50+ Best Topping Ideas for Ice Cream

These fun & tasty ideas are the perfect way to top your ice cream sundae or cone. With so many choices, these best topping ideas for ice cream will for sure bring smiles to the faces of every ice cream fan. I don't know about you but ice cream is one of my favorites and there is something special about adding various toppings to a scoop that makes it a special dessert.

Whether you love sweet sticky sauces, something chocolatey, or colorful toppings, there is no better way to complete a decadent sundae or top an ice cream cone. I am sharing the best recipe or topping ideas to add something sweet, sour, nutty, fruity, unique, creamy, or hot & gooey! So whether you drizzle on some chocolate sauce, shake on some sprinkles, or pile on the fruit, grab a big spoon and be ready to dig in.

Jump to:

• Classic & Popular Ice Cream Toppings
• Crazy & Unique Ice Cream Toppings
• Healthy Ice Cream Toppings
• Kid-Favorite Ways to Top Ice Cream
• Ice Cream Recipes
• Best Store-Bought Toppings
• 50+ Best Topping Ideas for Ice Cream

These classic and unique topping ideas for ice cream include everything from hot fudge sauce to crumbled bacon and everything in between. Below are the best store-bought ice cream toppings as well as easy and tasty homemade recipes. This list is great for a variety of garnishes, sauces, and more. I recommend all these ice cream toppings for parties, birthdays, summer cookouts/BBQs, or Sunday sundaes (a weekly tradition at our house!)

There is no wrong way to make a sundae or top an ice cream cone. So go for it and don't forget the cherry on top. All the best toppings are listed here for you to build the ultimate sundae or ice cream cone. These classic, unique, healthy, or kid-friendly topping choices are tasty, colorful, & fun. Plus plenty of toppings to choose from for any diet whether you are gluten-free, keto, diabetic, nut-free, vegan, or dairy-free.

Get ready to set up the ultimate ice cream bar with these fixings - get scooping - make a mess - have brain freeze & enjoy - that's part of the fun!

Classic & Popular Ice Cream Toppings

These simple ideas are the classic ways to top ice cream. They turn a traditional scoop of vanilla ice cream into a wonderfully bright & decadent dessert. So gather up the ingredients and build your own sundae.

• HOT FUDGE - that warm, gooey, rich, & thick chocolatey classic sauce
• CARAMEL SAUCE - buttery, sticky, & sweet caramel sauce
• STRAWBERRY SAUCE - the dark pink fruity sauce is always a hit
• SODAS - the classic Root Beer float or a fun Orange Fanta for creamsicle flavor
• WHIPPED CREAM - the fluffy topping every sundae needs
• CHOPPED PEANUTS - sprinkle on a top or roll a dipped cone in these
• CHOCOLATE CHIPS - literally the best way to add chocolate to just anything
• TOFFEE - chop up your favorite toffee candy, such as Heath or Almond Roca
• M&Ms - the mini ones are our favorite to sprinkle on ice cream
• CRUSHED OREOS - the classic cookies & cream treat
• WAFER COOKIES & ROLLS - the flaky crispy classic ice cream garnish
• EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH - level up your ice cream treat with gobs of this
• MARASCHINO CHERRY - gotta have a cherry on top!

Crazy & Unique Ice Cream Toppings

For a gourmet sundae or a unique scoop with crazy weird toppings try these amazing ideas. Many combine sweet, savory, & salty flavors together for a dessert that hits all the yummy notes. I recently tried some hot sauce on vanilla ice cream - WOW! I have also always loved an affogato. Plus I recently indulged in a sundae topped with peanut butter & bacon - SWEET SAVORY HEAVEN! Try one or more of these and delight your taste buds.

• ESPRESSO - pour a shot over ice cream for a classic affogato
• LIQUOR - pour a shot of Kahlua, Frangelico, Bailey's Irish Cream, or Spiced Run
• CRUMBLED BACON - a salty savory touch with sweet ice cream is divine
• CRACKER JACK/CARAMEL CORN - crunchy sweet & salty fun
• SESAME SEEDS - little bites of nutty & crunchy goodness
• POTATO CHIPS - another salty crunchy layer that is irresistible
• PEANUT OR COOKIE BUTTER - creamy & dreamy
• NUTELLA - chocolatey hazelnut richness
• CHOCOLATE-COVERED PRETZEL - a perfect combo of chocolate, salt, & crunch
• CRACKERS - salty & flaky ones like Ritz, Cheez-its, & Saltines are delish
• HOT SAUCE/SALSAS - fruit salsas for sweet heat or hot sauce for peppery cool
• HOT CHEETOS - crushed and dip your cone in for color, crunch, & heat
• FRESH BASIL & OLIVE OIL - an Italian combo that is earthy, fruity, & aromatic
• BERRIES & BALSAMIC VINEGAR - another Italian combo not to be missed
• FLAKY SEA SALT - this one I love atop hot fudge or caramel sauce
• PIE FILLINGS -spoon on homemade or canned apple, peach, cherry, blueberry, etc
• LEMON CURD - add some sweet and sour tang with this citrus spread

