Tom Carvel Invented Fudgie the Whale to celebrate Father’s Day. The tasty little whale swam into our hearts — and American pop culture.
Growing up in New York City, there was one guest that absolutely had to be invited to every celebration to ensure success: Fudgie the Whale.
And, while we all saw Fudgie as the ultimate birthday guest, the delicious cetacean was actually born to celebrate Dad.
Fudgie was born on June 1, 1977, with Carvel founder, Tom Carvel, envisioning Fudgie as “a whale of a cake for a whale of a dad”.
The tasty whale was instantly a hit, appearing at birthdays, anniversaries, office parties, and more.
Then, something magical happened. Fudgie became much more than an ice cream cake. He became a part of American pop culture.
In 1982, a Fudgie the Whale mascot would appear at New York Mets and Yankees games.
The Simpsons’ Homer Simpson and Marge Simpson chompled down on a blue whale-shaped wedding cake, with the words “To a Whale of a Wife” written on it; and the Office’s Andy requested a Fudgie the Whale cake from his co-workers.
To seal the deal that Fudgie is, indeed, a whale after a dad’s heart, Captain Lawrence Brewery brewed a “Fudgie the Beer” in 2021.
Though Fudgie is the best-known Carvel cake character, Cookie Puss, the adorable little cake alien, was born in 1972 (with Hug Me the Bear joining the pack in 1985).
Now Fudgie’s family is growing. Carvel Ice Cream has introduced three potential ice cream cake characters, asking fans to vote for their favorite. The chosen cake will join Fudgie, Cookie Puss, and Hug Me in the Carvel family. Each of these frozen cuties is New York-themed — and what’s not to love about that? Here, for your consideration, are the three Carvel Cake Contenders:
Crunchie Munchie Monster’s flying saucer got sucked into a black (doughnut) hole, transporting him to the Carvel at 48th Street. The tasty alien landed in NYC and has been hanging around Broadway, selling selfies to tourists.
Coney Carl is an oldie but a goodie in the world of ice cream. It’s Carl who helped Tom Carvel back in 1934 when the Carvel founder’s ice cream truck broke down. Carl, in a feat of ingenuity, suggested that Tom Carvel market the semi-melting ice cream as soft serve, and a legend was born.
Sunny Sprinkles is basically an ice cream influencer. She can be found throughout New York (well, anywhere there’s good lighting and a nice backdrop), flashing her sprinkle-coated petals and spreading positivity.
You can vote for your favorite new Carvel character through June 26 at vote.carveloriginalsoftserve.
And, since Father’s Day is this Sunday, why not pick up a “Whale of a cake for a whale of a dad”? Fudgie is available at any of Carvel’s 328 locations throughout the United States.
Find your whale here.