Timeless Sweet Treats: Learn How to Make Classic Ice Cream Desserts

Discover how to make your own classic ice cream desserts in this delicious guide. From sundaes to floats, indulge in timeless sweet treats you can make at home!

Ice cream, with its cool sensation, creamy texture, and an endless array of flavours, holds a cherished place in the hearts of dessert lovers around the world. Whether enjoyed on a scorching summer day or as a comforting indulgence on a cosy evening, ice cream has an unmatched ability to bring joy and satisfaction with every spoonful.

With Ice Cream’s simplicity to satisfy, there is a world of culinary creativity waiting to be explored. With just a touch of ingenuity and some simple adaptations, ordinary scoops of ice cream can be transformed into extraordinary delights, reminiscent of classic desserts enjoyed through the ages.

Join us as we get into the delicious and creative world of classic ice cream desserts, where timeless favourites are elevated to new heights through a fusion of tradition and innovation.

From decadent sundaes to whimsical floats, discover how a dash of creativity can turn any ice cream experience into a memorable culinary adventure.

Base Ice Cream Recipes: Create the Foundation for Classic Desserts

To create your Classic Ice Cream Desserts, you need to start with your bases. Mastering the art of homemade ice cream is essential and the beauty lies in its simplicity – a few basic ingredients transformed into a creamy canvas ready to be adorned with an array of flavours and toppings.

In this section, we’ll guide you through the process of crafting the perfect base ice cream recipes. From velvety vanilla to indulgent chocolate and vibrant strawberry, these versatile bases serve as the foundation for an endless variety of classic ice cream desserts.

So, grab your whisk and get ready to create some ice cream masterpieces

Here are 3 basic ice cream recipes and methods to get you started:

Vanilla Ice Cream:

Ingredients:

• 600ml double cream
• 400ml whole milk
• 200g caster sugar
• 1 vanilla pod
• 6 large egg yolks

Method:

• Heat cream, milk, and vanilla until simmering.
• Whisk sugar and egg yolks.
• Combine mixtures, cook until thickened.
• Strain, cool, churn, freeze.

For more detailed instructions on how to make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream – check out our article; How to make Delicious, Indulgent, Homemade Ice Cream – Frosted Fusions which provides many extra hints and tips.

Chocolate Ice Cream:

Ingredients:

• 300ml double cream
• 300ml whole milk
• 100g caster sugar
• 150g dark chocolate
• 4 large egg yolks
• 25g cocoa powder

Method:

• Heat cream, milk, sugar until simmering.
• Add chocolate, whisk yolks and cocoa.
• Combine, cook until thickened.
• Strain, cool, churn, freeze.

For more detailed instructions on how to make Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream – check out our article; How to make Delicious, Chocolate Homemade Ice Cream which provides many extra hints and tips.

Strawberry Ice Cream:

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh strawberries
• 300ml double cream
• 200ml whole milk
• 150g caster sugar
• 4 large egg yolks

Method:

• Blend strawberries. Heat cream, milk, sugar until simmering.
• Whisk yolks, combine, cook until thickened.
• Stir in strawberries, strain, cool, churn, freeze.

For more detailed instructions on how to make Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream – check out our article; How to make Deliciously Fruity Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream which provides many extra hints and tips.

Creating Classic Desserts: Elevate Your Bases to Timeless Treats

Now that you’ve mastered the art of crafting velvety bases for your homemade ice cream, it’s time to take your creations to the next level.

With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of nostalgia, we’ll show you how to transform these humble beginnings into classic desserts that have stood the test of time.

From indulgent sundaes piled high with toppings to whimsical floats that sparkle with a bit of fizz, get ready to elevate your homemade ice cream into timeless treats that will delight and impress.

Ice Cream Sundae

An ice cream sundae is a classic dessert consisting of scoops of ice cream served in a bowl or glass, typically topped with a variety of sweet sauces, whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry. The combination of flavours and toppings can vary widely, allowing for endless creativity and customisation.

Ice cream sundaes are often enjoyed as a treat for special occasions or as a fun indulgence any time of day. The name “sundae” is believed to have originated from the practice of serving ice cream treats on Sundays, although the exact origins are unclear.

Overall, ice cream sundaes are beloved for their delicious combination of creamy ice cream and indulgent toppings, making them a timeless favourite among dessert enthusiasts.

