What better way to celebrate a chilly February morning than by starting the day with a heaping bowl of ice cream? The idea might sound like one someone’s kid concocted to sneak in an extra dose of sugar, but Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day really does exist. Here’s how to join in on the fun.
Mark Your Calendar
This informal holiday occurs on the first Saturday of February each year. Here’s the schedule through 2030 for anyone who happens to miss out on an earlier date:
- 2026 – February 7
- 2027 – February 6
- 2028 – February 5
- 2029 – February 3
- 2030 – February 2
Celebrating is as easy as replacing your usual breakfast with ice cream. Some people have even more fun with the holiday by exploring new recipes or trying wacky flavors. Avocado ice cream, anyone?
Get Creative
Ice cream doesn’t need to be the only item on the menu. Spoon the frozen dessert over crepes or waffles instead of butter and syrup. Or maybe you can try your hand at making your own homemade treat? All you need are a few ingredients and a couple of plastic bags to make this super-simple Ziploc recipe:
1 cup of half and half
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup rock salt
Combine the half and half, sugar, and vanilla in a quart-sized resealable storage bag. Seal securely. Add the rock salt and quart-sized bag to a gallon-sized storage bag and seal. Shake until the mixture thickens into ice cream. Vary the recipe by playing around with different flavors and mix-ins.
Don’t Feel Guilty
Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day reportedly began in the 1960s, after a New York mother, Florence Rappaport, invented it to stave off the boredom she and her six children felt while trapped inside due to the bad weather.
The idea caught on fast, spreading wherever any of the Rappaport participants traveled, and soon it even expanded beyond the United States. People in Canada, England, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa, and even China now celebrate this holiday each year.
Ice cream doesn’t always have to be altogether unhealthy, either. Heavy whipping cream and half and half are both excellent sources of protein, calcium, vitamin A, d numerous B vitamins, vitamin D, and potassium. Add fruit or nuts to boost all those values even higher. As long as you keep the serving size reasonable, your diet should remain relatively intact.
Winter weather can be dark, isolating, and depressing, so why not take advantage of an excuse to start the day with a smile? Shake things up just for one morning, and give everyone in the family a mental boost. A fun new tradition could be in the making.
