No dairy? No problem. Take your sundae from standard to standout with this decadent, dairy-free dessert bar brought to you by So Delicious® Dairy Free. Whether you’re planning a party for your kids or getting the grown ups together, this sundae bar is sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, especially if you have food allergies.
No need to bring out your best china. Dish up dessert in disposable dishware — bonus points if you go green and opt for eco-friendly, biodegradable bowls. It’ll help cut down on post-party cleanup, which means less time doing dishes. When purchasing your dishware, buy both large bowls and small, single-serving cups so guests can pick their own portion size. You may also want wooden spoons so you don’t have to set out your own serveware. The larger spoons can be used for eating the actual sundae while the small spoons are a perfect pick for toppings.
To build a sundae bar that does dairy one better, try a cashew or coconut-based frozen dessert (we like So Delicious® Dairy Free) — it’s vegan, dairy free and food allergy-friendly (can you say #blessed?). Go beyond the basic by buying gourmet flavors, like Salted Caramel, Cappuccino and Chocolate Cookies N’ Cream. If you’re worried about making a mess, place individual pints in a tray of ice — it’ll help keep the dairy-free dessert cold, minimize melting and catch excess drips.
Allow the frozen dessert to soften slightly before serving so it’s easier to scoop into cups or cones. Or, make it extra easy for guests to serve themselves by spooning scoops of frozen dessert onto the top of each pint. Just use a different scoop for each flavor to prevent them from mixing (and so multiple guests can serve themselves at once). Or, if you want to use the same scoop, dip it in a cup of warm water when you want to alternate flavors. Pro-tip: Running an ice cream scoop under warm water will also help produce perfectly round scoops just like the ones served in ice cream shops. The warm water melts the frozen dessert slightly so the scoop slides right in.
For sundaes that won’t skimp on flavor, try adding a non-dairy whipped topping (we like So Delicious® Dairy Free CocoWhip Light).
Whether you prefer fresh fruit or chocolate chips, toppings take your sundae to the next level. Set out a selection of toppings in basic white bowls (we included granola, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, sliced strawberries, rainbow sprinkles — to make it more kid-friendly — and coconut flakes), then add a wooden spoon to each so toppings won’t mix and mingle. In addition to all the traditional toppings, include an assortment of healthy add-ons including vegan and allergy-friendly foods like carob chips, cacao nibs, crushed graham crackers, fresh fruit, or dried cranberries. Make your setup more spacious by placing toppings on tiered stands.
No sundae bar can be complete without syrups (we chose caramel and chocolate). Give your bar a grown-up — and gourmet — touch by serving the syrups in glass milk bottles (available at craft stores). Use a foam brush to paint a square shape on each bottle with chalkboard paint (you may need more than one coat), let dry for 20 minutes, then use a chalk pen (available at craft stores) — or a piece of plain white chalk — to label the bottles. To prevent the paint from melting off in the dishwasher, carefully hand wash each bottle to clean.
Have fun making your own custom creations (we went for So Delicious® Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert in Dark Chocolate Truffle, sliced strawberries, So Delicious® Dairy Free CocoWhip Light and granola).
For guests who prefer their sundae sans spoon, serve gluten-free cones (available at your local grocery store). To prevent frozen dessert drips and make your sundae bar mess-free, wrap parchment paper around each cone. You can purchase parchment paper squares online, or pre-cut the paper into squares before the party.
Keep your sundae bar food allergy-friendly by serving gluten-free cookies, available at your local grocery store or bakery. We went for the classic cookies — double chocolate and chocolate chip — but you can mix and match your favorites.
Double the decadence by serving sundae ingredients sandwiched between two cookies. Guests can create their own cookie sandwiches or, to make eating even easier and minimize the mess, make several sandwiches the night before the party, place them on a metal baking sheet and freeze overnight. Pro-tip: Carefully cut the end off of a carton using a sharp knife, remove the wrapper and place a frozen dessert disc between two cookies. Continue to cut the carton into 1-inch rounds.
Use the small spoon to sprinkle on toppings or, if you’ve opted for a cookie sandwich, roll the center of the sandwich around in the bowl.
From bowls to cups to cookies to cones, the options are endless!
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