Sundae delights senses
By LISA LOSASSO BELL
Sunshine, swimming pools, cookouts and picnics … it doesn’t get much better than that, unless you add ice cream to the mix. July is National Ice Cream Month, and if you’re on the hunt for the biggest, baddest ice cream sundaes in the area, you’re in luck.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July as National Ice Cream Month and also designated the third Sunday of every month as National Ice Cream Day.
According to the National Dairy Foods Association, the U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales. Ice cream accounts for approximately 9 percent of all milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers.
In the Youngstown area, we are fortunate enough to have some of the best ice cream shops in the United States, including national ice cream chains such as Bruster’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Dairy Queen. We also have locally owned shops such as Betty Jo’s Ice Cream Stop in New Springfield; Katie’s Korner, which opened its first shop in Canfield, and Handel’s, which started with a small family-owned ice cream stand off of Market Street in Youngstown and has grown to national acclaim.
Betty Jo’s Ice Cream Stop at 13225 Woodworth Road, New Springfield offers one-scoop sundaes with Hershey’s hot fudge, strawberry and pineapple toppings, whipped cream and a cherry on top for $3.19. Betty Jo’s offers 32 flavors of ice cream and makes homemade waffle bowls. A waffle bowl sundae is $4.85.
Bruster’s Ice Cream has locations at 2262 E. State St. in Salem and at 1300 N. State St. in Girard. It opened in 1989 as a family owned ice cream shop in Bridgewater, Pa. Today, Bruster’s has more than 210 stores in the Eastern United States. Sundaes include the Banana Split with 9 ounces of ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberry and pineapple topping, banana, whipped cream and a cherry on top for $4.50. On Thursdays, bring your own banana and get your banana split for half price. Other sundaes include Hot Fudge Brownie, Strawberry Shortcake, Peanut Butter Cup, Turtle, waffle bowls and special requests. Kid sundaes include the dirt sundae with ice cream, crumbled Oreos and two gummy worms on top and the dino sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles and a dino cookie for $2.15. Free doggie sundaes are available to all canine visitors.
At Cold Stone Creamery, signature sundaes include the Hunka-Chunka Burnin’ Fudge, Who Ya Callin’ Shortcake?, Apple Dumpling and Banana Split Decision with its signature vanilla ice cream. Customers can also design their own sundaes with their favorite ice cream and toppings. This year, in honor of National Ice Cream month, Cold Stone is featuring batter-inspired ice cream flavors including chocolate cake batter, blueberry muffin batter, cookie batter and cake batter. Area locations are 439-B Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman; 5549 Mahoning Ave., Austintown; and 1924 Niles-Cortland Road, Warren.
Handel’s Ice Cream has been an area favorite since 1945. Still made fresh every day on the premises, Handel’s now has 50 flavors and ice cream shops throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and California. With area locations at 4800 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown, 7365 South Ave. and 1491 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman, 310 West State Route 14 in Columbiana, 6594 Clingan Rd. in Poland and 3931 Handel’s Court in Youngstown, it’s never a far drive to find your favorite sundae. For $3.50, Handel’s sundaes range from the traditional sundae with a myriad of toppings to specialty sundaes such as the Blondie Sundae and seasonal favorites, which include fresh peach shortcake, hot apple dumpling, strawberry shortcake and cinnamon roll. On Saturday, Handel’s will thank loyal customers with $1 cone day.
Katie’s corner, which opened in 1983, added a second store in Canfield in 1987. Area locations can be found at 6520 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown, 400 W. Main St. in Canfield, 1105 Tibbetts-Wick Rd. in Girard, 1913 Niles-Cortland Rd. in Howland and 2591 N. Main St. in Hubbard. It produces and distributes more than 70 flavors to retail locations and commercial accounts. Sundaes range from $3.49 to $4.19 and include brownie; peanut butter cup or tin roof spin; Ho-ho with vanilla ice cream, chocolate cake, marshmallow cream and hot fudge; strawberry shortcake and banana split.
Soft-serve ice cream fans can still enjoy their favorite sundaes at Dairy Queen Stores throughout the area. Sundaes include soft serve with hot fudge, caramel and other toppings; waffle bowl sundaes with chocolate covered strawberries, fudge brownie temptation and turtle; Oreo Brownie Earthquake; and the all-time favorite banana split.
Pecan Ice Cream Roll
1‚Ñ2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1‚Ñ2 cup chopped pecans
6 chocolate cookies, crushed
Caramel or hot fudge topping
Whipped cream
6 maraschino cherries, chopped
Divide ice cream into 6 equal amounts and spread into an 8x8-inch square on plastic wrap. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cookie crumbs down the center of ice cream. Roll up ice cream to form log shape. Freeze 1‚Ñ2 hour. Pull back from plastic wrap and sprinkle each log with pecan pieces. Rewrap in plastic and freeze for two hours or overnight. Remove plastic wrap and place on serving dish. Drizzle with topping. Garnish with whipped cream and cherries. Option: one large roll can be made in lieu of 6 small rolls.
Apple ‘n’ Oatmeal Cookie Crisp a la Mode
Your favorite apple crisp recipe that makes at least 3 cups of crisp
8 scoops of vanilla ice cream
Hot caramel topping
Whipped cream
8 maraschino cherries
Spoon 1‚Ñ3 cup apple crisp on each serving dish. Place a scoop of ice cream on crisp. Drizzle with caramel topping. Top with whipped cream and a cherry. Makes 8 servings.
Waffle Berry a la Mode
1‚Ñ2 cup strawberry topping
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1‚Ñ2 cup blueberries
1‚Ñ2 cup raspberries
4 frozen waffles, toasted
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
4 whole strawberries for garnish
Gently toss 1‚Ñ4 cup strawberry topping with berries; set aside. Place waffle on serving plate. Spoon 1‚Ñ2 cup berry mixture on waffle. Top with a scoop of ice cream, 1 tablespoon topping and whipped cream. Garnish with additional strawberry. Makes 4 servings.
Seven Layer Sundae
1 frozen waffle, toasted
1 scoop chocolate ice cream
1 peanut butter cookie, cut in half
Chocolate topping
Candy sprinkles
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherry
Chocolate topping
Place toasted waffle on serving dish. Scoop ice cream onto center of toasted waffle. Insert cookie halves at an angle into ice cream. Top with chocolate topping, sprinkles and whipped cream. Garnish with cherry. Makes 1 serving.
Triple Chocolate Crunch Shake
2 chocolate cookies broken into pieces
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 scoops chocolate ice cream, softened
1‚Ñ3 cup milk
Garnishes
Whipped cream
Candy sprinkles
Place all ingredients except garnishes in blender. Cover and blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Garnish blended mixture with whipped cream and sprinkles. Makes 1 serving.