Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar
The following post was provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and was originally published at 365Barrington.com.
With summer temperatures on this rise, now seems like the perfect time to create an ice cream sundae bar at home!
Believe it or not, Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world. In fact, this frozen treat is enjoyed by over 90 percent of the nation and is produced using 10 percent of the country’s milk supply. So, get out your scoopers, because it’s time to enjoy some ice cream.
Here’s your chance to be a kid in a candy shop, literally. The list of sundae toppings is up to you and your taste buds. Yes, you could make your own caramel or fudge sauce, but who wants to stand over a hot stove when the summer sun is shining?
To get your creative juices flowing, I’ve got a few sundae suggestions to make your ice cream bar the hit of the summer.
Sundae 101
- Start with 4-5 ice cream flavors.
- Keep the ice cream cold in a tray of ice or, better yet, pre-scoop cups of ice cream and put them back in the freezer to harden. Bring them out when everyone is ready to make their sundaes.
- Make edible bowls by dipping balloons into melted chocolate. Place the balloons on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let the chocolate harden. When ready to use the bowls, pop the balloons and discard, leaving a delicious vessel for your sundae.
Tasty Toppings
- Chocolate syrup
- Caramel syrup
- Sprinkles (a must in any respectable ice cream celebration)
- Andes mint bits
- Mini chocolate chips
- Coconut
- Mini Reese’s
- Mini Kit Kats
- Small waffle cookies
- Tiny marshmallows
- Crushed nuts
- Yogurt-covered pretzels
- Bite-size Rice Krispies Treats
- Two Brothers Brownies (cut into bite-size pieces)
- Cherries (Maraschino or fresh)
- Sliced peaches
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Mini York Peppermint Patties
- Crushed Double Stuf Oreos
- Hazelnut sticks
- Peanuts
- M&M’s
- Waffle bowls or cones
- Bananas
- Pie filling
- Crushed pineapple
The list can be as endless as your imagination. The only two items I often see on ice cream sundae bars that I disagree with are tiny pieces of gum, like Chiclets, and gummy bears. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of both, especially gummy bears, but these two items mixed with ice cream quickly freeze and can cause damage to your teeth.
I’d start by putting out a whole fruit pie topped with ice cream.
Happy National Ice Cream Month!
