Sundaes: America’s Cool Creamy Treat To The World

One of the yummiest treats ever created in the world of desserts is the ice cream sundae. Sweet, creamy, and refreshing, sundaes are truly the coolest treat one can have. The irresistible ice cream treat, however, is not limited from being a cold saccharine for the mouth but a symbol of true American culinary creativity.

Sundaes normally consist of a scoop of ice cream covered with sweet thick syrup such as chocolate, strawberry, caramel and butterscotch, and sometimes topped with whipped cream, chopped peanuts, sliced fruits, or cherries. Originating from classic American diners, sundaes are now served almost everywhere from plush hotel restaurants, dessert joints, fast food chains, and even at home not just in America but around the globe.

American historians say around the late 1800s sundaes served as the alternative indulgence to the sinful ice cream sodas, which were prohibited to be served during Sundays or the holy Sabbath day. Since served every Sunday the ice cream treat was called the sundae. As time went on, the sweet syrup covered ice cream is no longer served only on Sundays and became an all-time everyday treat.

Sundaes are undisputedly an American creation. No particular city, however, has been established as the birthplace of the dessert. Many claims have been made to the origin of the first sundae but the rivaling claims of Ithaca of New York and Two Rivers in Wisconsin are the most popular.

Two Rivers claims that the ice cream sundae was born in their town as early as 1881. One Sunday of that year, a certain customer named George Halluer asked ice cream parlor owner Edward Berner for an ice cream soda. Reminded that it can’t be served during Sabbath but having a strong craving at the same time, Halluer asked Berner for a scoop of ice cream but with chocolate syrup on top instead. Berner later offered to other customers the concoction, which became a best-selling item in his parlor.

Ithaca, on the other hand, made a bit late claim starting with the year 1892 when another soda parlor owner Chester C. Platt served one hot Sunday afternoon a cold treat for Unitarian Church pastor John M. Scott. The treat was made of a plain vanilla ice cream poured with cherry syrup and topped with candied cherry, which was later called the Cherry Sunday. The new specialty treat was advertised on a local newspaper enticing other people to try it at 10 cents.

Other more claims from Illinois, Louisiana, and Ohio have also been made. No particular story, however, could consensually settle the authenticity of the claim worthy for the real origin of the dessert. Despite the lack of a particular town or city of birthplace, sundaes remain a true American pride.