The sundae, that quintessential American dessert, a symphony of ice cream, syrup, and toppings, has a surprisingly murky origin story. Unlike some culinary creations with well-documented inventors and dates, the sundae’s birth is shrouded in local legends and competing claims, making its history a delicious, albeit slightly frustrating, puzzle to unravel.
The Ice Cream Soda Scarcity: A Puritanical Spark?
One of the most prevalent and compelling narratives surrounding the sundae’s creation centers on the religious restrictions imposed on consuming ice cream sodas on Sundays in the late 19th century. It was an era of strict social norms, particularly in more religiously conservative communities.
Many attribute the sundae’s emergence to Evanston, Illinois, the home of Northwestern University, which was a bastion of Methodism. Legend has it that in 1890, a local ordinance prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on Sundays, deemed too frivolous for the Sabbath.
Local drugstores, which often served as soda fountains, faced a dilemma. They needed to cater to the public’s sweet tooth while adhering to the strict regulations. Clever confectioners found a loophole: ice cream without the soda! Thus, the ice cream sundae was supposedly born as a soda-less alternative.
However, Evanston historian Jim Prichard has cast doubt on this account, stating that while Evanston did have strict temperance laws, he found no evidence of an ordinance specifically banning ice cream sodas on Sundays. He suggests the “blue law” theory may be a later embellishment.
The Manitowoc Marvel: A Wisconsin Claim to Fame
Another strong contender for the sundae’s birthplace is Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Ed Berners, the owner of Berners’ Ice Cream Parlor, is credited with creating the first sundae in 1881.
As the story goes, a customer named George Hallauer requested that Berners serve him ice cream with the chocolate syrup typically used for ice cream sodas. Berners initially hesitated but eventually obliged, creating a novel dessert.
Hallauer enjoyed the concoction so much that he began ordering it regularly, and soon, other patrons wanted to try it. Berners initially only served it on Sundays, calling it a “Sunday” in honor of the day it was created.
The spelling was later changed to “sundae” to avoid offending religious sensibilities, though the exact timing and reason for the spelling change remain somewhat unclear. Berners’ Ice Cream Parlor eventually closed, but the legacy of the sundae lives on in Manitowoc.
The Manitowoc Public Library has a wealth of information supporting the Berners’ claim, including historical advertisements and newspaper articles. In 2006, the city of Manitowoc officially declared itself the “Home of the Ice Cream Sundae.”
Ithaca’s Innovation: A New York Contender
Ithaca, New York, also stakes a claim to the sundae’s invention. This narrative focuses on the Platt & Colt Pharmacy, where Chester Platt and John M. Scott worked.
In 1892, Reverend John M. Scott visited the pharmacy after church on a Sunday. He asked Platt for a dish of ice cream with cherry syrup, something Platt had never prepared before. Platt created the treat, and Scott declared it “delicious.”
Platt, inspired by the positive reaction, began offering the new concoction on Sundays, calling it “Cherry Sunday.” Soon, other flavors were added, and the name was shortened to “sundae.”
The Ithaca claim is supported by documentation from the DeWitt Historical Society of Tompkins County, which holds records pertaining to the Platt & Colt Pharmacy and the alleged sundae invention.
Samuel Risley, a local businessman, is credited with popularizing the sundae in Ithaca, introducing it to his own establishments.
Variations on a Theme: Early Sundae Styles
Regardless of its exact origin, the early sundae was a relatively simple affair. It typically consisted of a scoop or two of ice cream topped with syrup.
Over time, the sundae evolved, with different regions and confectioners adding their own unique touches. Whipped cream, nuts, candies, and fruits became increasingly common additions.
Different types of syrups, such as chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch, also emerged, expanding the possibilities for sundae creation.
The “Tin Roof Sundae,” featuring chocolate syrup and peanuts, became a popular variation. The “Brownie Sundae,” incorporating a warm brownie, added a textural contrast.
The Sundae’s Spread: From Local Treat to National Sensation
The sundae’s popularity rapidly grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Soda fountains across the United States began offering their own versions of the dessert, catering to local tastes and preferences.
Newspapers and magazines featured articles about the sundae, further fueling its widespread adoption. The sundae quickly became a symbol of American indulgence and a staple of soda fountain culture.
The development of commercial ice cream production and improved refrigeration technologies made ice cream more readily available, contributing to the sundae’s widespread appeal.
The sundae’s simple yet customizable nature made it a versatile dessert, adaptable to different flavors, toppings, and presentations.
The Enduring Appeal: Why the Sundae Still Reigns Supreme
Despite the evolution of dessert trends, the sundae has maintained its popularity throughout the decades. Its enduring appeal stems from several factors:
Simplicity: The sundae is a relatively simple dessert to prepare, requiring only a few basic ingredients.
Customization: The sundae is highly customizable, allowing for endless variations in flavors, toppings, and presentations.
Nostalgia: For many people, the sundae evokes feelings of nostalgia and happy memories of childhood.
Comfort Food: The sundae is a classic comfort food, offering a sweet and satisfying indulgence.
Celebration: The sundae is often associated with celebrations and special occasions.
Beyond the Basics: Sundae Variations and Global Adaptations
While the classic sundae remains a beloved treat, countless variations have emerged over the years, reflecting regional preferences and culinary innovations.
Globally, the sundae has been adapted to incorporate local flavors and ingredients. In some countries, tropical fruits, exotic spices, and unique toppings are used to create distinctive sundae experiences.
The “banana split,” a sundae variation featuring a banana sliced lengthwise and topped with ice cream, syrup, nuts, and whipped cream, is a particularly popular example.
Restaurant chains and ice cream parlors often offer signature sundaes, showcasing their own creative interpretations of the classic dessert.
