I rarely fuss with ice cream because it’s already wonderfully comforting on its own. A simple bowl can rescue a bad day, so you might wonder why any further embellishment is necessary.
Some days, though, demand extravagance — the kind of over-the-top treat that turns a perfectly good dessert into something theatrical and unforgettable.
Yesterday was one of those days.
The sundae pictured above has quickly become my go-to indulgence. It comes together in about five minutes, so it’s both decadent and convenient. The foundation is, of course, vanilla ice cream. On top of that I add hot fudge and caramel sauce; the warm sauces slightly melt the ice cream, creating a luscious pool of flavored cream at the bottom of the bowl that’s irresistible once the cold part is gone. Then I pile on a generous swirl of whipped cream and finish with a handful of caramel corn for crunch. The caramel coating on the popcorn keeps it from going soggy, so each bite retains a satisfying crispness while contributing sweet-and-salty contrast.
And because you’ve already committed to spoiling yourself, a final drizzle of chocolate sauce seals the deal.
How fast did it vanish when I served it to five boys and two adults? Blink and you would’ve missed it. We all tried to be polite, taking turns and tipping our faces over the bowl to catch every last drip of sauce. In short order the spoons were nearly feral and the bowl was gone.
You can build this sundae with all homemade components or with store-bought sauces and caramel corn — both options are delicious. If you use your own hot fudge, caramel sauce, or homemade caramel corn, you’ll earn extra bragging rights, but convenience works perfectly well too.
- Grandma Val’s Hot Fudge Sauce (optional homemade)
- Salted Caramel Sauce (optional homemade)
- Salted Caramel Corn (optional homemade)
- Chocolate Syrup (store-bought or homemade)
Now go forth and brighten your day with a Caramel Corn Sundae — it’s an easy way to sweeten the week and lift the spirits.
Caramel Corn Sundae
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce or to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons caramel sauce or to taste
- 1 goodly dollop sweetened whipped cream homemade or from a can
- 1 handful caramel corn with or without nuts
- 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup approximate
Instructions
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Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a bowl large enough for toppings. Drizzle hot fudge, then caramel sauce. Add a generous dollop of whipped cream, scatter the caramel corn on top, and finish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if needed.
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