National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day – 2013

By Terry Orr

 As a kid, there were basically three primary flavors of Ice Cream - Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry - tho others existed - these were most often available and served.  Banana Splits were a wonderful treat - getting all three flavors with a banana, choice of three toppings, nuts, whip cream and a cherry on top.  That was truly a dessert heaven. Rocky Road fast became a favorite in our home and one could always find at least a half gallon of it in the freezer - gallon sizes when they were on sale.

Today is National Rocky Road Day! Rocky road ice cream is a delicious dessert with an interesting culinary history. In 1929 after the stock market crash, a man named William Dreyer (the founder of Dreyer Ice Cream) calmed his Black Thursday nerves by creating the original rocky road. He mixed chunky almonds, mini marshmallows, and delicious milk chocolate ice cream to create a new ice cream flavor that would make people smile despite the tough economic times. It instantly became an American favorite and soon became popular all over the world. (Source: Punchbowl)

According to ActiveBeat.com – the 15 Most Popular Ice Creams in 2012 are:

Vanilla

Chocolate

Butter Pecan

Strawberry

Neapolitan

Chocolate Chip

French Vanilla

Cookies and Cream

Vanilla Fudge Ripple

Praline Pecan

Cherry

Chocolate Almond

Coffee

Rocky Road

Chocolate Marshmallow

There are several different list of Top however many favorite/popular ice creams – but this list, while the order may be different, the same names seem to appear. July is National Ice Cream Month and we will endeavor to bring you more interesting information and variety of flavors and makers of ice cream.  We would like to know what your favorite ice creams are – and to share them in our article in July. Thanks!

 (All images from Google) 

Celebrating National Rocky Road Day

(Google Image) 

By Akindman

Ice cream tycoon William Dreyer invented this favorite ice cream flavor in 1929, at a time when ice cream was only vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Dreyer chopped up some nuts, tossed in a few marshmallows, and gave his creation a fun name to cheer people up in the midst of a Great Depression. Ice cream has been the go-to cure for hard times and heartbreak ever since.

(Google Image) 

National Rocky Road Day celebrates a dessert that is made of chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts. The most popular way that Rocky Road is served in the US is ice cream, and according to the Wikipedia it ranks 10th in popularity of flavors of ice cream. Celebrate today all you Rocky Road Ice Cream lovers with a few scoops of this crunchy and creamy concoction.

Sure look good...think I'll have a bite ...
(Google Image) 

Rocky Road Ice Cream Recipe (Allrecipe.com)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup light cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, cook and stir condensed milk and cocoa until smooth and slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly. Stir in heavy cream, light cream, and vanilla. Refrigerate until cold.
2. Pour mixture into the canister of an ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's directions. Stir in nuts and marshmallows halfway through the freezing process.

(Google Image) 

Links:

http://www.foodchannel.com/articles/article/the-top-15-most-popular-ice-cream-flavors/