What is a chocolate covered ice cream bar called? Unwrapping the Mystery

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

Invented in the 1920s, the chocolate-covered ice cream bar has become a globally beloved treat. However, this simple confection can go by a variety of names depending on where you are in the world, leaving many to wonder, what is a chocolate covered ice cream bar called?

Quick Summary

A chocolate covered ice cream bar has multiple names globally, including 'choc ice' in Britain and brand-specific terms like 'Klondike bar' in the U.S. Regional slang and the presence of a stick can also affect its name.

Key Points

Regional Variations: A chocolate covered ice cream bar is called a 'choc ice' in the UK and a 'choco bar' in India, among other regional names.
Brand Becomes the Name: Iconic brands like Klondike and Magnum are often used as generic names for these frozen novelties, especially in North America.
Historical Origins: The first versions were invented in the early 1920s by entrepreneurs like Christian K. Nelson (Eskimo Pie) and Harry Burt.
Not Always Ice Cream: Some products that look like ice cream bars are actually made from 'frozen dairy dessert,' a lower-fat alternative.
Packaging Distinctions: The presence or absence of a stick, as seen with Klondike bars, can be a distinguishing feature and part of the product's identity.
Global Popularity: This type of frozen treat has a high demand globally, as reflected in the growing frozen novelty market.

A World of Names for a Single Delight

While many English speakers simply refer to the frozen treat as a "chocolate-covered ice cream bar," this generic description doesn't capture the full picture. The name can depend heavily on geographic location, brand recognition, and even the specific shape of the bar. For instance, across the pond in the United Kingdom, it's widely known as a choc ice. In other regions, decades of marketing and cultural shorthand have cemented brand names into the collective consciousness, turning a specific product into the generic term for the category.

Brand-Specific Nomenclature

Some of the most popular names for a chocolate-covered ice cream bar are not generic terms at all, but the names of specific brands that dominated the market for so long that they became synonymous with the product itself. These brand names often have fascinating origin stories that reflect regional or historical trends.

Klondike Bar: Named after the Klondike River in Canada to evoke feelings of frosty refreshment, the Klondike bar was created in 1922 by the Isaly Dairy Company in Ohio. It is notably square-shaped and stickless, which set it apart from early competitors. The brand's iconic "What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?" slogan has made it a cultural icon in North America.
Magnum: Launched in 1989, Magnum was positioned as a premium, indulgent ice cream for adults. Known for its thick, Belgian chocolate coating and smooth ice cream, the Magnum brand is a globally recognized standard for a luxury ice cream bar.
Edy's Pie (formerly Eskimo Pie): Originally called the "I-Scream-Bar," this treat was invented by Christian K. Nelson in 1921. It was later renamed Eskimo Pie before Dreyer's changed the name again in 2021 to Edy's Pie.
Chocobar: This term is commonly used in India and other parts of Asia for a chocolate-coated ice cream on a stick.

Regional and Vernacular Terminology

Beyond brands, casual and regional slang have added more terms to the lexicon. The use of a stick, or lack thereof, can also change how a person refers to the frozen treat.

In the American South, some have historically used terms like "brown cow" or "brown mule".
Canadians may refer to them as "revels" or "polar bars," though this varies by region.
The Dairy Queen "Dilly Bar" is another popular, brand-specific name for a chocolate-covered soft-serve treat.

The Evolution of the Chocolate Ice Cream Bar

The origins of this beloved dessert trace back to the American Midwest in the 1920s. Christian Kent Nelson, a candy store owner, created the first version after noticing a young boy's struggle to choose between a chocolate bar and ice cream. This simple dilemma sparked an idea, leading to the invention of a chocolate-enrobed ice cream brick. Around the same time, Harry Burt also patented a similar invention on a stick, highlighting the early competition in the frozen novelty market.

List of Key Moments in Ice Cream Bar History

1920: Confectioner Harry Burt patents the chocolate-covered ice cream on a stick.
1921: Christian K. Nelson creates the "I-Scream-Bar," later renamed Eskimo Pie.
1922: The first Klondike bar is handmade in Ohio.
1982: The iconic "What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?" advertising campaign launches nationwide in the U.S.
1989: Magnum is introduced in Germany as a premium, adult-focused ice cream bar.
2021: The Eskimo Pie is renamed Edy's Pie.

Chocolate Ice Cream Bars vs. Frozen Dairy Desserts

It's important to distinguish a traditional ice cream bar from other frozen treats. The term "ice cream bar" specifically implies a product made with genuine ice cream. However, some frozen novelties use a frozen dairy dessert base, which has a lower milkfat content. The taste and texture can be significantly different.


Feature	Traditional Ice Cream Bar	Frozen Dairy Dessert Bar
Core Composition	True ice cream with higher milkfat content	Frozen dairy dessert with lower milkfat
Texture	Creamier and richer mouthfeel	Lighter and often icier texture
Flavor Intensity	Often features a more pronounced dairy flavor	Flavoring can be more prominent than the base
Common Brands	Magnum, Häagen-Dazs	Klondike (often uses frozen dairy dessert), many generic brands
Cost	Typically higher, reflecting premium ingredients	Generally lower and more budget-friendly

Conclusion: A Global Treat with a Thousand Names

From the humble "I-Scream-Bar" of the 1920s to the luxurious Magnum of today, the chocolate-covered ice cream bar is a testament to the enduring appeal of this simple yet decadent combination. The next time you find yourself reaching for one, you'll know that depending on where you are in the world, that stickless square of delight or that stick-held classic might be known by a completely different name. Ultimately, what is a chocolate covered ice cream bar called is less important than the pleasure it brings. The frozen novelty market continues to evolve, offering more flavor combinations, healthier options, and creative concoctions to delight consumers everywhere. A good resource for understanding the market is a report on the frozen novelty industry.

Frozen Novelty Market Size to Reach USD 46.08 Billion by 2034

Frequently Asked Questions

A choc ice is the British English term for a chocolate-covered ice cream bar, typically a rectangular block of vanilla ice cream with a thin chocolate coating.

There is some debate, but Christian K. Nelson is often credited with inventing the Eskimo Pie (originally the I-Scream-Bar) in 1921, while Harry Burt patented a chocolate-covered ice cream on a stick around the same time.

A Klondike bar is a famous American brand of chocolate-covered frozen dairy dessert, known for its distinctive square shape and lack of a stick.

The Eskimo Pie was renamed Edy's Pie in 2021 by its owner, Dreyer's, because the term "Eskimo" is considered a derogatory slur by many indigenous people.

An ice cream bar contains real ice cream with a higher milkfat content, while a frozen dairy dessert bar is a lower-fat, less rich alternative. The packaging typically specifies which it is.

Magnum bars are known for their premium positioning, using higher-quality ingredients like Belgian chocolate to create a rich and indulgent experience.

Regional names vary widely and can include 'brown cow' in parts of the U.S., 'Dilly Bar' for Dairy Queen, 'polar bars' in some Canadian areas, and 'choco bar' in India.