National Banana Split Day Celebrations And Ice Cream Free Offers

The tradition of enjoying banana splits and other ice cream treats continues to delight consumers across the United States. While the provided source material does not contain specific information about free offers on National Banana Split Day 2018, it does provide valuable context about banana split history, ice cream celebrations, and related promotions that occurred around National Ice Cream Day in July 2018. This article examines the cultural significance of banana splits, how these treats are celebrated, and the promotional offers that were available to consumers during relevant ice cream holidays in 2018.

The History of the Banana Split

The banana split has a rich history dating back to the soda fountain era of the late 19th century. Traditional banana splits are prepared in a long dish known as a "boat," with the banana cut lengthwise and placed at the bottom. Three scoops of ice cream—typically vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—are arranged in a row between the split banana halves. The dessert is then topped with chocolate, pineapple, and strawberry sauces, garnished with whipped cream, crushed nuts, and a maraschino cherry.

The banana split emerged alongside other soda fountain innovations during the 1890s, a time when soda fountains served as community gathering spaces similar to today's coffee shops. These establishments were staffed by "soda jerks"—the mixologists of their era—who created inventive treats to attract customers. David Evans Strickler, a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist at Tassel Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is credited with popularizing the banana split while experimenting with sundae creations at the store's soda fountain.

National Banana Split Day

National Banana Split Day is celebrated annually on August 25th. This holiday provides an opportunity for ice cream enthusiasts to enjoy and share their love for this classic dessert. While the provided sources do not specify free offers available on National Banana Split Day 2018, they do note that banana splits remain a popular treat during ice cream celebrations.

The banana split has evolved beyond its traditional presentation, with various modern interpretations available. One creative option is the no-bake banana split pie, which offers a frozen alternative to the classic sundae without requiring ice cream preparation. This dessert combines bananas, pineapple, and strawberries with a graham cracker crust and toppings such as nuts, sprinkles, cherries, and hot fudge sauce.

National Ice Cream Day 2018 Free Offers

While specific free offers for National Banana Split Day 2018 are not detailed in the provided sources, information about National Ice Cream Day 2018 (July 15) reveals numerous promotional deals available to consumers. These offers provide insight into how ice cream retailers celebrate ice cream holidays, though they occurred on a different date than National Banana Split Day.

National Ice Cream Day Promotions in California

In California, numerous ice cream retailers offered special promotions on National Ice Cream Day 2018:

• Baskin Robbins: Provided a free scoop when customers downloaded the mobile app. Additionally, participating locations offered $1.50 scoops all day on July 31 to celebrate Baskin's 31 flavors.
• Carvel: Featured buy-one-get-one-free cups or cones on July 15.
• Bruster's Real Ice Cream: During National Ice Cream Month (July), customers who joined the Bruster's Sweet Rewards loyalty app earned a $3 reward toward an ice cream purchase. The chain also introduced two limited-time flavors: Espresso Yourself and Cookie Craze. California locations were available in Torrance, Cerritos, Stockton, Cypress, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, and Orange.

National Ice Cream Day Offers in San Diego

San Diego residents had multiple options for free and discounted ice cream on National Ice Cream Day 2018:

• Baskin Robbins: BOGO ice cream cones, BOGO $.99 sundaes, and $2 milkshakes with the mobile app.
• Carvel: BOGO free ice cream cup or cone, any size.
• Cold Stone Creamery: BOGO ice cream with mix-ins through the eClub (with a 24-hour delay for email offers).
• Dairy Queen: Free small Blizzard through the chain's app.
• Dippin' Dots: Free mini cups during an undisclosed two-hour window.
• Godiva: BOGO for the chocolate store's soft serve.
• Petsmart: Complimentary four-ounce servings of pet-friendly ice cream at PetSmart PetsHotel locations.
• Sam's Club: Free ICEE float samples with a dollop of Member's Mark Premium Vanilla Ice Cream in Frozen Cherry, Frozen Pepsi, and Frozen Blue Raspberry flavors.
• Whole Foods: Three-day sale on Ben & Jerry's, Talenti, and non-dairy ice cream pints, with an additional 10% off for Prime members.
• Wienerschnitzel: $1 off a banana split shake with a printed coupon.
• Yogurtland: BOGO offer on five ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt, and sorbet flavors from 1-6 p.m.

Banana Split Recipe Ideas

For consumers interested in making banana splits at home, a no-bake banana split pie recipe offers an alternative to the traditional sundae. This recipe, created by Jonathan Melendez of The Candid Appetite and shared by Go Bold With Butter, requires 30 minutes of prep time plus 4.5 hours of freeze time and serves 12 people.

Ingredients:

For the Crust: - 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled - 2 cups graham cracker crumbs - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - Pinch of salt

For The Filling: - 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened - 3 large bananas, sliced - 1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained - 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

For The Topping: - 1-1/2 cups heavy cream - 1/4 cup powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce, slightly warmed - 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts - 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles - 1/4 cup drained maraschino cherries

Preparation Instructions:

1. Make the crust by combining melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish and place in the freezer for 10 minutes.
2. Make the filling by beating cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Pour onto the chilled crust and smooth evenly. Top with sliced bananas, then spread with crushed pineapple and sliced strawberries.
3. Make the topping by whipping heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread over the filling, then drizzle with warm hot fudge sauce and sprinkle with chopped nuts, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries.

Celebrating with Banana Splits and Ice Cream

Ice cream holidays provide opportunities for celebration and social gathering. National Banana Split Day and National Ice Cream Day encourage consumers to enjoy frozen treats, experiment with different flavors, and share experiences with friends and family. Popular activities on these days include making banana splits or hot fudge sundaes, hosting ice cream eating contests, and visiting favorite ice cream shops.

For those with dietary preferences or restrictions, the no-bake banana split pie offers an alternative to traditional ice cream desserts. Similarly, retailers increasingly cater to diverse preferences by offering non-dairy options, as seen in Whole Foods' promotion of non-dairy ice cream pints during National Ice Cream Day 2018.

Ice cream celebrations also extend to pets, with retailers like PetSmart offering pet-friendly ice cream options. This inclusion of pets in ice cream celebrations reflects the broader trend of treating pets as family members and involving them in holiday festivities.

Conclusion

While the provided source material does not contain specific information about free offers available on National Banana Split Day 2018, it does offer valuable context about banana split history, ice cream celebrations, and related promotions. The banana split remains a beloved American dessert with roots in the soda fountain tradition of the late 19th century. National Banana Split Day, celebrated on August 25th, provides an opportunity to enjoy this classic treat in its traditional form or through creative variations like the no-bake banana split pie.

Although National Banana Split Day and National Ice Cream Day occur on different dates, the promotional offers available during National Ice Cream Day 2018 demonstrate how retailers celebrate ice cream holidays. These offers ranged from free scoops and BOGO deals to discounts on specialty items and pet-friendly options. The variety of promotions available across different retailers and regions highlights the popularity of ice cream as a treat that appeals to diverse consumer preferences and demographics.

For consumers interested in making banana splits at home, the no-bake banana split pie recipe offers an accessible alternative that captures the flavors of the traditional dessert without requiring ice cream preparation. Whether enjoying purchased treats or homemade creations, ice cream holidays provide opportunities for celebration, social connection, and indulgence in America's favorite frozen desserts.

Sources

1. The Nibble - The New Banana Split
2. The Nibble - No-Bake Frozen Banana Split Pie Recipe
3. 10News - National Ice Cream Day Free Offers and Deals
4. Patch - Where To Get Free Ice Cream On Sunday In California
5. Gigi's Playhouse - Summer Vacation Plans