While it wasn’t the ice cream we enjoy today, frozen desserts were around in ancient Rome. Slaves trekked to the mountains and carried back snow so it could be mixed with fruit and honey for Emperor Nero. There are even stories that Alexander the Great and Marco Polo enjoyed frozen concoctions.

Ice cream as we now know it—with milk and sugar—likely got it’s start in Europe. It’s said that during the Renaissance, Italian cooks were inspired by creativity, and began to create ices and gelato. For some time, these special frozen treats were reserved for the wealthy, but the secret of their creation eventually spread to France and England before making its way to North America and the general population.

George Washington, Dolly Madison and Thomas Jefferson are said to be among the lucky Americans to first enjoy this then-rare treat. The first American ice cream parlor opened in New York City in 1776, but for more than 150 years ice cream was hand cranked and served immediately at home or a concession stand. It wasn’t until the late 1930s before Americans had the convenience of electric refrigerators and freezers—and the opportunity to keep a carton of ready-made ice cream on hand.

Ice cream has come a long way since it was reserved for emperors and wealthy aristocrats. Today, we have ice cream cones (invented at the turn of the century), sandwiches and bars of all kinds—and it’s adults who eat 50% of them! While vanilla with chocolate sauce is still the favorite sundae for many, every flavor imaginable is available. There are gourmet brands and custom blended treats—there are even fat-free and sugar-free creations for those with dietary restrictions. Ice cream is one of the easiest desserts to serve, making it a good choice when entertaining. Enjoy!