Today is dedicated to making up your own Sundae Day. What a fun way to spend an afternoon, inventing and then taste testing your own Sundae. But first a little background:

The ice cream sundae was invented in 1893 by Chester Platt, the owner of Platt & Colt’s drugstore. Platt prepared a dish of vanilla ice cream for the Reverend John Scott on a Sunday. He spiced up the ice cream with cherry syrup and a candied cherry. Reverend Scott named the dish after the day.

Another story claims that Edward C. Berners invented the first sundae in 1881 after a customer asked him to drizzle chocolate sauce over ice cream. Berners started selling the creation on Sundays for 5 cents, hence the name.

Another claims that the ice cream sundae was invented in the late 19th century in Evanston, Illinois. In 1890, Evanston passed a law that prohibited the selling of soda on Sundays. A local soda fountain, Garwoods’ Drugstore, began selling ice cream sodas without the soda on Sundays, leaving just ice cream and the soda syrup.

Evanston claims to have originated the name or phrase – ice cream sundae. However, they do not claim to have been the originator of the sundae. Ed Berners, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin is reputed to have invented the first ice cream sundae in 1881.

The first historically documented sundae was created in Ithaca, New York in 1892. Reverend John M. Scott, a Unitarian Church minister in Ithaca, New York and Chester Platt, co-owner of Platt & Colt Pharmacy, created the first historically documented sundae. It consisted of a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a champagne saucer topped with candied cherries and cherry syrup which they made on a whim.

The name has an equal amount of confusion. The story goes that Ed Berners, of Two Rivers, Wisconsin spelled his treat, “ice cream Sunday”. The spelling was changed to “sundae” to avoid offending religious leaders.

Another story tells us about a pharmacist named Charles Sonntag who created the treat and named it “sonntag” after himself. “Sonntag” means “Sunday” in German. The name was translated to “Sunday” and later spelled as “sundae”.

Today there are a lot of names for ice cream sundaes. Here are some unique names people call them:

Banana split, Hot fudge, Brownie sundae, Dusty Road, Cookie monster, Peanut butter, Strawberry shortcake, Turtle, Smore’s, Waffle sundae, Chunky monkey, Booger, Cicada, Vanilla, Cereal milk, Pizza, Cold sweat, Tiger tail, Pet bird.

 

However, the Sundae came into being and whatever you want to call it, we are glad that they exist. Here are some fun facts about ice cream sundaes:

• The world’s largest ice cream sundae weighed 54,914 pounds.
• The Hot Fudge Sundae was created in 1906 at C.C. Browns in Los Angeles.
• July 25th is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.
• Chocolate syrup is the most popular ice cream topping.
• Hawaiian Punch originated as an ice cream topping.

 

Here is an Ice Cream Sundae Recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 2 tablespoons chocolate ganache
• 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
• 1/4 cup whipped cream
• 1 maraschino cherry, with stems
• 2 tablespoons peanuts, roughly chopped

 

Directions:

1. Add ice cream to a bowl.
2. Add chocolate ganache drizzled over ice cream.
3. Add caramel sauce drizzled over ice cream.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Add cherry over whipped cream.
6. Sprinkle peanuts over entire dish.
7. Enjoy!

 

Make Your Own Sundae Day is celebrated on July 11. It’s a day to get together with loved ones to celebrate the summer, boost mental and emotional health, and support closer relationships.

On this day, people express their creativity by making their own sundaes with a wide selection of toppings. They gather all the ingredients needed to make one, including ice cream, hot fudge, and toppings.

Here are some ways to celebrate:

• Create a sundae bar with toppings like nuts, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream
• Go out for ice cream
• Host a sundae party
• Try new recipes
• Take photos and tag #forkuacademy or @forkuacademy
• Make your own hot fudge sauce
• Make it boozy

No matter how you celebrate it is important to be creative, have fun and enjoy. Let us know what you put on your Sundae.