A scoop of ice cream.
There are many types of ice cream sauces, from traditional to unique. Chocolate ice cream sauces are very popular, as are similar sweet sauces with flavors like vanilla cream, caramel, and peanut butter. Fruit-based sauces are an ingredient in many classic ice cream dishes, some containing whole pieces of fruit and others appearing only as thick, colorful syrups bursting with fruit flavors. Some sauces are simply cream that has been subtly infused with flavors like cinnamon, while unique and flavorful ice cream sauces can be made with mashed avocado and sugar. Adults can enjoy frozen sauces flavored with liqueurs or other spirits such as rum mixed with dried fruit in a sugary base.
Cream can be added to enhance the flavor of an ice cream sauce.
Of all the different ice cream sauces, chocolate is one of the most popular. Chocolate sauces can be made with just chocolate chips or chocolate powder and sugar melted until smooth and poured over ice cream. It can also be made with chocolate that is mixed with cream, butter, and other ingredients to make a rich sauce. You can include raspberries, notes of vanilla or nuts such as almonds to add more flavor to the sauce.
For a special touch, use cinnamon-flavored Mexican chocolate to make chocolate sauce.
Caramel ice cream sauces are similar to chocolate sauces, except they taste different. The base of most caramel sauces is some form of sugar, with brown sugar being very common. Sugar is melted in water with butter and thickeners like corn syrup. Flavors like vanilla, or even a bit of heavy cream, can be added to help bring out the sweet caramel flavor of the sauce. The color of the sauce can get deeper the longer the sugar cooks, turning more golden over time.
Ice cream sauces made with fruit can add a lighter flavor with a different kind of sweetness than other sauces. Strawberries, blueberries, pears, and cherries are fruits that can be boiled in sweet syrup until soft and then poured over ice cream to add color and flavor. Some fruit-based ice cream sauce recipes extract the fruit from the final liquid to create a more formal presentation.
Many people enjoy enjoying liquor and ice cream together. Mint-flavored liqueur, bourbon, or rum can be poured sparingly over ice cream for a quick dip. Cooking the liquor first can reduce the amount of alcohol present and develop a different, more concentrated flavor. Caramel sauces are an effective base for infusing complex flavors like the licorice flavor of ouzo or the smoky undertones of darker liqueurs. Even red wine can be reduced with cinnamon sticks and butter to create a thick, decadent sauce to pour over vanilla ice cream.