Here’s our classic Ice Cream Sundae recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 large scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 2 large scoops of chocolate ice cream
• 2 large scoops of strawberry ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Strawberry sauce or syrup
• Chopped nuts (such as walnuts or peanuts)
• Maraschino cherries for garnish
• Optional toppings: sprinkles, crushed biscuits, caramel sauce, or any other toppings of your choice

Method:

• In a serving dish or glass, place one scoop each of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream.
• Pipe or spoon whipped cream over the ice cream scoops.
• Drizzle chocolate sauce over the vanilla ice cream scoop.
• Drizzle strawberry sauce or syrup over the strawberry ice cream scoop.
• Sprinkle chopped nuts over the chocolate ice cream scoop.
• Optionally, add any additional toppings of your choice, such as sprinkles, crushed biscuits, or caramel sauce.
• Garnish with a maraschino cherry on top of the whipped cream.
• Serve immediately with a long spoon and enjoy the delightful combination of flavours and textures in this classic dessert!

Feel free to adjust the toppings and quantities according to your taste preferences. Ice cream sundaes are highly customizable, so you can get creative and add your favourite toppings to make it your own. Enjoy making and indulging in this timeless treat!

Banana Split

Traditionally, a banana split does not typically use banana ice cream as a base. Instead, it typically features three scoops of different flavours of ice cream (commonly vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) served between a split banana, often with various toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, and a maraschino cherry.

If you’d like to give your banana split a unique twist, you could use banana-flavoured ice cream as one of the scoops, along with the traditional flavours, to enhance the banana flavour. Alternatively, you could use banana-flavoured frozen yogurt or even blend fresh bananas into the ice cream base to create a more pronounced banana taste. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Experimenting with different flavours and variations is part of the fun of making homemade desserts like the banana split. Feel free to get creative and tailor the recipe to your preferences and taste preferences.

Here’s our recipe and method for making a Classic Banana Split:

Ingredients:

• 1 large banana, peeled and sliced in half lengthways
• 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 3 scoops of chocolate ice cream
• 3 scoops of strawberry ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Strawberry sauce or syrup
• Chopped nuts (such as walnuts or peanuts)
• Maraschino cherries for garnish

Method:

1. Place the halved banana in a long serving dish or banana split boat.
2. Arrange the scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream between the banana halves.
3. Pipe or spoon whipped cream over the ice cream scoops.
4. Drizzle chocolate sauce over the vanilla ice cream scoop.
5. Drizzle strawberry sauce or syrup over the strawberry ice cream scoop.
6. Sprinkle chopped nuts over the chocolate ice cream scoop.
7. Garnish with maraschino cherries on top of the whipped cream.
8. Serve immediately with long spoons and enjoy the delicious combination of flavours and textures in this classic dessert!

Feel free to adjust the toppings and quantities according to your taste preferences. This recipe is versatile, so you can customize it to suit your preferences. Enjoy making and indulging in this nostalgic treat!

Eton Mess

Eton Mess is a classic British dessert that originated from Eton College, a prestigious boarding school in England. It typically consists of a delicious combination of fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and crunchy meringue pieces.

What we love about an Eton Mess is that it’s intended to be a mess, you don’t need to worry about presentation, in fact the messier the better! The dessert is known for its simple yet deliciously messy presentation, with the ingredients often layered together in serving glasses or bowls. While traditionally made with strawberries, Eton Mess can also be prepared with other fruits such as raspberries or mixed berries, even Kiwis work in this classic!

Here’s our recipe and method for creating an Eton Mess:

Ingredients:

• 300g fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 300ml double cream
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar
• 4 meringue nests, roughly crushed
• Optional: a splash of elderflower cordial or liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, lightly crush about half of the quartered strawberries using a fork or potato masher.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, whip the double cream and caster sugar together until soft peaks form.
3. Optionally, if using elderflower cordial or liqueur, add a splash to the whipped cream and gently fold it in.
4. Gently fold the crushed meringue pieces and remaining quartered strawberries into the whipped cream mixture until just combined.
5. Divide the Eton Mess mixture among serving glasses or bowls, layering it as desired.
6. Optionally, garnish each serving with a whole strawberry on top.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of sweet strawberries, creamy whipped cream, and crunchy meringue in this classic British dessert!