High-end restaurants may offer gourmet sundaes, using premium ingredients and sophisticated plating techniques.
The Sweet Truth: Unraveling the Mystery
Ultimately, pinpointing the exact origin of the sundae with absolute certainty remains an elusive task. The competing claims from Manitowoc and Ithaca, coupled with the conflicting evidence and lack of definitive documentation, contribute to the ongoing debate.
While the Evanston “blue law” theory adds an intriguing layer to the story, its historical accuracy has been questioned.
Perhaps the most reasonable conclusion is that the sundae evolved independently in multiple locations, driven by a combination of factors, including religious restrictions, customer requests, and culinary experimentation.
Regardless of its true origin, the sundae has undoubtedly become a beloved American dessert, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity, customization, and ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia and happiness. The sweet mystery surrounding its creation only adds to its charm, making the sundae a timeless treat with a story as rich and layered as its many delicious variations.
The legend will continue, making every bite a sweet investigation into the past.
What are the primary cities vying for the title of “birthplace of the sundae” and what are their claims?
The two main cities claiming to be the birthplace of the sundae are Evanston, Illinois, and Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Evanston’s claim centers around the city’s prohibition of selling soda water on Sundays in the late 19th century. Drugstore owners, seeking to circumvent the law, are said to have started serving ice cream with syrup, omitting the soda, and calling it a “Sunday.” This eventually evolved into the sundae as we know it.
Two Rivers, however, tells a different story. They credit confectioner Edward C. Berners with accidentally creating the sundae in 1881. According to the story, a customer named George Hallauer requested that Berners serve him ice cream with syrup, something he usually only reserved for sodas. Berners liked the creation so much that he began serving it regularly, initially only on Sundays, thus giving it the name “Sundae.”
Is there definitive historical proof to confirm either Evanston or Two Rivers as the true originator of the sundae?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive historical proof that irrefutably confirms either Evanston or Two Rivers as the undisputed originator of the sundae. Both cities have compelling stories and supporting anecdotal evidence, but concrete documentation from the period is scarce or ambiguous. This lack of definitive proof is what contributes to the ongoing debate and culinary mystery surrounding the sundae’s origins.
The competing claims are primarily based on local traditions, historical society records, and oral histories passed down through generations. These sources, while valuable, often lack the precision and corroboration required to establish absolute certainty. Therefore, the question of the sundae’s precise origins remains open to interpretation and personal belief.
What role did religious restrictions play in the purported creation of the sundae?
Religious restrictions, specifically blue laws prohibiting the sale of certain items on Sundays, are a key element in the Evanston origin story. The alleged ban on soda water sales on Sundays forced druggists, who typically operated soda fountains, to find alternative ways to serve ice cream. This is where the idea of serving it with syrup, but without the soda, is said to have originated, thus circumventing the legal restrictions.
However, the extent to which such religious restrictions were uniformly enforced or even existed in all locations is debatable. Some historians question the widespread implementation of these laws, suggesting that the sundae’s creation may have been motivated by other factors, such as a desire to create a novel dessert or simply cater to customer preferences. The religious restriction theory adds another layer of complexity to the already ambiguous origins.
How did the spelling of “Sunday” evolve into “Sundae”?
The spelling change from “Sunday” to “Sundae” likely occurred for a couple of reasons. One potential reason is to further distance the dessert from the religious association with Sunday, particularly if religious restrictions were a factor in its creation. By altering the spelling, it became a distinct culinary item, rather than simply a treat eaten on a specific day.
Another possibility is that the spelling change was simply a marketing tactic. “Sundae” could have been perceived as more visually appealing or memorable, making it a more effective name for advertising and promotion. The use of creative spelling was not uncommon in the late 19th century, and this could have been another instance of that practice.
What other cities or regions have been proposed as possible sundae originators, and what evidence supports their claims?
While Evanston and Two Rivers are the most prominent contenders, other cities and regions have also been suggested as possible sundae originators, although with less substantial evidence. Ithaca, New York, has been mentioned, with a claim stemming from a local drugstore owner who supposedly created a similar dessert around the same time. However, this claim lacks the widespread support and historical documentation of the other two cities.
Pueblo, Colorado, is another city that has been occasionally mentioned, with a story involving a young boy requesting syrup on his ice cream. These additional claims often lack the detailed narratives and sustained local traditions that characterize the Evanston and Two Rivers stories. They may represent instances of similar desserts being created independently around the same period.
What were some of the original toppings used in early versions of the sundae?
The original toppings used in early versions of the sundae were relatively simple. Syrups, often chocolate or fruit-based, were the primary addition to the ice cream. Nuts, particularly chopped pecans or walnuts, were also common toppings, adding texture and flavor. Whipped cream, although not always present, was another frequent addition, contributing to the dessert’s richness and visual appeal.
Other toppings that may have been used, although less consistently, include candied fruits, cherries, and sprinkles. These additions would have varied depending on the location, the ingredients available, and the confectioner’s personal preferences. The simplicity of the original toppings reflects the limited variety of commercially available ingredients at the time.
Why does the debate over the sundae’s origins continue to persist despite the lack of definitive proof?
The debate over the sundae’s origins continues to persist for several reasons, including local pride, historical ambiguity, and the enduring popularity of the dessert itself. Both Evanston and Two Rivers have embraced their respective claims as part of their local history and identity, leading to a strong sense of ownership and investment in their narratives. The lack of definitive proof allows for continued interpretation and debate, keeping the mystery alive.
Furthermore, the sundae remains a beloved and widely consumed dessert. This ongoing popularity fuels interest in its origins, as people are naturally curious about the history of something they enjoy so much. The combination of local pride, historical ambiguity, and the enduring appeal of the sundae ensures that the debate over its origins will likely continue for years to come.