Eat an Eskimo Pie Day

Eat an Eskimo Pie Day is observed annually on March 28. This food holiday celebrates the invention of the first chocolate-coated ice cream bar, a treat that revolutionized the way people consume frozen desserts without the need for a bowl or spoon. Christian Nelson, a candy store owner in Onawa, Iowa, developed the recipe in 1920 after a young customer struggled to choose between buying a chocolate bar or an ice cream sandwich. By 1921, Nelson partnered with chocolate maker Russell Stover to mass-produce the bars, which were patented under the original brand name on January 24, 1922.

History of Eat an Eskimo Pie Day

The history of this day is tied to a significant shift in the American dairy and confectionery industries during the early 20th century. Before the invention of the chocolate-coated bar, ice cream was primarily a stationary dessert served in dishes. Christian Nelson’s breakthrough came when he discovered that cocoa butter could help chocolate adhere to frozen ice cream. The product was originally called the “I-Scream Bar” before being rebranded. The success was instantaneous, with the company selling millions of bars within the first year of national distribution, sparking a wave of similar handheld frozen treats.

Recently, the holiday and the product itself have undergone a cultural transformation. In 2020, the brand owners announced a name change to Edy’s Pie to move away from terms considered derogatory toward Indigenous Arctic peoples. While the holiday still appears on many calendars under its traditional name to mark the historical invention of the specific treat, modern observance often focuses on the broader evolution of the chocolate-covered ice cream bar. The day now serves as a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of the 1920s and the enduring popularity of portable frozen snacks.

Why is Eat an Eskimo Pie Day important?

This day is important because it marks the birth of the modern portable frozen dessert industry. Before this invention, ice cream sales were heavily restricted to parlors and homes; the creation of a stable chocolate coating allowed vendors to sell ice cream at ballparks, beaches, and street corners. It represent a major milestone in food engineering, specifically in the science of “shell” coatings that stay crisp while frozen. This technology eventually led to the development of hundreds of other popular snack items found in grocery store freezers today.

The holiday also provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of American branding and marketing. The rapid rise of the ice cream bar in the 1920s was one of the first examples of a successful national licensing model in the food industry. Celebrating this day allows people to appreciate the simplicity of a three-ingredient dessert—cream, sugar, and chocolate—that has remained a favorite for over a century. It highlights how a small-town invention can grow into a global cultural staple that transcends generations.

• The invention enabled ice cream to be sold as a convenient, handheld street food.
• It highlights the early 20th-century innovation in chocolate coating technology.
• The day marks the beginning of the mass-market frozen novelty industry.
• It serves as a reminder of how consumer feedback can inspire new products.
• People celebrate the nostalgia of a classic American childhood snack.

How to Celebrate Eat an Eskimo Pie Day

The most direct way to celebrate is by purchasing a box of chocolate-coated ice cream bars from your local grocery store. While the original brand is now sold as Edy’s Pie, many variations exist, including those with dark chocolate, nuts, or caramel swirls. For a more authentic experience, try to find a version that uses a thin, “snap-style” chocolate coating over high-quality vanilla bean ice cream. Eating the treat outdoors, just as people did when it was first introduced at fairs and parks, captures the original spirit of the holiday.

For those who enjoy cooking, you can celebrate by making your own homemade versions using a double boiler to melt high-quality chocolate mixed with a small amount of coconut oil. Dip pre-sliced blocks of frozen vanilla ice cream into the mixture and place them back in the freezer on parchment paper until the shell hardens. This allows you to customize the thickness of the chocolate and the quality of the ingredients. Sharing these homemade treats with neighbors or coworkers is a great way to spread the history of this classic dessert.

• Buy a box of chocolate-covered ice cream bars to share with friends.
• Make a DIY version at home using your favorite premium ice cream.
• Learn about the 1920s history of the I-Scream Bar and its inventors.
• Visit a local ice cream parlor that offers hand-dipped frozen bars.
• Post a photo of your favorite frozen treat to join the online celebration.

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