This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
This might be the best DIY to ever appear on this blog: a DIY ice cream sundae bar. (I’m only slightly kidding.)
I am so totally not the world’s best baker or cook. So I love it when an easy party hosting setup does most of the work for me (most importantly so that I can relax and enjoy the party too). Party hosts deserve to have fun too, ya know?
Ice Cream Sundae Bar Using the Ninja Creami
I’ve had a Ninja Creami ice cream maker on my wish list (and on like every holiday gift guide) for the past few years. Finally, I sprung for one; it has undoubtedly lived up to every expectation I had – SO GOOD!
I never ever thought to check The Home Depot for small kitchen appliances. But I was able to find my long-awaited-for ice cream maker and several red, white, and blue decor and serving ware pieces there to have shipped to me for my summer party setup.
All of it came together to be an easy, festive ice cream sundae bar that I threw together in minutes.
The end result is an instant hit because, I mean, who doesn’t love ice cream?! Especially when it’s homemade with lots of toppings.
Related: My Unbiased Honest Review of the Bartesian Cocktail Maker
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3-Ingredient Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
I like to sneak in healthy alternatives whenever I can. (I’ve lost 50 pounds in the past 2 years with the help of making healthier food swaps.)
One of the biggest reasons I wanted a Ninja Creami was because it can turn protein shakes, fresh or frozen fruit, cottage cheese, yogurt, and natural ingredients into ice creams, sorbets, gelatos, milkshakes, or smoothie bowls. It feels like I’m eating something indulgent, but it’s much more nutrient dense than store-bought.
The Home Depot has many of their small kitchen appliances on sale right now, including some from the Ninja brand.
For this red, white, and blue ice cream bar, I made a simple high protein vanilla ice cream base the day before.
Soft Serve Ice Cream Ingredients
- 1 vanilla protein shake serving (Use a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder mixed with 10-12 ounces of any milk of your choice.)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla pudding mix (For less sugar, you can use a sugar free version.)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste (or scrape the inside of one vanilla bean pod)
- 1/4 Cup milk of your choice (if needed for a soft-serve texture)
Directions
- Whisk together the protein shake, pudding mix, and vanilla bean paste in a Ninja Creami pint until well combined.
- Place the pint with the lid on into the freezer for 24 hours. (Be sure the pint remains level so ingredients freeze evenly.)
- After fully frozen, mix the pint in the Ninja Creami on the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- If the mixture is crumbly, add up to 1/4C of milk.
- Mix again on the Re-Spin setting and enjoy!
Related: 10 Tips to Host an Epic Bonfire Party
How to Keep Ice Cream Cold Outdoors
This is a great backyard summer entertaining tip. Place your pints of ice cream in a galvanized tub filled with ice so it doesn’t melt as guests make their sundaes.
This 4-compartment party platter on ice is smart to use too.
If you want to make an even bigger spread for guests, provide several other ice cream flavors for them to choose from. Many of these flavors are available in protein shakes and pudding mixes as well, if you want to adapt the above recipe (just omit the vanilla paste):
- Strawberry
- Chocolate
- Caramel
- Banana
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
Related: How to Make a Simple DIY Charcuterie Board in 10 Minutes
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What to Put on an Ice Cream Sundae Bar
The very simple soft-serve vanilla ice cream is perfect to sprinkle with lots of different toppings.
I found these seagrass dip server sets to hold all kinds of red, white, and blue ice cream toppings. (But they’re great for a non-red, white, and blue theme too.)
Red, White, and Blue Topping Ideas
- Strawberry sauce
- Sprinkles
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Maraschino cherries
- Red white and blue M&Ms
- Mini marshmallows
Other Topping Ideas
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Oreo crumbles
- Chocolate chips
- Mini Reese’s peanut butter cups
- Gummy worms / bears
- Brownie bits
- Edible cookie dough bits
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Banana slices
- Whipped cream
Related: 100 Best Outdoor Movies to Watch for a Backyard Movie Night
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Red White and Blue Decor
The decorations were so simple to pull together using just a white ceramic planter with a white flowering plant. I stuck a few mini stick flags into the potting soil. It’s an easy 4th of July centerpiece idea too.
Instead of a tablecloth, I just used three of these blue gingham cotton napkins. This speckled red enamelware cake stand is so cute for holding serving cups and ice cream cones.
And an American flag hung above our outdoor cabinet cart makes the easiest backdrop. We love this cabinet cart for keeping pool towels, sunscreen, goggles, and pool toys accessible for guests during pool parties.
Ice Cream Party Sources
Everything I used from The Home Depot for the ice cream sundae bar is linked below.
DIY Ice Cream Sundae Bar How-To
Time needed: 15 minutes
How to make a red white and blue themed ice cream sundae bar as an easy Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or 4th of July dessert idea for a party.
- Ice Cream Server
Use a party platter on ice or fill a galvanized tub with ice to keep ice cream pints cold. Provide an assortment of flavors for more customization options.
- Display Cups and Cones
Use a cake stand to display cups and ice cream cones so guests can choose. If you’re serving ice cream near a pool, use shatterproof cups.
- Place Toppings
Use chip & dip cups or jars to provide an assortment of toppings. (A muffin tin works well too, if you don’t have anything else.)
- Decorate
Add mini flags in a vase or planter and hang a large American flag for a simple ice cream bar backdrop.
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