National Frozen Custard Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Dessert Sweet Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every August 8
Holiday emoji:: 🍦

National Frozen Custard Day swirls into action every August 8, inviting everyone to indulge in this delightfully rich and creamy dessert. Treat yourself to a scoop (or two) from your favorite local shop, try making it at home, or share your sweet moments online. Don’t miss out on this perfect summer indulgence!

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Expected National Frozen Custard Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Frozen Custard Day brings sweet deals from many chains. Expect Culver’s to offer discounts on its famous custard, while Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers often features buy-one-get-one offers or special pricing. Regional favorites like Andy’s Frozen Custard and Kopp’s Frozen Custard typically join in with unique flavors or reduced prices. Even broader dessert purveyors might highlight their frozen custard-style treats. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 8 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Frozen Custard Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalFrozenCustardDay. Share vibrant photos of your favorite scoops and creative toppings.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalFrozenCustardDay. Film taste test videos, DIY custard recipes, or visits to local custard shops.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalFrozenCustardDay. Ask friends for their favorite custard spots and share local deals.

National Frozen Custard Day Hero

Archie and Elton Kohr

Archie and Elton Kohr are often credited with popularizing frozen custard in the United States. In 1919, they introduced their unique, denser, and creamier frozen dessert at Coney Island, New York. Their innovation of adding egg yolk and reducing air content created a product that stayed frozen longer and had a distinct texture. This made it an instant hit, especially during hot summer days, laying the groundwork for frozen custard's widespread appeal.

History of National Frozen Custard Day

The idea of custard is not new, rather fairly ancient. The idea of cooking milk with eggs to make it thick dates back to at least the Romance times and it’s even mentioned in Apicius. Probably, it could be even older than that. Later In the 17th century, fruit creams started gaining popularity and custards began to be made as individual dishes or bowls instead of just fillings or crust. While custard is quite similar to ice cream, the United States Food and Drug Administration mandates that frozen custard products must contain at least 10% of milk fat and 1.4% egg yolk solids.

It was in 1919, that the frozen custard was invented in Coney Island, New York. Two ice cream vendors by the names of Archie and Elton Kohr realized that when they added egg yolks to ice cream, it resulted in a product that was smoother in texture and helped the ice cream stay cold for a longer duration which was perfect for hot summer afternoons. During the first weekend of them selling frozen custard, they ended up selling 18,640 cones on the boardwalk itself.

Frozen custard started gaining immense popularity throughout the Midwest and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, actually came to be known as the “unofficial frozen custard capital of the world.”

Frozen Custard Day falls right during the summer months, making it the perfect dessert to enjoy to beat the heat. It is so simple to prepare and it is even easily available in local stores. So on this day, grab a bowl of frozen custard and bask in the glory of a sweet haven.

National Frozen Custard Day timeline

1837

First Egg-Free Custard

Alfred Bird uses cornflour instead of egg to create the first egg-free custard.

1919

Frozen Custard is Invented

Archie and Elton Kohr, two ice cream vendors, invent frozen custard on Coney Island, New York.

1933

Frozen Custard Becomes Popular

Frozen custard gains popularity after finding a market at the World’s Fair in Chicago.

1938

Milwaukee’s First Custard Stand

Milwaukee gets its first frozen custard stand opened by Paul Gilles.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Frozen Custard Day

Local ice cream parlors, dessert shops, and restaurants can celebrate National Frozen Custard Day by offering special discounts or limited-time flavors. Promote a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal on scoops or sundaes, or introduce a unique custard creation for the day. Partner with local food bloggers or influencers for taste tests and giveaways. Highlight the freshness of your ingredients and the creamy texture that sets frozen custard apart, encouraging customers to indulge in this delightful treat.

National Frozen Custard Day FAQs

When is National Frozen Custard Day?

National Frozen Custard Day 2026 falls on Saturday, August 8, making it a perfect weekend occasion to enjoy this creamy dessert. Many shops will offer special deals throughout the day.

What is the difference between frozen custard and ice cream?

Frozen custard contains at least 1.4% egg yolk solids and a minimum of 10% milkfat, giving it a richer, denser, and smoother texture than regular ice cream. It’s also churned slower, incorporating less air.

How popular is frozen custard?

Frozen custard enjoys significant popularity, especially in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, with chains like Culver’s and Freddy’s expanding its reach. Millions enjoy its unique texture annually.

Where did frozen custard originate?

Frozen custard gained widespread popularity in the United States at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, though it was first introduced at Coney Island in 1919 by Archie and Elton Kohr. It quickly became a beloved treat.

How To Celebrate National Frozen Custard Day

Make frozen custard
National Frozen Custard Day can be best celebrated by making frozen custard! Make a batch for yourself and your family, and sit back and enjoy this summery treat.
Buy from your favorite custard shop
A lot of shops sell good quality frozen custard. If you can’t make one, you can go buy one from any local shop and relish it. You can even send a surprise custard to a loved one and make their day.
Take a baking class
Sign up for a baking class where they teach you how to make desserts including frozen custard. You can put your knowledge to the test then and surprise your near and dear ones with your expertly made frozen custard.

5 Fascinating Facts About Custard

Varying consistencies
Custard can be a thin pouring sauce (crème anglaise) to the thick pastry cream (crème pâtissière) or frozen custard.
Origin of the name
The name comes from ‘croustade,’ which refers to the crust in which the dish was baked.
Eat it fresh
While ice cream can be eaten over several days if stored correctly, frozen custard is best eaten fresh.
Popular in Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, custards baked in tarts were quite popular.
Savory custard
There is a type of savory which is savory and that is quiche, which is a French tart with a filling of custard and other ingredients.

Why We Love National Frozen Custard Day

Frozen custard is easy to make
Frozen custard uses very few ingredients and is super easy to make. So if you’re one of those who want to learn how to make desserts, you can start with this simple dish first.
It’s a beloved dessert
Frozen custard is best enjoyed in the summers and it's only fitting that it is celebrated in August. This dessert is widely loved by people across the globe.
It’s a close cousin of ice cream
Frozen custard and ice cream come real close except for the difference of one ingredient and the texture and temperature. Anyone who loves ice cream is surely going to love frozen custard.