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
Pam says
September 24, 2015 at 1:53 pmI love having sundae bars at my cookouts. It’s such a fun personalized dessert.
Ronda says
September 24, 2015 at 4:13 pmOh great! Now I want ice Cream! I love putting together ice cream bars for the kiddos! I have actually never tried the snuck ears brand toppings, I’ll have to check them out!
tiaras and tantrums says
September 24, 2015 at 4:53 pmsuper cute fundae sundae bar! This would be great for thanksgiving this year – I will be having FULL house and this is great as there will be tons of kiddos and they all don’t really like pie too much
Liz Mays says
September 24, 2015 at 5:05 pmOh, I’d love to do one of these soon. Great ideas! I need to make sure we have some toppings with Fall colors.
Lady Lilith says
September 24, 2015 at 5:13 pmLove the treat. With the holidays rolling in, I will have to keep this in mind.
coolchillmom says
September 24, 2015 at 5:51 pmWhat a fabulous bar idea!!! The final result is so yummy looking
Lori Felix says
September 24, 2015 at 8:25 pmI recently attended a birthday party that had a sundae bar and it was a big hit. My favorite topping is always the hot fudge.
Liz Mays says
September 24, 2015 at 9:56 pmHot fudge with some fresh cherries or strawberries would be delicious.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
September 24, 2015 at 8:34 pmMy ice cream bar would definitely include the hot fudge. I’d absolutely need candy like m&m’s and reese’s pieces!
Toughcookiemommy says
September 24, 2015 at 8:55 pmIce cream bars are so much fun. I love creating my own sundaes and ice cream cones.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
September 24, 2015 at 9:56 pmThis is a nice idea. I have little nephews and nieces who would love to be invited in a party with a sundae bar. My only concern is, they might have eaten up all the toppings before I am done setting it all up. LOL.
Amber NElson says
September 24, 2015 at 9:59 pmThat looks pretty awesome. I may want to do this for my upcoming party for my exchange student.
Pam says
September 24, 2015 at 10:19 pmNow this is a great DIY ice cream bar. That Smuckers Butterscotch syrup looks divine. Butterscotch is one of my favorites.
Ann Bacciaglia says
September 24, 2015 at 11:44 pmThis looks is delicious. It will be perfect for my Daughters Birthday party that is coming up. I will have to set one up.
rika says
September 25, 2015 at 2:45 amNice idea and so colorful. I think my kids will love this DIY ice cream bar!
victoria says
September 25, 2015 at 6:40 amLooks delicious I want it now. I love to have an ice cream bar on my son first birthday and many people would enjoy ice cream bar.
Elizabeth O. says
September 25, 2015 at 6:53 amThis is so adorable! Perfect for birthday parties and dinner parties. There’s no cooking required too, so it makes everything easier.
The L's Mum says
September 25, 2015 at 7:05 amThis is such a fab idea I love it. I can see me doing this for family get togethers or full on parties. Thanks for sharing.
Maureen@ADebtFreeStressFreeLife says
September 25, 2015 at 7:44 amI love having an ice cream bar party! Everyone gets what they want and can be creative too!
Ourfamilyworld says
September 25, 2015 at 1:07 pmWhat a great idea. My son’s birthday is coming up. I will create a Sundae bar for him and his friends.
Stephanie says
September 25, 2015 at 5:25 pmWhat an awesome ice cream bar! We just recently had one of those at my daughter’s kindergarten class.
Travel Blogger says
September 25, 2015 at 5:48 pmThis would be so cute for a birthday party or sunday funday with friends or family.
Rachel Hirst (Umeandthekids) says
September 25, 2015 at 6:15 pmI love this post so much. what a fantastic idea, great for movie nights, birthday parties and bbq’s. I cannot wait to try this out with my boys.
MsCrookedHalo says
September 25, 2015 at 6:30 pmI love making ice cream bars. It is a very easy way to make an ordinary day into a special occasion.
Dhemz Apdian - Dias says
September 25, 2015 at 7:19 pmhow awesome! What a fantastic idea. I would love to try this one for sure.
Dogvills says
September 25, 2015 at 9:00 pmThis is awesome! My family loves ice cream. I will try this, this weekend.
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey says
September 27, 2015 at 2:20 amThis looks awesome, it makes me want to do this now. This is always fun to do with friends and families. I love sundae!
mycraftingworld says
May 15, 2017 at 6:50 amI like this idea. The girls are coming for Memorial Day and I think we will do this for the dessert. Thank you for the idea.