Sundae

A sundae is a dessert made of ice cream topped with sauce or syrup and often additional toppings such as whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, or a cherry.

A sundae is a dessert made of ice cream topped with sauce or syrup and often additional toppings such as whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, or a cherry. Its origin is contested, with several late-19th-century American claims and a commonly cited connection to Sunday sales restrictions and the spelling shift from "Sunday" to "sundae". Sundaes are widely available in Canada through ice cream shops, diners, restaurants, and fast-food chains, and they are a familiar North American dessert for Canadian readers.

Description

A sundae is an ice cream dessert served with syrup or sauce and often garnished with toppings. It is a highly customizable dessert and is commonly sold in restaurants, ice cream shops, and fast-food outlets.

Origin stories

Several American towns and businesses claim to have invented the sundae in the late 19th century. Accounts most often mention Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Evanston, Illinois, and Ithaca, New York, but the historical record is not settled.

Name and spelling

The dessert’s name is often traced to "Sunday," with later spelling changes to "sundae." One explanation is that the name reflected Sunday service or Sunday-only sales restrictions and was later altered to avoid religious sensitivity.

Typical presentation

Sundaes are often served in a bowl or glass and may include ice cream layered with chocolate, caramel, or fruit sauce. Whipped cream, cherries, nuts, and sprinkles are among the most familiar toppings.