3 Possible Origins of the Ice Cream Sundae

Historians have long debated the origin of the ice cream sundae. Stories have been passed down for generations about several people who supposedly invented the dessert and their reasons for doing so. The issue has been a source of contention between the cities and among ice cream enthusiasts.

Ed Berners of Two Rivers, Wisconsin claimed that he invented the ice cream sundae in 1881. A customer, George Hallauer, reportedly asked for a serving of ice cream topped with syrup that was typically used for sodas. Berners added the dish to his soda fountain’s menu. George Giffy, the owner of another soda fountain in nearby Manitowoc, Wisconsin, felt that he had to serve the same treat in order to compete with Berners. He believed that Berners’ price, a nickel, was too low and decided to serve ice cream and syrup only on Sundays. After he began making a profit from the dish, he reportedly changed the name to ice cream “sundae” and began serving it every day.

Parts of the United States used to have laws that did not allow soda to be sold on Sundays for religious reasons. Evanston, Illinois passed one such early law in 1890. According to one story, soda fountains, which sold ice cream sodas, began selling them without the soda on Sundays in order to comply with the law and still draw in customers. That left just ice cream and syrup and led to the introduction of the modern ice cream sundae.

A third city that claims to be the birthplace of the ice cream sundae is Ithaca, New York. It was reportedly invented by Chester Platt, the owner of Platt & Colt’s drugstore, in 1893 when he prepared a dish of vanilla ice cream with cherry syrup and a candied cherry for Reverend John Scott on a Sunday. The customer named the dessert after the day it was served.

No matter where the dish originated, an ice cream sundae is a delicious treat loved by many. Enjoy a sundae any day of the week with tasty ice cream from Praline’s.