Put together a delicious ice cream sundae bar with these simple ideas and free ice cream bar printables. Perfect for summer BBQs, birthday parties, or a fun summer treat!
Seasonal Simplicty Summer Series
Welcome back to week three of the seasonal simplicity summer series! Each week we’re sharing a new summer idea with you – from summer decor ideas, to delicious drinks to keep you cool, to pretty summer wreath ideas. Everything you need for the perfect summer at home! If you’ve missed the previous weeks, you can find them here:
This week is one of my favorites – free summer printables! You can find all of the beautiful printable ideas at the end of the post, so be sure to check them out!
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
One of the best parts about summer is all of the ice cream! Putting together a simple ice cream bar is a fun way to celebrate the season and the perfect way to enjoy those summer nights with the family. You can set one up for birthday parties, BBQs, or just a stay-at-home night with the family.
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How do you create an ice cream sundae bar?
An ice cream bar doesn’t have to be complicated. It can vary from just a few tasty toppings to something more elaborate. And with these cute ice cream bar printables, it can even double as summer decor!
If you’re wanting to create your own ice cream sundae bar, here are a few simple tips to put one together…
Pick a spot.
Choose where you would like to set up your ice cream sundae bar. Smaller ice cream bars can be set up on a tray, tiered tray, or corner of your kitchen. For larger ice cream bars use a small table or bar cart. You can display toppings on cake stands to keep drips to a minimum.
Grab your ice cream.
If you’re going to be doing a lot of ice cream toppings, stick with more basic ice cream flavors such as vanilla or chocolate so the ice cream doesn’t complete with all of the flavor toppings. You’ll roughly want approximately 1 1/2 cups of ice cream per person. The 1.12 gallon tubs should serve at least 10-12 people and still give you some room for seconds. 🙂
Scoop it up.
There are lots of ways that you can serve up ice cream. A good ice cream scooper is a must for any ice cream lover. Here are a few ways to make serving your ice cream a little easier.
- scoop different flavors into large, wide-mouth mason jars and place them in a party bucket with ice to keep cool.
- pre-scoop the ice cream and place the scoops on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Keep covered in the freezer or place in an insulated tub until ready to serve. Place the scoops in large bowls by flavor.
- Keep a mason jar with warm water for your ice cream scooper. The warm water makes the ice cream easier to scoop and also allows the ice cream to be washed off if scooping different flavors.
- Make sure you have napkins or hand towels near by to wipe up any messes.
Choose your serving presentation.
You can serve your ice cream in cones, waffle bowls, plastic bowls, or even cups. For an extra touch, you can dip your cones or waffle bowls in melted chocolate and top with sprinkles. To make your cones a little cuter, wrap them in these free printable ice cream cone wrappers.
Add the toppings.
This is the fun part! There are SO many options for toppings. Use what you have on hand to create some custom sundae flavors or stick with the classics. Set out your toppings in mason jars, small bowls, or cups. I like the mason jars since you can just screw on a lid for storage afterwards. If your sauces don’t come in a squirt bottle, you can serve them in icing bottles or place them in a bowl with a spoon.
Dress it Up.
To make your ice cream bar a little cuter, use these free ice cream bar printables to dress it up a bit. There are lots of different ways that you can use them to create your own custom creation.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar Toppings
There are lots of different options for your ice cream sundae bar toppings, but here’s a list to help get you started. I’ve made labels for many of these but you can always use the blank labels for any other options that you would like to include.
- whipping cream
- chocolate sauce
- strawberry sauce
- caramel sauce
- berry compote
- cookie bites {crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chip cookies, crushed chocolate wafers, etc.}
- fruit toppings such as sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, etc.
- candies such as M&Ms or gummy bears
- chocolate chips or other flavored chips {butterscotch, white chocolate, etc.}
- mini marshmallows
- sprinkles
- mini peanut butter cups or other cut up chocolate bar pieces
- crushed nuts
- toffee bits
Download the Ice Cream Sundae Bar Printables
Ice Cream Bar Prints
I have the printables available for you in a 5×7, 8×10 or 11×14 format. Just download the size you would like and print it out. You can print the 5×7 or 8×10 on your home printer, or any of them can be printed anywhere that you would get photos developed. These would work as some cute summer decor too – even if you don’t put together an ice cream bar!
