Here’s what I want you to do: invite over your favorite crew to hang out on a perfect summer night for an ice cream social. They are thinking, “Ok, ok, sure I like ice cream all right.” They are expecting the typical vanilla ice cream with some chocolate syrup and sprinkles. If you are really getting wild they might see that you dug out the cookies and cream out of the back of the freezer and some caramel sauce as well. That’s all good and fun, but what would they think if you laid out some really sophisticated edgy toppings and concoctions like this caramel ice cream, caramel corn and sprinkled peanuts??

Or what about this vanilla ice cream with lemon curd that you can top with candied lemon peel?

Or this vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche and apples sautéed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon?

Or finally, what about a tiramisu inspired delight with coffee ice cream and cocoa powder sprinkled on top? Mmmm mmmm!

I will tell you what will happen—they will be begging to come to your house every week for the rest of the summer to see what brilliant grown-up concoctions you come up with next. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! I’ve got a list here of over 30 different toppings and combinations you can do for your next ice cream social. Let’s get this party started!

Fruit toppings:

Peach preserves

Freeze-dried strawberries

Assorted fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mango, peaches)

Lemon curd

Pineapple compote

Brandied cherries

Candied lemon peel

Crystalized ginger

Crunchy toppings:

Cocoa nibs

Chocolate pearls

Vanilla fleur de sel

Candied walnuts

Toasted pepitas

Granola

Unsweetened coconut, toasted

Crushed gingersnaps

Graham cracker crumbs

Edible lavender florets

Matchstick pretzels

Nut brittle, broken into pieces

Caramel corn

Salted Spanish peanuts

Cocoa powder

Soft toppings:

Warmed Nutella

Local honey

Grade B maple syrup

Hot Espresso

Balsamic

Dulce de leche

Ice cream flavors:

French vanilla

Goat's milk vanilla

Chocolate

Coffee

Coconut

Strawberry

Peanut butter

Caramel

Macadamia nut

Lemon sorbet

Blueberry

Favorite Ice Cream Sundae Combinations:

• Vanilla ice cream, lemon curd, blueberries

• Vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, toasted pepitas

• Vanilla ice cream, peach preserves, fresh peaches

• Goat's milk vanilla ice cream, fleur de sel

• Coffee ice cream, cocoa nibs

• Coconut ice cream, crushed gingersnaps, crystalized ginger

• Strawberry ice cream, balsamic, dried strawberries, graham cracker crumbs

• Peanut butter ice cream, warmed Nutella, peanut brittle

• Caramel ice cream, caramel corn, Spanish peanuts

• Macadamia nut ice cream, pineapple compote, toasted coconut

• Lemon sorbet, lavender florets, candied lemon peel

• Scoop of vanilla ice cream in a small cup or bowl with a shot of hot espresso poured over it

• Vanilla ice cream with dulce de leche and apples sautéed with butter, sugar, and cinnamon

I guarantee that someone reading this article right now is thinking, “This is basically a list of how to ruin perfectly good ice cream.” This would be my husband, haha. I get it. I know you guys are out there. You can just merrily enjoy your vanilla and the rest of us can dream of wonderful add-ins for ice cream for days on end.

What is your favorite concoction for a wonderful ice cream sundae? Are there combinations you would add to the list?