A knickerbocker glory is an ice cream sundae that is served in a large tall glass, particularly in the United Kingdom.
The knickerbocker glory was first described in the 1930s and contains ice cream, gelatin, and cream. Layers of these different sweet tastes are alternated in a tall glass and topped with different kinds of syrup, nuts, whipped cream and often a cherry. Layers of meringue, fruit, and even alcohol may be included.
The name knickerbocker glory is drawn from knickerbockers, a type of long trouser traditionally worn by young children (but particularly young boys).
Popik (2005) suggests though a British sweet, the name “knickerbocker” is distinctively American and associated with early New York state and city histories. Before they were called New York, the state and city were Nieuw Amsterdam. They were settled by the Dutch in the 1600s and 1700s. The early settlers from Holland to New York were also called knickerbockers. How the name became connected to the sundae is not known.
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