The Right Toppings Make the Whole Sundae
Sundaes always need to start out with an excellent ice cream base, but after that, it's up to the toppings to give it personality and upgrade the taste. Whether you like it sweet, rich, chocolatey, or filled with crunchy bites, there are so many toppings to satisfy your desires. Here are just 20 of them that you can never go wrong with on a sundae.
1. Hot Fudge
Can you even call it a sundae without hot fudge drizzled on top? Chocolate and ice cream go hand in hand together, and this topping just adds a deep chocolate flavor and an interesting warm-to-cold sensation that feels so satisfying. If you can only pick one topping, you can never go wrong with this one.
2. Caramel Sauce
Not a fan of chocolate? Well, here's a great alternative. Caramel sauce brings a buttery sweetness that feels nicely rounded, and works especially well with vanilla, coffee, and chocolate ice cream. It adds depth in a way that never overpowers the ice cream itself.
3. Whipped Cream
A classic but a goody, whipped cream is a staple when it comes to sundaes. Not only does it improve the texture and adds a nice airy sweetness, but it's also a lot lighter than other toppings that tend to be too dense or sticky for some people's liking.
4. Maraschino Cherries
A maraschino cherry may seem traditional to the point of being obvious, but there's a reason it's always in the pictures. Adding a bright pop of sweetness and a little chew that stands out nicely, it's a nice treat many love to save for the end, or enjoy as their first bite.
5. Crushed Oreos
Good as a cookie on its own and even better as a sundae topping, Oreos add chocolate flavor and a delightful crunch to the otherwise soft ice cream. And as the cookie bits soak up all that ice cream as it melts, each spoonful becomes loaded in sweet goodness.
6. Chopped Peanuts
For those who don't want more sweetness added to their sundae, chopped peanuts bring a salty, nutty bite that helps balance out all the elements like fudge, caramel, and whipped cream. For many sundaes, that contrast is exactly what's missing.
7. Toasted Almonds
Offering a more delicate nutty flavor than peanuts, toasted almonds also make for a great choice when you want something refined but still texturally satisfying and unique. They hold up well even as the ice cream melts, meaning this topping never falls into the background.
8. Rainbow Sprinkles
Rainbow sprinkles might not contribute much richness or flavor, but they do add a cheerful visual finish that makes a sundae feel complete. Their slight crunch gives just enough texture to matter, especially on top of whipped cream or syrup, too.
9. Chocolate Sprinkles
Alternatively, chocolate sprinkles are a good option when you want the charm of sprinkles with a little more flavor. They blend into the sundae more naturally than rainbow sprinkles, give the same crunch, but add a nice touch of chocolatey goodness that'll keep you happy.
10. Brownie Pieces
Want something a bit fancier and indulgent? Why not combine two of your favorite desserts together by topping your sundae off with brownie pieces? Their soft, slightly chewy texture works well against cold ice cream, and they absorb syrup in a delicious way.
11. Crushed Waffle Cone
Even if you're not eating a classic ice cream cone, that doesn't mean you don't have to go without the waffle cone entirely. Crush it up and use it as a delightful topping that's sweet, crunchy, and provides a lovely toasted flavor. The best part is, you know it's a combo that'll work.
12. Fresh Strawberries
Fresh strawberries bring brightness that can help a rich sundae feel less overloaded. Their natural sweetness and slight acidity can cut through chocolate or caramel in a way that keeps the dessert balanced and more thought out flavor-wise.
13. Sliced Bananas
Just like strawberries, bananas are another fresh fruit option that works wonderfully on sundaes. They have a mild sweetness that isn't overpowering, and their soft texture fits right in with the creaminess of the ice cream. They work especially well with hot fudge, nuts, caramel, and whipped cream, which is why banana-based sundaes have stayed popular for so long.
14. Pineapple Tidbits
Pineapple on pizza might be controversial, but pineapple tidbits on sundaes add a juicy, tangy note that can wake up the flavors, especially when built around vanilla or coconut ice cream. They bring a different kind of sweetness than syrups and candy, which helps the dessert feel more varied from bite to bite.
15. Shaved Chocolate
Shaved chocolate gives you a cleaner chocolate presence than syrup or hot fudge when you don't want extra stickiness or artificial chocolate flavors. They're especially effective on whipped cream, giving your sundae that classic look that makes it somehow taste better, too.
16. Peanut Butter Sauce
Peanut butter lovers rejoice! This addictive and delicious spread works well on sundaes too! It's no surprise that it pairs particularly well with chocolate ice cream, brownie pieces, and chopped peanuts, though vanilla benefits from it too.
17. Butterscotch Sauce
Butterscotch sauce has a warm, buttery sweetness that feels distinct from caramel, even though the two are often grouped together. It brings a softer, slightly richer flavor that works well with vanilla, butter pecan, and coffee ice cream. Just a drizzle can change up the entire flavor profile!
18. Crushed Pretzels
If you're big on texture, crushed pretzels provide the kind of salty crunch that helps a sweet sundae feel better balanced. They also hold their bite nicely for a while, so you can continue enjoying that crunchy goodness along with every spoonful.
19. Coconut Flakes
Coconut flakes add a slightly chewy texture and a mellow tropical sweetness that works beautifully with fruit and vanilla-based sundaes in particular. Toasted coconut is especially effective because it brings more flavor and a firmer bite. It can also soften the impact of very rich toppings by adding something a little lighter in character.
20. Mini Chocolate Chips
When you want both texture and heavy chocolate flavor, the best solution is to mix mini chocolate chips through your entire sundae. They add crunch, richness, and sweetness that elevates your sundae to the next level every time. And because they're small enough, they won't overpower the whole dessert either.
