibly to avoid trademark issues, to distance itself from religious meanings, or just to make it more eye-catching.

History

One popular story about the invention of the sundae says it started as a variation of an ice cream soda. Some say that selling soda on Sundays in Illinois was not allowed, so people created the sundae instead.

The sundae quickly became a favorite 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, which caused some upset because of its similarity to a sad event from history. McDonald's later apologized and stopped the promotion.

Main article: ice cream soda

Contested origins

Many places claim to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae, including 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, in 1881, a story says 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 every day. In Ithaca, New York, in 1892, a minister and a pharmacy owner created 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 consists of vanilla ice cream topped with a flavored sauce or syrup, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. Classic sundaes are often named after the flavor of syrup used, such as 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 is made with two halves of a banana. It includes 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 served 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 combines 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.