A chocolate covered ice cream bar is a popular frozen dessert treat consisting of ice cream coated in a layer of chocolate or some other chocolate coating. These tasty frozen bars go by many different names, with some of the most common including ice cream sandwiches, chocolate covered ice cream bars, chocolate coated ice cream bars, chocolate dipped ice cream bars, chocolate covered cream bars, and chocolate dipped cream bars. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at chocolate covered ice cream bars, their history, different names and types, nutritional information, and how they are made and enjoyed around the world.
What are the Different Names for Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars?
As mentioned above, chocolate covered ice cream bars go by many different names. Here are some of the most common names for these frozen treats:
Ice Cream Sandwich
One of the most popular and well-known names is ice cream sandwich. An ice cream sandwich consists of a layer of ice cream sandwiched between two cookies, wafers, or biscuits. The entire bar is then coated in chocolate or another chocolatey coating.
Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bar
This is a very straightforward and descriptive name – a bar made of ice cream that is covered in chocolate. Simple and accurate.
Chocolate Coated Ice Cream Bar
Very similar to chocolate covered, this name uses the term “coated” instead. The meaning is basically the same.
Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream Bar
“Dipped” evokes the process of dipping the ice cream bars into melted chocolate or chocolate coating to cover them.
Chocolate Covered Cream Bar
This name uses the term “cream bar” instead of ice cream bar, referring to the creamy filling inside.
Chocolate Dipped Cream Bar
Combines the “dipped” of the chocolate with “cream bar” for the inner portion.
Fudgsicle
This trademarked brand name for a chocolate coated ice cream bar has become commonly used as a generic term.
Creamsicle
Similar to Fudgsicle, this brand name for a chocolate and orange ice cream bar has entered the vernacular as a generic name.
Choco Taco
A waffle cone shaped chocolate covered ice cream bar that resembles a taco.
Klondike Bar
This popular brand name of square shaped chocolate coated ice cream bars is also often used generically.
History of Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars
Adding a chocolate coating to ice cream is a longstanding idea to create an indulgent frozen dessert. Some key points in the history of chocolate covered ice cream bars include:
1800s
The first ice cream sandwiches may have been created in the 1800s by pressing ice cream between two cookies. Adding chocolate coatings likely came soon after.
Early 1900s
Ice cream bars dipped in chocolate started appearing in the early 20th century. They were sold on sticks for easy eating.
1920s
The Eskimo Pie, consisting of ice cream coated in chocolate, was patented in 1922 by Christian Kent Nelson. It was the first commercially successful ice cream bar.
1930s
The Good Humor bar, a classic chocolate coated ice cream novelty on a stick, was created in the 1930s and became popular.
1950s
Major brands like Klondike and Fudgsicle launched in the post-war era and began mass producing chocolate covered ice cream bars.
1980s
The Klondike bar slogan “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” debuted in 1981 and became an iconic tagline.
Today
Chocolate covered ice cream bars remain popular treats produced by major brands and smaller gourmet makers around the world. New variations continue to be introduced.
Different Types and Variations
While the basic concept is ice cream encased in chocolate, there are many different types and variations of chocolate covered ice cream bars found today, including:
Ice Cream Sandwich
The classic version with ice cream between cookies or biscuit wafers. Comes in different flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and neapolitan.
Chocolate Ice Cream Bar
A bar made specifically with chocolate or chocolate flavored ice cream. May include nuts or other mix-ins.
Fudge Bar
Features fudge ice cream and/or a thick fudgy coating. Often contains marshmallow swirls or ribbons within the ice cream.
Crispy/Crunchy Bars
Have mix-ins like chopped nuts, cookies, toffee, or candy pieces for texture.
Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Bar
Combines the flavors of chocolate coating and creamy vanilla ice cream.
Neapolitan Bar
Layers of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream together into one bar.
Chocolate Dipped Banana Bar
Banana flavored ice cream dipped in chocolate. May include actual banana slices.
Fruit Bar
Ice cream made with blended fruit like strawberry, orange, or raspberry, then chocolate dipped.
Chocolate Nut Bar
Chocolate ice cream mixed with nuts like almonds, walnuts, or peanuts.
Choco Taco
Waffle cone shaped crisp shell filled with ice cream and chocolate dipped.
Ice Cream Pop
Ice cream bar on a stick so it can be easily held like a lollipop.
