From humble street food to beloved frozen treat, the ice cream sandwich has come a long way since its inception in the late 19th century. This delightful combination of creamy ice cream and crispy wafers has captured the hearts and taste buds of people around the world.
The story begins on the bustling streets of New York City in the late 1800s. Street vendors on the Bowery, known for their culinary innovations, started selling a primitive version of the ice cream sandwich. These early treats, called “hokey pokeys,” consisted of ice cream held between two pieces of paper, sold for just a penny. It was an instant hit among the working class, offering a moment of sweet relief from the summer heat.
The first written mention of the ice cream sandwich appeared in 1899 in the New York Mail and Express. The article proclaimed, “There are ham sandwiches and salmon sandwiches and cheese sandwiches and several other kinds of sandwiches, but the latest is the ice-cream sandwich”. This novel creation quickly caught the attention of Wall Street workers, blurring class lines as brokers stood side by side with messengers and office boys, enjoying their frozen treats on the sidewalk.
As the ice cream sandwich gained popularity, it began to evolve. The earliest known recipe, dating back to 1894, called for vanilla ice cream to be sandwiched between two slices of sponge cake. This version was a far cry from the chocolate wafer sandwiches we know today, but it set the stage for further innovations.
The ice cream sandwich took an exciting turn in 1928 when a San Francisco ice cream vendor had a stroke of genius. He decided to place a scoop of ice cream between two oatmeal cookies and then dip the entire creation in chocolate. While the chocolate coating didn’t catch on, the use of cookies as the sandwich “bread” certainly did. This California innovation paved the way for countless variations we enjoy today.
The modern ice cream sandwich, with its characteristic chocolate wafers, is often attributed to Jerry Newberg, a vendor at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh during the 1940s. However, the true origins of this specific version remain somewhat murky, as Newberg’s claim hasn’t been independently verified.
In 2019, Devra First, a writer at the “The Boston Herald” spoke with Newberg, along with his son Bruce and grandson Matt about this claim. She said, his grandson told her that Newberg believes he invented the ice cream sandwich, so, “as an ode to my grandfather, I cited him as one of the inventors in Wikipedia.” As a result, this “fact” then made its way into numerous articles and a couple of books. “We’re not sure he’s actually the inventor,” Matt says, “but we call him that because we love him.”
Another milestone in ice cream sandwich history came in 1982 when Richard LaMotta introduced the Chipwich in New York City. This creation, featuring ice cream sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies and rolled in chocolate chips, was an instant success, selling 25,000 units within hours of its debut.
Today, ice cream sandwiches come in countless variations, from classic vanilla between chocolate wafers to gourmet versions featuring artisanal ice cream and freshly baked cookies. “In the beginning, vanilla was the standard flavor for the filling of an ice cream sandwich,” writes Mental Floss. “But flavors evolved to include Neapolitan (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry), and nowadays every flavor under the sun.”
Chef Scott Green, a member of the Bronze-medal winning Pastry Team USA in 2015, has two standout recipes that we absolutely adore – one for molasses spiced cookies and another for creamy vanilla ice cream. When combined, they create an extraordinary dessert experience!
The treat has also inspired similar desserts around the world. In Iran, the “bastani-e nooni” features saffron and rosewater ice cream between wafers, dipped in pistachios. Vietnam offers the “bánh mì kẹp kem,” ice cream between bread slices, topped with crushed peanuts.
Here is a recipe from Nielsen-Massey Vanilla for a Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich.
The enduring popularity of the ice cream sandwich is celebrated annually on August 2nd, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. This frozen confection, born from the ingenuity of street vendors over a century ago, continues to delight dessert lovers of all ages, proving that sometimes the simplest ideas can become timeless classics.
From its humble beginnings as a penny treat to its current status as a beloved frozen dessert, the ice cream sandwich has truly stood the test of time. Its history is a testament to American innovation and the universal appeal of a perfectly balanced sweet treat. So the next time you bite into an ice cream sandwich, remember – you’re not just enjoying a delicious dessert, you’re taking part in a rich culinary tradition that spans over a century.
References:
Pirnia, Garnin. 1 August 2022, “6 Things You Might Not Know About Ice Cream Sandwiches,” MentalFloss.com.
First, Devera. 30 July, 2019, “Birth of the cool: The story behind the ice cream sandwich, an icon at 120,” “Boston Herald.”
“6 Facts You Might Not Know About Ice Cream Sandwiches,” Eclipse Foods.
Anaya, Cynthia. 5 December 2022, “The Delicious History of the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich,” Daily Meal.
National Day Calendar