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Ice Cream Sundae Bar Spread

A complete guide to setting up an ice cream sundae bar with tips on ratios, homemade toppings, and technique for a crowd-pleasing dessert spread.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pints vanilla ice cream 1 pint chocolate ice cream, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced, 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce, 1/2 cup caramel sauce, 1/2 cup sprinkles, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, 1/2 cup chocolate shavings, 1/4 cup maraschino cherries, whipped cream

Equipment

  • Ice cream scooper
  • small bowls
  • ramekins
  • parchment-lined baking sheet
  • saucepans
  • serving spoons
  • labels

Method
 

  1. Scoop the ice cream onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in small balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and freeze for 30 minutes until firm. This prevents melting and makes serving easy. 2. Make the hot fudge: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine heavy cream, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, sugar, and butter. Stir constantly until smooth and thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Let cool for 10 minutes. 3. Slice strawberries and arrange all toppings in small bowls or ramekins. 4. Set up the bar: place the frozen ice cream scoops in a chilled bowl or on the baking sheet in a shallow dish surrounded by ice. Arrange toppings in a logical order: sauces first, then dry toppings, then fruit, then whipped cream and cherries. 5. Let guests build their own sundaes. Keep extra ice cream in the freezer and replenish as needed. 6. Serve immediately. Leftover hot fudge keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Store leftover toppings separately. Ice cream scoops can be prepped up to 2 hours ahead and kept frozen. For dairy-free, use coconut milk ice cream and dairy-free chocolate. For nut-free, skip peanuts and use seeds or extra sprinkles. Always use a clean scoop for each ice cream flavor to avoid cross-contamination. Handle hot saucepans with care.