Some of the most fun we ever had at a summer party was when friends capped a Sunday barbecue with a sundae bar. They only served one flavor of ice cream—premium vanilla—but they set out 2 dozen different toppings in assorted paper cups. These weren’t the usual M&M’s and jimmies, though. We helped ourselves to a bunch of surprising and even strange additions. It was a lot of fun, and everyone discovered a new favorite combo (crushed Pringles, anyone?).
If you’re looking for a unique party theme (kids or adults), a fresh idea for a summer dessert, or just a novel way to clean out your pantry and fridge, here’s a list of toppings that’ll make even vanilla taste less vanilla.
Sauces/Syrups
Reduced balsamic vinegar (bring to boil in a skillet and simmer)
Dark natural maple syrup
Warmed peanut butter
Barbecue sauce
Premium honey
Marshmallow Fluff
Soy sauce
Pie filling
Jellies and jams (melt and thin with juice)
Sprinkles
Crushed pretzels (plain or chocolate-covered)
Fresh buttered popcorn
Nestlé Nesquik or Ovaltine powder
Cereal (Cocoa Krispies, Corn Flakes, Fruit Loops…)
Crushed potato chips
Salted nuts, like pistachios
Minimarshmallows
Bread crumbs
Energy-bar pieces (for the fitness-conscious)
Finely ground espresso beans
Booze
Guinness stout
Liqueur (Kahlúa, Baileys, amaretto, schnapps, crème de menthe…)
Liquor (brandy, whiskey, sherry, rum…)
Bitters
Fruit
Mandarin oranges in syrup
Fresh pineapple with coconut
Overripe peaches or bananas
Shredded lemon or orange peel
Spices
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh herbs (mint, basil, rosemary…)
Fresh cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger
Spicy
Red Hots
Chili powder
Tabasco
Chocolate-chili sauce
Pepperoni
Sweets
Toasted pound-cake cubes
Cheesecake cubes
Brownie cubes
Day-old doughnut pieces
Crumbled pie
Crumbled waffle cones
Pop Rocks candy
Crushed Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies
Jell-O cubes
Combos
Dark maple syrup and Jack Daniel’s
Raspberries and reduced balsamic vinegar
Bourbon and honey
Pineapple soaked in dark rum
Bourbon-soaked dried apricots
Chocolate fudge and Zinfandel sauce
Adventuresome!
Crispy, crumbled bacon
Diced sweet pickles or sweet relish
Golden caviar
Edible gold leaf
Edible flowers
Shredded cheese
Chocolate-covered ants or insects (for those on a high-protein diet!)
Grown Up Get Togethers and Bring the Kids
