The Sound of Ice Cream

One of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard was the jingling bells of an ice cream truck coming around the corner of my street. When I was a kid, the bells promised that something wonderful was on its way, a summer afternoon’s treat for all the good, or not-so-good, girls and boys.

The minute we heard those bells, my friends and I dropped whatever we were doing,ran to the truck, and got in line. We waited anxiously, trying to decide what we wanted before it was our turn and we had to order. 

The idea for an ice cream truck originated with Harry Burt of Youngstown, Ohio. In 1902, when most vendors sold from horse-drawn wagons, he began selling his ice cream from a motorized wagon. Later, Burt invented the Good Humor Bar, a chocolate-covered ice cream bar much like the Eskimo Pie, but with a stick in it for easier handling.

Burt painted his truck white to suggest cleanliness, outfitted it with bells from the family’s sleigh, and bought a white uniform for the driver. The Good Humor man with his pristine uniform and jingling bells set the standard for ice cream men all over the country for years. He was so popular that he even starred in some movies. There may be women behind the wheel of ice cream trucks today, but in those days it was still a man’s job. 

In my memory, the tension of the decision-making is as vivid as the taste of the ice cream. I could choose a drumstick, that chocolate-covered ice cream cone that wasn’t as good as a sundae, but came awfully close. Or maybe I’d have an icy Popsicle. But if that was my choice, which flavor should it be? What about a rich chocolaty Fudgsicle instead?  No, maybe a Push-up. Push-ups were more fun, though less flavorful. Or I could ask for a  Creamsicle, with its fruity yet creamy combination of orange and vanilla. By the time I got to the head of the line, I was hopping up and down with anticipation.

When I read, not long ago, that some communities were banning the ice cream truck’s jingling bells, I was appalled. “Too noisy,” they claimed. “Not in keeping with our neighborhood’s character,” said some. The battle was in the news. Lawyers, legislators, and courts all got involved. Some bans remain; others have been overturned. Personally, I think that this is the sort of thing that gives grownups a bad name.

Whether your neighborhood welcomes ice cream trucks or not, you can taste the flavor of a Creamsicle again. All you need is an extract called “Fiori di Sicilia” (Sicilian Flowers) and this recipe. If you can’t find the extract at a market, you can get it from the King Arthur flour website or catalog. It’s worth the effort.

The taste will take you back to Creamsicles past.

 

Creamsicle Ice Cream

3 cups of heavy cream
3/4 cups of sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons of Fiori di Sicilia extract

Pour the cream into a heavy saucepan and heat until it starts to just barely bubble around the edges. Don’t let it come to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Mix until the sugar is dissolved.

Let the mixture cool slightly, then stir in the extract.

Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Then churn in your ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s directions.

Makes one quart.

 

Comments

[barbecue cart]

Thank you for another great post. I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on
the search for such information.And you are working a great job who
increasing my knowledge.

[Jeri Quinzio]

Hi Natalie,

I'm sorry, I don't have such recipes. Perhaps you could query the Good Humor company?

I just happened to discover that the fiori di Sicilia flavor tasted like Creamsicle and made the ice cream.

Good luck with your quest.
Jeri

[Natalie]

Hello,

I in search of recipes for Good Humor ice cream bars - toasted almond crunch, dream cicle, chocolate eclare, and strawberry short cake. I searched the net - no luck. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Kathy Flynn]

You and I were among the "Ice Cream Truck" kids of the 1950's. Probably spanning 4 yrs. old to 14 yrs. years old during that decade. Yes. We lined up with our friends and bought from the truck with the compelling bells!

Here are some questions that could help to fill out the broader story of the 'Ice Cream Trucks". Was it every day, once a week as a treat, or even less frequently that you and your friends bought from the truck? Where did that nickle or dime come from? Was it 'your nickle or dime' from your piggy bank? Did a parent readily hand the coin(s) over every day? ...maybe a grandparent? ...or did you buy covertly?

We had a neighborhood store in Reading,' the Dragon Corner'; and would buy our Popsicles (5 cents), Fudgsicles (5 cents) and chocolate covered's (10 cents) there. The elite Drumsticks and Orange Pushups were exclusive to the Ice Cream Truck. I spent many a nickle and dime....but all seriously considered. Each one was well spent! Don't tell my mother.