Celebrate July 4th with Uncle Sam-wich
Ice cream lovers can escape the summer heat and celebrate the nation’s birthday with some patriotic ice cream treats this year. The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has partnered with Bruce Weinstein, author of The Ultimate Ice Cream Book, to create deliciously fun recipes that are perfect for Fourth of July parties and cooling off this summer, you will find everything you need to know about it on this page.
The patriotic desserts include the “Flag Parfait,” created with layers of vanilla or strawberry ice cream, fresh blueberries and Bing cherries. Weinstein’s “Uncle Sam-wich” creation includes a scoop of ice cream squeezed between two freshly-baked sugar cookies decorated like American flags.
The average American eats 25 pints of ice cream annually. California is the number-one producer of both ice cream and milk in the U.S. In 2007, the state produced 130 million gallons of ice cream, each gallon requiring about 12 pounds of whole milk to produce.
In 1984, Americans' love for ice cream was officially recognized when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month.
“In celebration of July’s National Ice Cream Month and the Fourth of July, we have teamed up with Bruce to create some unique ice cream treats that are perfect for everything from parties to backyard barbeques,” said CMAB Vice President of Communications Tricia Heinrich.
The patriotic recipes below, as well as other ice cream recipes, are available online at http://www.californiadairypressroom.com/IceCreamHome.html.
Flag Parfait
In a parfait glass, layer maraschino cherries, vanilla or strawberry ice cream, fresh blueberries, ice cream and canned Bing cherries in heavy syrup. End with a scoop of ice cream; top with whipped cream, red and blue jimmies, and a sparkler or a small paper American flag.
Uncle Sam-wich
Roll out sugar cookie dough, cut into rectangles and bake. Decorate half the cookies with icing to look like American flags. Place a scoop of your favorite ice cream on undecorated cookies, spread with a small spatula and top with a decorated cookie. Freeze.
