Grilled pineapple ice cream sundaes with a homemade caramel rum raisin sauce is to die for. It's the boozy treat we all need in our life. No better way to have an island staycation than making this recipe all summer long.
The easy recipe for an amazing Bacardi rum brown sugar caramel sauce is the star. Drizzle it over vanilla or rum raisin ice cream that is scooped on top of a warm grilled pineapple slices. The tropical vibes make is a summer BBQ dessert favorite.
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The Why
Why do I need to make this recipe? Here are all the reasons why I cannot get enough of this recipe & why you will love it too.
- It is a simple recipe that requires no-baking.
- It is cool & creamy - perfect for warm weather days.
- A fun & pretty dessert to make for summer holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July, or Labor Day.
- It's gluten-free & you can use non-dairy ice cream.
Does Rum Raisin Ice Cream have Alcohol?
Here in the United States, rum raisin ice cream may or may not contain alcohol. Most store-bought brands or ice cream shops make their ice cream by soaking the raisins in a bit of rum.
Some brands may use "rum flavoring" which doesn't contain any alcohol. If you want to know if what you purchase has or does not have alcohol, check the label for the list of ingredients. The rum raisin ice cream label for the Haagen Daz brand - probably one of the most popular here.
Ingredients Needed
The ingredients needed for these amazing recipe stars with some Bacardi rum, raisins, a ripe pineapple, and your favorite ice cream. Here is what else you need to make rum raisin sauce to serve over ice cream & grilled pineapple slices.
See the recipe card below for more information & amounts.
How to Make A Grilled Pineapple Sundae
This fun fruit dessert is great for summer. It is made on the grill so no baking inside (keep your house cool - yeah!). It's ideal for backyard cookouts, parties, & holidays. Here are the easy steps for this recipe.
How to Slice a Fresh Pineapple
- To start, cut off the top and the bottom of the pineapple.
- Next, trim the outer edges by cutting down slowly along the outside to remove the spikey skin and the "eyes". As long as you cannot feel the skin or eyes if you run your hand down the edge, you have trimmed off enough. You may lose some pineapple flesh but this is the best way to ensure you cut deep enough to get all the rough outsides off.
- Turn the pineapple on its side and now cut ½" slices to make large round slices.
- If you have a corer, you can use that now to remove the inside core. If not, just use a sharp knife to remove the inner circles.
1 - Grill Pineapple Slices
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Sear each slice for about 5 minutes on each side.
- Keep the grill lid open so they don't bake, just sear.
- Do NOT overcook! You want firm slices not soggy/soft pineapple.
- Let them cool before topping with ice cream or you get a melty mess.
- FOR ADDED RUM FLAVOR - drizzle the grilled pineapple with some rum while it is cooling. It will infuse into the fruit and make for a boozier dessert ready for any party menu!
2 - Make the Homemade Caramel Rum Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the brown sugar. Mix to combine and melt.
Add the rum and the vanilla extract. (leave out the rum if you want this alcohol free) Whisk together and cook on medium-high heat.
Stir constantly and continue to cook for about 7-10 minutes. The sauce will thicken and reduce to about half. It will be bubbly and a richer color once it is ready.
To test for doneness, dip a spoon into the sauce and let cool about 5 seconds. It should coat the back of the spoon and then swipe your finger along the back of the spoon. It should wipe clean down where you swiped and stay that way and be thick like the image below.
Turn off the burner, add the raisins to the sauce. Stir to combine and set aside while you assemble the sundaes.
3 - Assemble the Sundaes
The last step is to plate a slice of pineapple, scoop on the ice cream, and drizzle with the warm rum raisin caramel sauce.
For added fun, you can squirt on whipped cream and sprinkle with more raisins! OH YEAH!
The flavor is simply amazing! It tastes like you are at a fancy restaurant or an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
Final Notes & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned, funny stories or bloopers, and more from creating & testing this recipe for GRILLED PINEAPPLE SUNDAES.
- Fresh pineapple only - do not use canned.
- Try it with my recipe for homemade banana ice cream other store-bought ice cream flavors like coconut or ube for even more Island flavor.
- I first had pineapple as a frozen treat at the Dole Plantation as a kid & have been in love with this combination ever since.
- Note: kids may not be a huge fan of the raisins or the rum flavor - my kids seem to be ok with the rum flavor but not the raisins! Future party people growing up fast in my house!
- What ice cream did you try this with - leave a comment below!
Grilled Pineapple Sundaes
Equipment
- BBQ Grill
- ice cream scooper
Ingredients
- 6 TB salted butter
- 1 C brown sugar packed
- ⅓ C rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ c raisins golden and/or regular
- 6 slices fresh pineapple ½" thick
- 6 scoops ice cream rum raisin or vanilla
- whipped cream optional
- additional raisins optional
Instructions
- Cut pineapple into slices as instructed above.
