17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (2024)

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (1)

If you’re like us, you’re way more likely to eat ice cream straight from a store-bought pint for dessert than to build a sundae out of it. We’re here to tell you though, when it comes to special occasions, birthdays, and theme parties, there’s nothing better than an ice cream sundae. Check out our 17 recipes for flavor ideas—but truly, there’s no wrong way to make one.

At their most basic, an ice cream sundae is a (glass) bowl of ice cream topped with sauce or syrup, whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and sprinkles. There are a number of stories as to where the sundae got its name (was it served 0n a Sunday? Was the creator someone with the last name Sunday? We may never truly know), but what is true is that everyone’s got a favorite recipe. Take inspiration from some of ours, like our Froot Loops sundae (with raspberry sauce), our s’mores sundae (self-explanatory in the best way), our spiked chocolate brownie sundae (crumbled brownies, hot fudge, and a drizzle of Godiva liquor), or our Eton mess sundae (meringue + strawberry). Can’t pick just one? We get it. You could make Disney’s monstrosity of a kitchen sink sundae—it’s got bananas! cupcakes! an entire can of whipped cream!—pretty much everything you could want, including the sink. OR make a sundae bar with all your favorite toppings—you won’t have to share or choose.

Too cold out for ice cream, or does a massive bowl of dairy seem like a lot? Don’t worry, you can still get your sundae fix. Try one of our sundae-inspired recipes instead: We’ve got ice cream sundae cupcakes, hot fudge sundae nachos, grilled peach sundaes, hot fudge sundae dip, and grilled pineapple sundaes. You can even enjoy a breakfast sundae—just swap out the ice cream for your favorite yogurt flavors (don’t worry, we’re still topping with sprinkles and a cherry).

Want more chilled dessert ideas? Check out our favorite milkshake recipes, no-bake desserts, and icebox cakes too.

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1

Fruit Loops Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (3)

Your favorite breakfast cereal only gets better when you cover it with ice cream and top it with raspberry sauce. It's a fruity flavor bomb, and we totally give you permission to eat it for breakfast. 😈

Get the Fruit Loops Sundae recipe.

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2

Peanut Butter Cup Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (5)

Anything that starts with a bed of peanut butter is bound to be good! This sundae starts with as much PB in the bottom as you like, and just keeps delivering on deliciousness thanks to tons of hot fudge, peanut butter cups and vanilla ice cream.

Get the Peanut Butter Cup Sundae recipe.

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3

Oreo Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (7)

Too much of a good thing is never enough. , mini Oreos, chocolate chips, and a dusting of Oreo cookie crumbs on top make this one amazing creation.

Get the Oreo Sundae recipe.

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4

Eton Mess Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (9)

Broken pieces of meringue cookies (store-bought or homemade), sliced strawberries, and strawberry ice cream turn a low-brow sundae into something worthy of English high tea.

Get the Eton Mess Sundae recipe.

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5

S'mores Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (11)

There's so much s'more to love in this insane dessert. On top of a base of marshmallow topping sits vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and graham cracker pieces. Then it's finished with a malted milk ball JUST BECAUSE.

Get the S'mores Sundae recipe.

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6

Spiked Chocolate Brownie Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (13)

It's a chocolate-lover's fantasy: Chocolate chocolate-chip ice cream, crumbled brownies, hot fudge, and a drizzle of Godiva liquor makes this sundae almost too much to handle.

Get the Spiked Chocolate Brownie Sundae recipe.

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7

Movie Madness Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (15)

We might have overdone it on this one. Heath Bar ice cream gets covered in chocolate sauce and an entire concession stand's worth of toppings: M&Ms, Milk Duds, Whoppers...and even Jujyfruits and a few Sour Patch Kids, for authenticity.

Get the Movie Madness Sundae recipe.

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8

Kitchen Sink Sundae

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (17)

A 28-ingredient sundae?! Be still, our hearts. This dessert is aptly named for its epic range of toppings (Bananas! Cupcakes! An entire can of whipped cream!) and for the fact that it’s served in a slightly shrunken replica of a chrome kitchen sink.

Get the Kitchen Sink Sundae recipe.

9

Grilled Pineapple Sundaes

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (19)

Grilling helps caramelize the sugars in pineapple before topping with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream. Say "aloha" to your go-to summer dessert.

Get the Grilled Pineapple Sundaes recipe.

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10

Banana Split Pops

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (21)

These pops are bananas! They're like everything you love about an ice cream sundae, but with chocolate-covered bananas as the star.

Get the Banana Split Pops recipe.

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11

Brownie Ice Cream Cups

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (23)

Brownie cup > ice cream cone, especially when you can use a box mix!

Get the Brownie Ice Cream Cups recipe.

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12

Hot Fudge Sundae Dip

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (25)

You can customize this dessert with whatever toppings you'd like, but hot fudge and rainbow sprinkles are an absolute must. Serve with waffle cone pieces or vanilla wafer cookies.

Get the Hot Fudge Sundae Dip recipe.

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13

Strawberry Sundae Bites

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (27)

These poppable bites are perfect for mini celebrations. The best part? Unlike a sundae, you can eat a ton of them!

Get the Strawberry Sundae Bites recipe.

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14

Grilled Peaches

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (29)

Underripe peaches are the worst—unless they're grilled. Over the flame, they get deliciously charred and caramelized, perfect for serving with ice cream and caramel sauce.

Get the Grilled Peaches recipe.

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15

Breakfast Sundaes

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (31)

We know, these aren't technically ice cream sundaes, but they look enough like one that we're counting it! Yogurt gets topped with all your favorite ice cream ingredients, plus Cheerios for good measure.

Get the Breakfast Sundaes recipe.

