This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine. I am excited to have been asked by The J.M. Smucker Company to share my tips for creating a DIY Ice Cream Bar, which includes using favorite J.M. Smucker Company products. So, in my last post, 7 Tips For Planning The Perfect Outdoor Party, I told you I was planning an end of the summer/back to school party. In that post, one of my tips was to choose a theme. We all love ice cream, so it didn’t take us long to decide on creating a DIY Ice Cream Bar. We thought this would be really fun, easy to set up and we could enjoy all of our favorite Smucker’s® products. Here are a few tips to set up a rocking DIY ice cream bar that will wow your guests!
How To Create A DIY Ice Cream Bar
Table Setup: Be sure to make your table is protected from melted ice cream. I just used a tablecloth that I can toss in the washing machine after the party ends. I have my table moving from left to right. My bowls are on far left, then my sauces and toppings, then the napkins and spoons.
Labels: I bought small chalkboard menu boards to stick in the small mason jars the toppings were in. If you are offering homemade syrups, be sure to label your containers as well.
Offer Variety: In order to have a successful DIY ice cream bar everyone will enjoy, you need to please the masses. You cannot serve just vanilla or chocolate and make everyone happy. Serve 3-4 different flavors of ice cream. I would suggest offering frozen yogurt and sherbet as well. Be sure to get a tub filled with ice keep your ice cream nice and cold.
Toppings: What is a DIY ice cream bar if you don’t have a bunch of great toppings? Again, you want to appeal to the whole crowd, so include a lot of options. I served Reese’s Pieces, white chocolate chips, candy corn, M & M’s, bananas, and strawberries. I also served the amazing Simple Delight Salted Caramel and the Simple Delight Hot Fudge Topping and Caramel flavored Sundae Syrup and whipped cream. You can also offer marshmallows, nuts, crushed Oreos, sprinkles and so much more.
Tableware: Your guests will need something to put their ice cream in and something to eat it with. I used cute disposable paper bowls and wooden spoons. This saved me from doing a bunch of dishes after the party ended. I also offered ice cream cones, waffle bowls and banana split bowls.
We had the best time with our DIY ice cream bar! The girls next door were literally looking over my shoulder as I was setting up. They were like little puppies who were hoping I would mess up my sample sundaes for my pictures so they could eat them! In order to have a successful DIY ice cream bar, be sure to include your favorite Smucker’s® products from Walmart.
What is your favorite Smucker’s® ice cream topping
