There is simply no substitute for ice cream sundaes in the summer. When you’re looking for hoots and hollers, a kiddie cone just won’t do. Pull out the big scoops and make one of these ice cream sundae recipes.

These sundaes are made with the best fresh ingredients that summer has to offer, making them a little more on the adult side. (No chocolate syrup in a bottle, sorry.) Whether you make your own ice cream or pick some up at the store–I’m lucky to get mine at the  #1 Zagat rated New York City ice cream shop–these summer ice cream sundaes are spectacularly tasty.

ROASTED STRAWBERRY SUNDAE
Homemade ice cream sundae toppings don’t get any easier than the roasted strawberries that Aimee at Simple bites made for her Roasted Strawberry Sundae (above).You can make the strawberries up to a week ahead and spoon them over vanilla ice cream when you’re ready for a treat. If you feel fancy (or very grown up!), do as Aimee suggests and add a splash of balsamic vinegar or sprinkle of cardamom.

 

Cherry Nutella Ice Cream Sundae recipe

CHERRY NUTELLA ICE CREAM SUNDAE
This Cherry Nutella Ice Cream Sundae from Cooking Canuck might be dessert perfection. I mean, we’re talking vanilla ice cream, fresh cherries, and NUTELLA. Need I say more?!

 

Blueberry and Sweet Corn Sundae recipe

BLUEBERRY ICE CREAM SUNDAE WITH A TWIST
Fresh blueberries and sweet corn are two of the best ingredients that summer has to offer–don’t balk until you’ve tried it! In an unexpected twist, Sonja and Alex of A Couple Cooks puts them together in this fun Blueberry and Sweet Corn Sundae.

They use Greek-style yogurt, but I encourage you to use vanilla ice cream to turn it from a breakfast to a dessert. I also encourage you to follow their lead by topping with real maple syrup and a sprinkling of sea salt. Genius.

 

Nectarine, Blackberry and Pecan Sundae recipe

ICE CREAM SUNDAE FRUIT PARFAIT
Kelly at The Best Remedy calls this a Summer Sundae, which indeed it is considering the produce in season right now. I love how, with a quick pulse of a food processor, she turns a combination of fresh berries into a sundae sauce that she layers with vanilla ice cream, fresh nectarines, and pecans. Yum! (Photo by Sang An.)

 

Warm Blackberry Pie Ice Cream Sundae recipe

BLACKBERRY PIE ICE CREAM SUNDAE
Now here are four words that sound good together: Warm Blackberry Pie Sundae. Grab the recipe from Epicurious, and don’t be scared by the word “pie”–there’s no baking involved.

Instead, you achieve the flavor of berry pie a la mode using store-bought shortbread cookies. I’m all for sundaes that take longer to eat than make. (Photo by Andrew Mccaul)