Summer’s Ice Cream wishes you a Happy National Ice Cream Month!

This month, dessert lovers across Canada will be raising their bowls and waffle cones in delicious recognition of NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH, with July 16th being the official NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY. The staff at Summer’s could not be more thrilled to sprinkle Yorkville into the mix with their infamous, locally-crafted flavours.

“Our amazing customers have celebrated so many moments with us, from small, after-dinner dates to major milestones; marriage proposals, pregnancies, their first full marathon, baby’s first ice cream. It’s just so fitting that this well-loved treat is honoured with its own day. Everyone loves ice cream which means anyone can take the day to celebrate this great dessert” – Ron & Lianne Tokey, Owners of Summer’s Ice Cream.

During the month of July, the Tokeys and the team will be offering complimentary samples of fan-favourite flavours at their home shop on Yorkville Avenue as well as at partnered retailers across the city, topped with FREE SPRINKLES!

A third-generation family business, Summer’s first opened over 30 years ago as an artisan-craft ice cream shop dedicated to serving fresh, homemade options, one which soon established loyal, cross-generation customer bases. Some of their popular signature flavours have included Almond Butter Toffee, Lemon Meringue, Coconut Cream, Strawberry Rhubarb, Birthday Cake, and Toronto Pothole, a bumpy combination of almonds, marshmallows, chocolate chunks and peanuts. Gluten-free cones are also available by request.

Not only does Summer’s pay homage to their home city through their flavours, they’re also proud to support Ontario farms via the purchasing of their fruity recipe additions like strawberries, apples, blueberries, cherries and rhubarb plus the use of 100% Canadian milk. Beyond the scoop, Summer’s is also known for their ice cream sandwiches, named the best in the city by BlogTO and celebrity chefs like T.O’s own Cory Vitiello. The dream team also specializes in creating low-calorie frozen yogurts and fat-free sorbets

“Over the last 30 years, one of the biggest shifts in ice cream happened when it somewhat matured from being just a treat for the kids to also being a decadent dessert for adults. Our founders, Len and Helka Tokey, were actually the first in Toronto to make waffle cones after visiting Helka’s brother in Victoria, BC. In the 80’s, he had been making and serving waffle cones to customers in his ice cream store, Sweet Memories. The Tokey’s brought the idea back to Toronto, which became the foundation for Summer’s Ice Cream.”

Upon opening the store, it was adding their high-quality ice cream to these fresh, warm waffle cones that created this new trend locally, making the tastes more well-suited for our sweet-toothed adult citizens”

Inspired by outside-the-cone thinking and recent food trends, Summer’s has begun creating unique recipes with their ice cream; no spoon needed! Signature flavour fans and creative cooks are invited to re-create their latest edible innovations including Summer Berry Waffles, Salted Caramel Truffle Bombs, Summer Strawberry Shortcake and the new campfire favourite, the Smoresicle.

To give back to the communities that provide their ingredient sources, the family has made 500 mL tubs of eight of their unbelievably creamy, peanut-free, quality ice creams available in retailers across Ontario including, but not limited to, Sobeys Urban Fresh, Loblaws Inspired locations, Whole Foods, Rabba Fine Foods and other various independent stores. To find the freshest tubs of Yorkville’s finest nearest you, head to summersicecream.com for up-to-date store listings and other tasty info.

HONEY PISTACHIO BAKLAVA SUNDAE

You’ll wonder why you’ve never thought of adding baklava to ice cream once you try these sundaes! The textures from the baklava, pistachio nuts, honey and creaminess of the ice cream makes this a treat for your senses.

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

​For the baklava:

• ¾ cup walnuts
• ½ cup pistachios
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ roll of phyllo dough (12 sheets)
• 3 tablespoon butter, melted
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

For the baklava:

1. Preheat the oven 400 degrees. Grease a square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place walnuts, pistachios and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are almost all crushed, but still have a few bigger pieces.
3. Take the 12 phyllo sheets and cut in half. Place one piece of phyllo in the bottom of the greased dish. Brush with butter and top with another piece of phyllo. Repeat seven more times for a total of 8 pieces of phyllo. Brush top with butter and then sprinkle with ⅓ of the nut mixture. Top with another piece of phyllo. Brush with butter. Repeat three more times for a total of four layers. Sprinkle with ⅓ of the nut mixture. Top with another piece of phyllo. Brush with butter, repeat three more times for a total of four layers. Brush top layer with butter. Sprinkle remaining nuts on top and top with another layer of phyllo. Brush with butter. Repeat seven more times for a total of 8 layers. Brush top layer with butter.
4. Cut baklava into 16 squares. Bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes.
5. While the baklava is cooking, make the syrup. In a medium saucepan, heat sugar, water, honey and lemon juice to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
6. Once the baklava comes out of the oven, let rest for 1-2 minutes then pour syrup over the top. Cover with plastic and let the baklava sit overnight.
7. Roughly chop up the baklava.

For the sundae:

1. Place generous pieces of the baklava as a base for the sundae
2. Add a scoop of pistachio ice cream.
3. Drizzle honey over ice cream.
4. Top with finely chopped pieces of the baklava and pistachio pieces. Additionally, a stick of cinnamon can be added for presentation.

ABOUT SUMMER’S ICE CREAM
Summer’s has been making their own ice cream since the Spring of 1985, which means they know a thing or two about how to serve up the creamiest, best tasting scoops in the city! Their mission is to provide the highest quality, best tasting homemade ice creams and frozen yogurts to their customers and that starts with only the finest quality ingredients. They want every customer to be completely satisfied with their experience in-store, and they strive to provide outstanding customer service in a clean, fun and positive environment!

101 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5R1C1
info@summersicecream.com
Tel: 416-944-2637