National Hot Fudge Sundae

In the United States, July 25th is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day.

The hot fudge sundae is just one of many different possible variation on the sweet ice cream dessert called the sundae. One of the primary differences of this dessert, and the subsections of sundaes of which it is a part, is the use of a heated sauce or syrup. Sauces and syrups are an integral part of the sundae, but these are usually cold. In this particular one, the sauce is heated first, creating a contrast between the cold of the ice cream and the heat of the sauce. With the sauce being hot, this dessert needs serving, and eating, quickly, or the ice cream will begin to melt.

The traditional hot fudge sundae uses vanilla ice cream, but other flavours can be used. This would normally be served in a sundae glass, with sprinkles, the "hot fudge" (which is actually hot chocolate sauce), whipped cream and nuts, all of which is then topped with a single maraschino cherry, a preserved and sweetened cherry.