Top Your Treat with These Four Outrageous Ice Cream Toppings

There is nothing like a scoop of ice cream to cool you down on a hot day and satisfy any sweet tooth.

Whether you pile it high in a bowl or cram it into a waffle cone, ice cream is the perfect conclusion to a fun day at the swimming pool, a summer evening walk, or just a night in watching your favorite movie.

But what do you top your ice cream with? That is the question. While many people lean toward traditional favorites like hot fudge, caramel, chopped nuts, and whipped cream, there are some out-of-the-box options you should take for a spin. Next time you head out to your favorite ice cream shop like Creamistry or Zero Chill Creamery, consider these four unique ice cream toppings for some delicious inspiration.

Barbecue Potato Chips

Have you ever scooped up a milkshake with a French fry? While it doesn’t sound like it would work on the surface, there are actually scientific studies that explain why people love that alluring combination of salty and sweet. The same applies to ice cream. Try crumbling Ritz Crackers or pretzels on top of caramel ice cream, adding barbecue potato chips to a blackberry ice cream, or sprinkling flaked sea salt atop a dark chocolate ice cream.

Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Adding a delicious sauce or glaze to your ice cream is a great way to add flavor without taking away from that smooth, creamy texture. Traditional caramel or hot fudge is always amazing, but you might consider some ice cream toppings that are a bit more palate expanding. On strawberry ice cream, you could drizzle a rich balsamic vinegar reduction for a beautiful twist. Or, for an even more sophisticated flavor combination, top your vanilla ice cream with olive oil and sea salt.

Lucky Charms

While some people like maintaining the smooth texture of ice cream, others like adding some chewy, crunchy, and crispy elements. Chopped nuts are a solid option for a typical sundae, but for your next frozen dessert, you might try adding some cereal or circus flavors! Add some of your favorite cereal flavors to your bowl, like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, or even Frosted Flakes. And if you’re looking for even more crunch, try caramel corn or peanut brittle for some circus-inspired flavors.

Rosemary and Honey

Wanting to add more greens to your diet? Add a flourish to your ice cream with some garden herbs! That bowl of sweet strawberry ice cream is just calling for slivers of fresh basil. French vanilla ice cream pairs perfectly with a few crushed-up blooms of lavender. Using that same vanilla ice cream as a base, sprinkle some finely chopped rosemary on top and add a drizzle of honey for a flavor explosion.

The only thing better than a bowl of ice cream is discovering new toppings that take it to a new level. So try something new this summer—and let us know how it goes!