- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- AmericanIce CreamSweet Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every August 14
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍦
National Creamsicle Day swirls into action every August 14, celebrating the beloved frozen dessert that perfectly blends tangy orange and creamy vanilla. This iconic treat, a summertime staple, offers a refreshing escape from the heat. Indulge in a classic Creamsicle, try a homemade version, or explore new Creamsicle-inspired flavors today!
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History of National Creamsicle Day
Creamsicles date back to the early 20th century when Frank Epperson accidentally created what would later become known as the Popsicle. As the story goes, Epperson left a concoction of fruit juice and water outside overnight when the temperatures dropped below freezing. When he found the frozen mix the next morning, with a stir stick frozen in the middle, the Popsicle was born.
Epperson first began selling his frozen fruit juice treat to classmates and then friends throughout his community. He marketed his icy treat as a “frozen drink on a stick.” He was granted a patent years later in 1924. This was perfect timing for Epperson, given the fact it was discovered that a couple of guys had been similarly experimenting with ‘frozen suckers’ as far back as 1872, which they called the Hokey-Pokey.
During the Great Depression, the Twin Popsicle was invented and sold for only a nickel. This allowed parents to buy one ice pop and have two children share at an inexpensive price.
Today, the Creamsicle is a brand owned by Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever. Famous flavors besides the orange Creamsicle are cherry, grape, lime, blue raspberry, and blueberry. Now, you can find sugar-free Popsicles, 100-calorie Popsicles, and many new combinations of flavors.
Take a few minutes today to savor one of the summer’s small pleasures and celebrate the history of the Creamsicle!
National Creamsicle Day timeline
Evidence of ice cream can be traced back to Asia during the 14th century.
Two men sell frozen ice-cream treats on a stick which they name the ‘Hokey Pokey.’
Frank Epperson leaves a mixture of water and sugar flavorings with a stirring stick in a cup on his porch overnight as the temperature drops below freezing — and the rest is history.
Harry Burt of Youngstown, Ohio, is credited with the first ice cream truck and he is the creator of the Good Humor brand.
National Creamsicle Day FAQs
When is National Creamsicle Day?
National Creamsicle Day 2026 falls on a Friday, August 14, making it the perfect start to a sweet summer weekend. Mark your calendars to enjoy this iconic frozen treat!
Who invented the Creamsicle?
While the exact origin of the Creamsicle is debated, it evolved from the ‘Epsicle’ invented by Frank Epperson in 1905. The Creamsicle, a creamy variation, became widely popular through brands like Popsicle and Good Humor, solidifying its place as a summer classic.
How many Creamsicles are sold each year?
While specific Creamsicle sales figures are proprietary, the broader frozen novelty market in the U.S. generates billions in revenue annually, with ice pops and ice cream bars being top sellers. Creamsicles remain a consistently popular choice, especially during peak summer months.
What's the difference between a Creamsicle and a Popsicle?
A Creamsicle is a specific type of frozen treat featuring a creamy, vanilla ice cream-like center surrounded by a fruit-flavored (typically orange) ice pop shell. A Popsicle, on the other hand, refers generally to any flavored ice on a stick, without the creamy interior, and is also the brand name for many such treats.
National Creamsicle Day Activities
Make your own
These are easy treats to make at home and would be a fun way for the entire family to observe National Creamsicle Day. In a large bowl, mix equal parts of orange juice and vanilla ice cream. You can use popsicle molds to make this simple but if you prefer to use small paper cups, pour the mixture into the cups and freeze it until partially frozen. Insert one popsicle stick into each cup and then put it back into the freezer until completely frozen. When frozen and ready to eat, peel the paper cup off the Creamsicle and enjoy!
Look beyond the basic Creamsicle
Many desserts and treats have been inspired by the Creamsicle. If the traditional ice cream Creamsicle treat is totally last year for your family, try one of these: Creamsicle Rice Krispies Treats, Creamsicle pie, cupcakes, cookie bars, or cheesecake. You could also see if the limited edition Creamsicle-flavored Twizzler is on sale at your local market!
Toast the day with creamsicle mimosas
Put an adult spin on this childhood favorite by toasting the day with Creamsicle mimosas. To make, mix 1/4 c. orange juice, 1 oz. vanilla vodka, and 1 tbsp. heavy cream in your champagne flute. Slowly add chilled champagne to the top of the glass. Garnish with an orange wedge and freeze it!
The Cold Hard Facts
How many sold
Over 2 billion Popsicles are sold annually!
Favorite flavor
Different surveys yield different results but the original Creamsicle seems to be the most popular with cherry flavored popsicles coming in second.
Largest Popsicle ever
The Guinness World Record for largest Popsicle is a 21-foot ice pop made in the Netherlands in 1997.
How many eaten in one minute
Kevin Strahle, from Ridgewood, New Jersey, claims to have eaten the most Popsicles in one minute — he ate 6 in only 60 seconds on December 7, 2017.
Creamsicle speed eating
Jimmy Prince, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada holds the world record for eating a Creamsicle in 11.81 seconds on July 7, 2014.
Why We Love National Creamsicle Day
We love nostalgia
Did you have a group of neighborhood friends who would listen out for the ringing bell of the ice cream trucks? Nostalgic visions of the ice cream man serving Creamsicles and every other ice pop imaginable is the point of today’s celebration and we can’t get enough of it!
They help us keep our cool
Just when you need to cool down in the middle of a hot summer day, your mind wanders to the very thing that could provide the most relief. Not only do Creamsicles provide a mom-approved hit of sugar, but they also cool us down on the scorching hottest of days.
We love our local ice cream parlor
Specialty ice cream shops and parlors owned by local moms and pops are where memories are made. You might meet your friends there or run into a neighbor you haven’t seen in years but visiting the ice cream parlor is a significant part of the experience in enjoying this cool treat.
