If you’re ready to take your ice cream up a notch, try this Doughnut Ice Cream Sundae! It’s a giant sundae with all the fixings, served on top of a crispy doughnut!
I am feeling the summer time vibes, you guys. Lately it has been warm long into the evenings, so we’ve been eating most dinners out on our deck, enjoying the late sunshine and playing ladder ball and horseshoes after eating. Our dinners are moving away from heavy winter fare and focusing more on light food, lots of produce, and things from the grill. (It’s around this time every year that I decide I want to Grill All The Things.)
And of course, ice cream is making a major comeback. Once those warmer temperatures hit, it’s ice cream tiiiiiiiiiiiime!
Today I’m bringing you my newest dessert obsession—Doughnut Ice Cream Sundaes!
I wanted to create a SugarHero-esque dessert that looks large and in charge, but is actually super fast and simple to whip up! These doughnut ice cream sundaes take just a few minutes to put together, but look and taste amazing. Imagine a banana split where the banana is actually a glazed doughnut, lightly toasted in a buttered skillet until golden and crispy. The slightly crunchy doughnut is the perfect base for all of those glorious ice cream toppings we’re going to pile on that bad boy.
Of course, you can make these with whatever ingredients you have on hand. I wanted to keep it super traditional and really inspired by a classic banana split. So I lined the toasted doughnut halves with sliced bananas and strawberries, then piled it high with three different types of ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and—NEVER FORGET—a few cherries on top!
I was most excited to share this dessert with my family. As he’s gotten older, my son has become a real helper in the kitchen and it is so fun to share my culinary passion with him. Here’s a total mom brag, but I think he has some kitchen chops already! So I knew he would like the idea of this sundae and enjoy assembling his own. I toasted the doughnut and scooped the ice cream, then let him go crazy with the toppings–adding the sprinkles, cherries, whipped cream, and of course chocolate syrup. He loved it!
These were a great addition to our usual deck-dinner-games routine last night, and I have a feeling we’ll be making them all summer long.
You can use this idea with any type of doughnut or fritter, or even a croissant. Any sort of crispy, bready thing is a great addition to an ice cream sundae. I hope you’ll give it a try now that summertime’s almost here!
🎉More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
Mini Banana Split Cakes
Ice Cream Sundae Cake
Doughnut Ice Cream Sundaes
Ingredients
- 6 doughnut bars
- 2 TBSP unsalted butter
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 12 large strawberries
- 1 quart ice cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles
- Cherries
Instructions
- Slice each doughnut in half lengthwise. Place a large skillet over medium heat, and melt some butter in the skillet. Working in batches, place the sliced doughnuts, cut side down, in the skillet and cook until they’re toasted and golden. Let the toasted doughnuts cool to room temperature.
- Cut the bananas and strawberries into thin slices. Place the sliced doughnuts in your banana split dishes or bowls. Line the insides of the doughnut with the cut fruit. Top with scoops of ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries. Enjoy immediately!
Measuring Tips
Our recipes are developed using weight measurements, and we highly recommend using a kitchen scale for baking whenever possible. However, if you prefer to use cups, volume measurements are provided as well. PLEASE NOTE: the adage “8 oz = 1 cup” is NOT true when speaking about weight, so don’t be concerned if the measurements don’t fit this formula.
Want to learn more about baking measurements and conversion?
These look so fun for the kids! What a great idea!
Thanks Roxana! I love kid-friendly eats that adults actually enjoy too. 🙂
wow these sundaes look incredible! sundaes definitely bring back childhood memories. love the photos too.
Thanks Thalia! It definitely made me feel like a kid again. 🙂
They look great. I never had a sundae like this, thanks for sharing
Thanks Keith! Give them a try and let me know what you think!
Yummy in my tummy and I won´t be sharing! Ha!
Do you know every time I visit your site I start singing that song “did you know that you´re my hero?” LOL
Haha then my work here is done! I actually have a little tune I sing to “Su-gar-hero!” too. Haha. 🙂
I like your blog and this ice cream looks yum 🙂
Thank you so much, Hafsa!
One thing I love about baking and desserts is how happy they make people. The look on your son’s face is priceless! Cleary loving every minute of this amazing dessert! The best thing about this gem of a recipe is that the kids can be involved in creating their own masterpieces! Fun recipe!
Thank you, Stephanie! He was so over-the-moon about being able to assemble his sundae–it was awesome to see how happy such a simple thing could make him. I hope you’ll let me know if you try it with your own family!
I shouldn’t have stopped by before eating dinner! Whoa, this sundae looks amazing—and how cute is that little man of yours????!!! I’ll be back to pin all your creations later 🙂
Hey, who’s to say that a sundae can’t be a legitimate dinner? 🙂 And thanks, I think he’s pretty adorable too. Cheers!
Oh my gosh! I CANT EVEN!!!!
You CAN and you SHOULD! Hahah. 😉
My mind is totally blown! These sundaes are making all my sugar dreams come true.
Thanks Nicole! Any time I can combine sugar with more sugar I’m a happy girl. 🙂
I would completely go for that! Especially the cronut! Your son is so cute!
Thank you Shelby! It’s a toss-up between who is cuter: the boy or the sundae. 🙂