Ice cream sundaes are awesome. Here’s how to make the perfect one. 

Making the perfect ice cream sundae isn’t as easy as merely tossing the ingredients together. Making your own sundae is an art, an activity, and a whole experience if you choose to make it one. 

Did you know the first ice cream sundae was actually a mistake? The story of how the sundae came to be dates back to the late 1800s in Midwestern America, a time when laws prohibited the sales of soda on a Sunday. (Quick history lesson: Midwestern America was very religious during the 1880s, and the Sabbath on Sundays prevented many simple pleasures, including indulging in a bubbly ice cream soda). 

Word on the street is that in 1881, the owner of an ice cream parlor in Wisconsin was looking into increasing sales on Sundays and decided to make some modifications to the ice cream soda recipe (to adhere to the laws prohibiting soda on this day). He swapped the milkshake glass for a glass dish, added the scoops of ice cream and topped with syrup, and sold it as an “ice cream Sunday.” 

The new dish was so popular and started making him so much money that he soon changed the name to “ice cream sundae” and began serving it every day of the week, not just on Sundays. Kind of cool, right? It’s always fun when we come to learn these little snippets of history – especially when it’s about ice cream. You didn’t ask for it, but now you can share this small piece of random knowledge with friends the next time you’re enjoying an ice cream sundae together (which won’t be long after seeing how easy and perfect this recipe is). 

With summer right around the corner, let’s get right into it. 

First Things First, Decide on the Serving Style

Before getting into the fun stuff, we have to go over some logistics. 

Is this going to be a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar, buffet-style for a party? Or is this a smaller gathering with a few friends that will be happening around a table? Or maybe you’re going to be making this sundae all on your own – which is totally cool too and such a power move. *Props.* 

The setting of your sundae party will play into the required setup, for example, the need to set up pre-portioned bowls of toppings, keeping ice cream frozen until serving time, and mess-prevention. 

You’ll also want to think about whether to serve your sundae in a classic sundae dish, a regular bowl, or a mason jar.

Your ice cream sundae is going to be incredible in whichever container you choose. Our advice is to err on the side of bigger rather than smaller; bigger containers will allow for more creativity in design and prevent drips and spills. 

Oh, and if banana splits are something you’re into, consider using a longer, more oval-shaped container.

Ok, you should now have a general idea of where this ice cream sundae party will happen and the type of containers they’re going to be served in. Now it’s time for the main event.

Step 1: Scoops

For one sundae, we suggest 2-3 scoops of ice cream. It’s definitely ok to use more, but you’ll want to leave some space in both the container (and your stomach) for all the delicious toppings you’re going to be adding on after. Leave some room between the ice cream and the rim of the bowl to allow for run-off toppings and sauces (AKA the waterfall of our five-year-old dreams). 

Choosing your flavor(s) of ice cream scoops is one of the best parts – there are so many options allowing for so many possibilities. Before immediately reaching for your favorite kind of ice cream, remember we want the ice cream flavor to complement the sauces and toppings in all right ways. 

Traditional sundaes usually sport the classic flavors of chocolate and vanilla. These flavors create the perfect versatile canvas, allowing for all the creativity to choose sauces and toppings. Try imagining a theme you already enjoy ahead of time, such as nutty, candy, fruity, trendy, etc. 

Speaking of trendy, vegan ice cream is starting to make a name for itself, and it’s a trend we’re hoping is here to stay—fun fact: non-dairy is now the fastest-growing segment of frozen desserts. More and more Americans are ditching dairy and starting to favor plant-based alternatives. Just about every dairy product now has a dairy-free option, and honestly, companies are starting to get pretty good at making them, too. 

We suggest using Eclipse ice cream. It’s the first plant-based ice cream that’s indistinguishable from dairy – it’s not a dairy alternative; it’s a sequel. Made from only six simple ingredients and free from all common allergens (no soy, nuts, wheat, or lactose), if you want the perfect ice cream sundae, start with the perfect ice cream: Eclipse.

To keep your sundae traditional, try Eclipse’s classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla, or cookie butter. These timeless flavors are all the perfect base for sundaes with a theme like cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, and peanut butter. 

Step 2: Sauces

It’s time to get saucy! Not only do sauces add elements of sticky, smooth, and sweetness in all the right ways, but they also create different consistencies to keep your taste buds guessing with every bite. 

The go-to sauces are usually hot fudge, caramel, peanut butter, and jam-like sauces. Many popular sundae sauces have recipes online, so feel free to go the extra mile and have fun with making your own right at home!

Sauces for sundaes can be both hot and cold, which can add contrast and really make your tastebuds do their happy dance. Imagine your favorite ice cream served with thick, hot fudge or chunky, cold raspberry sauce… mmm, the possibilities are endless. Try thinking outside the box and consider things not-so-average sauces, like honey or melted Nutella. 

Again, it’s not necessary, but following a theme is always fun. Going along with our traditional cookie-related theme, sauces like fudge, caramel, peanut butter, and butterscotch compliment these three classic ice cream flavors super well. Just saying. 

Are you going for a more fruity sundae? How about vanilla ice cream scoops in between a sliced banana with drizzles of hot strawberry sauce? Not sure about you, but we can taste it already.

Pssst – when saucing up your ice cream scoops, be mindful of how the drizzles will look on top. Designs like wiggles side to side or a zig-zag pattern are just a few ideas for making your sundae not only perfectly delicious but ‘Gram worthy too. 

Step 3: Toppings

Toppings are literally the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. 

Toppings are great for adding texture; add pretzels for some crunch factor or chewy bits of cookie dough spread throughout to add an extra element of fun and surprise. 

The possibilities are just about endless, so we’ll just name a few of our all-time favorites:

  • Nuts: peanuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and pecans. (If you’re feeling fancy, try candied walnuts or pecans and thank us later). 
  • Sliced fruit: bananas, mango, and pineapple. 
  • Berries: strawberries, blueberries, blackberries. 
  • Candy: gummy worms and bears, candy rings, jelly beans, and sour candies too. 
  • Chocolates: M&ms, Reese’s cups, chocolate mints, crushed Oreos, cocoa nibs, and cookie pieces. 
  • Adventurous: potato chips (adds a surprisingly nice salty and crunch factor), granola, candied popcorn, and coconut shavings. 

Last but certainly not least, every sundae needs some whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top… we don’t make the rules; we just follow them.  

The Perfect Ice Cream Sundae

There you have it, the perfect ice cream sundae. Not only are ice cream sundaes the perfect mouth-watering treat for a hot summer day, but they’re also a fun activity to do with a group of friends.

Remember that with no sacrifice to taste, texture, or consistency, using plant-based ice cream instead of regular dairy ice cream can also help save the planet. Plant-based ice cream uses less fresh water, preserves acres of viable farmland, and prevents tons of greenhouse gases from entering our atmosphere. 

Now that you have the perfect recipe, we hope you enjoy your next ice cream sundae!


Sources

Who Invented the Ice Cream Sundae? | ThoughtCo

Dairy-Free Ice Cream Market Size & Share | Industry Report, 2019-2025 | Grandview Research

The Crazy History Of Your Cocktail Cherry – The Daily Beast