Hot fudge sundaes are as American as apple pie. Since the recorded first scoop in Wisconsin in 1881, the sundae has taken the world by storm. Today we celebrate the history and the impact of National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.
Many American cities have claimed they invented the sundae. This frozen treat has appeared in pop culture, such as in Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” video and an episode of Full House. Ice cream sundaes invoke a sense of nostalgia and fun with worldwide appeal. According to National Today, the first ice cream sundae originated in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. This claim to fame came from druggist Edward Berners in 1881 when he first served this delicious dessert.
The History And Evolution Of The Sundae
Ithaca | 1892 | “Sunday”
A local newspaper, the Ithaca Daily Journal, was the first to report this tasty treat in Ithaca, New York, on April 5, 1892, the only city with evidence to back its claim to be the first to invent it. According to visitithaca.com, the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the creation “Sunday”, though this spelling has since evolved into “Sundae“.
Los Angeles| 1906 | Hot Fudge
On Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, the first recorded “hot fudge” is created at the local ice cream parlor, C.C. Browns. According to A La Cart, a food and restaurant-based news outlet, over the past 20+ years, Lawry’s small chain restaurant has served the signature C.C. Brown’s Hot Fudge Sundae. The sundae is always prepared tableside with vanilla ice cream in a silver bowl, topped with hot fudge from a pitcher, hand-chopped roasted almonds, and whipped cream. In 2015 over 23,000 servings of this popular dessert were sold to delighted customers.
Nebraska | 1916 | Tin Roof Sundae
In the quaint town of Potter, Nebraska, Harold Dean Thayer creates his version of a sundae, known as a Tin Roof Sundae, drizzled in chocolate sauce over a scoop of ice cream, then topped with marshmallow sauce and peanuts. According to onlyinyourstate.com, you can still visit this establishment and try the original version of this fun Tin Roof Sundae. Originally a drug store and soda fountain, in 1916, it became an eatery serving these special sundaes.
Fun National Hot Fudge Sundae Day Activities
Its a “Sundae” To Party
- Scoop There It Is | This scoop of Americana celebrates what makes America great with family, friends, a loved one, or your kids. The sundae party should include many toppings and good quality ice cream, as this will surely tempt everyone with a good time.
- Game On | Create a game at the party where everyone draws a random name out of a hat, creating a team of two. The challenge is to craft the best sundae you can, with the winners becoming the sundae kings or queens.
- Spin The Wheel | You can create a prize wheel, putting the names of toppings on each segment. Everyone gets three spins or however many you choose. Whatever the pointer lands on, put it on your sundae for a fun surprise. Spin and enjoy the fruits, candy, or chocolates of your labor.
Call Me Old-Fashioned
- While many of the 1950s-styled ice cream soda fountain-styled eateries have gone the way of the dodo bird, you can still find them today. There is no better way to celebrate this national holiday than experiencing the pleasure of a sundae from the perspective of those who enjoyed them during its inception. Serving not only ice cream sundaes but nostalgia, going to an old-fashioned soda fountain eatery might be the right choice for you.
Hot Fudge Sundae Day Is For The Kids Too
- Kids Will Be Kids | We have many holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, for kids to have fun. However, one could argue that National Hot Fudge Sundae Day is another holiday where the kids can be kids.
- Old Traditions, New Memories | Make this a yearly family tradition. Kids will not only have fun and bond with you. But they will also see the importance of family tradition and togetherness, creating new memories they will look back on with nostalgia.
- Food For Thought | Allow the kids to pick the toppings and bring out their creative and culinary side with a homemade ice cream sundae. Not only filling their bellies, but filling their knowledge of how to complement flavors and food presentation, and most certainly learn to have fun without a tablet or phone in their hands.
