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What Are the Different Types of Ice Cream Sauces?

Eugene P.
Eugene P.

There are many types of ice cream sauces, ranging from the traditional to the unique. Chocolate ice cream sauces are very popular, as are similar sweet sauces with flavors such as vanilla cream, caramel and peanut butter. Fruit-based sauces are an ingredient in many classic ice cream dishes, with some having whole pieces of fruit in them and others appearing as just colorful, thick syrups full of fruit flavors. Some sauces are simply cream that has been subtly infused with flavors such as cinnamon, while unique savory ice cream sauces can be made from mashed avocado and sugar. Adults are able to enjoy ice cream sauces that have been flavored with liqueurs or other spirits, such as rum mixed with walnuts in a sugary base.

Of all the different ice cream sauces, chocolate is one of the most popular. Chocolate sauces can be made of just chocolate pieces or chocolate powder and sugar that has been melted until smooth and poured over ice cream. It also can be made from chocolate that is mixed with cream, butter and other ingredients to make a rich sauce. Raspberries, hints of vanilla or nuts such as almonds can be included to add more flavor to the sauce.

A scoop of ice cream.
A scoop of ice cream.

Caramel ice cream sauces are similar to chocolate sauces, except with a different flavor. The base of most caramel sauces is some type of sugar, with brown sugar being very common. The sugar is melted into water with butter and thickeners such as corn syrup. Flavors such as vanilla, or even some heavy cream, can be added to help enhance the sweet caramel flavor of the sauce. The color of the sauce can be made deeper the longer the sugar is allowed to cook, turning more golden brown over time.

Cream may be added to enhance the flavor of an ice cream sauce.
Cream may be added to enhance the flavor of an ice cream sauce.

Ice cream sauces made from fruit can add a lighter flavor with a different type of sweetness than other sauces. Strawberries, blueberries, pears and cherries are all fruits that can be boiled in sweet syrup until they are soft and then poured over ice cream to add color and flavor. Some recipes for fruit-based ice cream sauces strain the fruit out from the final liquid to create a more formal presentation.

For a twist, use Mexican chocolate flavored with cinnamon to make fudge sauce.
For a twist, use Mexican chocolate flavored with cinnamon to make fudge sauce.

Many people like to taste of liqueur and ice cream together. Mint-flavored liqueur, bourbon or rum can all be poured sparingly over ice cream to make a fast sauce. Cooking the liquor first can reduce the amount of alcohol present and develop a different, more concentrated taste. Caramel sauces make an effective base for infusing complex flavors such as the licorice taste in ouzo or the smoky undertones in darker liquors. Even red wine can be reduced with cinnamon sticks and butter to create a thick and decadent sauce to pour over vanilla ice cream.

Discussion Comments

Pippinwhite

@Rotergirl -- Golden syrup! That's it! That has to be the missing ingredient that has been keeping my chocolate sauce from being thick and candy-like. Thank you so much!

Rotergirl

@Pippinwhite -- I've got a good one I found online. It uses golden table syrup or light corn syrup, butter, heavy cream, cocoa powder, brown sugar, a dash of salt and vanilla extract. It's really easy and always turns out well. You can store it in the fridge for a couple of months, and just heat it up when you want to use it. It's very easy and always turns out right. I think it's the golden syrup.

I also really like strawberry and cherry sauces for ice cream. They're easy to make too, and always turn out like they're supposed to.

Pippinwhite

I'm a big fan of butterscotch and hot fudge sauces as ice cream toppings. I've had some success in making a butterscotch syrup, but have never been able to duplicate the thick hot fudge sauce you buy or get from the ice cream shop. Is there a recipe that duplicates this? I keep thinking there's probably some weird additive that you can't get in the store, or never thought about using, that makes it so thick and fudgy.

Does anyone have a recipe that even starts to taste like the real hot fudge sauce you can buy?

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    • A scoop of ice cream.
      By: M.studio
      A scoop of ice cream.
    • Cream may be added to enhance the flavor of an ice cream sauce.
      By: Viorel Sima
      Cream may be added to enhance the flavor of an ice cream sauce.
    • For a twist, use Mexican chocolate flavored with cinnamon to make fudge sauce.
      By: razmarinka
      For a twist, use Mexican chocolate flavored with cinnamon to make fudge sauce.