Healthy Ice Cream Toppings

Ice cream can be a healthy dessert option. If you are on a low-carb, keto, or diabetic diet, ice cream is often enjoyed with store-bought or homemade sugar-free flavors. The recipe below for my Keto Mason Jar Coffee Ice Cream is full-fat, full-flavor, & perfectly low-carb. Whether you enjoy this one or another healthy ice cream option, here are great topping ideas including fruits, and nuts, and many are low-calorie or low-sugar.

• UNSWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES - nutty flavor with so much texture
• FRESH MINT - add hand town mint leaves for that cool natural flavor
• CRUSHED PINEAPPLE - for a tropical twist that is part sauce part fruit
• FRESH BERRIES - these low-carb fruits add color and so much flavor
• DICED STONE FRUITS - in summer nothing is better than peaches and plums
• FREEZE-DRIED FRUITS - Trader Joe's bananas crushed are to-die-for
• FRUIT PUREES - blend up for something saucy using mangoes, berries, etc
• EDIBLE FLOWERS - not just fancy & beautiful but can be quite yummy
• RAISINS/CRAISINS - the unsweetened ones add their own sweet touch
• CHOPPED NUTS - favorites are macadamia, pistachios, pecans, & almonds
• PROTEIN POWDER - dip & roll your scoop into one like a yummy chocolate kind
• CACAO NIBS - for a chocolatey crunch without all the sugar
• SUGAR-FREE CHOCOLATE - so many great brands to chop or sprinkle on
• SUGAR-FREE COOL WHIP - for a creamy topping all good sundaes need
• DATE SYRUP - for natural sweetness with a sticky gooeyness
• SUGAR-FREE SAUCES - chocolate or caramel, like those at ChocZero are the bomb

Kid-Favorite Ways to Top Ice Cream

Kids of all ages cannot resist an ice cream sundae. When they get to make their own from a sea of toppings, sauces, and decorations their eyes will light up and their tummies will be happy. Here are some favorites that my kids love - oh yeah, and I cannot resist these either!

• SPRINKLES - sprinkles of any shape or color are a must-have
• GUM BALLS - for kids that love bubble gum ice cream, throw some of them on
• GUMMIES - from classic bears to sour worms these chewy guys are a hit
• CANDY BARS - chop up favorites like peanut butter cups, Snickers, & Twix
• MARSHMALLOWS - add some fluffy sweet minis or spoon on some sticky fluff
• CEREALS - dip cones into favorites link Fruity Pebbles, Lucky Charms, & corn flakes
• GRANOLA/TRAIL MIX - one ingredient and so much flavor and texture
• COOKIES - crush favorites like Chips Ahoy, Circus Animals, or graham crackers
• BROWNIES/CAKE - crumble on brownie bites or cake chunks
• MAGIC SHELL - the magical hard coating is wonderful on cones & sundaes

So what did you decide to add to your ice cream to make it your own? I hope you found something new to love or mixed up several for a new combination. No more boring ice cream sundaes when you try a few things from this list, that is for sure. Enjoy endless possibilities with these sundae and ice cream cone dippers or toppings.

I would love to hear about and see your concoctions - send me an email or post on my FaceBook page.

Ice Cream Recipes

Here are a couple of ice cream recipes from the blog. They are great for a base with many of the ideas shared here today. The keto coffee ice cream is unreal with bacon bits for example. You also must make the Mango Ice Cream and top it with whipped cream, a drizzle of rum, and coconut flakes for tropical delight. If you have an ice cream maker, here are a bunch of the BEST HOMEMADE ICE CREAM recipes you can find.

Best Store-Bought Toppings

Here are some of the toppings for ice cream that I mentioned above. You can find them in your local grocery or specialty stores, or order them online. These are my favorites and are kid-approved - HINT: if you have kids, let them shop with you and pick out something they will love too (my kids always gravitate to sprinkles!) Plus some fun products to make your sundae building easy & pretty. Including my favorite gluten-free ice cream cone.

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