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16

Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (33)

Okay, okay, these aren't actually an ice cream sundae, but they're so cute, we just had to include them anyway. Take inspiration from our ice cream-stuffed cupcakes and fill these with your favorite flavor to get them even closer to a sundae.

Get the Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes recipe.

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17

Hot Fudge Sundae Nachos

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (35)

You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone of any age that doesn't love a hot fudge sundae, making them the perfect thing to serve to a group. You could set up a DIY sundae bar, or make these hot fudge sundae nachos!

Get the Hot Fudge Sundae Nachos recipe.

17 Next-Level Ice Cream Sundae Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What would you add to an ice cream sundae to make it better? ›

The Basics
  1. Sugar cones.
  2. Whipped cream.
  3. Maraschino Cherries.
  4. Rainbow sprinkles.
  5. Chocolate sprinkles.
  6. Chopped walnuts.

What is the most popular topping for ice cream sundaes? ›

The Best Ice Cream Toppings
  • SPRINKLES. The most classic of them all is, of course, sprinkles! ...
  • HOT FUDGE. Mmmm, hot fudge – we can taste it by just thinking about it! ...
  • SYRUPS / SAUCES. ...
  • MARASCHINO CHERRIES / FRUIT. ...
  • WHIPPED CREAM. ...
  • CRUSHED NUTS. ...
  • GUMMY CANDIES. ...
  • CEREAL.
Aug 11, 2023

How to elevate vanilla ice cream? ›

Caramel sauce, sprinkles, crushed candy and waffle cones can turn the ice cream in your freezer into all sorts of fun ice cream desserts. Even the best vanilla ice cream brands get an upgrade with classic hot fudge or a gourmet balsamic drizzle.

What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy? ›

When it comes to great ice cream, cold temperatures and speed are your friends: the faster you bring your base from liquid to solid, the creamier it'll be. In a 2-quart unit, a typical batch of ice cream will take between 18 and 25 minutes to churn.

What is in a dirty sundae? ›

- vanilla or chocolate ice cream. - oreo & brownie crumbles. - whipped cream.

What is an old fashioned sundae? ›

Traditional sundaes consist of vanilla ice cream topped with syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry served in a tulip-shaped glass or bowl. A sundae is delicious and a favorite ice cream option for those stopping by an old-time ice cream shop, but the history of the ice cream sundae is unknown.

What are fancy sundae toppings? ›

Or you could feature black and red raspberries and add gummies, slivers of red licorice, unicorn candy, and raspberry-filled candies. As a chocolate lover, I love the idea of Snickers Bars, chocolate-covered pretzels, caramel sauce, peanuts, and whipped cream.

How to make a home alone sundae? ›

This sundae, in honour of Kevin is of course, three scoops. A version of a banana split this sundae is simple and classic. It's built from your favourite vanilla ice cream, sliced bananas, peanut butter chocolate sauce and then sprinkles of smashed up chocolate bars and toasted nuts. It's pretty incredible.

How to make an ice cream sundae in 5 steps? ›

5 Steps For Creating An Ice Cream Sundae At Home
  1. Choose your serving bowls. Your ice cream sundae will be enjoyable in whatever container you choose. ...
  2. Create a sundae base. Put two to three scoops of an ice cream of your choice on the bottom of your dish. ...
  3. Drizzle your sauce. ...
  4. Add some toppings. ...
  5. Finishing touches.
Apr 5, 2017

How to make an ice cream sundae 4 steps? ›

Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and add some mixed fresh fruit and syrup. Repeat this step again making sure you coat the edges of the glass with syrup. This time, add your scoop of chocolate ice cream. Add a small layer of your whipped cream, then fruit, then add your final scoop of strawberry ice cream.

Does Smuckers sundae syrup harden? ›

We suggest storing Smucker's® Magic Shell Chocolate Fudge Flavored Topping at room temperature, even after opening. Do not refrigerate. If Magic Shell Toppings are stored below 65º, the product will separate and harden.

What's the difference between ice cream and ice cream sundae? ›

Ice cream is really just ice cream, maybe with a flake or drizzle of sauce. And, yes, a sundae is made with ice cream. But it's usually several scoops topped with sauce, whipped cream, chopped nuts or sprinkles or both.

How to make ice cream sundae in a box? ›

I fill a box with ice cream toppings, sprinkles and everything needed for an ice cream sundae, minus the actual ice cream. As You Wish has the cutest ice cream bowls and spoons that you can paint and include in the kit. Or you could always leave them unfinished and the recipient can enjoy painting them.

What can I add to ice cream to make it taste better? ›

To make a different ice cream flavor, fold 2 to 2 1/2 cups of finely diced mix-ins into the ice cream immediately after churning. Adding fresh strawberries makes a wonderful strawberry ice cream, but another fresh fruit, mini chocolate chips, or cookie or brownie crumbles would be great too.

How can I improve my ice cream? ›

Adding candy pieces, nuts or dried or fresh fruit to your ice cream can add a whole new flavor and texture dimension. Mix-ins should be small, around the size of a chocolate chip, so the ice cream maker can incorporate them into the frozen ice cream.

What should I put on a sundae? ›

TOPPINGS: Crunchy toppings such as chopped nuts, sprinkles, crumbled Heath bar, crushed Oreos and mini chocolate chips. Cookies and candies are a must! There are even mini fudge stripes cookies, Reeses Pieces, M&M's, gummy worms, and mini peanut butter cups on this board.

What could you add in to change the Flavour of the ice cream? ›

A sprinkling of sea salt can literally compliment any flavour of ice cream. While salted caramel is all the rage these days, try it with chocolate or Nutella. All of the world's greatest chocolate makers recommend salting sweet food, and ice cream is no exception. Sometimes you just can't beat the classics!

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