NATIONAL HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY
Fast Facts
- WHEN
- Celebrated each year on July 25th
- WHAT
- Enjoying a tasty ice cream dessert that combines hot and cold with a cherry on top
- FUN FACT
- Hot fudge sundaes have been around since 1906
- VIBE
- Cool, delicious, fun
NATIONAL HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY
On July 25, National Hot Fudge Sundae Day takes a turn representing National Ice Cream Month in delicious style. Feast on this tasty ice cream dessert that combines hot and cold with a cherry on top. Even more important to note, this dessert has been served since 1906.
#HotFudgeSundaeDay
While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is debated. An October 5, 1892 advertisement in the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday. However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, claims Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881.
The Physics of Hot vs. Cold
A classic hot fudge sundae triggers a sensation known as thermal conflict in your taste buds—the contrast between scalding fudge and freezing ice cream enhances how we perceive sweetness!
According to the first sundae story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath. Even so, Berners came up with a compromise. He served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda. Additionally, he topped it with chocolate syrup. Given the day, he called it a Sundae. One interesting catch – Berners was 18 at the time the story takes place.
Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae took place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892, where Reverend John M. Scott stopped to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, the proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped it with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday.
Did you know?
Before maraschino cherries became the bright-red, syrup-soaked toppings we know today, they were actual Marasca cherries preserved in Italian liqueur for high-end cocktails and desserts.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY
Whether you’re celebrating solo or hosting a crowd, here are a few ways to indulge on July 25:
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Set up a sundae station with vanilla bean ice cream, homemade or artisanal hot fudge, whipped cream, crushed waffle cones, toasted peanuts or pecans, and plenty of cherries.
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While vanilla is the traditional base, try swapping in mint chocolate chip, salted caramel, or coffee ice cream under your warm fudge.
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Invite friends or family over to construct their own extreme hot fudge creations, then vote on categories like Most Creative, Tallest Tower, or Best Classic.
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Visit a local ice cream parlor to order their signature hot fudge creation. Don't forget to thank your scooper!
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Capture a photo of your masterpiece and post it on social media using #HotFudgeSundaeDay to join ice cream lovers nationwide.
NATIONAL HOT FUDGE SUNDAE DAY HISTORY
We were unable to find the creator of National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.