- Grill each pineapple slice over medium heat on your barbecue. (a grill pan indoors on your stove can be used also) Sear each side with the lid open on your grill for about 3-5 minutes each. You want the pineapple to be cooked but not too soft. This way it will hold up to the rest of the sundae ingredients.6 slices fresh pineapple
- Place the cooked pineapple slices in the refrigerator while you make the rum sauce. This way they will be cool and not melt your ice cream once you start assembling.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar and whisk to dissolve. Add the rum and vanilla and whisk to combine. Continue to cook over medium-high heat and stir constantly.6 TB salted butter, 1 C brown sugar, ⅓ C rum, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Continue to stir and cook about 7-10 minutes. This will bubble and start to thicken. Cook the sauce until it is reduced by about half. It is ready when you dip a spoon into the sauce and it coats the back of the spoon. If you let it cool a few seconds and then drag your finger carefully down the back of the spoon, a trail should be left in the middle of it if it is thick enough. Remove from heat & add the raisins - stire.⅓ c raisins
- To assemble the sundaes, place a slice of pineapple on a plate. Top with a scoop of ice cream and then drizzle on the rum raisin sauce. Add whipped cream and additional raisins if desired.6 scoops ice cream, whipped cream, additional raisins
Nutrition
More Fun Summer Desserts
If you love cool desserts in summer, here are my favorite easy recipes. Fresh fruit & juices are the star of all these sweet treats.
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Diane says
I have been wanting to try grilled pineapple and I think this might be the perfect way. I have never had rum raisin ice cream, but It sounds like something I would enjoy. I just happen to have a bottle of Bacardi!
Angela says
Well, it sounds like this is a great recipe for you to try.
Beth says
Rum raisin is my favorite fudge of all time (and the best was handmade fudge from Canterbury Cathedral, England) so these look like a winner for sure! Starting with fresh pineapple is inspired, too.
Angela says
Oh, I hope you try this and enjoy it with some fresh Hawaiian pineapple and finish with some great rum raisin memories.
Erin says
This looks absolutely incredible!! I can't wait to try it. All of your recipes look amazing.
Angela says
Thank you for the kind words, Erin. I hope you enjoy this fun sundae.
Sabrina DeWalt says
Wow! This sounds amazing.
Adrienne says
Oh wow, this looks amazing! A great break from the ordinary for a delicious summer treat.
christina d taylor says
Sooo...this looks so amazing. I can't even handle it. lol
Angela says
I hope you give it a try.
Jessica says
Yum! Anything with grilled pineapple is delicious in my book!
Sarah says
Ok well this looks absolutely heavenly!! Anything pineapple and I'm game! A great summer treat!
Beth Shields says
These look absolutely delicious, rich and yet refreshing. Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda says
Looks like something you'd order at a restaurant!
Santana says
What a combo! I never would have thought to put raisins and ice cream together, but I can see how it would work!
Barbara says
Looks great!
Eva Keller says
This is an awesome recipe! I'm sure using the pineapple as the base instead of like a bread pudding or brownies saves a ton of calories, but still gives the added texture that ice cream alone can't give.
Angela says
Yes, pineapple and ice cream are a great flavor and texture combination. Then add the sticky gooey caramel with rum raisins and wow, everything wonderful is going on!
Judean says
I am not a raisin fan but everything else sounds delicious!
Stephanie says
I’ll take the sauce without rum and raisins. 😂
Angela says
The caramel sauce is pretty amazing so without the two it is likely still really good.
Cindy Mailhot says
You had me at grilled pineapple...add the rest and I am in heaven.
Michelle says
Wow, I didn't know you could make your own rum syrup! That is so cool!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
This is such an amazing treat! I love pineapple and ice cream 🙂
Angela says
We do too, pineapple milkshakes are so yummy too.
Lina says
Yum! I can't wait to try this one out. Grilled pineapple and ice cream. delish!
Rachel Nelson says
I've never had rum raisin before, but this looks delicious!
Patrice says
This looks so yummy and perfect for the summer. Thanks for all the pineapple tips.
Angela says
I am glad - how to cut pineapple tips helped you.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
My entire family has a sweet tooth and this will be enjoyed by all Will try this .
Jacqueline Debono says
This is a great summer dessert! I love rum and raisin ice cream and this takes it to a whole new level!
Angela says
So glad you love this rum raisin ice cream dessert.
Travel Clans says
I LOVE a good sundae! gonna try it this weekend!
Kez says
I like the idea of recreating these sort of popular flavours yourself at home. I never thought of adding pineapple to rum and raisin and it seems like a very interesting combination.
Ana Smith says
Yummy,!
I must try this on Sunday since I'm not working on that day... I can hardly wait!
Mrs d says
At first I thought, what a strange combination, but the more I read, the more I wanted to eat it. Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely be trying this.