Nutritional Information
Like most ice cream based desserts, chocolate covered ice cream bars are typically high in fat, calories, and sugar. However, the specific nutritional values can vary considerably based on the exact brand, type, size, and ingredients of the bar. Here is the approximate nutrition information for a standard 2.5 ounce chocolate covered vanilla ice cream bar:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 50mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, a single ice cream bar contains a significant amount of calories, fat, and sugar. Those with diets limiting these nutrients may want to enjoy chocolate coated ice cream bars in moderation. Keep portion size in mind.
How Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars are Made
The process of making chocolate covered ice cream bars involves several steps to create the ice cream filling and chocolate coating:
1. Prepare the ice cream
The ice cream base is made by mixing milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla, and any other ice cream flavorings together and pasteurizing the mixture. The base then goes into an ice cream machine to freeze and aerate it.
2. Shape the ice cream
The ice cream is formed into bars, sandwiches, or other shapes by feeding it through molds as it comes out of the ice cream machine. Sticks may be inserted into popsicle style molds.
4. Coat with chocolate
The shaped ice cream bars are dipped, drizzled, or otherwise coated with melted chocolate or chocolate flavored coating.
5. Cool and harden
The chocolate covered bars are cooled in a refrigerator or freezer to harden the chocolate.
6. Wrap bars
Finally, the finished chocolate covered ice cream bars are individually foil or paper wrapped to prevent sticking and protect their shape.
7. Distribution and sales
The wrapped bars are packed, frozen, and distributed to grocery stores, convenience stores, ice cream shops and parlors, and other retailers to be sold commercially.
Some larger manufacturers have highly automated facilities to mass produce chocolate covered ice cream bars. But smaller producers also make them in more traditional small batch methods.
How People Enjoy Eating Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars
There are many delicious ways that people like to eat chocolate covered ice cream bars:
As is
Chocolate covered ice cream bars can be enjoyed by simply unwrapping and eating them straight out of the package. Their portability makes them an easy snack.
On a stick
Ice cream bars mounted on sticks allow you to hold them easily and prevent messy melting drips. The stick also provides built-in portion control.
In a bowl
For less mess, you can unwrap a bar and place it in a bowl to catch any melting ice cream or chocolate. A spoon lets you scoop up every last bite.
With toppings
Add fun toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, caramel sauce, whipped cream, crushed cookies or candy pieces to your ice cream bar.
Make ice cream sandwiches
Use chocolate covered ice cream bars in place of plain ice cream to make decadent ice cream sandwiches between cookies, brownies, cake or other treats.
Blend into milkshakes
For thick, creamy chocolatey milkshakes, blend chopped up chocolate covered ice cream bars into your shake.
Crumble over desserts
Sprinkle crumbled up chocolate covered ice cream bars over pies, cakes, puddings or sundaes for a frozen crunch and chocolaty flavor.
Freeze, store and re-serve
Wrap leftover bars individually and freeze them again to enjoy later. The chocolate coating prevents freezer burn.
Popularity and Consumption of Chocolate Covered Ice Cream Bars Worldwide
Chocolate covered ice cream bars are enjoyed by people all across the globe. Here is a look at some of their popularity and consumption patterns worldwide:
United States
The U.S. is one of the top consumers of ice cream worldwide and also has a well-established chocolate confectionery market, making it a leading nation for chocolate covered ice cream bars. Popular brands like Klondike, Good Humor and Blue Bunny originated here.
Europe
Major ice cream eating countries like Italy, Germany, France and the UK have a strong demand for all types of chocolate coated ice cream treats. Both large brands and artisanal makers create bars with unique European chocolate blends.
Asia Pacific
Markets like China, Japan, India, Thailand and the Philippines have rapidly growing ice cream industries catering to their large populations. This includes locally made chocolate coated ice cream bars along with imported international brands.
Latin America
Ice cream is widely popular in Latin America, along with chocolate. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia consume high volumes of ice cream bars, both mass market and gourmet.
Africa
Many African nations like South Africa, Egypt and Morocco have developed ice cream markets. Chocolate covered cream bars allow residents to enjoy the combination of chocolate and ice cream.
Middle East
The hot climates in Middle Eastern countries make ice cream a favored frozen treat. Chocolate bars are especially popular in Gulf regions like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar where chocolate sales are rising swiftly.
Conclusion
Chocolate covered ice cream bars come in endless deliciously fun combinations that appeal to the innate human cravings for both chocolate and ice cream. Their portability, variety, great taste and widespread availability from major global brands and small artisanal makers ensures these treats will continue to be enjoyed around the world for generations to come. Whether you call them ice cream sandwiches, chocolate coated cream bars, Klondike bars or another creative name, these snacks clearly occupy a special place in the ice cream lover’s heart and stomach.