Easy Strawberry Sundae Recipe

Let’s make an easy and classic Strawberry Sundae, with creamy vanilla ice cream, strawberry compote, whipped cream, and a cherry on top! These simple ingredients come together in the best way, and this perfect homemade dessert is a summertime favorite.

a vanilla sundae with strawberry sauce, fresh berries, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Behind it are more ice cream sundaes in different styles.

We love making ice cream sundaes at home, and you will too using this super easy recipe for Strawberry Sundaes! There are also Hot fudge sundaes, caramel sundaes, brownie sundaes, sundaes topped with blueberry compote, and big and beautiful banana splits.

Why You’re Going to Love This Strawberry Sundae Recipe

  • Making homemade sundaes is incredibly easy! This recipe for strawberry sundaes is really more of a tutorial. There’s no cooking involved, just a list of tasty ingredients and instructions for putting them all together.
  • You’ll save money by making strawberry sundaes at home. I love going out for ice cream, but I’ve come to realize that the price of specialty ice cream desserts is going higher and higher! For the same price as a sundae at an ice cream shop, you can make six of them yourself at home.

We have lots of other amazing strawberry frozen dessert recipes here for you to try! Try our Strawberry Popsicles, Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream, Strawberry Sorbet, or a Strawberry Milkshake next.

a small jar of strawberry compote. A hand is spooning it out of the jar.

Ingredients in Homemade Strawberry Sundaes

  • Vanilla Ice Cream – While you could technically use other ice cream flavors to make a strawberry sundae, vanilla is a classic and pairs wonderfully with strawberries and all other types of fruit. Make homemade vanilla bean ice cream, no churn vanilla ice cream, or pick up your favorite brand at the store.
  • Strawberry Sauce – I’m using homemade strawberry compote to make these strawberry sundaes, and you can too! The recipe for compote is very simple to make with fresh or frozen berries.
  • Whipped Cream – You can pick up a can of whipped cream at the store, or make up your own using heavy whipping cream.
  • Nuts – I always loved the chopped peanuts that would be added to a strawberry Sundae from Mcdonald’s, so I add them to my homemade sundaes too! Choose salted nuts to add another layer of flavor.
  • Maraschino Cherries – Strawberry Sundae with a cherry on top: it’s the only way! I like to buy cherries with the stems still on.
  • Fresh Strawberries – As a garnish, more berries are always a good thing when it comes to this strawberry sundae recipe.

I’m giving your step by step sundae instructions below in the recipe card, but you don’t need to be too fancy about this process. Making the perfect strawberry sundae is as simple as adding toppings to a bowl of ice cream.

a spoon adding strawberry compote to a small bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Tips for Making The Best Strawberry Sundae

  • Keep the ice cream in the freezer. While you’re getting ready to make strawberry ice cream sundaes, be sure to keep your ice cream in the freezer until the very last minute. If you pull it out first, it will get too soft while you prepare the other sundae toppings.
  • Homemade strawberry compote is delicious, but you can make a sundae with store-bought strawberry sauce too! Look for fresh strawberry sauce in the freezer section, or strawberry ice cream sauce near the other toppings like hot fudge and caramel.
  • This recipe works with other fruit sauces too, like raspberry compote or blueberry compote.
  • Make sure to get some strawberry sauce in every bite! – It’s best to spoon the strawberry compote all around your bowl or glass. I sometimes add some underneath the scoops of ice cream too!
  • Get creative with Sundae bowls. You don’t need fancy dessert dishes to make fun ice cream sundaes. Try making them in a coffee mug, pint glass, or a regular cereal bowl.
  • Don’t forget the whipped cream. Freshly whipped cream is the best, but you can also buy canned whipped cream at the store.

Try making a strawberry sundae with homemade strawberry ice cream or strawberry shortcake ice cream for the ultimate strawberry sundae experience!

If you’re looking for another yummy sundae, try this turtle sundae next.

a small bowl holding scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with strawberry compote and half of a fresh strawberry

Does McDonalds Still Make Strawberry Sundaes?

As of some time in 2018, most McDonald’s in the US have stopped making strawberry sundaes, and in some other areas, they’ve stopped making the caramel sundae and hot fudge varieties too! Instead, they’re focusing on their milkshakes and McFlurries.

This is a sad thing for those of us that loved McDonald’s sundaes, but at least we can still make these favorites at home. Plus, you can never really count on the ice cream machine at McDonald’s to be working!

When is National Strawberry Sundae Day?

July 7th is National Strawberry Sundae Day in the US. It’s the perfect day to make this recipe, although I think that every day is the perfect day for ice cream!

a strawberry sundae in a glass. Text overlay says "strawberry sundae"

Strawberry Sundae Toppings and Variations

  • I love the classic toppings of whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and a cherry. It reminds me of the now-unavailable McDonald’s strawberry sundae!
  • You can also try adding chopped or shaved dark chocolate or white chocolate to your strawberry sundae.
  • If you add crumbled poundcake or chopped golden Oreos you can make a strawberry shortcake sundae!
  • Try other nuts! Instead of peanuts, salted cashews, pecans, almonds, or walnuts are delicious.

Need more sundae topping ideas? Check out our post on Ice Cream Toppings. I know you’ll find some amazing options.

More Homemade Ice Cream Dessert Recipes

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Did you make this Homemade Strawberry Sundae Ice Cream Recipe? Leave a Comment Below letting us know what you thought and if you added any additional add-ins.

a vanilla sundae with strawberry sauce, fresh berries, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Behind it are more ice cream sundaes in different styles.

Strawberry Sundae

Yield: 1 sundae
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Let's make an easy and classic Strawberry Sundae, with creamy vanilla ice cream, strawberry compote, whipped cream, and a cherry on top!

Ingredients

  • 2 -4 tbsps. strawberry compote
  • 2-3 scoops ice cream of choice
  • ¼ cup whipped cream
  • 1 tbsp salted nuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 maraschino cherry
  • Sliced strawberries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add a scoop of ice cream to the glass, add 1-2 tablespoons of strawberry compote and some sliced strawberries. Repeat until all ice cream has been added to the glass.
  2. Top with whipped cream. 
  3. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
  4. Top with a maraschino cherry. 
  5. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • While you're getting ready to make ice cream sundaes, be sure to keep your ice cream in the freezer until the very last minute. If you pull it out first, it will get too soft while you prepare the other sundae toppings.
  • You can use our homemade strawberry compote, or store bought strawberry sauce.
  • You don't need fancy dessert dishes to make fun ice cream sundaes. Try making them in a coffee mug, pint glass, or a regular cereal bowl.
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 685Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 239mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 7gSugar: 55gProtein: 14g

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