Sundae Recipes

Sundae

The ice cream sundae is one of America’s most popular treats, and despite the dessert’s chilly nature, its origin is hotly contested. There are three versions of the sundae’s origin, one from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, another from Evanston, Illinois, and the third from Ithaca, New York. While the claims may be widespread, each story is similar: the dessert was a creation born of necessity, either by special request or because of Sunday restrictions on indulgent treats in the late 1800's. Whoever it was that put the first splash of syrup over a scoop of ice cream and had the remarkable notion to top it with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry, today there are ice cream connoisseurs across the country who gladly raise a spoon to their innovation.

Americans eat nearly 23 quarts of ice cream per person annually. Vanilla is the most popular flavor, routinely accounting for over 25 percent of sales, while chocolate, butter pecan, chocolate chip, and Neapolitan are other consistent favorites.

Sundae Tips

There is no wrong way to craft an ice cream sundae, though many aficionados claim to have perfected the dessert. A traditional sundae consists of one or more flavors of ice cream topped with complimentary syrups and garnished with whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry, though there are so many variations that the choices are nearly unlimited. For decadent sundaes, try these tips:

• Use a metal ice cream scoop that has been warmed slightly to make scooping easier.
• Chill sundae dishes first to keep the ice cream from prematurely melting.
• Choose a spoon long enough to reach the bottom of the sundae glass.
• Toast nuts to bring out their flavor and provide a crunchier texture.
• Use complimentary ice cream flavors or separate disparate scoops with a bit of vanilla.
• Keep a variety of toppings on hand for innovation: crushed cookies, small candies, sprinkles, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, crumbled candy bars, and the like.

Ice cream sundaes are a classic summer treat and a great choice for parties, celebrations, or a romantic dessert to share. With an infinite variety of combinations, there are always ways to create the perfect sundae.