Smith Dairy Salutes Summer with New Patriotic-Themed Flavors

15/06/07 Smith Dairy Products Company, the leading regional maker of dairy products, beverages, and ice cream, announced that new Limited Edition flavors Betsy Ross Berry Crisp and Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie have joined the Ruggles Churned Light Ice Cream ranks, but only until the end of summer.

"Whether it's Flag Day, Independence Day, or just a backyard barbecue, summer is a time of celebration," said Penny Baker, Director of Marketing at Smith Dairy. "Who better than Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam to join in the festivities?"

Both new flavors start with vanilla Ruggles Churned Premium Light Ice Cream, which has all the flavor and texture of Ruggles ice cream but 50 percent less fat and 1/3 fewer calories. Betsy Ross Berry Crisp adds to the vanilla base a mixed berry swirl and cinnamon streusel pieces, and Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie stirs in sugar cookie pieces and red and blue sprinkles.

These Limited Edition flavors are available during the summer months in grocery stores throughout the Smith Dairy sales region. The 1.75-quart containers feature fun and friendly illustrations of Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam.

Smith Dairy created the new Ruggles flavors as part of its patriotic- themed "Summertime Celebrations" promotion, which the company will kick off on June 3 with a Sunday newspaper ad featuring recipes, merchandise, and coupons. A whimsical piece of animation showcasing an all-bovine fife and drum corps will be posted on YouTube and Smith's website.

For those who would like to get an even bigger bang out of their summertime celebrations, Smith Dairy recommends its recipe for Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Loaf. This recipe, as well as other family favorites, can be found at http://www.smithdairy.com

Ruggles Patriotic Sugar Cookie Ice Cream Loaf

4-1/2 cups        Ruggles Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie ice cream, softened
2 cups            chocolate vanilla-cream-filled sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed(about 16 cookies)
1 16-ounce jar    hot fudge sauce
1 teaspoon        pure orange extract

Sprinkle a standard loaf pan (8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inches) with water and line with plastic wrap; the water will help the plastic wrap adhere to the pan. Spread 1-1/2 cups of the softened Ruggles Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie ice cream evenly in the bottom of the loaf pan. Then sprinkle 1 cup of the crushed cookies evenly over the ice cream layer. Repeat this process, ending with a layer of ice cream. There will be three layers of ice cream and two layers of cookies. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and place in the freezer until frozen.

When ready to serve, heat the hot fudge sauce according to the directions on the jar. After heating, add the orange extract to the sauce and stir.

Remove the ice cream loaf from the pan and peel off the plastic wrap. Slice the loaf into 8-10 slices. Pour the hot fudge sauce over the slices and serve. Serves 8-10.