Fourth of July Ice Cream Celebration

Quick, name two things to celebrate in July! There’s Independence Day, of course, but July is also National Ice Cream Month. What better way to celebrate America’s birthday than with a sparkler in one hand and an ice cream cone in the other?

Of course, there’s also the culinary and creative satisfaction of assembling your own sundae. Like your sundaes sweet and salty? Are chocolate and caramel constants in your ice cream confections? Or do you take the fresh route, with fruit and nuts on your frozen treat?

Whatever your pleasure, Eagle Rock Patch wants to know! Send the recipe for your favorite sundae via the “Comments” below by noon on Tuesday, July 5. Favorites will be posted on Friday, July 8—just in time for your weekend indulgence.

Kids, tell us about your special sundaes too! Better yet, send us a picture!

Meanwhile, for inspiration, check out the following Eagle Rock emporiums of all things ice cream (and frozen yoghurt—at least until it gets its own holiday month).

Happy July!

—Occupying the former Blue Dot space, Spoon offers only two flavors of frozen yoghurt—chocolate and vanilla—as well as acai sorbet, but a wide variety of unique sauces and syrups, such as pomegranate and cherry syrup, agave nectar, and wildflower honey. Tucked between The Loft Hair Lounge (the new owners, with whom they share a phone number) and Cardio Barre, the shop also carries Pasadena’s Jones Coffee and packaged lunchables and bakery treats from Auntie Em’s.

—This frozen yogurt shop not only features out-of-the-ordinary flavors such as Dulce de Leche, Taro, Cranberry Euro Tart, and lactose-free Pineapple Whip, but also some of the most unique toppings in town, including cheesecake squares, pink Crackling Candy (with Pop Rocks) and Juice Bubbles: little orange spheres of mango and passion juice that burst in your mouth with sunny goodness. Yogurt Haven’s multiple benches make it the place to go if you’re indulging a crowd; it’s also open until 11 p.m. for your late-night fro-yo fix.

—Eagle Rock’s destination for döner kebab is also its go-to spot for gelato. Spitz’s rotating selection includes delicious standards such as chocolate and vanilla, but if you’re lucky, espresso bean, pistachio and green tea might be offered. Lactose-free sorbettos have included strawberry and blackberry-Cabernet.  For a special treat, try Cinnamon Sugar Pita Strips with Vanilla Gelato Dipper.

—If you’re thinking mix-and-mash mélange when you scream for ice cream, Cold Stone Creamery is the ice cream spot for you. Have a Cold Stone crewmember make up the “creation” of your choice (ice cream + mix-in = creation) on their signature “cold stone” or try one of Cold Stone Creamery’s 20 Special Creations such as Apple Pie a la Cold Stone. Healthy Indulgences include a variety of fruit sorbet flavors and fruit mix-ins. Plus, crewmembers sing if you tip a dollar or more!

—Sometimes, nothing will do but a familiar favorite. Foster’s Old-Fashioned Freeze has been a California tradition since founder George Foster opened the first Foster’s Freeze in Inglewood in 1946. The signature soft-serve ice cream comes in chocolate, vanilla or chocolate-vanilla swirl.  It’s still the ultimate cone for walking and eating. And Foster’s Freeze serves the only old-fashioned banana splits in Eagle Rock!

Finally, for the perfect finale to National Ice Cream Month, circle July 31 on your calendar. The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society will be hosting The Eagle Rock Centennial Ice Cream Social at the , from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free, ice cream is a dollar a scoop, toppings are “endless”—and you can pick up delicious baked goods to feed any out-of-town guests. Family entertainment includes organ grinder Peter Breede!