Ways to Spice Up Sundaes by MALLORY FRAYN
Nothing says summer like a giant bowl of ice cream; and not just a few scoops in a cup or cone, but a sundae complete with all the fixings! Here are some tips to turn a nostalgic favourite into an updated delight to put a smile on anyone’s face, young or old. 1. The ice cream It goes without saying that the most critical element in a sundae is the ice cream itself. There’s no cheaping out here; you want to make sure you start with a stellar foundation so that you can build from it. Admittedly you could make your own ice cream, but without the high-end equipment of a professional kitchen, it’s difficult to incorporate enough air with a home ice cream maker to achieve the same, meltin-your-mouth consistency. As for flavours, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry may be classic, but there are plenty of other pairings to choose from. Coconut and banana? Hazelnut and caramel? Raspberry and mint? The options are limitless! Finally, for those who don’t eat dairy, whether by choice or due to an 20
intolerance, have no fear, sundaes aren’t off the table. Try to get your hands on some coconut milk ice cream, or even make your own banana “ice cream” by blending frozen bananas until creamy. You can have your sundae and eat it too!
2. Whipped cream Have you ever had a sundae and wondered if there’s actually some ice cream hidden underneath the mountain of whipped cream it’s topped with? If you’re going to go the whipped cream route, it has to be as good as the ice cream itself, such that one doesn’t outshine the other. Really, anything that isn’t out of an aerosol will do. Plus, when you make it yourself, you can control the sugar content so your teeth don’t fall out from all of the sweetness. Virtually unsweetened vanilla bean whip would do nicely, but you can also try adding in a spoonful of cocoa powder for chocolate whipped cream. Infusing the cream with tea prior to chilling and whipping is another way to add some grown-up flavour.