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Sundae

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A sundae is a cold and sweet frozen dessert from America. It usually starts with one or more scoops of ice cream. Then, you add a sweet sauce or syrup on top. You can add many fun toppings like sprinkles or whipped cream. Some people use marshmallows, chocolate chips, or even M&M's. You might also find peanuts, cookies, or chocolate brownies in your bowl. Some versions use fruit like bananas or pineapple.

Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae
Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae

There are many different ways to build a sundae. A classic sundae often uses vanilla ice cream. It is topped with syrup, whipped cream, and a red maraschino cherry. These are often served in a special tulip-shaped glass. A banana split is another famous kind. It uses a banana sliced in half lengthwise. It often has strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream. Each scoop gets its own whipped cream and cherry.

Traditional Banana Boat
Traditional Banana Boat

Many different towns argue about who invented the sundae first. This big rivalry is called the "Sundae War." Two Rivers, Wisconsin, says it started in 1881. They say a man named Edward C. Berners drizzled chocolate syrup over ice cream. He sold the treat for a nickel. Another story comes from Ithaca, New York. In 1892, Chester Platt served a "Cherry Sunday" after church.

Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae
Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae

History shows many interesting reasons for the name. In Evanston, Illinois, people could not buy ice cream sodas on Sundays. They made a special dessert with syrup but no soda instead. They called it the "Sunday soda." In Ithaca, the spelling changed to "sundae." This might have been to protect a trademark. It might also have been to avoid religious rules about Sundays.

LgIthacaDailyJournal
LgIthacaDailyJournal

Today, you can find many unique types of sundaes. The Knickerbocker glory is a tall version popular in the United Kingdom. In Nebraska, there is a tin roof sundae. This one has vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and Spanish peanuts. Some sundaes are even named after famous people. In 1909, journals listed treats like the George Washington sundae. There are so many ways to enjoy this sweet treat!

Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae
Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae
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File:Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae.jpg
Wisconsin Historical Marker ice cream sundae.jpg
File:LgIthacaDailyJournal.gif
LgIthacaDailyJournal.gif
File:Ice cream sundae.jpg
Ice cream sundae.jpg
File:Traditional Banana Boat.jpg
Traditional Banana Boat.jpg
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