Summer brings with it a lot of fun traditions. One of those traditions is having ice cream during your beach vacation. Soft serve, traditional, sundaes and cones, there really is no bad way to enjoy ice cream. However, there is an art to making the perfect sundae (or sundae bar). This week we explain how to create delicious ice cream sundaes to enjoy in your Ocean Isle Beach vacation home. So grab a scoop, warm up the hot fudge and get ready to indulge in everyone’s favorite treat…ice cream.
A little history
There are two or three different theories on who created the first ice cream sundae, but our favorite starts in a little town in Wisconsin. Soda fountain owner Ed Berners of Two Rivers, Wisconsin is reputed to have invented the first ice cream sundae back in 1881. Berners’ customer, George Hallauer, requested that Berners serve him a dish of ice cream topped with the syrup used for sodas. Berner liked the dish and added it to his regular menu, charging a nickel.
Credit-Thoughtco.com
Gather toppings
What’s a sundae without toppings? Just a bowl of ice cream, which isn’t bad, but for the ultimate sundae we need great toppings. We find the easiest way to put out toppings is in mason jars. This way you can just put the lids on if you are having sundaes outside. It also makes them easier to shake out on to your sundae.
Make it easy
One of the best tips we’ve seen is to take generic ketchup bottles (preferably the clear kind) and fill them with your hot fudge, caramel and strawberry sauce. These bottles are easy to find at any big box store. By using these squeeze bottles, kids will be less likely to make a mess. And parents, it’s ok if you squeeze hot fudge into your mouth, we won’t judge you.
Fun toppings we all love
There really is no limit to the amount or type of toppings that you can have on a sundae. However, we are going to give our list of some of the best. They are divided up by candy, fruits and traditional toppings. A warning: your dentist won’t like this list, but after all, this is vacation.
Candy
Reese’s Pieces, M&Ms, Crushed Oreo Cookies, Gummy Bears, Heath Bars, and Cookie Dough bites
Fruit
Bananas, Strawberries, Cherries
Traditional
Crushed Nuts, Whipped Cream, Caramel, Hot Fudge, Marshmallows, Strawberry Sauce and Chocolate Chips
Trivia– Did you know that Chocolate Chips are (according to several polls) the most popular topping in America?
Have a selection of ice cream flavors
Sure, some of us are purists and can only imagine starting an ice cream sundae with vanilla, but for others, a little flavor is in order. Try offering a few different flavors as you set up your ice cream sundae bar. We like a combination of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and mint chocolate chip. Of course, you can combine all of them to make a mammoth sized sundae… which is never a bad idea.
Fun waffle bowls
These aren’t just any old waffle bowls, these are dipped in white chocolate with sprinkles on them. Kids will love these bowls, plus you get to eat them. What could be more fun? For more on how to make these delicious bowls just check out the folks at Swirls of Flavor.
Homemade Whipped Cream
You can use a can of whipped cream, but a great sundae has to have homemade whipped cream. Luckily, whipped cream is very easy to make and it makes a huge difference on a sundae. Need to know how to make homemade whipped cream? Check out the folks at AllRecipes for the details.
Planning your next Ocean Isle Beach vacation is as easy as adding caramel to your sundae. We have a great staff of friendly reservationists here to help you find the perfect vacation home for your family. Give us a call today at 800-727-9222 or click the button below to see our current inventory.