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities according to your taste preferences. Eton Mess is a versatile dessert, so you can customise it to suit your preferences. Enjoy making and indulging in this deliciously messy treat!

If you would like to attempt making your own meringues, then head on over to our article – A Homemade Crunchy Cornflake Ice Cream Recipe – Frosted Fusions – where we provide step-by-step instruction.

Ice Cream Float

An ice cream float is a classic dessert beverage made by combining scoops of ice cream with a fizzy soda or carbonated beverage. The ice cream floats on top of the soda, creating a fun contrast of creamy and fizzy textures and flavours.

Popular soda choices for ice cream floats include cola, root beer, cream soda, and lemonade, but you can get creative and use any fizzy drink you like. Ice cream floats are enjoyed as a refreshing treat on hot days or as a nostalgic indulgence any time of year. They’re easy to make and highly customisable, making them a favourite among dessert enthusiasts of all ages.

Here’s a classic Ice Cream Float recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 330ml bottle of your favourite fizzy drink (such as cola, root beer, cream soda, or lemonade)
• Optional: whipped cream and a maraschino cherry for garnish

Method:

1. Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a tall glass.
2. Slowly pour the fizzy drink over the ice cream until the glass is almost full. Be careful as it may fizz up.
3. Optionally, top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
4. Serve immediately with a straw and a spoon to enjoy the delicious combination of creamy ice cream and fizzy drink!

Feel free to experiment with different flavours of fizzy drinks to create your own unique ice cream float combinations. Enjoy making and savouring this refreshing treat!

Knickerbocker Glory

Knickerbocker Glory is a traditional British dessert that’s essentially a layered ice cream sundae served in a tall glass. It typically consists of layers of ice cream, fruit, jelly (jello), whipped cream, and various sweet sauces like chocolate or fruit coulis. The exact ingredients and presentation can vary, but it’s usually a visually striking and indulgent dessert.

The name “Knickerbocker Glory” has a whimsical origin, likely deriving from the word “Knickerbocker,” which refers to the style of pants traditionally worn by Dutch settlers in New York. The dessert has been enjoyed in Britain since the early 20th century and remains a popular treat in ice cream parlours and restaurants across the country.

Here’s a classic Knickerbocker Glory recipe for you to try out:

Ingredients:

• 2 large scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 2 large scoops of strawberry ice cream
• 2 large scoops of chocolate ice cream
• 100g mixed fresh fruit (such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
• 50g jelly (jello), prepared according to packet instructions and diced into small cubes
• 50g whipped cream
• 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce
• 2 tablespoons fruit coulis (such as raspberry or strawberry)
• 1 tablespoon chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 maraschino cherry for garnish (optional)

Method:

• Begin by preparing the jelly according to the packet instructions. Once set, dice the jelly into small cubes.
• In tall glasses, start by placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom.
• Add a layer of mixed fresh fruit on top of the vanilla ice cream.
• Spoon a layer of diced jelly over the fruit.
• Add a scoop of strawberry ice cream on top of the jelly layer.
• Drizzle some fruit coulis over the strawberry ice cream.
• Place another layer of mixed fresh fruit on top of the coulis.
• Add a scoop of chocolate ice cream on top of the fruit layer.
• Drizzle some chocolate sauce over the chocolate ice cream.
• Top the Knickerbocker Glory with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
• Garnish with chopped nuts (if using) and a maraschino cherry.
• Serve immediately with long spoons and enjoy the layers of deliciousness!

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities according to your preference and the size of your serving glasses. Knickerbocker Glory is a versatile dessert, so you can get creative with the layers and toppings!

Just the Tip of the Ice (Cream) Berg…

While we’ve highlighted a few classic ice cream desserts, you’ll be very pleased to know that there are many more ice cream desserts and treats that you could try out.

Alongside the favourites like sundaes, banana splits, ice cream floats, Knickerbocker Glories, and Eton Mess, there are numerous other delicious creations to explore.

From Affogato to Parfait, Bombe to Tiramisu (which traditionally is not made with Ice Cream, but with its rich coffee flavours, some may wish to add a scoop of ice cream to their Tiramisus), and beyond, the possibilities are endless.

Whether you’re craving a nostalgic childhood favourite or eager to discover something new, there’s an ice cream dessert to satisfy every palate and occasion.