5×7 ICE CREAM CART DOWNLOAD
8×10 ICE CREAM CART DOWNLOAD
11×14 ICE CREAM CART DOWNLOAD
5×7 ICE CREAM CONE STAND DOWNLOAD
8×10 ICE CREAM CONE STAND DOWNLOAD
11×14 ICE CREAM CONE STAND DOWNLOAD
5×7 ICE CREAM CONES DOWNLOAD
8×10 ICE CREAM CONES DOWNLOAD
11×14 ICE CREAM CONES DOWNLOAD
Ice Cream Bar Labels
These cute labels add a pretty touch to any ice cream bar. Just download them, print, and trim with a paper cutter. I find it easiest to trim the bottom and sides first. Then fold the label over the top of the label and trim the bottom to match. I have a few different sheets of labels or you can download a blank one to fill in your own. If you’d like to use the same font, I used Summer Lemonade.
#1 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR LABELS
#2 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR LABELS
#3 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR LABELS
BLANK ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR LABELS
Ice Cream Bar Mason Jar Tags
If you want frequent access to your ice cream sundae bar toppings, keep them stored in a mason jar. It will keep them fresh while still providing easy access. With these cute printable mason jar tags, you can even use them as part of your summer decor. Just place them on a tray to keep everything corralled together. I made a blank version of these as well in case you come up with your own toppings.
To use, download, print, and cut out the tags. I use a circle punch to make it easier, but you can just trim with scissors too. Punch a hole in the top and tie them to the top of a mason jar wth baker’s twine or thin ribbon.
#1 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR MASON JAR LABELS
#2 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR MASON JAR LABELS
#3 ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR MASON JAR LABELS
BLANK ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR MASON JAR LABELS
Ice Cream Cone Wrappers
Ice cream cone wrappers add a cute touch to your ice cream bar. These wrappers were ideally made for the regular sized sugar cones but may fit some waffle cones depending on the size. You could also try adjusting the printing size as well if you have a larger waffle cone.
To make, just download the printable, print it out and cut. Use a little double sided tape on one end of the wrapper, wrap around the cone and secure the ends together. I have two designs for you to choose from – one with polka-dots and one with ice cream cones. Or do a mix of both!
POLKA DOT DESIGN ICE CREAM CONE WRAPPERS DOWNLOAD
ICE CREAM CONE DESIGN ICE CREAM CONE WRAPPERS DOWNLOAD
Shop the Post
If you’re looking for items in the post, I’ve tried to link as many products as possible as well as some similar items that would be fun for an ice cream bar.
- mason jars – Target
- bamboo wood mason jar lids – Amazon
- wood photo frame – Michaels
- wood tray – Decor Steals
- white ice cream bowls – HomeSense
- white cake stands – HomeSense
I hope you have fun with these and create your own ice cream sundae bar this summer. Let me know if you give it a try!
More Free Summer Printables
Today I’m joined by some of my blogging friends who are also sharing their summer printables! Just click the links below the images to be taken to their post…
Tropical & Palm Leaf Line Drawing Free Printable Series at The Happy Housie
Watercolour Peonies in a Ginger Jar Printable at Craftberry Bush
Watermelon Summer Print and Meal Planner Printable at JoAnna Anastasia
Three Free Peony Watercolour Printables at The Tattered Pew
Ice Cream Sundae Bar Printables at Clean & Scentsible
Watercolour Seascapes Free Printables at Finding Silver Pennies
Summer Movie Night Printables at Life is a Party
Free Summer Prints at Taryn Whiteaker Designs
Printable Garden Markers at Tatertots and Jello
Must Have Flowers Always Free Summer Printable at She Gave it a Go
DIY Spin Art Printable at My Sweet Savannah
Dreaming of Summer – Bougainvillea Printable at Zevy Joy
Porch Rules Printable at Lolly Jane
Earthy Artwork Free Printable Wall Art at Grace in My Space
The Sun Will Rise Printable at Cassie Bustamante
More Fun Summer Ideas
For more fun summer food ideas, check out these posts…
Lemonade Bar and Lemonade Stand Printables
cassie bustamante says
our family LOOOOOVES ice cream and these are so cute! pinned!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks Cassie! We’re big ice cream supporters too! lol!
Kelly Radcliff says
Ok this could not be any cuter! I love all of your printables but the cone wrappers are the cutest! Thanks for sharing…I know my family will enjoy this fun set up!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! I love those wrappers too. Hope you enjoy!
Alison Talbot says
Where are the cone wrappers from, please?? Thank you!
Jenn Lifford says
I made them. You can find the free printables at the end of the post. 🙂
Jennifer Hadfield says
So cute Jenn! And perfect for Summer! I pinned it to my printable board to share!
xoxo
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much Jen!
Krista says
These are SO cute, Jenn. I absolutely love these and your sundae bar idea! Thank you for sharing it all!
JOANNA says
These are absolutely the cutest ever!
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much!
Danielle says
Oh my goodness, these are the sweetest printables. We’re huge fans for ice cream in our house. I can’t wait to use these!
Rebecca Payne says
Thank so much for sharing.