The sundae is an ice cream dessert. It typically consists of a scoop of ice cream topped with sauce or syrup and, in some cases, other toppings including chopped nuts, sprinkles, whipped cream or maraschino cherries. History and Controversy A chocolate sundae in a shot glassAccording to the Oxford English Dictionary, the origin of the term sundae is obscure. Various American localities have claimed to be the birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae. These claimants include Ithaca, New York; Two Rivers, Wisconsin; Plainfield, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois; New York City; New Orleans, Louisiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Buffalo, New York. There is debate between Ithaca and Two Rivers over which city has the right to claim the title 'Birthplace of the Ice Cream Sundae'. When Ithaca mayor Carolyn K. Peterson proclaimed a day to celebrate her city as the birthplace of the sundae, she received postcards from Two Rivers' citizens reiterating that town's claim.[1] Of the many stories about the invention of the sundae, one frequent theme is the sinfulness of the Ice Cream Soda and the need to produce a substitute for the popular treat for consumption on Sunday. Peter Bird writes in The First Food Empire (2000) that the name 'sundae' was adopted from Illinois state's early prohibition of ice cream consumption on Sundays, because ice cream with a topping that obscured the main product was not deemed to be ice cream. Evanston, Illinois in 1890 Ithaca Daily Journal, May 28, 1892Evanston was one of the first locations to pass a blue law against selling Ice Cream Sodas in 1890. "Some ingenious confectioners and drug store operators [in Evanston]... obeying the law, served ice cream with the syrup of your choice without the soda. Thereby complying with the law ... This sodaless soda was the Sunday Soda." As sales of the dessert continued on Mondays, local leaders then objected to naming the dish after the Sabbath. So the spelling of the name was changed to Sundae. Ithaca, New York in 1892Supporting Ithaca's claim, researchers at The History Center in Tompkins County, New York, provide an account of how the sundae came to be: On Sunday, April 3, 1892 in Ithaca, John M. Scott, a Unitarian Church minister, and Chester Platt, co-owner of Platt & Colt Pharmacy, created the first historically-documented sundae. Platt covered dishes of ice cream with cherry syrup and candied cherries on a whim. The men named the dish 'Cherry Sunday' in honor of the day that it was created. The oldest-known written evidence of a sundae is Platt & Colt's newspaper ad for a 'Cherry Sunday' placed in the Ithaca Daily Journal on April 5, 1892. By May, 1892, the Platt & Colt Soda Fountain also served 'Strawberry Sundays' and, later, 'Chocolate Sundays'. Platt & Colt's Sundays grew so popular that, by 1894, Chester Platt attempted to trademark the term 'Ice Cream Sunday'.
Two Rivers, Wisconsin in 1881Two Rivers' claim is based on the story of George Hallauer asking Edward C. Berners, the owner of Berners' Soda Fountain, to drizzle chocolate syrup over ice cream in 1881. Berners eventually did and wound up selling the treat for a nickel; originally only on Sundays, but later every day. According to this story, the spelling changed when a glass salesman ordered canoe-shaped dishes. When Berners died in 1939, the Chicago Tribune headlined his obituary "Man Who Made First Ice Cream Sundae Is Dead." Two Ithaca High School students, however, claim that Berners would have only been 16 or 17 in 1881 and it is therefore "improbable" that he would have owned an ice cream shop in that year. They also state that the obituary dates Berners' first sundae to 1899 rather than 1881. Types
Classic SundaeThe original sundae. Vanilla ice cream topped with a flavoured sauce or syrup, whipped cream, and maraschino cherry. These sundaes are typically named for their flavoured syrup; Cherry Sundae, Chocolate Sundae, Strawberry Sundae, etc. Soft serve ice cream is often used instead of regular ice cream. Hot Fudge SundaeThe classic Hot Fudge Sundae is a variation on the classic and is often a creation of vanilla ice cream, sprinkles, hot chocolate sauce (hence the "hot fudge"), whipped cream, nuts and a single bright red maraschino cherry on top. A Hot Fudge Sundae can be made with any flavour of ice cream. A Caramel Sundae is the same except that hot caramel sauce replaces the hot fudge. Occasionally peanut butter or other products replace the hot fudge. Double Fudge SundaeIt's like a regular Hot Fudge Sundae, except it's two times bigger and served in big dishes like a banana split dish/bowl. It uses the same ingredients a regular hot fudge sundae uses; including sprinkles, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top. Turtle SundaeThe popular combination of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauces and toasted pecans is known as a Turtle Sundae. Black & WhiteThis sundae features a scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and a scoop of chocolate ice cream with marshmallow topping. Brownie SundaeA rich sundae made with brownies, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, peanuts, hot fudge and whipped cream, often topped with a single bright red maraschino cherry. A blondie may replace the brownie, often with caramel instead of chocolate. Banana SplitMain article: Banana Split Three sundaes in one, side-by-side between two halves of a banana (sliced lengthwise). Includes strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry syrup, chocolate ice cream topped with chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream topped with crushed pineapple. Each scoop is individually garnished with whipped cream and a cherry. Bananas FosterMain article: Bananas Foster This is a sundae that features a flambé of bananas with rum, banana liquor and spices. American ParfaitMain article: American Parfait This is a sundae served in a tall glass filled with layers of ice cream and flavorings; such as granola, syrups or liqueurs. Most ExpensiveAt a price of 1,000 U.S. dollars, the most expensive Ice Cream Sundae is the Serendipity Golden Opulence Sundae, sold by Serendipity 3 restaurant in New York City.The dessert consists of five scoops of Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla, covered in 23-carat edible gold leaf, rare Amedei Porcelana and Chuao chocolate, American Golden caviar, passion fruit, orange, Armagnac, candied fruits from Paris, marzipan cherries, and decorated with real gold dragées. The sundae is served in a baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet with an 18-karat gold spoon.
