Do you love ice cream treats? I mean, who doesn’t?
If so, then you’ll be thrilled to know that there’s a special day dedicated to one of the most iconic frozen treats in America – the Eskimo Pie!
National Eat an Eskimo Pie Day is celebrated every year on March 28th. This day is all about indulging in this delicious dessert and enjoying its rich history.
The Eskimo Pie was first created in 1922 by a schoolteacher named Christian Kent Nelson. It was inspired by a young boy who wanted a treat that wouldn’t get his hands sticky. Nelson came up with the idea of dipping vanilla ice cream in chocolate and freezing it on a stick. The Eskimo Pie quickly became a hit and has been a favorite frozen treat ever since.
If you’re a fan of chocolate-covered ice cream bars, then National Eat an Eskimo Pie Day is the perfect opportunity to indulge in this classic dessert.
Whether you prefer the original vanilla flavor or one of the many variations available today, this day is all about celebrating the deliciousness of this iconic treat so let’s get started!
History of the Eskimo Pie
The Eskimo Pie is a popular frozen treat that has been enjoyed by people for almost a century!
The story of Eskimo Pie began in 1920 when a young man named Christian Kent Nelson was working as a schoolteacher in Onawa, Iowa. He had a passion for making ice cream and decided to pursue his dream of creating a new kind of frozen treat.
After experimenting with different recipes, Nelson finally came up with a winning formula. He combined vanilla ice cream with a chocolate coating and created the first Eskimo Pie. The treat was an instant hit, and Nelson knew that he had a potential goldmine on his hands.
Two years later, in 1922, Nelson partnered with a businessman named Russell Stover to bring Eskimo Pie to the masses. The two men began selling the frozen treat under the name “I-Scream Bars,” but they soon changed the name to “Eskimo Pie” after a suggestion from Stover’s wife, Clara.
Over the years, Eskimo Pie has undergone several changes and rebrandings.
In 1992, the treat was acquired by Nestle. In 2021, the new owner, Dryer’s announced the name was changed to “Edy’s Pie” in honor of one of the company’s founders, Joseph Edy.
However, the original name “Eskimo Pie” is still used by many people to this day.
| Aspect | History of Eskimo Pie |
|---|---|
| Inception | In 1920, Christian Kent Nelson, a schoolteacher from Onawa, Iowa, created the first Eskimo Pie using vanilla ice cream and chocolate coating. |
| Partnership | In 1922, Nelson partnered with Russell Stover to bring Eskimo Pie to the masses. |
| Name Change | Originally sold as “I-Scream Bars,” the name was later changed to “Eskimo Pie” after a suggestion from Stover’s wife, Clara. |
| Acquisition | In 1992, Nestle acquired Eskimo Pie. |
| Name Change | In 2021, Dryer’s changed the name to “Edy’s Pie” in honor of Joseph Edy. |
| Popular Name | Despite rebranding, many people still refer to the frozen treat as Eskimo Pie. |
Variations of an Eskimo Pie
While the classic Eskimo Pie consists of vanilla ice cream and chocolate coating on a stick, there are several variations of this beloved frozen treat that you can enjoy on National Eat an Eskimo Pie Day.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own variations of an Eskimo Pie. Some people have experimented with using different types of ice cream, such as chocolate or rocky road, or even adding toppings like nuts or sprinkles to the chocolate coating.
Here’s a few more ideas you can try at home:
- Strawberry Eskimo Pie: Instead of vanilla ice cream, this variation uses strawberry ice cream. The chocolate coating is still present, but the addition of the fruity ice cream gives it a refreshing twist.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Eskimo Pie: Mint lovers will rejoice with this variation. Mint chocolate chip ice cream is used instead of vanilla, and the chocolate coating is infused with mint flavoring.
- Cookies and Cream Eskimo Pie: This variation uses cookies and cream ice cream, which is a combination of vanilla ice cream and crushed chocolate sandwich cookies. The chocolate coating is still present, but the addition of the cookie pieces gives it a crunchy texture.
| Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Eskimo Pie | Vanilla ice cream with a chocolate coating on a stick. |
| Chocolate Eskimo Pie | Chocolate ice cream with a chocolate coating. |
| Rocky Road Eskimo Pie | Rocky road ice cream with a chocolate coating. |
| Strawberry Eskimo Pie | Strawberry ice cream with a chocolate coating. The fruity ice cream adds a refreshing twist to the classic dessert. |
| Mint Chocolate Chip | Mint chocolate chip ice cream with a chocolate coating infused with mint flavoring. Perfect for mint lovers! |
| Cookies and Cream | Cookies and cream ice cream (vanilla ice cream with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies) with a chocolate coating. The addition of the cookie pieces gives it a crunchy texture. |
Fun and Interesting Facts about Eskimo Pies
- The Eskimo Pie was invented in 1920 by Christian Kent Nelson, a high school teacher and candy store owner from Onawa, Iowa.
- The original name of the Eskimo Pie was “I-Scream-Bar”.
- The Eskimo Pie was America’s first chocolate-covered ice cream bar, and it quickly became a sensation.
- The Eskimo Pie was patented on January 24, 1922!
Hi, I’m Jenny. I have many interests and, some would say, eclectic passions. A few words that best describe me? Hmm, well… Amateur surfer, professional traveler, food lover and writer extraordinaire. Oh, and lover of all furry, four-legged creatures!