Here are a few more ideas:

• Affogato: A simple yet elegant Italian dessert consisting of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream “drowned” in a shot of hot espresso. It’s often served in a small glass or cup. For more information on how to create an Affogato, head on over to our article – Sweet Treats for Mum: Homemade Ice Cream Recipes To Celebrate Mother’s Day – which provides step-by-step instructions.
• Parfait: A layered dessert typically made with yoghurt or whipped cream, granola or crumbled cookies, and fresh fruit. It can also include layers of ice cream or sorbet for a cooler twist. If you’d like to try this out, head on over to our article – Homemade Strawberries And Cream Parfait – Frosted Fusions – which provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a delicious Strawberry & Cream Parfait.
• Bombe: A dessert made by layering different flavours of ice cream or sorbet in a dome-shaped mould, often with a centre of fruit, nuts, or cake. It’s frozen until firm, then unmoulded and sliced to reveal the layers.
• Sundae Bar: While not a specific dessert, setting up a sundae bar allows guests to customise their own ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and cherries.
• Ice Cream Cake: A cake made with layers of ice cream or sorbet sandwiched between layers of cake or cookies. It’s frozen until firm and often decorated with whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or fruit.
• Baked Alaska: A classic dessert consisting of layers of cake and ice cream topped with meringue, which is then briefly baked in a hot oven (or blow-torched) to create a lightly toasted exterior while keeping the ice cream inside frozen. The contrast between the warm, crispy meringue and the cold, creamy ice cream is a hallmark of this indulgent dessert. Baked Alaska is often served on special occasions and is celebrated for its impressive presentation and combination of textures and flavours. For more details on how to make your own Baked Alaska, head on over to our article – Homemade Baked Alaska. Its the Bomb! – Frosted Fusions – where you’ll find our step-by-step guide, hints and tips for you to create this stunning dessert.
• Frozen Yoghurt Bark: A healthier alternative to traditional ice cream desserts, frozen yoghurt bark is made by spreading flavoured yoghurt onto a baking sheet, then topping it with fruits, nuts, and other toppings before freezing and breaking it into pieces to serve.

• Ice Cream Sandwiches: A fun and portable dessert made by sandwiching a scoop of ice cream between two cookies, biscuits, or slices of cake. They can be made with a variety of flavours and toppings, making them versatile and customisable. For more details on how to create your own Ice Cream Sandwiches, head on over to our article – Learn to Craft the Perfect Ice Cream Sandwiches – Frosted Fusions where you’ll find step-by-step instructions along with hints and tips.
• Viennetta: A classic ice cream dessert known for its elegant presentation and delicious layers of ice cream and crispy chocolate. This iconic dessert features alternating layers of creamy vanilla ice cream and delicate layers of chocolate, which are carefully stacked to create a stunning ripple effect. Viennetta is often enjoyed as a sophisticated treat for special occasions or as a nostalgic indulgence reminiscent of childhood. Its combination of smooth ice cream and decadent chocolate makes it a beloved favourite among dessert enthusiasts of all ages. For more details on how to make your own Viennetta, head on over to our article – Learn How To Make A Homemade Viennetta Ice Cream Dessert – where you’ll find our step-by-step guide, hints and tips for you to create this stunning dessert.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious ice cream and frozen dessert options available. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavours, textures, and presentations!

Creating Classic Ice Cream Dessert Memories

Transforming simple ingredients into delectable classic ice cream desserts is not only an ice cream adventure but also an opportunity for memorable family fun. The kids, young and old, will love the opportunity for creativity, expression and designing their own delicious desserts.

So gather the kids and loved ones for an afternoon of creativity and indulgence as you set up your very own ice cream sundae bar. Imaginations can run wild as everyone customises their own sundaes, banana splits or ice cream sandwiches with a variety of toppings, from colourful sprinkles and gooey chocolate sauce to fresh fruit and crunchy nuts.

The joy of experimentation and the satisfaction of enjoying a personalised dessert creation makes for an experience that’s as fun as the treats themselves. Whether it’s a special occasion or simply a sunny day, making ice cream desserts together is a sweet way to bond and create lasting memories with loved ones.

We truly hope that you have enjoyed our article, providing information on a handful of classic Ice Cream Desserts and our guides to help you create your own Classic Ice Cream Desserts.

If you have any questions, please feel free to drop us a comment below and we’ll happily get back to you. We’d also love to hear from you if you do give any of these recipes a go.