How was the Popular Waffle Ice Cream Cone Born?

Eating ice cream has always been one of the moments we enjoy the most, so it didn't seem possible that there was a more fun way to enjoy this dessert. Then the ice cream cone appeared. History speaks of many men claiming the invention of this waffle cone, and there are even certain references that place its appearance in 18th century France. However, an old legend tells a completely different story than we imagine.

---

​A waffle cone is a type of pastry. It's made from a thin waffle that has been rolled to have a tight knit at one end and a wide opening at the other. A waffle cone will usually have ice cream, frozen custard, or a soft serve placed inside of it. It is considered part of the larger family of ice cream cone cakes.

The waffle cone is considered the original style of ice cream cone. Rumor has it that street vendors in New York City began selling ice cream in various types of edible bowls and cups in the 1890s; the ice cream cone, however, did not become popular until the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. The event, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, was where ice cream cones became known throughout the world.

The oft-told legend of the invention of the ice cream cone states that an ice cream vendor at the World's Fair ran out of plates to serve his desserts on. Next to the ice cream vendor's stall was Ernest A. Hamwi's, a Syrian immigrant selling the waffle-like dessert zalabia. Hamwi reportedly rolled one of his zalabias into a cone, placed his neighbor's ice cream, and solved the other vendor's problem. In doing so, he also invented one of America's favorite desserts, or so the legend goes.

There are other types of ice cream cones besides the waffle cone. Cake cones, pretzel cones, and sugar cones are all popular types of ice cream cones. Styles may also differ. Cone cups are similar to ice cream cones, but have flat bottoms instead of a cone tip. Kids cones are simply smaller versions of ice cream cones.

Waffle cones have culinary uses other than holding ice cream. Upside down and icy, they can be used as towers, trees, and other cone-shaped objects in cakes and gingerbread houses. They also make pointy hats for confection clowns, and can be used as edible supports for other culinary creations.

AussieBlends® sells premium waffle cones with natural ingredients and natural flavors to deliver a crisp waffle taste that enhances the ice cream. AussieBlends cones use raw sugar, no liquid sugars, or corn syrups that add a burnt after taste or molasses. Only premium natural vegan ingredients in our cones​