The United States is known for its diverse range of desserts. From the classic chocolate chip cookie to the iconic cheesecake, there is sure to be a dessert for everyone.
As with any other cuisine, the desserts of America have been shaped by the various immigrants who have come to the country in search of a better life. From the early days of English and Dutch settlers to the more recent influx of Asian and Latin American immigrants, each group has brought its own unique culinary traditions, resulting in a truly bold mix of different flavors, ingredients, and dishes. This means that traditional American desserts have been influenced by recipes and cooking techniques from many different cultures, and this makes American cooking extremely interesting.
American cuisine is often looked down upon because of its sometimes very fatty food and its insistence on deep-frying a lot of things. However, if you can ignore this, the US actually has a very diverse cuisine, and therefore they should also receive praise when it is deserved. From New York Style Cheesecake to the American-born Key Lime Pie from Florida, the United States has many diverse delights. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at, according to Kastbergs Gourmet-Ice Cream, 15 of America’s best desserts and their history.
1. Chocolate Chip Cookie
The chocolate chip cookie was first created by accident in the 1930s by Ruth Graves Wakefield. Wakefield owned the Toll House Inn, a popular restaurant in Massachusetts. One day she was making her famous Butter Drop Do cookies and ran out of baking chocolate. In desperation, she substituted Nestle’s semi-sweet chocolate chips, assuming they would melt and create a lovely chocolate cake. However, the chocolate chips kept their shape and resulted in the creation of chocolate chip cookies as we know them today. Soon after, Wakefield published his now-famous recipe in a local paper and the rest is history!
The Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich is a recent invention, but it has quickly become as popular as its predecessor. This delicious treat consists of two cookies with a layer of ice cream in between. It’s the perfect way to enjoy both cookies and ice cream at the same time! The first recorded recipe for a Cookies Ice Cream sandwich appeared in print in 1981, but it’s likely that this treat was enjoyed long before that. After all, who wouldn’t love to combine two of their favorite snacks into one perfect package?
2. New York Style Cheesecake
In 1872, William Lawrence, an American dairyman from Chester, NY, accidentally created cream cheese while trying to make French Neufchâtel cheese. Lawrence’s new invention quickly became a hit with local customers, and by 1880 he was selling his cream cheese nationwide under the brand name “Philadelphia” (after the city where it was first sold). It wasn’t long before bakers started using this new type of cheese in their cheesecakes, giving birth to what we now know as “New York-style” cheesecake. Today, Philadelphia cream cheese remains one of the most popular brands used in baking.
3. Brownies
The brownie as we know it today was invented in 1897 by Bertha Palmer, a prominent Chicagoan who owned the famous Palmer House Hotel. According to legend, Mrs. Palmer asked her pastry chef to create a dessert that would be easy to transport and wouldn’t require forks or plates – something that could be enjoyed by guests at her new World’s Fair Hotel. The result was the Palmer House Brownie, a small, chocolate cake-like square that quickly became a hit with hotel guests.
The brownie’s popularity spread beyond the Palmer House, and chefs began creating their own versions of this tasty treat. Soon, brownies were being served at Ivy League colleges, the Ladies Home Journal published a recipe for them, and they even became a staple of Girl Scout cookie sales. By the early 1900s, brownies had become an ingrained part of American culture.
4. Apple Pie
The first recorded Apple Pie recipe in America was published in 1776 by Amelia Simmons in her cookbook, “American Cookery.” Her recipe called for apples, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and lemon zest. This is the first recorded recipe using apples as the main ingredient in a pie.
Over time, the ingredients in an Apple Pie have changed. For example, it was once common practice to add salt to the dough. However, this is no longer done because it can make the crust tough. Today, most recipes call for fat or butter to be added to the dough. This gives the crust a more flaky texture. Today it is often served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pecan Pie served with Seabuckthorn Sorbet
5. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is another classic American dessert with roots in the South. This delicious treat is believed to have originated with French settlers in Louisiana in the 18th century. Pecan Pie quickly became a popular dish at church parties and gatherings because of its simple ingredients and delicious taste!
The first recorded recipe for pecan pie was in a cookbook published in 1886 by Miss Martha Holloway. Her recipe was made with fresh pecans, sugar, molasses, butter, and eggs. This recipe was very similar to the recipes used today, and it quickly became a popular dish served at holidays and family gatherings.
6. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie is a fall favorite that can be traced back to the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. At the time, pumpkins were primarily used as a food source as they were rich in vitamins and minerals. It wasn’t until much later that pumpkins began to be used in pies and other desserts!
The first mention of a pumpkin-based pie in America comes from a book called “The Pilgrim’s Progress” from 1620. In this book, a character mentions eating “pumpkins” that were stewed and put into pies. Pumpkins were a type of squash native to the Americas. It was not until the 18th century that pumpkins began to be used more frequently in pies. Pumpkin pie is typically made with a combination of ingredients, including pumpkin puree, spices like cinnamon and ginger, sweeteners like sugar and molasses, and dairy products like milk or cream. When these ingredients are combined, they create a flavor profile that is both sweet and spicy. That flavor profile is then enhanced by the fact that pumpkin pie is typically served with whipped cream or ice cream, which adds even more sweetness and creaminess.
7. Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie is a dessert typically associated with Florida because of its Key Lime ingredient. Key limes are small citrus fruits native to Florida and other tropical areas. Key Lime Pie is believed to have originated in Key West, Florida, where it was created by Portuguese sailors who used key limes to prevent scurvy on long sea voyages!
Key lime pie is a delicious dessert that has a unique taste. The pie is made with key lime juice, which gives it a sour taste, and sweetened condensed milk, which makes it sweet. The combination of these two flavors creates a delicious and refreshing pie. There are many variations of key lime pie, but the most common recipe includes a graham cracker crust, key lime filling, and whipped cream or ice cream topping.
8. Chocolate Cake
The first chocolate cake recipe was published in America in 1796 by Amelia Simmons in her cookbook “American Cookery.” This early recipe called for bittersweet chocolate, which was a new ingredient at the time. Chocolate cake continued to evolve over the next century as chefs experimented with different ingredients and flavors. In the mid-19th century, the chocolate cake as we know it began to take shape. Recipes for “Red Velvet” and “Devil’s Food” cakes were published, and the Germans brought their own version of chocolate cake known as “schokoladenkuchen”.
9. Mississippi Mud Pie
One theory about the origin of Mississippi Mud Pie suggests that it was created by a group of women in the town of Hernando, Mississippi, in the 1950s. These women looked for a way to use up some leftover chocolate cake mix, and the Mississippi Mud Pie was born! Another theory claims that the dessert was created by a baker in New Orleans in the 1930s. Regardless of its true origins, one thing is certain: Mississippi Mud Pie is a treat that has been enjoyed by many for generations.
10. Banana split
The first recorded mention of Banana split was in 1904 when a newspaper article described it as “a new dish served at Ligi’s restaurant.” The restaurant, located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was owned by David Strickler, a 23-year-old pharmacist credited with inventing banana splits. Strickler’s creation quickly became a hit with locals and out-of-towners alike
By the 1920s, the Banana Split had become a national sensation. Ice cream parlors from coast to coast served this decadent dessert, and it even appeared in several Hollywood movies of the era.
11. S’mores
The S’more Ice Cream Sandwich is believed to have originated in the early 1970s. The original recipe, which called for graham crackers, chocolate ice cream, and marshmallows, was published in Family Circle magazine in 1974. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s/early 2000s that S’more Ice The Cream Sandwich began to gain popularity. It is largely thanks to gourmet ice cream shops such as Coolhaus and Milk Bar, who put their own spin on the classic dessert.
12. Funnel Cake
The first recorded mention of the term “Funnel Cake” in America comes from the people described as ‘The Pennsylvania Dutch’ in the 19th century. These early cakes were made from a simple dough of flour, milk, eggs, and salt – ingredients that most people had on hand. They were fried in fat or Crisco and sprinkled with sugar or served with fruit preserves.
Over time, Funnel Cake became associated with carnivals and fairs. Today, they are commonly served topped with Flormelis, although you can also find them topped with fruit, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream.
13. Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is a quintessential American dish. Sweet, juicy peaches nestled in a crispy pastry crust and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream… what’s not to like? This delicious dessert has been enjoyed by Americans for centuries and has gone through many different innovations.!
The earliest known recipe for Peach Cobbler dates back to 1864. Published in Mrs. Rundell’s A New System of Domestic Cookery, the recipe calls for just four ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, and peaches. Can you believe it? Such a simple recipe is still enjoyed by people all over the world today.
Banana split with fresh berries and Vanilla ice cream
14. Sundae
Sundae is a delicious and iconic dessert that is enjoyed by people all over the world. While sundaes come in many different flavors, the classic sundae usually consists of ice cream, syrup, and toppings. But where did this lovely treat come from? Let’s take a look at the sundae story.
The origin of the sundae is somewhat disputed. Some say it was created in the 19th century by ice cream sellers looking for a way to sell more ice cream on Sundays. They started offering ice cream with added flavors and toppings and they called it a “Sundae”. Other stories claim that the sundae was actually created in New England in the early 20th century. The most popular story is that a man named George Owens created the first sundae in 1904 in Iroquois, New York.
15. Milkshakes
The first recorded instance of the milkshake dates back to 1885 when an inventor named James Mayhill created a machine that could mix milk, ice cream, and flavorings together to create a frothy drink. This early version of the milkshake was marketed as a health tonic and said to be particularly beneficial for those suffering from indigestion.
The milkshake gained popularity in the early 20th century, thanks in part to its association with celebrities and movie stars. Many famous actors of the era were known to enjoy milkshakes and this helped to increase its public profile. However, it was only after the Second World War that the milkshake really began to gain popularity.
There are many delicious American desserts with interesting stories! Among other things, the USA contains so many different cultures and food cultures, which helps to make American cuisine wildly exciting and diverse. The next time you enjoy one of these sweet treats, remember its journey from humble beginnings to becoming a household name! You can find both American desserts and many others by clicking right here!
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