Ice Cream Sandwich Wafer Recipe

Ice cream is widely available in the United States. Find it in the frozen section at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and anywhere else that sells food. It's also typically available in both fast-food and sit-down restaurants. Some shops and restaurants specialize in ice cream like Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery, and Bruster's. Some people choose to make their own ice cream at home by purchasing an ice cream maker.

Where to Buy Ice Cream

Where Did Ice Cream Come From

The exact origin of ice cream isn't clear, but history suggests that it began with an affinity for icy beverages. Historical figures like King Solomon, Alexander the Great, and Nero Claudius Caesar allegedly enjoyed eating snow flavored with everything from honey to fruit juices. Noble members of the Tang Dynasty enjoyed a frozen snack that included milk and camphor, according to PBS. Throughout medieval times, aristocrats in Europe adapted an icy drink known as sherbet from the Middle East. By the 17th century, a Naples man named Antonio Latini created a sorbet containing milk that many consider the first official ice cream.

Ice Cream in the United States

Ice cream in the United States dates back to the arrival of European settlers in the 1700s. The first ice cream parlor in the New World opened in 1790 in New York, but it remained a treat for prominent citizens for years. Former presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln all enjoyed ice cream. When ice houses were invented, ice cream became a more mainstream treat sold mostly through soda fountains and ice cream parlors. During World War II, it was a popular treat for the troops. After the war, it became even more mainstream as it was mass-produced and sold in grocery stores.

What Is in Ice Cream

Not all ice cream has the same ingredients, but cream and sugar are the basic foundation for traditional ice cream. The U.S. requires that any ice cream sold has at least 10% milkfat. The higher the milkfat, the smoother the ice cream is. Many commercially sold ice creams contain stabilizers to improve texture, and some may include sugar substitutes to lower the sugar content. Finally, ingredients, ranging from vanilla to fruit are added to change the ice cream's flavor.

How to Make Ice Cream

Ingredients are mixed and added to a freezer, but the work doesn't end there when making ice cream. Constant churning prevents the mixture from turning into ice by adding air to create the familiar ice cream texture. When the ice cream is finished, it should be stored in a freezer in an airtight container.

Variations on Ice Cream

These days there are many variations on traditional ice cream. Soft serve is churned more frequently and kept at lower temperatures while frozen custard ice cream contains egg yolks. Frozen yogurt is yogurt that is churned like ice cream, and gelato is denser and contains more milk than cream.

Other Interesting Facts About Ice Cream

More ice cream is produced and eaten in the U.S. than any other country in the world, and California produces more than any other state. The average household eats 48 pints per year, and plain vanilla is the most popular flavor. Chocolate syrup is the most popular topping. The first known ice cream cone was sold in 1904 at the World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day of the week, which is ironic considering that years ago when soda fountains first opened, enjoying an ice cream soda on Sunday was frowned upon.