In a Bowl, a Cone, or on a Stick?

How do you prefer to eat your ice cream? Whether it's in a bowl, in a cone, or on a stick, ice cream is a sweet, delicious treat loved the world over, especially in the United States. Because it is a beloved dessert in the U.S., we dedicate the whole month of July to celebrate it!

With that in mind, below are some fun facts about this cold delectable confection that tastes so extra special during Texas summers.

• The number one flavor in the U.S. according to the International Dairy Association is...vanilla! Chocolate and strawberry follow behind. These are original ice cream flavors, however, chocolate chip mint, butter pecan, cookie dough, and cookies and cream are awfully yummy too. Which is your favorite flavor? Mine is cherry vanilla in honor of my grandmother.
• The ice cream cone was invented by "accident" at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. An ice cream seller ran out of bowls to serve his ice cream in, so a waffle maker at the Fair rolled one of his waffles into a cone shape, and, voila, the waffle cone was born!
• Did someone say, "Here comes the ice cream truck!"? The first ice cream truck was invented in 1920 by Harry Burt of Youngstown, Ohio. He created a chocolate-covered ice cream bar on a stick that became known as the Good Humor bar. Harry's son gave him the idea of putting the bar on a stick for easy handling. Harry was the first Good Humor Man. Nothing reminds folks of summer more than the sounds and sight of a neighborhood ice cream truck.

Fun fact: did you know that it takes approximately 50 licks to finish one scoop of ice cream? Bring on the scoops!!

If all this talk about ice cream and ice cream bars is making you hungry, explore these links to easy, at-home ice cream recipes:

Vanilla and Chocolate Homemade Ice Cream Bars, opens a new window

Vanilla Ice Cream Bars Dipped in Chocolate, opens a new window

3-Ingredient Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, opens a new window

Or check out one of these books from our collection:

No-churn Ice Cream

Food52 Ice Cream & Friends

An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Willy Wonka

Let's dig in!