The 17 Best Ice Cream Toppings

Last Updated on July 29, 2022 by Jim Edwards

Ice cream has always been a favorite ever since it was introduced to the world. There is hardly anyone      who doesn’t like ice cream. But what about ice cream toppings? Although ice cream, when plain, is great on its own, having toppings on it will satisfy a whole new level of craving.

Fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, the list for ice cream toppings is endless. As more and more people discover new combinations of ice cream and toppings, it becomes equally hard to decide on the best ones. However, we have come up with a list of the most popular ice cream toppings we love!

17 Ice Cream Toppings That We All Love

Chocolate Sauce

You can never go wrong with chocolate sauce as an ice-cream topping. The good thing is that chocolate sauce can have different variations. You can make your versions of it, like caramel chocolate sauce or chocolate orange sauce. It is a hugely popular topping among children as well as adults.

Hot Fudge

Hot fudge had to have its own separate section, even though it is chocolate. Having hot fudge on your ice cream can be an excellent combination of the warm gooeyness with the cold and sweet ice cream flavor. The only downside of hot fudge is that you will never stop craving for more.

Caramel

For those of you who are looking for an alternative to hot fudge, there is no better choice than caramel. It has a soft buttery taste which works well with vanilla ice cream and doesn’t overwhelm your tastebuds.

If you are adding caramel, make sure to concentrate it in the center of the bowl with just a little amount on the sides. Make sure the sides of the bowl don’t have any caramel drippings on them; otherwise, your hands will get messy and sticky.

Sprinkles

Sprinkles not only enhance the flavor of the ice cream but also improves its texture. With so many sprinkles in the market, it is quite difficult to keep track of all of them since every variation is special in its own way. Rainbow sprinkles throw a lot of colors as well as taste, while chocolate sprinkles will match beautifully with chocolate ice cream. There is no restriction on what type of sprinkles go with what ice cream. You can play around and try your own combinations until you find the perfect one.

Fresh Fruit

Are you looking out for a rather healthier style of eating ice cream? Why not add some beautiful, fresh berries? You can put raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries, and they will make a delightful combination.

Toasted Marshmallows

For a wholly unique flavor in your ice cream, there are few confectionary items that work better than toasted marshmallows. Once these marshmallows are mixed with the cream and taste of the ice cream, you are sure to have a party in your mouth. You can go for the mini marshmallows if you don’t want to spend too much time chewing on them. But even the large ones will work amazingly.

Brownie Pieces

While we all love brownies, it is often the case that there are many leftover brownie pieces. Instead of throwing them away, why not use them as ice cream toppings?

By sprinkling those brownie pieces over your ice cream, you can add a whole range of new flavors. Since brownies are commonly made with chocolate, they will make a perfect pair for chocolate ice creams. However, you shouldn’t let this restrict your creativity.

Oreos

Here is a little fun fact. Cookies and Cream are arguably one of the most famous ice cream types of all time, if not the most.

Oreos make such a natural and delightful combination with your ice cream that it is a wonder why everyone isn’t having this. The soft, creamy texture of the ice cream matches perfectly with the crunchiness of Oreos.

In case you don’t like the crunchy flavor, you can let the Oreos sit in the ice cream and wait for them to get soft. This will reduce the hard, crunchy texture, yet it will retain its flavor.

Also be sure to read our guide to Oreos

Cookie Dough

Cookie dough is fast on its way to becoming one of the most popular choices for ice cream toppings. The soft, cakey texture combined with the sweetness of the ice cream will set your tastebuds clamoring for more. Edible cookie dough is, in itself, quite delicious, and you can match it well with ice cream to give you a completely different snack.

Diddy Riese – Famous Cookie and Ice Cream Shop in Los Angeles!

Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter and ice cream are perhaps one of the most natural pairings in the culinary world. If you are not allergic to peanuts, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have peanut butter as a topping. The scrumptious taste, along with the cold and creamy ice cream flavor, will make you have an unforgettable experience.

Potato Chips

Unusual as it may sound, potato chips go well with ice creams. The saltiness of potato chips will add a different flavor to your bowl.

Not only will this combination satisfy your craving for potato chips, it will also give you a balance of sweet and saltiness. If you are ever confused about which snack to have, there is your answer. Why not both?

Whipped Cream

Another extremely popular ice cream topping. Whipped cream has an amazing versatility as it can do wonders for your ice cream (as well as coffee).

You can try different combinations of ice cream toppings with whipped cream like peanut butter, hazelnut, or any other topping. Trust us when we say you are going to love it no matter what.

Coffee

The irresistible smell of coffee makes all your worries disappear. And so will it be when you add coffee as an ice cream topping. Whether you want cold coffee or a steaming mug of espresso, pouring it on your ice cream will immediately set your mouth watering.

For those of you who haven’t heard of it, affogato is a famous dessert in Italy. It is made by pouring hot espresso over vanilla ice cream. You can always make your own affogato at home or a party, and it will be loved by all.

Candy

Unlike some options mentioned here, having candy as an ice cream topping will open all doors of possibility. Candies come in so many different flavors that you will hardly run out of options to try. However, be warned. The combined sweetness of the ice cream and candies isn’t for everyone.

However, for those of you who would like to satisfy your sweet tooth, this combination is perfect. You can add M&Ms for a slightly crunchy texture or sour candies for a unique blend of flavors.

Jam

Unfortunately, people don’t realize they have such an amazing ice cream topping right in their fridge     . It is true that most people associate jam with a breakfast menu. However, you can certainly add it on top of your ice cream to give it a fruity taste.

Ritz Crackers

Similar to having potato chips, Ritz crackers will reduce the excess sweetness of ice cream and round it off with a nice, salty flavor that you will immediately become a fan of. Tiny pieces of crackers mixed well in the ice cream will keep you on your toes and won’t let things get mundane.

Balsamic Vinegar

An unusual addition to the list, no doubt. But don’t disregard this so easily. We know that balsamic vinegar on ice cream doesn’t immediately appeal to your taste buds.

However, you should know that together, they give a tangy but sweet flavor which is quite delectable. Although it might take some time to get used to it, this promises to become one of your preferred ice cream combos.

Summary

The above options are just a few of the most popular ice cream toppings in the world.

Some of these toppings may not suit everyone’s taste buds since everyone has their own preferences.

But it is true that while ice cream is delicious when eaten as it is, having different toppings on it will set you on a delightful journey from which you will never want to come back.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Which is the most popular ice cream topping?

The most popular ice cream toppings are hot fudge and chocolate chips, as found by a poll in the US.

How many ice cream toppings are there in the world?

It is difficult to guess the exact number. However, there are more than 100 ice cream toppings all around the world.

What is the weirdest ice cream topping in the world?

It depends on individual preferences. But many people consider French Fries to be the weirdest ice cream topping.

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Image Credits

“Ice cream toppings galore on our Carnival Cruise” by nickgraywfu is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.

“oreo-cookie-ice-cream” by gordonramsaysubmissions is marked with CC BY 2.0.

“Cardamom Peanut Butter Ice Cream Brownie Sundae with Chili-Spiked Chocolate Sauce” by QuintanaRoo is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.