Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

Neapolitan Sundae Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This Classic Neapolitan Sundae celebrates the iconic trio of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream with complementary sauces, fresh strawberries, and all the toppings that make sundaes irresistible. It’s a stunning, nostalgic dessert that offers something for everyone in every beautiful bite.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sundaes 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ice Cream Base:

  • 1 pint chocolate ice cream
  • 1 pint vanilla ice cream
  • 1 pint strawberry ice cream

For the Sauces:

  • ½ cup hot fudge sauce
  • ½ cup strawberry sauce or strawberry ice cream topping

For the Toppings:

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 4 maraschino cherries with stems

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnishes:

  • Rainbow sprinkles
  • Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
  • Wafer cookies
  • Crushed graham crackers
  • Additional fresh berries

Instructions

Prepare the Whipped Cream:

  1. Chill equipment: Place mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes for best results.
  2. Whip the cream: Pour cold heavy cream into chilled bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until it begins to thicken.
  3. Add flavorings: Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Continue beating until soft peaks form. Set aside in refrigerator.

Prepare the Components: 4. Warm the fudge sauce: Heat hot fudge in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in 15-second intervals until warm and pourable.

  1. Prepare strawberries: Hull and slice fresh strawberries into thin slices.
  2. Arrange toppings: Set out all toppings for easy, quick assembly.

Assemble the Sundaes: 7. Create the sauce base: Drizzle about 1 tablespoon each of hot fudge sauce and strawberry sauce into the bottom of each sundae glass, keeping them somewhat separate for visual effect.

  1. Add chocolate ice cream: Place one scoop of chocolate ice cream in each glass.
  2. Drizzle with fudge: Add a drizzle of hot fudge sauce over the chocolate ice cream.
  3. Add vanilla ice cream: Place one scoop of vanilla ice cream next to or on top of the chocolate scoop.
  4. Add strawberry ice cream: Complete the trio with one scoop of strawberry ice cream.
  5. Add strawberry sauce: Drizzle strawberry sauce over and around the strawberry ice cream scoop.
  6. Add fresh strawberries: Arrange fresh strawberry slices around the ice cream scoops.
  7. Top with whipped cream: Crown the entire sundae with generous swirls of fresh whipped cream.
  8. Final garnishes: Drizzle additional sauces over the whipped cream. Add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or any optional garnishes. Place a maraschino cherry on top.
  9. Serve immediately: Insert a long sundae spoon and serve right away while all temperatures are perfect!

Notes

  • For the most authentic Neapolitan experience, arrange the three ice cream scoops side by side (like the classic ice cream carton) rather than stacked vertically.
  • Dip your ice cream scoop in warm water between flavors to prevent colors from mixing and muddying the presentation.
  • If you can find actual Neapolitan ice cream in the striped format, you can cut a slice across all three flavors for a different presentation.
  • The key to this sundae is balance—make sure each flavor gets equal representation in toppings too.
  • For parties, pre-scoop all ice cream balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then assemble quickly when ready to serve.
  • Add wafer cookies for extra texture and that classic ice cream parlor presentation.
  • Author: Ana Maldonado
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Desert
  • Method: No-Cook Assembly
  • Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sundae
  • Calories: 695
  • Sugar: 68g
  • Sodium: 195mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 23g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 82g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg