The Ice Cream Sundae is a classic American dessert that takes just 10 minutes to assemble and is always a crowd-pleaser. This red, white, and blue version is delicious any time but deserves a special place at your July 4th table.
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An ice cream sundae is a layered dessert made with ice cream. In its original form, the classic sundae was a few scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.
Modern-day versions are much more elaborate regarding the ingredients used and the dish's presentation. At a minimum, today's version of a sundae contains 4 components: ice cream, sauce or syrup, add-ins like fresh fruit, sprinkles or nuts, and a garnish.
For this recipe, I used homemade vanilla bean ice cream, raspberry sauce, blueberry compote, and chocolate-covered strawberries. The final result is a layered dessert with a fresh, fruity flavor.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect summer dessert - There's nothing better than a chilled ice cream-based dessert to fight the summer heat.
- Delicious fruity flavor - While a traditional sundae with chocolate fudge is and always will be a favorite, the sauces made from seasonal summer berries in this recipe make a light and refreshing change.
- Make-ahead recipe - Everything in this recipe can be made beforehand, just like my caramel crunch ice cream, which is a huge time saver when entertaining.
- Great for a cookout—This dessert is great for hosting a cookout, especially on Memorial Day or July 4th.
Ingredient notes
- Vanilla ice cream - I use my homemade vanilla bean ice cream linked above for this recipe.
- Blueberry sauce - The blueberry sauce is a simple homemade recipe that takes only 10 minutes to cook.
- Raspberry sauce - This is another quick and easy recipe linked above. It can be made a few days in advance.
- Chocolate strawberries - These are very easy to prepare at home using fresh strawberries and baker's dipping chocolate.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.
Substitutions & variations
- Try different flavors - To create variations of this sundae, try using different flavored ice cream, sauces, and garnishes. A favorite version of mine uses lemon curd, coconut, almonds, and vanilla ice cream.
- Add some crunch - To enhance flavor and texture, add chopped nuts or crushed salted pretzels.
- Use store-bought ingredients - If you don't have time to make your ice cream and sauces, use store-bought ones and assemble the sundae before serving it.
- Make a sundae bar - A fun way to serve an ice cream sundae is to set up a serving station with assorted flavors of ice cream, sauces, mix-ins, and garnishes and let your guests build their sundae.
Step-by-step instructions
First step - Make your vanilla bean ice cream per the recipe linked above or buy your favorite one at the store.
Second step - Make this easy blueberry compote a day or 2 ahead and chill in the fridge till it's time to assemble the sundae.
Third step - The raspberry sauce is also very easy to prepare ahead of time and store till you need it.
Fourth step - Prepare the chocolate strawberries the night before and chill in the fridge till you need them.
Fifth step - Assemble the sundaes just before serving them. I like to start with ¼ cup of raspberry sauce, followed by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then ¼ cup of blueberry sauce, and another scoop of ice cream. Garnish with some fresh blueberries and a chocolate-covered strawberry and serve.
Expert Tips
- Perfect proportions - The ideal ratio in a sundae is ¼ cup of sauce per scoop of ice cream. Stick to this for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Chill the glasses - This ensures that all of the ingredients stay cold while assembling the sundaes.
Recipe FAQS
There are many stories about how and why this popular dessert got its name. One thing is certain: sundae is derived from the name of the day, "Sunday." One theory is that the sundae was made using leftover ice cream from Sunday and sold on Monday, while another theory states that the dish was created by a Mr. Sonntag, and the translation of his German name is Sunday. A brief history of the ice cream Sundae reveals yet another story.
It's best to assemble and eat the sundae immediately; however, if you have any leftovers, place them in a freezer-friendly container with an airtight lid. This will alter the presentation, but the taste will remain the same.
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If you decide to try this recipe, Please don't forget to leave a rating and comment below! If you take a picture, tag me on Instagram! Thank You!
Ice Cream Sundae
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Equipment
- 4 tall sundae or milkshake glasses
Ingredients
- 8 scoops no churn vanilla bean ice cream (see notes)
- 1 cup raspberry sauce (see notes)
- 1 cup blueberry sauce (see notes)
- ½ cup blueberries
- 4 chocolate covered strawberries
Instructions
- Chill your serving glasses for an hour before you assemble the sundaes.
- To start assembling, add ¼ cup of raspberry sauce.
- Add 1 scoop of the vanilla ice cream as your next layer
- Next, add ¼ cup of blueberry sauce.
- Add the second scoop of the vanilla ice cream.
- Top with a few fresh blueberries and 1 chocolate covered strawberry and serve.
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