Tuesday, July 20, 2010

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Nothing says summer like an ice cream cone on a hot July day. That's why it makes perfect sense that July is National Ice Cream Month! How will you celebrate and honor this frozen confection?

Many of today's ice creams have jumped from the candy aisle into your grocer's freezer. M&M's now offers such goodies as ice cream sandwiches and character cakes. Snickers produces ice cream bars, cones, and brownie sandwiches. You can find Twix bars and 90-calorie miniatures in the ice cream aisle. Breyer's must also like the idea of marrying candy and ice cream. Its line of fun flavors includes mixes of Oreo cookies, Reese's peanut butter cups, Snickers bars, and Heath candies.

Dove, however, has the opposite story. Founder Leo Stefanos started covering his ice cream bars in rich, creamy chocolate in the 1950s. Dovebars were a hit, and in 1986, M&M/Mars acquired the idea. In 1991, the company started manufacturing the chocolate ice cream covering on its own, introducing it as Dove Promises.

Some ice cream makers sell their products in their shops as well as supermarkets. Patrons to Ben & Jerry's, Carvel, and Friendly's can go into their favorite ice cream boutiques nationwide or just head to the grocery store to pick up a renowned pint, cake, or individualized sundae.

Of course, some ice cream brands you can only find at the supermarket. Blue Bunny, Dreyer's/Edy's, and Häagen-Dazs are staples that continue to crank out creative flavors year after year, like Birthday Party, Nestlé Drumstick Sundae Cone, and Bananas Foster.

Of course, it's always possible to customize your own creation at a place like Coldstone Creamery, Dairy Queen, or Marble Slab.

Ice cream is definitely meant to be enjoyed year-round, but there really is nothing like delighting in a cold treat melting quickly as the mercury rises. When I hear the melodic tune of the Good Humor truck and see that van round the corner, I know we are in the thick of summer. Does it get any better?

What's your favorite ice cream indulgence? Leave a message and tell me how you'll ring in this year's National Ice Cream Month!

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