NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
Fast Facts
- CELEBRATION
- A food holiday that encourages eating ice cream, and more ice cream
- CELEBRATED
- Each year on August 2
- FUN FACT
- The first ice cream sandwich was originally 1¢
- VIBE
- Chill, cool, sweet
NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
On August 2, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day encourages us to cool off with one of our favorite frozen treats. Whether it's vanilla, strawberry or Neapolitan between two chocolate wafers, the dessert sure will hit the spot on a hot summer day.
#IceCreamSandwichDay
The original ice cream sandwich sold for a penny in 1900 from a pushcart in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Newspapers never identified the name of the vendor in articles that appeared across the country. However, the ice cream sandwiched between milk biscuits became a hit. Soon, pushcarts popped up around the city and country during the summer months selling the portable treats. Early pictures show beachgoers at Atlantic City getting their ice cream sandwiches for 1¢ each.
Once ice cream sandwiches became popular, recipes for home cooks filled the papers. The sandwich layers included everything from angel food and sponge cake to shortbread cookies. Restaurants offered the ice cream sandwich as a decadent dessert for travelers. By 1940, grocers sold sandwiches made with crispy wafers.
Did you know?
The first official recipe for an ice cream sandwich appeared in 1894, using sponge cake rather than cookies or chocolate wafers.
Modern ice cream sandwich with the chocolate wafer is said to be invented in 1945 by Jerry Newberg. The ice cream maker sold his creation at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time, the storied location was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
If the chocolate brownie wafer doesn't appeal to you, don't hesitate to mix it up. All variety of cookies make excellent sandwich parts. Change up the ice cream, too. Around the world, ice cream sandwiches go by a variety of names including the Monaco Bar, Giant Sandwich, Maxibon, Cream Between, Vanilla Slice, and many more.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY
Celebrating National Ice Cream Sandwich Day is as easy as taking a bite, but why stop at the classic store-bought treat? Try these fun ideas to elevate your celebration:
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Gather your favorite homemade or bakery cookies and a few pints of ice cream and build a ice cream bar. Provide sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or crushed nuts for an extra crunch!
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Listen for the nostalgic chime of your neighborhood ice cream truck and grab a treat!
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Try different types of ice cream sandwiches, such as Singaporean ice cream wrapped in colorful sweet bread, or an Australian Maxibon.
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Grab a box of classic sandwiches to share with coworkers, neighbors, or friends.
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Share your photos of your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #IceCreamSandwichDay.
NATIONAL ICE CREAM SANDWICH DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this summertime celebration.
