Ice cream sundae bar ideas for your next party

What do you put on an ice cream sundae bar?

Buffet sundae bars allow your guests to roll up their sleeves and create decadent desserts customized to their individual tastes. Explore the following ice cream flavors, mix-ins and toppings and get inspired to create a memorable and flavorful experience for your next gathering.

1. Ice cream

The foundation of any ice cream sundae bar is, of course, the ice cream itself. You’ll want to provide a variety of ice cream flavors to cater to different preferences. Include classic options like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry for a more traditional selection, or opt for flavors that stand out like maple bacon, pineapple coconut or even Thai tea. You can also set out ice cream options that take any dietary restrictions and preferences into consideration, like fruit-based "nice" cream, vegan ice cream and homemade frozen yogurt. Your KitchenAid^® stand mixer with the Ice Cream Maker Attachment¹ can help you create ice cream from scratch, giving your ice cream sundae bar an artisanal touch. ^{1. Sold separately.}

2. Mix-ins

The beauty of making homemade ice cream is the ability to hand pick the mix-ins you want to include. Mix-ins are delightful additions that add texture, flavor and a personal touch to your sundaes. Chocolate cookie sandwiches, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, fresh fruit or pieces of homemade cookies and brownies can be churned in with your ice cream to create countless unique flavor combinations.

3. Toppings

Toppings are the crowning jewels of any ice cream sundae bar, offering a burst of color, flavor and whimsy. From traditional classics like whipped cream, hot fudge and maraschino cherries to trendy innovations like pear caramel sauce, spiced nuts or toasted coconut, toppings truly elevate sundaes to the next level.

How to make an ice cream sundae bar

Explore the step-by-step instructions for making a buffet ice cream sundae bar below to make your next party one for the books.

Yields

• 10 servings (adjust with the size of your party)

Prep time

• 24 hours

Total time

• 35 hours

Ingredients

Ice cream

• Heavy cream

• Whole milk

• Egg yolks

• Sugar

• Flavorings, like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup or vanilla bean

• Mix-ins, like nuts, chocolate chips, brownie pieces, crushed sandwich cookies or shredded coconut

Toppings

• Whipped cream

• Cherries

• Fresh fruit, like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or pineapple

• Hot fudge

• Caramel sauce

• Toasted coconut

• Nuts

• Candy pieces

• Ice cream cone pieces

Tools

• Stand mixer, like the KitchenAid^® Professional 5^™ Plus Series 5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

• KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Maker Attachment

• Blender, like the KitchenAid^® K400 Variable Speed Blender

• Food processor, like the KitchenAid^® 13-Cup Food Processor

• Slow cooker, like the KitchenAid^® 6-Quart Slow Cooker (optional)

• Plastic wrap

• Airtight containers

• Bowls (for serving)

• Spoons (for serving)

• Ice cream scoop

• Tablecloth (optional)

Step 1: Prep ingredients for your ice cream

Two days before your party, place the Ice Cream Maker Attachment in the freezer and leave it there for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to make the ice cream, set your countertop appliances on a flat, stable surface near an outlet. Gather your ice cream ingredients and mix-ins so they are all within reach.

Step 2: Make the ice cream flavors

Make the custard base for your ice cream by whisking sugar, heavy cream, whole milk and egg yolks in a saucepan over low heat on the stove until thickened. Cover with plastic wrap and cool at room temperature, then chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 8 hours.

Attach your KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Attachment¹ to your stand mixer and set the mixer on the Stir setting, then add the chilled ice cream mixture to the bowl. Churn for 20–30 minutes or until a soft-serve texture is achieved.

Place the ice cream in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle in your mix-ins. Gently fold the ice cream to incorporate the mix-ins, then place the ice cream in an airtight container and store in the freezer.

If you’re making a fruit-based nice cream, add sliced frozen fruit to your blender or food processor, then blend or process on high until smooth and creamy. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer until you’re ready to serve.

^{1. Sold separately.}

Step 3: Prep your toppings

As you get closer to party time, take some time to prep your toppings. This step may vary depending on the types of toppings you choose to serve. You can use your food processor to chop walnuts, pecans or peanuts for a salty and crunchy option. Slice fresh fruit and cut up any baked goods into small pieces. Make fresh whipped cream in your stand mixer for an additional homemade touch. Use your slow cooker to warm hot fudge or caramel sauce and keep it heated for serving.

Step 4: Set up your sundae bar

Once you have all of your sweet treats prepared and ready to go, it’s time to set up your sundae bar serving station. This is a time where your signature style can really shine.

Feel free to decorate your table and add serving bowls filled with your toppings. Make sure to include sundae bowls and spoons and set out an ice cream scoop for each flavor you’ve prepared. When your guests are ready to start building their dream sundae, take your ice cream out of the freezer and let them get creative.

How much ice cream do I need per person?

Everyone has different appetites, but it’s best to prepare enough ice cream so that each person can have at least three scoops on their sundae, or about 1 ½ cups per person. This helps ensure that there will be plenty of ice cream to go around.

How do I keep ice cream cold at a party?

To help keep ice cream cold at a sundae bar, place the container in a large bucket surrounded with ice, or set each tub of ice cream in a cooler near the buffet table. Your ice cream should be soft enough to scoop, but not so soft that it loses its shape and frozen texture.

If you’re hosting the sundae bar in an outdoor setting, you may want to opt for dry ice in a cooler to keep your ice cream frozen and protected from the outdoor temperatures. Always be very careful when handling dry ice around food.

Tips for ice cream sundae bars

Before arranging your ice cream sundae buffet, explore these tips to help your party go off without a hitch.

• Large bowls: Choose the right sized bowls for your guests’ sundaes. Opt for larger bowls that can hold at least two scoops of ice cream with room to add as many toppings as they choose.

• Pre-scoop: Scoop your ice cream a day ahead of time to prevent a mess from forming on the buffet table. You can store the scoops on a wax-lined sheet tray in the freezer until you’re ready to serve.

• Kid’s sundae bar: If you’re hosting a party for adults and kids, make a separate sundae bar for the younger guests with kid-friendly flavors and toppings to keep any boozy or caffeinated ice creams like coffee or Irish cream liqueur flavors out of reach.