Jersey Desserts- Savor Your Summer
When you arrive at the Jersey Shore, before you hit the boards and spread your blanket out on the sand the smell of the sea washes over you. Mingling in with the scent of surf and sand is the aroma of food. The boardwalks in New Jersey are lined with concession stands and restaurants selling everything from dessert to dinner. Whether you are staying a day, or a week chances are good you will pack on a few extra pounds sampling some of these savory treats.
Salt Water Taffy
Originally produced in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this treat made its debut in the late 19th century. Contrary to popular belief, saltwater taffy does not contain any actual saltwater. The ingredients include sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, water, glycerine, butter, salt, flavor, and food color. The Taffy was invented by David Bradley, but Joseph Fralinger was the first to box it and sell it as a souvenir. The taffy comes in bite-sized pieces, with too many flavors to list. You can pick up a box at almost any souvenir shop. In fact, Joseph Fralinger’s Candy store still operates on the boardwalk in Atlantic City today.
Funnel Cake
Okay, so they have funnel cake other places besides the shore, but it is the perfect food to snack on between the beach and rides. Funnel cake is made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot cooking oil. The mass of dough is fried to a golden brown crisp and topped with powdered sugar. At the Jersey Shore the funnel cake tends to be huge, at least covering the entire paper plate it is typically served on. For this reason, it is the perfect snack to split with another person, or even a group of people.
Elephant Ears
Similar to funnel cake, elephant ears are a pastry made from fried dough. The fried dough is topped brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Some people eat them for breakfast, while others prefer them for a snack, or dessert. The Crust and Crumb Bakery in Beach Haven, Long Beach Island is a local favorite.
Fudge
Fudge is a candy synonymous to the boardwalk for many beach goers in New Jersey. Whether you go to Ocean City, or Atlantic City you will surely find a candy shop whipping up batches of fresh fudge. Like salt water taffy the fudge is sold in boxes as a souvenir at the Jersey Shore. You can also by it by the pound and have it wrapped to go. Three places stand out when it comes to getting fudge at the Jersey Shore; including Shriver’s in Ocean City, Steel’s in Atlantic City and Douglas in Wildwood.
Frozen Custard
Whether you are in action packed Atlantic City, or family friendly Ocean City you will see Kohr’s frozen custard stands dotting the boardwalk. The Kohr brothers brought this confection to the shore in the 1920s and it has been a popular summer treat since. The custard comes in a variety of flavors, but the original is a favorite among regulars. The original is a twist of vanilla an orange custard served in a sugar cone.
Water Ice
Water ice, also known as Italian ice is a favorite of people who live in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas. Contrary to popular belief, water ice is not the same as shaved ice. Shaved ice is made by shaving ice to fine crystals, then pouring juice, or syrup over it to flavor it. Water ice is made like ice cream. All the ingredients are frozen together during mixing. The finished product is scooped into a cup and served. Cherry and lemon are the two most popular flavors, but the choices of flavor are countless at some stands.
When you are finished your trip its not entirely out of the realm of possibility that you will resemble Violet Beauregarde from Charlie and the Chocolate factory, but it will probably be worth it. In fact, before the ocean horizon begins to fade in your rear view mirror you will likely want to turn your car around and grab snacks some for the ride if you haven’t already done so. So, before the summer season draws to a close grab you beach gear and your appetite and head for the Jersey Shore.