Homemade Strawberry & Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae

This recipe focuses on combining fresh strawberries with creamy vanilla ice cream, topped with a simple homemade strawberry sauce or a classic white chocolate/cream sauce.

Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15-20 minutes (longer if making homemade ice cream or sauce from scratch) Chill time: At least 4 hours (if making homemade ice cream)

Ingredients:

For the Sundae:

• Fresh Strawberries: 2 cups (about 1 lb or 450g), washed, hulled, and sliced or halved
• Vanilla Ice Cream: 4-6 scoops per serving (high-quality store-bought or homemade)

For the Strawberry Sauce (Option 1: Quick & Easy):

• Fresh or Frozen Strawberries: 1 cup, hulled
• Granulated Sugar: 2-4 tablespoons (adjust to taste, depending on sweetness of strawberries)
• Lemon Juice: 1 teaspoon (optional, brightens flavor)
• Water: 1-2 tablespoons (if needed for consistency)

For the Cream/White Chocolate Sauce (Option 2: Similar to Image):

• Heavy Cream: 1 cup
• White Chocolate (good quality): 4 oz (113g), finely chopped
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): 1-2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)
• Vanilla Extract: 1/2 teaspoon
• Pinch of Salt: Enhances flavor

Equipment:

• Saucepan (for sauces)
• Blender or food processor (for strawberry sauce)
• Whisk (for cream sauce)
• Ice cream scoop
• Serving bowls

Instructions:

Part 1: Prepare the Sauces (Choose one or make both!)

Option 1: Quick & Easy Strawberry Sauce

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the 1 cup of strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice (if using).
2. Simmer: Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the sugar dissolves. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. Mash or Blend: For a chunkier sauce, mash the strawberries with a fork. For a smoother sauce, carefully transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water until desired consistency is reached.
4. Cool: Let the sauce cool completely before serving. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Option 2: Cream/White Chocolate Sauce (similar to the image)

1. Heat Cream: In a small saucepan, gently heat the heavy cream over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer around the edges. Do not boil.
2. Melt Chocolate: Remove from heat and add the finely chopped white chocolate, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the chocolate to soften.
3. Whisk: Whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Cool: Let the sauce cool slightly. It will thicken as it cools. If it becomes too thick, you can gently rewarm it with a tablespoon of cream or milk. This sauce is best served warm or at room temperature.

Part 2: Prepare the Fresh Strawberries

1. Wash and hull all the fresh strawberries.
2. Slice about 1.5 cups of the strawberries and leave the remaining 0.5 cup whole or halved for garnish.

Part 3: Assemble the Sundaes

1. Layer Strawberries: In your serving bowls, place a layer of sliced fresh strawberries at the bottom.
2. Scoop Ice Cream: Add 2-3 scoops of vanilla ice cream over the strawberries.
3. Add More Strawberries: Add another layer of sliced strawberries.
4. More Ice Cream: Add 2-3 more scoops of vanilla ice cream.
5. Drizzle with Sauce: Generously drizzle your chosen sauce (or both!) over the ice cream and strawberries.
6. Garnish: Garnish with the whole or halved strawberries on top, as seen in the image.

Tips for Success:

• Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality vanilla ice cream and fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
• Homemade Ice Cream: For an extra special treat, consider making your own homemade vanilla ice cream. There are many great recipes available online (e.g., no-churn condensed milk ice cream is simple!).
• Chilling Sauces: Ensure your sauces are cooled before adding them to the ice cream, especially the strawberry sauce, to prevent the ice cream from melting too quickly.
• Experiment with Toppings: While the image focuses on strawberries and a creamy sauce, feel free to add other toppings like whipped cream, a sprinkle of nuts, or a wafer cookie.
• Presentation: Arrange the strawberries artfully for a visually appealing sundae like the one in the picture.

Enjoy your delicious homemade strawberry and vanilla ice cream sundae!